Senior Scribe FBC, Baltimore MD: In these days of rising travel costs, the historic city offers some of its most fascinating attractions absolutely free. I’ve visited London many times over nearly 70 years, and have actually found several free places actually the most interesting.

Some people go to London for its great theaters. Others enjoy the historic royal pomp. The city’s beautiful parks attract many. When I went to London recently, I revisited memories of my first time there in May of 1945 as a young GI.

1. Buckingham Palace Gates, London SW1A 1AA, www.royal.gov.uk. When the Royal Family appears on the palace balcony these days, Queen Elizabeth II, now age 89, is only survivor of those who were there to celebrate the World War II victory in May 1945. We GIs happily joined in with the British celebrants and had the time of our lives.

This year the queen will mark her 90th birthday, and there will be many events in May to mark the occasion. They include the famed Horse Guard parades and Changing of the Guard ceremonies. You can view that free if you can get close enough to the Palace gates. If you want to tour inside, it costs about $30 per person for a three-hour visit to the palace and surrounding grounds.   

2. Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London WC2N 5DS, www.londontown.com. I always enjoy visiting this busy gathering place for tourists, students and locals. In the center is a huge column with the statue of Admiral Nelson atop. He commanded the British Navy to victory in 1805, but was killed during the Battle of Trafalgar.

On the day WWII ended in 1945, I was at Trafalfgar Square with hundreds of other GIs to join in on the enormous celebration. On many London visits since, I return to remember those historic moments.

3. Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ, UK, www.iwm.org.uk. See familiar artifacts from Britain’s past. They include uniforms, weapons, captured enemy equipment, photos, city bomb shelters, period aircraft and many more interesting historic images.

Senior Correspondent PJL, Omaha NE: As an old sailor, I had the recent pleasure of visiting the USS Midway (CV-41), now moored permanently as a museum, and open daily to the public. Commissioned just as World War II was ending in 1945, the Midway sailed in the fighting Navy for 50 years. Combat included the Korean War, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.

As we went aboard, out of old habit, I saluted the colors and the Officer of the Deck, and then the tour. Free headphones and audio took us through the one-way route for visitors that included three main areas.

If your travel plans for Russia include touring the Hermitage Museum, former Winter Palace of Empress Catharine The Great, you’ll see one of the world’s largest and most treasured art collections.

Then, when strolling the magnificent gardens surrounding the museum, you’ll also observe an army of feline guards who have been keeping the museum free of rodents since 1745. When you encounter any of the hero cats, they may give you friendly myau (Russian for meow) greetings.

After several years on the job, the furry palace guards are put up for adoption. They’re rewarded for loyal service by spending their retirement years with loving Russian families.

Marseille is an historic city in the South of France, one of the oldest in Europe. Founded by Greek traders 3,000 years ago, Marseille has always been a city of the sea and of commerce. An easy three-hour high-speed train ride from Paris, it’s a popular tourist stop for Americans.

With 300 days of sunshine a year, friendly people and some of the best food in France, it has much to offer. February weather is about 60º daytime and 45º nights. The city also offers interesting museums, including five favorites: