A London Adventure
From dining to historical sites, London serves up a platter worth indulging in, with amazing public transportation to get you anywhere. I hope this encourages you to book that next flight out to the UK and find your next adventure. Enjoy!
The Joys of International Travel
International trips can be enlightening and life-changing when given the opportunity to embark on one. Through proper planning and saving, taking the time to travel internationally and experience new cultures, people, and ways of life, you gain an experience that has no regrets, except for wishing you could possibly stay there forever!
Stepping Back in Time
London takes you back in time with historic sites such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the most notable mention: Buckingham Palace. These landmarks are a window into the past, each with stories that shaped the world as we know it.
Vibrant City Life
Flying into Heathrow International Airport, you immediately have the option to be a local and use public transportation, making it convenient for all travelers to access the ‘Underground’ and/or “the tube.” As you walk to the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa, a 10-minute walk from the Battersea Power Station, you’re greeted by iconic red double-decker buses, black taxis, and friendly locals. This walk sets the tone for the adventure you’re about to embark on.
Embracing Public Transportation
If you’re nervous about taking public transportation, rideshare services are available, but to get a full-circle moment of being in London, I highly recommend using the Underground and/or buses. Unlike the Metro in Washington D.C., the Underground is constantly running on “rush hour time,” so you’ll never wait more than five minutes for a train. This alleviates the fear of missing your train and having to run to catch it.
Exploring Camden Town
To kickstart this trip, we rode over to Camden Town, a colorful and vibrant place where pop culture meets an edgy, punk-rock vibe, with every corner offering something new to explore. Walking along the Regents Canal, you can leave a locket on the bridge with your partner's initials on it, just like in Paris! We wouldn’t be true tourists if we didn’t find a place that serves the most iconic British dish: fish n chips at Poppie’s. This friendly-staffed, 1940s-style restaurant serves up fresh, sustainable hefty whiting fish enough to serve two people and homemade chips (fries) paired with tangy tartar sauce. While dining in London, tipping 10-15% is appreciated, unlike the customary 18-20% in the USA, so don’t feel obligated to go overboard with tipping.
Shopping and Entertainment at Piccadilly Circus
For a shopping spree and great areas to sit down and people-watch, Piccadilly Circus is the place to be. We saw ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at His Majesty’s Theatre, which had recently changed over from ‘Her Majesty’s Theatre’ (long live the Queen!). Let your inner child shine and stop by the two-story Lego Store, complete with a life-size replica of James Bond’s iconic ‘007’ Aston Martin DB5 that you can hop inside and pretend to drive. If you have a sweet tooth like myself, swing by the M&M store to absorb the chocolate-filled air and see the recreated life-sized M&M characters walking on the Abbey Road crosswalk like The Beatles. Piccadilly Circus will leave you heading back to your hotel with an arm full of bags full of souvenirs to take home to your family (or simply yourself, no judgment here!).
Dining with a View
Wine and dine yourselves and soar over 35 stories high at Sky Garden: London’s highest public garden, leaving you in awe of London's historical beauty below. This “sitting on top of the world” garden has an amazing bar with specialty cocktails to satisfy any palette. However, to dine at the restaurants inside, you will need to book a reservation in advance (2-3 weeks is highly recommended). Treat yourself to the Michelin-Star restaurant ‘Fenchurch,’ where you will experience British fine dining and an award-winning wine list. For each course, ask for the best wine pairings to complement your dish. You will not be disappointed, and you will have the chance to meet and learn from a sommelier who takes their time to meet your needs.
A Day of Adventure
What’s better than hopping on a charter bus, taking a full-day tour with strangers, and seeing iconic sights of Britain? The answer: nothing! Charge those fitness trackers and pull out your most comfortable walking shoes, because this trip is not complete without an all-day adventure sightseeing outside of London. Booked through ‘Premium Tours,’ we experienced Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, exploring the Roman city of Bath, and dining at a 14th-century pub house. From walking on the same carpet as the Queen and the royal family to taking a step back in time to dine in an old-timey restaurant, this was truly the highlight of our trip. It reminded us of the beauty of experiencing new worlds. Every country has a uniqueness that makes it different from the next country over, and being able to experience what God has created through us around the world is captivating and worth immersing yourself in.
Conclusion
Even though we can't freeze time, traveling to places you used to dream of does seem to slow down time just a bit. We can’t escape the troubles of the world, but traveling helps to remind us that despite those troubling times, there is beauty in the world that can unwind us and cherish every moment we take.
Positively, The Harpers