August 2016 has been a pretty interesting month and one of the highlights was this stop in London, to celebrate my baby sister’s prowess at blackmail.
I am still unclear as to how or when she got me to agree to this trip but there I found myself in London again, with a teenage girl directing my every moves and a reluctant self-proclaimed (and may I add self-inviting) bodyguard timing every stop…
In any case, London was sweeter than I remembered and my first time since Rome last year that I actually felt like a tourist. Unlike Rome, this time I took my time, saw less and thoroughly enjoyed everything. Some highlights below.
We stayed in an AirBnB flat right outside London (and right above an Indian restaurant that we were not able to try out ironically as we always came back too late) and mostly used the trains and our feet to move around.
As far as fashion, I kept it simple: GAP jeans, a GAP stripe peplum tee, an old J.Crew Collection pinwheel eyelet top, Madewell Savannah saddlebag, sneakers, a denim mini-jacket, my Fitbit and the J.Crew factory rose necklace.
Some tips from this trip:
- Definitely do consider buying a train pass for the day, will save you a lot in commute expenses
- Try different restaurants, the food scene in London is top notch!
- Try any show if you can, elevates the experience
- Though a little scary (read South Street Philly vibe) at night, the neighborhood had some very good late night gelato…felt like in Rome again
- If you were set on seeing the queen’s guards (I was) at the Buckingham Palace, time your trip to arrive during their rotation
- I passed on the Palace museum, but their gift store has pretty cool souvenirs (and may I add they are a little pricey but you will not find them anywhere else…I tried)
- Try the London eye closer to closing hour when the sun sets as the city is very pretty in the evening. It’s pretty elevated and may not be the best experience if you’re afraid of heights but the amazing view is worth the trouble (and the long line). A note that you can buy a package to include the Eye and other attractions…saves you money. A succinct article on the London eye here.
- Also try a cruise closer to the evening
- If you must do Madame Tussauds, try it first on your trip and first thing in morning if possible (I missed it due to long lines on my departure date)
- I did not share a picture with the red telephone boot here, but don’t hold back and take pictures! Should also try some in front of their taxis…and a stop at the Scotland Yard building…I was waiting to see Inspector Japp from Poirot 🙂
- The Westminster Abbey has amazing architecture. Gothic architecture has always been my favorite (my….how can you not fall for the grand, very tall structures, the elaborately decorated flying buttresses and the pointed arches) and the abbey did not disappoint on that front.
Until next time, goodbye London 😦
eBelandi 