Overall, it’s a perfect urban getaway wrapped in a royal bow!
Where I went:
London (Sofitel St. James; Novotel London West)
What I wore:
My trips to London always seem to happen during the wintertime so my wardrobe has a bit of an Oxford student feel—wool coats, high boots, skinny jeans and turtlenecks. I’ll usually round it out with layered button-down shirts, crewneck sweaters, and a few Top Shop pieces. I top it off with wool hats, scarves and classic sunnies for bright winter days. And I usually save extra room in my bag for an impulse purchase at Harrod’s!
What I did:
I indulged in loads of holiday activities. For childlike fun, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is an absolute must! Ice skating, live music, rides, games, hot chocolate and crepes, and warm pretzels at the Bavarian Village.
And for more traditional fun (and a reason to dress up), I attended Christmas services at St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by afternoon tea at the Sofitel St. James. So completely British!
For Boxing Day fun, I spent the day delighting in every square inch of Harrod’s, while my brothers attended a Chelsea soccer game. We met up later that evening for a tour of the holiday lights. Magical!
And, of course, I had to pay homage to my favorite holiday film, Love Actually, by posing in front of the spot where the opening scene was filmed at Heathrow Airport!
OK, so I paid homage to Notting Hill as well:)
There is so much to see and do in London that I’ve really let my interests guide my trips. I certainly have enjoyed the traditional sites, such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Churchill’s War Rooms (a must!)
But my absolute favorite day in London is when I ditched the castles and walked in the footsteps of real British royalty! I signed up for a tour to visit famous rock sites such as The Rolling Stones Chelsea Drugstore, Abbey Road Studios, and the homes of Freddie Mercury, Jimmy Page, and Paul McCartney. I was time-constrained, so I signed up for a day tour. But it’s cheap and easy to create your own on-line tour with a map app and the Tube.
What I ate/drank:
London is a destination where there is never enough time to see and do everything. I tend to snack on the run, although I always try make time for a pub visit or two. I find a cup of tea and a big plate of fish and chips to be the ultimate in comfort food. The legal drinking age is 18, and the Brits love their G&T. Cheers!
Social media musts:
Go for the iconic shots—red phone booths, castles, double decker buses, changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Beefeaters at the Tower of London. Black and white photos with a pop of red look great in the rainy winter months. And definitely plan on an elegant dress moment for afternoon tea. Here is British Vogue’s suggestion for the best spots for a tray of fancies. But, most importantly, look for photos that reflect your interests. I focused on iconic music sites such as Abbey Road, but if you’re a shopper or live for museums, then let those interests fill your social media accounts!
A Few Songs From My Playlist From England:
Come Together - The Beatles Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
Drag Me Down - One Direction
Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
The London Boys - David Bowie
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
8 Miles High - The Byrds
Imagine - John Lennon
Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones
London Calling - The Clash
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