Every year, I visit London in May/June/July timeframe and this is the first time in over ten years that I’m not in the city and to be honest, I miss it.  I even miss the political discussions that ensue once the black cab driver hears my American accent. I miss my friends, my walks along the Thames and fun nights in the pub watching local sport. It’s no secret, I would live in London if I could but alas visa/immigration is a hurdle I’ve not been able to clear despite years of trying.  Tomorrow, June 8th, the UK Home Office implements yet another barrier to London, the UK 14 day quarantine for visitors. Essentially, summer in London has been canceled, or at least it seems that way.

Travel Covid Testing and Quarantine

With the world slowly coming out of lockdown, we are seeing “travel bubbles” or “air bridges” being formed between countries for travel (i.e. Australia and New Zealand) and borders closed to American visitors by many countries that are still coming to terms with their covid19 crisis and recovery.  The last thing anyone wants are resurgent waves in a destination that spreads around the world again that stresses the health system and puts us back on stay at home orders.  Can we 100% keep that from happening?  Probably not, but for now, governments around the world are trying to navigate the best steps to restart their economies while many of us sit at home waiting for the green light to travel again, to emerge from our homes and see what the next phase of the world looks like. For now, it seems that it will be a patchwork of requirements by each country or collection of countries working together.

One big unknown which changes daily is whether travelers will be subject to a mandatory quarantine, testing or other upon arrival.  St. Lucia opened to visitors last week (June 4^th) and are one country requiring covid19 testing results done prior to arrival (max 48 hours).  That’s tough for some folks still not able to get testing where they live.

Australia, on the other hand, has had a hard line and will continue to do so until 2021.  They closed borders to all but their citizens returning home.  Citizens are subject to a government paid mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine with strict guidelines.  You can read about a few Australia quarantine experiences which were imposed even for those who live in Australia.  They weren’t allowed home to quarantine for fear of breaking isolation.  Personally, a hotel room closes in quite quickly if you can’t get fresh air (open windows or go outside) so I’m not sure I could mentally handle a 14 day hotel quarantine. My friend has canceled all future plans to go home to Australia to visit family due to quarantine requirements.

London Travel Quarantine for Visitors

So what about London?  Can I just jump on the plane for a London weekend visit as I have in the past?  Find a points award flight (availability is wide open) to go meet friends for dinner and pick up my favorite London chocolates and Blondie’s Kitchen cookies?

Right now, the answer is not really.   During the stay at home period, which started in March, the UK did not quarantine arrivals to the country as they kept their borders open and now, starting tomorrow, June 8^th, they will have a mandatory quarantine (self-isolation) of 14 days upon arrival. So technically I could go to London but the quarantine time and cost is prohibitive. Who can afford 14 days in a London hotel room or long stay apartment?

Logic would have said to implement this when the virus was spreading, when everyone was on home lock down but that didn’t happen.  Travelers could come and go. Mind you the number of travelers were only a handful of a normal day but still, why disrupt it all now?  Why not just close borders like Australia has?  I know, despite my over twenty years of London visits and following UK politics, I still ask silly questions. The travel and tourism industry has been decimated by the world’s pause of the past three months. This quarantine could be the final nail for many businesses that won’t survive without a summer season.

London Quarantine – Business Travelers and Tourists

For business travelers, this 14 day mandatory quarantine is a non-starter and they will likely stay home until a quarantine is no longer required.  Many business trips from the US to London are less than a week (five days) and already expensive to stay in small hotels rooms.  I couldn’t, in good faith, approve a business traveler to go through that process.  I would ask them to zoom that meeting which would save time, money and preserve sanity.

For the U.S. leisure traveler, a quarantine is not an option unless they are wealthy with a boatload of vacation time to use and enjoy staying indoors for a fortnight.  If they are retired and housesitting, well that is the only way I see this working out right now.  With the UK not scheduled to open until late June/early July, why bother with planning a trip this summer.  You would have spent three months at home waiting for the day to travel again only to land in the UK and self-isolate for 14 days relying on takeaway and food deliveries – no thank you!  I’d rather roadtrip in the US as it’s less restrictive.

It pains me to say “don’t go to London or the UK this summer” as London in summer is marvelous. There’s so much to do, see, eat, drink and enjoy in the city and surrounding cities and villages. But right now, they are technically not open to receive you.

If you do need to travel to the UK in the short term, be prepared as this could change at any time.  You will need to complete a form indicating where you will self-isolate for 14 days (at your own expense) and be subject to spot checks and a 1000 GBP fine for violations. If you are an athlete (or other deemed essential person on the list), then you are exempt from UK quarantine which has caused a lot of backlash for the determination of “exempt vs. non-exempt”.

London Travel Quarantine Backlash

Backlash over the mandatory 14 day London travel quarantine has been swift with British Airways and other airlines filing a lawsuit claiming “unfair exemptions” and “disproportionate” restrictions on visitors. Traffic to London airports is down 97-99% and this won’t help them restore flights in my opinion. BA is already having a row with pilots, the unions and staff.  The best scenario is to get everyone back to work in the already decimated travel industry.

From an outsider view, it’s definitely full of contradictory items.  For example, employees and self employed folks who travel weekly between the UK and EU are exempt from quarantine rules but travelers from the EU have to quarantine.  Athletes from cricket and F1 (the British Grand Prix will be in July) are exempt.  You can see why folks are a bit chuffed.

The policy notes it will be evaluated every two weeks so as my British friends like to say “watch this space” as things are fluid and changing each day.  It’s the UK so with politics afoot as well as business interests for the City of London and travel industry there’s a lot of input, anger and confusion with what seems a quickly put together moving target of a policy enforcement.

European Summer Travel Without Quarantine

Countries experimenting with courting tourists without quarantine are Portugal, Spain and Greece for summer travel in Europe.  Other European “air bridges” are being created for residents of x, y, z countries to visit neighboring countries.  But of course, some are claiming discrimination in the selection of countries and quarantines mandated. The U.S. and UK have been hit hard by covid19 cases and deaths so it’s not hard to understand the reluctance of the world to allow those citizens into their countries as they protect their citizens. Don’t even think about a European cruise right now!

For Americans, as of now, only Portugal (great country to visit) will be ready with open arms and no quarantine in July.  Iceland is planning to test tourists arriving into the country starting in July.    The list of entry requirements is changing almost daily with a good amount of commentary from around the world.  I suggest researching the destination visitor website for up to date government requirements.  Don’t rely on the airline, train or ferry information regarding immigration needs.

London Travel Quarantine – My Status

I’m trying to remain positive here and hopeful that my annual November/December visit to London will be able to go forward.  It will be the longest time I’ve been away from London – whatsapp, skype and zoom can’t replace the pub nights, the hugs and the feeling of home that I’m missing.

Thoughts on the 14 day London quarantine going into effect tomorrow?

My family is planning for Thanksgiving and asked me “when do you leave and/or when does your flight land?” as I have spent many years away for Thanksgiving (great award flight availability) as an add on to my birthday trips.  I’ve landed in Perth (Australia) on Thanksgiving, celebrated with friends for a Thanksgiving in Paris and have spent more than one Thanksgiving in London. This year, however, I’m in a job search so there is no birthday trip, no flights landing or taking off on Thanksgiving and I’m pretty sad about it.  But my sadness begets this Thanksgiving in London post so there’s something positive right?

My First Thanksgiving in London

My first trip to London in 1988 (eons ago) was over the Thanksgiving college break. I sat in the airport eating leftover birthday cake waiting for my first TWA flight to London from JFK.  It would ignite my travel bug and introduce me to a city that would become like a second home given the number of visits since that first one.  My friend Christine and I spent Thanksgiving in a popular (at the time) Soho restaurant called The Long Island Ice Tea Bar.  Yes, we definitely had a few of those signature drinks with our dinner (not turkey).  The restaurant is long gone and replaced by a few others over the years, I often walk by to revisit those first Thanksgiving in London memories as well as memories of Christine who passed too young.

First of all, Thanksgiving is not a holiday in the UK for obvious reasons so everything is open as normal on Thursday. The bonus is that the normal American business crowds are gone as are most of the American tourists, except folks like me keen to take advantage of the day off and award flights. You can however enjoy a proper Turkey dinner in London at a few restaurants (reservations are required) and if flying home on Thanksgiving (which I have done a few times) enjoy a turkey dinner on the British Airways flight.  I’ve flown the early flight from London and have been home in time for Thanksgiving dinner – a win/win in my book – turkey in two of my favorite places – up in the air at 30,000 feet and on the ground with my family.

Hotels in London for Thanksgiving

While hotels in London are expensive normally, you can find deals during the week of Thanksgiving as business folks are not traveling to the city and many meetings are canceled as US staff are not available so that’s good for you.  I would suggest booking direct with the hotel (they may have specials like upgrades or breakfast included) or use Hotel Tonight  to see what is available. Also, if you have miles and points to use, now is the time to find open award space.

This might be a great time to upgrade neighborhood, hotel type or splurge out on a flat rental and cook your own version of Thanksgiving in London.

Thanksgiving Dinner in London Restaurants

When I was last in London for Thanksgiving, staying at the Park Lane Hotel, I had a few options for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in London – some had a British spin to the traditional turkey dinner and trimmings.  I ended up canceling my reservation to Blue’s Kitchen when my friend wasn’t quite into my US tradition of Thanksgiving and preferred his local pub.

Here are a few restaurants in London for thanksgiving dinner (everything is open unlike at home) that I considered – note that most are set menus, require tickets/reservations in advance (far in advance), are subject to change and aren’t quite cheap (think 30 GBP+). There’s always a Subway or other takeaway sandwich shop to do the more affordable “I had my turkey today”.

1. Blue’s Kitchen in Camden Town was my first choice as they have live Blues music –sadly I canceled my reservation on Open Table.  You can take the tube or an Uber from central London.
2. Boondocks London on Old Street has a set menu
3. Bodean’s BBQ Smokehouse (Soho) and Big Easy (Covent Garden) – it’s already an American BBQ place so adding turkey dinner is what they both do. You might be able to catch an American football game too!
4. The Breakfast Club – this American breakfast staple also has American styled lunch and dinner and for Thanksgiving requires tickets for diners (their restaurants are small so limited seating).  With a few locations, you can indulge in Thanksgiving Turkey dinner.  The Mondrian Hotel London is in walking distance of the Borough Market location and Z Hotel Soho is near the Soho location.
5. Bumpkin in South Kensington – not far from The Ampersand Hotel. OneFineStay South Kensington or my luxury Airbnb in South Kensington
6. Riding House Café in Fitzrovia near my one of my favorite hotels – The Charlotte Street Hotel

Luxury Thanksgiving Dinner in London

For those wanting to spend A LOT of money for luxury American options consider these three chef driven restaurants in London for Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Balthazar in London is a famous NYC restaurant located in Covent Garden (walking from The Rosewood Hotel is quick and easy).
2. Bread Street Kitchen in Mansion House where UK chef Gordon Ramsey puts a bit of a British twist on the American Turkey dinner (think bacon popcorn and a few other “I’ve never had that on my Thanksgiving table” additions)
3. Cut at 45 Park Lane is by Wolfgang Puck is uber expensive (think over 100 GBP) in Mayfair as is JW Steakhouse.  But frankly, if you are staying at a 5* luxury hotel in Mayfair you can easily afford this meal and probably wouldn’t venture too far to the other options above.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland London is a celebration of the Christmas holidays with amusement park rides, games, food stalls and live music.  Let’s not forget the appearance of Father Christmas (Santa Claus to us Americans).  Winter Wonderland is held yearly in Hyde Park and is very popular.  I enjoy walking around to get in the Christmas spirit and also to see the UK versions of amusement park foods and games. There is a small ice skating rink (there are so many throughout London during the holiday season).  Winter Wonderland is free to enter but there of course are fees for food/drink, rides, shopping and ice skating.

Note: The underground lines will be crowded so plan to be sardines for a few stops until Hyde Park Corner when the Piccadilly line spills out people.   If you are keen to walk from Soho along Piccadilly, it’s about ½ hour or longer if you stop to see the Christmas lights at Bond Street and Jermyn Street as well as the many arcades and Ritz Carlton on your walk.

Christmas Lights London

If you love Christmas lights like I do then you might catch them (depending on Thanksgiving date) along Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Jermyn Street as well as other places around the city.  Christmas Trees are not normally up yet (but that continues to change as we decorate after Halloween now) but stores are decorated as are shopping arcades along Piccadilly Street.

Ice skating rinks are quintessential holiday must dos throughout the city and those open at different times (check Time Out London app).  Along the Thames, Southbank Winter Festival has Christmas Market stalls (at least on weekend at first) and you will see the Instagram famous igloos along the water (reserve the igloos and enjoy drinks with a view). Christmas lights in London are fabulous especially at night when the streets are empty and you feel like you had the city to yourself.

Heathrow Airport on Thanksgiving Day

The Heathrow airport on Thanksgiving tends to be normal crowded for a weekday if not a bit lighter without the American business travelers.  You may be able to buy the Christmas Harrods’s Bear as he arrives in mid-November along with the Christmas tins of biscuits (cookies), candy and teas. Time to stock up for Christmas at home.  Arriving in Philadelphia the airport was quiet for a holiday.

British Airways Thanksgiving Dinner

One surprise I had flying home on Thanksgiving a few years ago in business class (Club World) was a thanksgiving turkey dinner special.  I had flown a few times on Thanksgiving (award flights tend to be plentiful especially to Asia and Australia) but this was the first time that this American dinner was served.  It was honestly a good meal and nice treat.  I know that business class likes to serve fancy steak, fish, etc. but a good turkey dinner with gravy and mashed potatoes was comfort food that made me happy along with dessert on the ground and in the air.

I lucked out on that flight because while they catered my “special meal”, they had enough turkey dinners for me to swap out.  So when I arrived home in time for another Thanksgiving dinner, I was pretty happy.  Where else can you have two Thanksgiving dinners in one day? (yeah time difference)

Christmas Shopping in London at Thanksgiving

So the shops are open, don’t worry so you can begin your Christmas shopping on your vacation if you want to be that person who says “I bought that in London” (c’mon we all know that person or might be that person).  If you are keen to shop here are a few of my favorite Made in the UK gifts  Of course, my favorite London gift is chocolate and biscuits and I bring those home for Thanksgiving dinner dessert table.

Shopping Tip: Bring your own bag to the shops (I like my recyclable Lululemon bags) as some stores will charge you for bags. Have a copy of your passport in your phone photos or email draft in case you buy so much that you need VAT reclaim receipts (no need to bring passport out shopping with you – leave it in the hotel safe or other secure location). At Heathrow, go to the VAT reclaim before you check in for your flight (located behind the check in area desks)

Celebrate Thanksgiving in London

So if you are lucky to find yourself celebrating Thanksgiving in London or planning to visit in the future, know that you can enjoy the best of both worlds and not miss out on your yen for turkey tradition. It does feel a bit weird to be honest to have a day exploring the city (like when I toured the Paris Christmas Markets at Thanksgiving in Paris) and then go have turkey dinner without the cooking time, cleanup and stress of family drama.  So while I’m grounded this year, hopefully next year, I can explore a new destination for my Thanksgiving memories (I wonder if they have turkey in the Maldives? or Antarctica?).

If you don’t celebrate the American holiday, you can still participate by taking a few minutes to be thankful for someone or something in your life. Then you can go about planning your Black Friday shopping, Small Business Saturday shopping, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday adventures.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The extended stay market of serviced apartments in London is one hidden part of the lodging options in the city. Offering studio flats with a kitchen or even larger options like a two bedroom, two bath option, extended stay options are plentiful but as a leisure traveler you’ve probably never heard of a company like Native or the many others out there. You should definitely consider extended stay apartments when you stay in London especially if you have a family.   I had the opportunity to stay at one of the newest entrants in the market, Native Bankside, a property which was formerly a Victorian tea warehouse and is now newly restored and opened about a year ago.   I won a London silent auction charity bid for a two night weekend stay so I paid less than the standard stay would cost. Even so, the rates are affordable and the value impressive. This is a new category that Native likes to call “hotel apartments’, whatever they call it, I call it one of my new favorites in London.

Native Bankside Location in Southwark/Bankside

Situated down a small alley behind the Globe Theatre, Native Bankside would definitely count as a hidden gem because you need your maps app to find it on Bear Gardens (more an alley than a garden).  But once you are sorted, you’ll realize you are steps away from the Thames and the many cafes and restaurants along Bankside. An added bonus is the boat dock for the Thames Clipper River line (you can use your Oyster transit card to ride on the river line).

I’ve been staying on Bankside/Southwark for my last few visits to London and have found a new appreciation for the residential area that doesn’t (currently) see many tourists leave the main areas along the water and has a handful of hotels. It’s super easy to walk to Borough Market (ten minutes) and the nearby Flat Iron Square, Shard and London Bridge station (15 minutes).

If you turn the other way, you have the Globe, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge (five minutes’ walk) to cross over the river to St. Paul’s and The City.  You can also access Blackfriars Station on the riverside, the various pop ups and food trucks of Bankside. A walk to the London Eye (20 minutes), Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (30 minutes) and even St. James’s Park and Buckingham Palace.

The Native Bankside property is currently behind Porky’s BBQ and a Starbucks.  At the end of the alley is Pizza Express and a Greek Restaurant next to EAT and other food outlets. CoOp, Sainsbury and Tesco markets are each a 10 minute walk (next to and across from the Blue Fin building and Hilton Bankside). Early morning views below –

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thjtvCVNfE0[/embedyt]

Checking In at Native Bankside London

Native Bankside is one of a few staffed properties in the Native property chain (there are 17 Native properties in London as well as one in Manchester and one in Glasgow) – all have access to 24/7 service so don’t worry. The desk had two staff members to welcome us (I was traveling with my country mouse friend), provide key cards, a map and quick overview.  Once the paperwork was complete, we were off to the first floor apartment.  In the UK, the ground floor is floor 0 so the first floor (1) requires the lift (elevator).  We were told there is a small pantry on the first floor with seating area that overlooks the ground floor lobby.  The lobby also had a nice sized seating area which was empty during our visit.

The Pantry at Native Bankside

When the doors opened to the first floor we put our bags aside for a quick look in the pantry.  It was filled with snacks, fruit and bottled water which were complimentary.  It also contained condiments for foods (mustard, ketchup, olive oil, etc.) as well as cereals, snack bars and milk in the fridge. Of course, I was happy to see the bottled water – both room temperature and chilled.

Review: Native Bankside Apartment 112

Our flat was a premium one bedroom with two full bathrooms and a pull out sofa so it could sleep up to four guests. As we entered, we were quite happy, almost giddy to be honest after ten days in a small cruise ship cabin of 110 sq ft. By comparison, the flat was massive and quite impressive.  It was only available for two nights so we really lucked out.

We chucked our bags aside and like curious children began to open all the cabinet doors in the kitchen to see what we had.  We had dishes, glasses, and a coffee maker.  We had a dishwasher and a washer/dryer combo.  We had a small refrigerator and an oven.  We had cleaning supplies and various rubbish bins to sort. This was a furnished kitchen that would definitely suffice for our two days but for those longer term guests, it was a nice perk in London. We met a few guests staying more than a month.

I took the main bedroom and walk in shower option.  My room had a view of the street/alley outside, its own temperature controls and a sliding pocket door for privacy.  I also had my own television.

Native Bankside had arranged the sofa bed so that it was already set out upon arrival which was good and bad.  Good for my friend since it was made up and housekeeping is weekly.  Bad in that we couldn’t use the sofa to watch tv together.  We decamped to our own worlds to watch television.

The main living area had the kitchen, a table for four, a sofa (currently a bed), side chair, coat rack and a television.  But there were two remotes – one for the television and after pressing the buttons, we realized one for the skylight above the sofa bed.   Also in the main living area was a separate temperature control (my friend kept it winter, while my room was summer) as well as a bathroom with soaking tub (my friend loves taking baths and visited Lush to buy a bath bomb).

The flat had its own Wi-Fi router so we both had high speed connections and didn’t need to worry about too many people on the system. The wardrobe in the bedroom had the hairdryer, ironing board and iron.

Note: The property does not provide a safe, umbrella or tissues (yes, tissues!).  I was having allergy issues due to high pollen count so we visited the local market to buy tissues.

Native Bankside Gym

The onsite gym space is a quite small and only a few pieces of equipment but enough to get a workout with.  If you need a full gym, I’d recommend looking at local options for a day pass or longer membership or go for a morning run along the empty Bankside area, along the Thames, with the other runners.

Final Thoughts – Native Bankside London

I was spoiled with my Native Bankside stay.  I had an apartment larger than many of my friends who live in London and really enjoyed it so much that I often wondered “why leave”.  You need to leave though because, well, London awaits to be explored, experienced and enjoyed. For those who want more space or have families and want a kitchen or washer/dryer (although it took forever to wash and dry with a ton of wrinkles), Native Bankside will be the hidden gem that gets you to abandon Airbnb and shun hotels in the near future.   If you want to live like a local, staying on Bankside at Native Bankside gets you one step closer…..although locals I know don’t eat at Pizza Express so go to O’ver instead.

[updated May 2019]

Whenever I’m asked for London Travel Tips, I tend to talk really fast, excited that folks are going to the city that I’ve been enamored with for more than twenty years. They look at me and say “can you send those to me?” as they back away from the crazy lady.  I could probably list 100 London Travel Tips (or more) but off the top of my head these 25 travel tips come to mind when planning a London visit. Mom’s first visit to London & Paris was an adventure so my tips are for first time visitors.  With the low fx rate for the U.K., now is a great time for you to plan a hop across the pond for your visit to London. You can even use the Icelandair stopover program for a long weekend in Reykjavik like I did to get two vacations in one!

6 London Travel Tips for Planning

1. Tickets to the Tower of London Keys Ceremony book a year or more out and are almost always sold out months in advance! Advanced planning is needed here – tickets are free, limited and the service charge is minimal.  I had a ticket last year and the universe prevented me from attending (read all about it in my Nightmare Travel Day).
2. Decide on your London airport transit and book ahead if required.
   • Do you have carry-on only luggage/bags that you can easily lift/carry up and down stairs without issue? Look at using the London Underground to save money (but not time)
   • Want to ride the Heathrow Express or tube without your luggage?  Send your luggage to the hotel using Airportr, my favorite London luggage delivery option.
   • Know 30-90 days in advance you will be in London? Look at the Heathrow Express discounted fares for the 15 minute journey from Heathrow to Paddington train station.  From there, decide to journey onward with the London underground (if you can handle your bags) or opt for a London black cab.
   • More than one person? Choose to hire a car pickup or use a cab.  Note that the London Black cab can easily seat five but not your luggage so easily as it sacrifices boot (trunk) space to be more spacious seating.  You generally put the luggage in sideways at your feet. Be prepared to pay 70GBP+ for the trip from the airport into London in a cab or hire car (drive time at least an hour or more depending on arrival time/day).
3. The English Heritage website and app is a wonderful way to find historical England (think castles and Downton Abbey history) throughout the city and countryside
4. Tell your bank you are going overseas to ensure the ATM will work (best exchange rates for cash). This is a pet peeve of mine given how much I travel and yet my bank has consistently shut down my access so make sure your phone can dial internationally if you need to explain how you can be in two countries in one day because their computer (and many people sadly) don’t realize there’s a train between Paris and London.  My ATM card was denied as I arrived at St. Pancras train station so I had no cash for the cab to the hotel, thankfully I was able to pay by credit card (although I apologized for doing so).
5. Be open to new foods, neighborhood shops and a quick pace
6. Free Wi-Fi is usually offered at the major takeaway shops like EAT and PRET, others may require an access code with a purchase (annoying but if I need to eat a chocolate croissant to use the Wi-Fi, it seems a small sacrifice).

5 London Travel Tips for Getting Around London

1.  Black cabs are uniquely British and generally owned by small business owners (the driver) who have endured years upon years of training to take The Knowledge.  Read the NY Times article to see how they learn every nook and cranny in London and can navigate the maze of streets with their eyes closed.  This is my personal preference and based on experience, I can get into a London black cab and give partial information and arrive safely at my destination while having an interesting conversation.  They don’t need a GPS or instructions on where to go – it’s all in their head. They are the best guides to what’s popular and fun to do in the city. (note: have cash available or a credit card that is chip/pin not the american chip/sign card)
2. CityMapper App is awesome because it works offline to help you plan your journey through London (and other cities) with live departure times for transit
3. Stand on the right, pass on the left on escalators in the Tube – it’s a quick pace and you don’t want to stop the flow of people
4. When you enter a tube station be ready with your Oyster card (don’t have one? go to the window to buy one – it’s a reloadable transit card good on busses and river line too! You need to have enough on the card to exit at your stop which is charged by zone) so you don’t cause a backup in the flow of people.
5. Don’t get in a cab during theatre times – it’s generally quicker to walk so plan to eat/drink near the theatre early to avoid the traffic jam (and pricey cab ride).

4 London Travel Tips for Food in London

1. Yes, there are AMERICAN restaurants but don’t spend all your time at Starbucks, Five Guys, Shake Shack or TGI Fridays because they are familiar. Try British restaurant chains like Chicken Shop, Byron Burger, Brandisa, Polpo or Bill’s Café for reasonable prices.  The Ivy Brasserie is a bit more posh (expensive) but still very lovely dining option.
2. At the pub, if you want to order food and/or drink you do so at the bar and then find a seat. No waitress service at the pubs unless they are geared for tourists.  Mushy peas are an interesting vegetable as a side to fish & chips – maybe the only way I’ll eat my peas
3. Sweet Tooth – You can read about my Cupcake & Chocolate tour of Soho or visit the Food Halls of Selfridge’s or Harrods’s. Fancy a posh (expensive) ice cream sundae experience then Harrods’s Ice Cream Parlour is for you (and your kids).
4. In the mood for American breakfast because the full English breakfast with baked beans seems odd? Missing the ridiculous American “stand in line for brunch” ritual then be prepared to queue up at The Breakfast Club in Soho or other locations in the city.  The club is small but the portions are huge. You won’t leave hungry!
5. **Bonus** Borough Market is a feast for your eyes and stomach.  With a mix of food stalls, cafes and restaurants, you won’t go hungry here.  Check out the local vendors with Nut Butters, Breads and Cheeses.  Bring a market bag, your appetite and plan for crowds during the day.

4 London Travel Tips for Entertainment Fun in London

1. Consult Time Out London (download the app or find a magazine at your hotel) to see What’s On during your visit. With a plethora of choice, you are spoiled to pick just one art opening, new restaurant, museum happening, rooftop cinema or browse the top ten lists.
2. Music and Craft Cocktails in a posh hotel more your style? Go to Scarfes Bar in the Rosewood Hotel in Holborn.  With hidden nooks and couches to sink into, don’t be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two (but no selfies folks, this isn’t that kind of place as my friend found out when she tried a stealth selfie with flash and celebrity in background
3. Walks.com – this is the original walking tour of London with a plethora of offerings seven days a week all year long. Feel like walking in Jack the Rippers London, they’ve got a walk for you.  Fancy a pub crawl in Soho – yep, they have that. Want to watch a court session – you can do that too!  I’ve taken many walks in and out of London – they are usually small groups with fantastic knowledgeable guides. Cash only!
4. The Hoxton Hotel Events in Holborn and Shoreditch host live music and other events in the very happening lobby bar and lounge.

3 London Travel Tips – Shopping

1. M&S and Tesco are fantastic supermarkets for quick food (and drink) stock up. I love the individual food options which are great if you are staying in a flat like I did to cook up a variety of dinners each night.
2. Bring your own bag to avoid paying for one in the markets and department stores. Sure it’s only five pence or so but it’s still annoying to have to pay for a bag each time.
3. Take a photo of your passport if you plan on shopping and want a Tax Refund on the VAT paid on purchases. At the store, see if you qualify and ask for the tax refund forms – at M&S you can take all receipts to their VAT reclaim area in customer service.  They will fill out the forms (this is where you need your passport information) for you to submit when you leave the U.K.  In Heathrow, the reclaim office is just after baggage check but BEFORE security.  There is a fee for the service so sometimes it’s worth it, sometimes not.

4 London Travel Tips – Hidden Gems

1. Great views and photos of St. Paul’s Cathedral are free! Go to One New Change Mall on Cheapside (across the street from St. Paul’s tube station) and take the lift (elevator) to the rooftop, There you will get a better view of this famous landmark in the City of London.  While there, have a drink and relax in one of the many seating areas.
2. Want a city escape from London? Hop on the train to the seaside town of Brighton to walk around the laneways (shopping roads) or wander to the beach to dip your toes in the ocean and walk in the sand
3. Viewing the Shoreditch Street Art of London which includes a visit to Brick Lane and stops at the Banksy art. Learn the history of graffiti, street art, yarn bombing, stickers, etc. and see how it’s transformed into the trendy area that it is now.
4. **Bonus** SkyGarden London is a FREE viewing point above the Thames in the Walkie Talkie building.  You must reserve online in advance for the free tickets.  Its a very nice alternative to see the city from above.

Ok, 25 London Travel Tips is a bit more than a few (I talk fast, hence the ask to email those tips!).  I could probably (and will) share a million more especially with all the new tips and sights I’m learning about with Mom’s trip. If you’ve been to London, do you agree, disagree or have any to add?

It’s crazy how many times I’ve visited London and still have not checked all the boxes in “things to see”.  With the Diana, Her Fashion Story exhibit, I thought it was about time to venture over to Kensington Palace for a tour.  As I exited the Kensington tube station, I had a bit of a walk through the park and gardens which were a lovely starting point as I made my way past the ponds and on the tree lined walking path toward the palace. If the weather isn’t good, consider a cab to the entrance as it can get windy on the path.

It was a brisk January day and yet the residents of the park, namely the birds, swans and ducks were swimming and flying around. More were swarmed around tourists with food (do not feed them!).  I can imagine the large pond is a wonderful gathering place in warmer weather.

As I approached, the Queen Victoria statue welcomed me. A nice feature is the London Talking Statue program that you can access to learn more. There are 30 Talking Statues in London if you want to add that to your “to do” list.

Visiting Kensington Palace Pricing & Hours

Unlike the museums in the city, Kensington Palace charges an admission fee.  The price of 19.50 GBP (adult ticket) which can be bought online (cheaper), in person or via many tour groups.  While there are a few ticket cashiers, its a small area so don’t be surprised by the queue (line) which moves relatively quickly.  Hours are relatively short each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with last admittance at 5 p.m.  The public displays at Kensington Palace are set up for ease of access and in bite sized portions so that everyone can enjoy their visit. In the winter, one hour is enough to tour the property inside, in the summer when there are crowds you might need two hours set aside and longer for the gardens.

Kensington Palace Visit

Kensington Palace is divided into the private side that Royals live in (no, I didn’t see Wills and Kate or the kids) and the public side that allows you to visit the Kensington Palace State Apartments and public rooms.  Whilst onsite you can also visit the palace gardens, which include the Sunken Garden, and the cafe.  As it was January, I was able to visit in just over an hour as part of the Victoria Reveled section was closed.  I would budget two hours maximum for you to wander and enjoy the history of the palace.

Once you have your ticket in hand, you have two directions to go – one leads you through the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments which then leads you down one floor to the exhibit space for temporary attractions before returning you to the starting point where you can go upstairs to the Victoria Revealed section (part of which was closed during my visit).

The King’s and Queen’s Apartment

You can see in the King’s rooms life in the 1700’s as the Georgians discovered music, fashion and art.  There’s a unique feeling to the eight rooms design and flow.  It’s like music filling each room and you can imagine the merriment. It’s full of gold, glory and glamour.

The Stuart dynasty is represented in Queen Mary II private rooms.  Six rooms encompass the queen’s drawing room, bedroom, dining room, closet and gallery before the staircase leads you to current exhibit.

Exhibit: Diana, Designing for a Princess

There’s a separate review about Diana, Her Fashion Story which encompasses six rooms each with a theme as Diana’s fashion evolved from teenager to worldwide celebrity and icon.  Now Kensington Palace is showcasing Diana: Designing for a Princess.  Admission to the special exhibit is included in your palace ticket. If you are keen to visit the exhibit, I would recommend advanced tickets to make sure you don’t miss it.

Special Exhibit: Victoria Revealed at Kensington Palace

After my visit to the V&A Museum, I was quite interested to learn more about Queen Victoria and her true love Albert as so much of London is in tribute to Albert.  During my visit there was a special exhibit upstairs – Victoria Revealed.

The exhibit was a mix of her life as Queen in three rooms: The Saloon room, where at age 18, she became Queen and held her first Privy Council meeting; The “Family Life” room representing her life as a mother; and the “Falling in Love” room about her true love with Albert. Don’t we all wish we had a “falling in love” room?

I was able to get a seat at the formal privy council table to learn more about Victoria from the guide.

Overall – Visiting Kensington Palace

Since this is a working palace, there are a few rooms on the ground floor that serve a singular purpose and are off limits (there were staff roaming in and out of the lamp room – I can only imagine how many light bulbs they have to change!).

I’m glad I was able to visit Kensington Palace on this winter trip as it was less crowded and gave me time to linger where I wanted.  The details are lovely and understated as you would imagine the British Royals to be when compared to Versailles in Paris or the Vanderbilt Newport summer home, The Breakers in the U.S.   Visiting Kensington Palace is great for those who want an inside peek at Royal life.  The cafe serves tea and cakes you can enjoy in the garden and sells souvenirs if you need royal memories to bring home.

(Note: My backup option was using my Priority Pass at Gatwick for No1 Lounge (3 hour max visit) access or for a discount at the Grain Store Cafe & Bar in the main terminal. I was remiss not to visit either during my long layover – rookie layover mistake!)

Connecting at Gatwick

The connection at Gatwick could have been easier if I wasn’t flying on separate tickets (award in business class JFK-LGW + cash from LGW-AMS) in order to hit my required flight segments to maintain my elite status. I had to deplane, go through immigration (thankfully I have UK Registered Traveller for e-gate usage) which was quick through the e-gates and then collect and recheck my checked bag.  That gave me an opportunity to stretch my legs and experience the surprisingly small arrivals and departure terminal for British Airways.  Once my bag was checked, I proceeded to security before entering the terminal which looked like a two level shopping mall.

Finding the BA Gatwick Lounge

BA should really put a path on the floor as you zig and zag around the corridors, hallway and then use the lift (elevator).  I followed other travelers in search of the lounges (No1 and British Airways). Once I arrived at the end of the hallway, the BA lounge welcomed me.  There were staff at two desks to check me in.  First Class turns left of course while Business Class and elite members go right into the expansive lounge which has two levels, shower suites and a kids enclosed play area.

There is a closet area to leave your bigger bags or stuff (note: at your own risk as not supervised) and the shower suite door which has an attendant inside to assign you to a shower suite.

Shower at Gatwick at the BA Lounge

My review of the shower at Gatwick goes into more detail with photos but suffice it to say, a shower after a long haul flight really does wonders and I’m now a convert.  If only they had expanded this area to include a spa area with sleep pods I’d have really enjoyed the long layover.  As it was, it definitely is a nice option to have.  Much nicer than the showers at Heathrow in the BA Terminal 5 arrivals lounge.  I had no time limit and was provided plush towels and toiletries.

Décor at the BA Gatwick Lounge

Since this lounge was updated in the past few years, you can see the differences vs other lounges you may have experienced at Terminal 5 Heathrow (Galleries Lounge T5 or Concorde Room LHR) or in my hometown of Philly (BA Lounge Philly).  While there are many seating areas, this lounge included booths to work in or chat with a group, high top communal tables as well as couches, individual sunken chairs and a second level of options accessed via an elevator or stairs (one spiral, the other straight).  Televisions were on throughout the lounge.

Second Level (Mezzanine) Lounge at BA Gatwick

One nice feature of the BA Gatwick Lounge is the second level mezzanine seating area which overlooks the lounge and runway views below. I sought this quiet area out when I first arrived but surprisingly it was crowded and loud with business travelers and groups.  When I returned after breakfast, it was empty and quiet (for a short while anyway).  I found a seat and plugged in to recharge my phone and was quickly on the lounge internet to kill some time. There are several configurations – separate lounge chairs, sofas and a high top communal table – to relax and/or work with while in the lounge.  The lift can take you to the mezzanine level or you can use one of the two stairs (circular or straight).

Free Food at the BA Gatwick Lounge

For an airport lounge, I think British Airways does a nice job with food options considering they are free. Plus they have a good selection of alcohol, cookies (bring a Ziploc if you want more than a few for the flight or wrap in a napkin – yes I know I have a problem!) and snacks (crisps, pretzels, etc.). I’ve never gone hungry at a British Airways lounge. Since I was grounded in the lounge for three meal services, I was able to see what was on offer that day for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea time. The drinks area with liquor and other area for coffee/tea are available all day.

I arrived when the breakfast options abounded – baskets full of croissants and breads,  bowls of fruit, oatmeal, bacon sandwiches and an assortment of cereals and yogurts.

Lunch selections included salad, sandwiches, soup as well as hot options – pasta, beans and a curry. Lunch time was quite crowded so the food turned over quickly and was refreshed by staff.

I was still there……for cake! It was afternoon tea time. Selections included sandwiches and a table with cakes and scones with jam and creme.

Overall – BA Gatwick Lounge Review

The British Airways Gatwick lounge was a nice respite from the chaos and noise of the main terminal. I did leave the lounge to take a walk to break up my sitting time and was ok to leave my bag in the cloak room for the short time. Since I was in the lounge for a chunk of time, it was interesting to people watch as the lounge quiet in the morning, swelled during lunch time and then returned to quiet for the late afternoon.  I wished they had sleep pods/rooms for those of us waiting on the longer layover but otherwise, the lounge is a really nice option to wait it out. I can’t even believe I gave thought to transferring between Gatwick and Heathrow thinking it was easier?!

New Year’s Eve has never been my favorite holiday.  The forced “fun”and thinking that life changes at midnight wiping the old year’s slate clean and offering a tabula rasa isn’t quite realistic in my experience.  As I entered my 40’s, I settled into my single girl comfort (after work) of the couch, pizza and wine to toast the New Year at 7pm East Coast Time when London celebrated because I knew I’d long be asleep by my midnight. Each year, I said “I’m going to go to see the London Fireworks for New Year’s Eve in London next year and not be on this couch”.  So I signed up for the email notices from the City of London but then missed the email notice so I ushered in 2017 back on my couch. 2018 was going to be different – I was determined to be in London, on The Thames, to watch the London fireworks with The London Eye and Big Ben in the distance.

Tickets on Sale Now at https://www.seetickets.com/content/london-new-years-eve-fireworks#

The Bucketlist Plan – London New Year’s Fireworks

So I made a note of when the tickets would be released (October) and put the date & UK time in my calendar for a reminder.  The City of London, in their effort to produce a safe environment on New Year’s Eve by controlling crowds and keeping a secure border, has implemented a ticket fee (£10 GBP for 2018), which seems fair enough but for many locals it caused an uproar when first announced.  So this time, my notification led me to check my email for the notice to buy a ticket. I quickly began my research into what area what best before hitting “buy”.  I bought two tickets to the “Pink Area”  on Waterloo Bridge, received my confirmation email and was thrilled to be able to be “live in London” at midnight hoping that this bucket list item could be crossed off.

I would still be single going and was doubtful of a midnight, romantic comedy, “When Harry Met Sally”, kiss but I wouldn’t be on my couch and that was a plus.  When my job was eliminated and I was made redundant a few weeks after booking my trip, I was a bit apprehensive about taking a trip whilst unemployed because of the costs but I had already booked the non-refundable trip so I was a go.

Researching the Pink Area of Waterloo Bridge, it was imperative that I avoid any form of transit that night as it would be packed with people all night long.  The underground tube journey would be free after a certain time to make the crowds easier to deal with and avoid lines at tap in/tap out.  I decided that I would walk to Waterloo Bridge and looked at all the hotel options on the south side of the bridge to make life a bit easier.  I had two interesting choices – Sea Containers Hotel London (formerly the Mondrian Hotel London) at Sea Containers and Citizen M Bankside.  Both were easy walking distance to the Pink Area security checkpoint.

Collecting Tickets for London Fireworks at New Year’s Eve

When buying tickets, you can opt to have them mailed to the U.S. or pick them up in person.  At the time, I wasn’t sure what I was doing but having dealt with international mail before, I took no chances and chose to pick up my tickets in person.  “See Tickets”, the ticket distribution company, set up a collection booth at Trafalgar Square starting at 8 a.m. for two days prior to the event as well as day of event.  Since a majority of attendees live in the UK and could get tickets in the mail, I was happily surprised that the booth was empty when I arrived to pick up my tickets.  I needed the confirmation number (email) and photo ID and I was now in possession of my tickets and overall instructions for the night.

Pre-Event Walk Through – Pink Area on Waterloo Bridge

I don’t like surprises so I did a walk through inspection of the area the day before.  I walked along the Southbank from the London Eye down to my hotel, The Mondrian Hotel at Sea Containers, easily finding my Pink area entrance at the IMAX Centre (hard to miss circular building with Times Square lighting and displays at the base of the Waterloo Bridge).  The signs for the various security entrances had been placed and the area was getting ready for street closures to complete the process.

London Fireworks Street Closures and Hotel Access

As my hotel, Mondrian London, was within the street closure area, the hotel provided wristbands to wear the day of fireworks to be able to access the hotel without fireworks tickets.  The roads near the hotel were closed and the main road lined with portable loos (port a potty) and signage.  The intent was to drive pedestrians in one area to control the crowds and flow of people to the underground station to queue up.  When I returned to the hotel at 6 p.m., the roads were just starting to close and no one was checking for wristbands.

Security Check at London Fireworks

The line for security was quite long as it wrapped around the block directly below the bridge. There were two lines in the area so make sure you are in the right one.  Luckily the rain had stopped and while the streets had a few puddles, the night sky was clearing.  It was cold but not so bad.  Since this is London, you are allowed to bring alcohol in with you but nothing in glass bottles.  The guy in front of me left the line and ran into the corner store to buy some beer.  You are also allowed to bring blankets, food and friends (with tickets of course).

The couple in front of me and the couple behind me were each speaking in another language so I didn’t make any friends in the queue to adopt me for the fireworks.  The line ended up moving quite quickly and in less than an hour I was on the bridge.  Just prior to the bag check, there was, as expected, people who thought they could blend into the line (in London queue jumpers) but I wasn’t having it neither was the local man a few people behind me.  This is where my very American personality comes in handy as neither couple in front or behind me were pushing the two groups away.  The local guy and I got the groups to walk toward the end of the line.  None of us would let them skip the hour wait and butt in.

Watching London Fireworks from Waterloo Bridge for New Year’s

Waterloo Bridge is a motor roadway with a small center divider.  The sides of the bridge have pedestrian walkways but those were closed to ticketholders and allocated to event security.  The bridge contained a plethora of portable loos and nary a line.  My map also said there was food and drink for sale but I never got that far over the bridge.   My initial spot on the bridge, I was standing with many people huddled on the ground to keep warm.  One guy was swaying back and forth and with two hours until midnight he was clearly drunk already so security easily removed him.  I decided to venture to the loos (thankfully I had a US flashlight (UK torch) with me as they don’t have light inside) and then on the way back found a small slice of the curb to sit on for the next hour and a half.  No one spoke to me but I had a great people watching spot for the night.  It was a nicely mixed crowd – young, old, families, groups of friends and a few solos like me – overall a happy crowd.

There was room to walk for most of the night on the back of the bridge.  The music was on the other side of the river and faint in the distance.  I should have tuned into the television coverage while I was waiting but didn’t want to drain my battery as I was saving it for the photos and videos of fireworks.

London New Year’s Fireworks on the Thames

With five minutes to go, I stood up on my small spot of a curb so had a nice elevated view over most of the people.  Then the countdown began…….5…..4…..3….2…..1 followed by 12 (exact) minutes of fireworks.  Unfortunately with the restoration of Big Ben ongoing for the next couple of years, the bells were silent.  I was bummed by this but hey I was finally off the couch with an up close view of the fireworks in my favorite city.  Starting the New Year differently than any in the past.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETAgPPBTGAw[/embedyt]

Overall Thoughts – Pink Area Waterloo Bridge Fireworks

It was easy to secure London Fireworks tickets online and pick them up in person.  I spent £20 for two tickets and wasn’t able to convince my friends to sit with me on the bridge as many were happy to avoid the transit and be on their own couch with wine.  Staying near the Waterloo Bridge, I only had to walk ten minutes to the Pink Area was a fantastic decision.  And the fireworks were just stunning.  Watching them for years on television was always pretty cool but seeing them in person was wonderful.

London Fireworks Tips – Waterloo Bridge:

1. Allow an hour for security line if you want to arrive early to find a great spot on Waterloo Bridge
2. Bring a blanket and scope out the elevated middle divider curb for your group so that you can stand above the crowds for an unobstructed view. 
3. For most areas you will be crowded as the clock nears midnight obviously so be prepared to stand in the cold for the few hours. The key is layers, layers and more layers to keep warm.  
4. You might want to pack a thermos of hot chocolate, mulled wine or tea to keep you warm.

Tickets on Sale Now https://www.seetickets.com/content/london-new-years-eve-fireworks#

Take a Shower at Gatwick in the BA Lounge

The newly renovated lounge has five shower cabanas – each has a toilet, sink, seating area and walk in shower with Elemis products in environmentally friendly refillable containers in the shower. I was given Elemis conditioner, a toothbrush/toothpaste combo pack and a bundle of towels sealed in plastic. A washcloth is not provided so if you absolutely need one, pack your own.

The design was a massive step up from the Heathrow showers which are quite dated and sterile in design and feel. This contemporary shower had both a handheld option as well as the overhead rain shower feature.  It was easy to toggle between the two settings. Water pressure was good, temperature easy to set and no time limit on my stay, which after a long flight was perfect not to be rushed.  The hairdryer is not my favorite as my hair takes forever to dry so I did my best to be presentable (which means hair still somewhat wet after 10 minutes with the hairdryer, up in a ponytail) as I was going to forage for breakfast in the main terminal (the lounge had food but nothing I was hungry for at the time).

BA Lounge at Gatwick Shower Amenities

The Elemis products provided are wonderful.  Sadly, the recently renovated (last year) Gatwick BA lounge does not have an Elemis Spa on site like Heathrow and JFK which would have bookended my shower nicely.  Elemis products are no longer offered on the in-flight amenity kits – Club World has The White Company and First Class has amenities by Aromatherapy Associates in the Liberty London kits.  What this means is that I couldn’t take any Elemis toiletries with me from the shower suite.

Final Thoughts – Shower at Gatwick Airport (South Terminal)

I used to think “eww, yuck, who uses those showers at the airport” but now I am a convert!  I use those showers at the airport and am happy they are an option in the British Airways lounges especially for overnight flights when you can’t get into your hotel room early or, like me, are connecting to continue the long journey to my destination.  So if you need to Shower at Gatwick Airport and have access to the British Airways Lounge in South Terminal – go for it!  Relax and Enjoy!

Your Thoughts on Showers at the Airport?  Have you used one?  Would you?

If you drove past my house this holiday season, you’d never know that I love the Christmas (holiday) lights as the house is dark.  While I would love to go all “Christmas Vacation” with lights, the technical difficulties are my downfall, that, and no outside electrical outlets.  Seeing the twinkling lights transport me back to my childhood when I would fall asleep under the Christmas tree (and lights) dreaming of Santa, presents and cookies.  These memories are romantic, dream filled, happy times when magic seemed possible.

The magic of childhood wasn’t just confined to Santa and Christmas lights but extended to the fun of the summer carnival.  In London, they’ve combined Santa, the carnival and Christmas into Winter Wonderland.  After my weekend in Iceland, I was able to enjoy the London Christmas lights and Winter Wonderland in London which reminded me of the magic of the holiday season. Each year Winter Wonderland grows bigger with more to eat, drink and experience.

Winter Wonderland London

Years ago, I happened upon Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park on a Wednesday afternoon.  I was staying at the Sheraton Park Lane which is a short ten minute walk.   It was deserted back then and seemed a small carnival in the middle of Hyde Park with Father Christmas (Santa to you and me) in one corner for photos.  This year, I revisited Winter Wonderland with a friend and the holiday carnival seemed to have grown exponentially in terms of rides, attractions, market stalls and food offerings.

While the tube announcements caution of the crowds at Hype Park Corner and suggest you get off at Green Park (a very long walk in the cold mind you), I stayed on until my stop.  It was a Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. and Winter Wonderland had just opened a few days prior so there were crowds but not yet the masses that would swarm on the weekends (watch out for the prams!). My friend and I entered walking past the many Christmas market stalls selling a variety of gifts.  We then were torn which way to go as there are many sections to visit now.

With the blaring music, my friend and I stopped to watch one ride as it swung back and forth and we both said “that’s kinda lame”. We instantly felt old as the ride amped up the fun (and fear factor) by doing a clockwise loop and then spinning around as it continued swinging.  The riders were spinning around and upside down and my friend and I had to take back our comments (we were the lame ones) and just stand there in awe of how much carnival rides have changed from our days on the Tilt a Whirl.

We continued walking and saw a few of our favorite childhood rides that we had in common -Dodge ‘Ems (UK) equals Bumper Cars (US) and decided that they were awesome when we were young. We laughed a lot as we walked around the rides and watched the kids try to win the big stuffed animal. I then wandered off and my friend just smiled as he watched me from afar –  I reverted into my solo self – taking photos, going from here to there and singing along with the Christmas music until I found the 80’s music!

The live band was dressed in costumes/wigs (for the 80’s? no idea why) singing as the crowds (older folks in their 30’s-50’s)  sat around the fire pits drinking mulled wine and pints enjoying the music.  A few people were dancing and singing along.

We continued walking, watching and contemplating if we wanted to lose our stomachs and try the new rides.  “I love the swings” I said and thought we could ride the new version that swings around as it goes up and down and around at the same time, “are you ok with heights”? I asked.  My friend replied “bad with heights” and that pretty much eliminated all of the rides.  He asked if I wanted to ice skate in the small rink and I really wanted to despite my poor coordination, however, my dumb feet had swollen and with my flight the next day, I had to decline.  At this point, the line for photos with Father Christmas was long and I was hungry so we left Winter Wonderland in search of dinner.

Christmas Lights in London on Piccadilly

After leaving Winter Wonderland we walked Piccadilly toward Covent Garden for dinner at Polpo.  We passed Bond Street lights, Piccadilly Shopping Arcades, Regent Street, Leicester Square shooting stars (make a wish!), circles on the street before arriving in Covent Garden.

Covent Garden Christmas Lights

The Reindeer welcomed us to Covent Garden.  In the sheds, one arcade was decorated while the open common area showcased decorative over sized ornament balls with a bit of fun thrown in (the disco ball!).  The serenity of the misty, rainy night with the Christmas tree in the background added to the dream like state I was in.

After seeing all of the lights from Winter Wonderland to Covent Garden, it was beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas.  The magical spirit of the season sparked by some pretty lights in London made for a great visit to the city.

Originally posted Christmas Eve 2014, I’ve since been back to Winter Wonderland & London lights each year since so I’ve updated the post a tad.  I love Christmas time in London, hopefully you will get to experience it too! 

If you are a long time reader or follow me on social media, it’s no secret that I have a bit of a cookie obsession.  A visit to Blondie’s Kitchen Pop Up at Selfridge’s in London was going to be a treat on my continual quest to find a good cookie in London (it really is a cookie desert of over twenty years in my opinion) – shortbread biscuits don’t count.

A cookie is a simple treat that pretty much makes most people happy or evokes memories of childhood.  When I fly, I always bring cookies with me in my snack bag and those cookies have made me new friends during delays, helped me score an empty row of seats and a free bottle of wine from the flight attendant I shared cookies with and provided a wonderful treat in flight when snacks are lacking.  In every city I’ve visited, I go in search of a good cookie or fantastic local bakery.  Cookies for me are small bites of happiness.  Cookies to my gym routine are destructive.  Cookies to my doctor are on the “do not eat” list.  I’m not sure when cookies became the enemy – even gluten free cookies get a bad rap.  So when I read on Secret London’s Facebook page of a Milk & Cookies Pop Up Shop at Selfridges called Blondie’s Kitchen which would only be open for one month, I was intrigued and ready to be bad and go off my diet for good cookies.  Even better was that my trip to Edinburgh & London would coincide with the final days of the pop up shop so I was able to experience the cookies first hand.

Blondie’s Kitchen is a new venture by two London chefs, both blondes hence the name.  On a visit to New York City, they happened upon a Milk & Cookies shop, MilkBar, and realizing there was nothing like that in London (I’ve been lamenting the horrible cookie scene in London for over 20 years!) they decided to open up their own.  Starting with a small pop up venture inside the Old Street Station they sold out immediately and realized there was a demand for their milk & cookies (cookies are much easier to eat in my opinion than the cupcakes sold by Lola’s cupcakes at many train stations). Their next pop up shop opportunity was at Selfridge’s Food Hall, which is big time exposure and prompted many stories to be written about their indulgent treats.  They are now working on an online shop to complement their catering business to sell direct to consumers. Long term is a physical shop and hopefully dreams of competing with the likes of Ben’s Cookies in the city.

Before I had a chance to taste the cookies, my friend would get there first as I put the Blondie’s Kitchen Milk & Cookies Pop Up Shop at Selfridge’s Food Hall on his London Itinerary.  He was in cookie heaven and was able to enjoy the cereal milk as well.  His Instagram and Facebook post let me know that I was in for a treat during my visit.

As a kid (and maybe a bit today) the best part of cereal was always the leftover milk that you could drink.  Well, blondie’s kitchen captures those milk memories in bottles today – choose from Frosted Flakes, Coco Pops as well as regular milks to enjoy with your cookies.

It took me a while to find their stand as I entered Selfridge’s from Oxford Street rather than the Food Hall side street for which they had a great location near the entrance as Selfridge’s is highlighting local businesses.

There were two ladies working the stand and I mentioned I read about them and was from the U.S.  They had a plate of samples and described each cookie on the stand as they had me try most of the flavors. I’m not a peanut butter or coconut fan so passed on those samples but was rewarding my taste buds with new cookies and that’s always a great experience.  Their cookies are a blend of unique ingredients of today often smashed up with candy favorites like kinder bars and the indulgent cookie “get stuffed” has two favorites – Oreo cookies crumbled on top of a Nutella filled cookie.  For me, the simple milk chocolate and the double chocolate with tahini and sesame seeds were winners.

I was really tempted by their signature cookie sandwich – two cookies with homemade honeycomb chocolate mousse in between.  But I was on cookie overload after the samples to even consider that treat.

They also serve a Gluten Who? Cookie which is a peanut butter cookie made with almond milk and were introducing their raspberry and coconut cookie.  I bought three cookies – one to enjoy now and two to bring home.  The cookies were on the larger side of a normal cookies (so about two servings) and priced at £3 per cookie which was reasonable.

The soft, chewy cookies definitely had a good flavor and held up for a few days retaining that soft texture. I hope that Blondie’s Kitchen does get the next phase up and running soon as I’d finally love to say I have a favorite cookie in London to add to my cupcakes and chocolate walking tour list.  Pop Up Shops are great ways to enjoy a city’s food and support small and growing businesses as they expand their dreams.  I’m glad I could experience the Blondie’s Kitchen Pop Up at Selfridges and look forward to the day I can walk into their shop to order cookies and declare that London is no longer a cookie desert.