London Dreams

We’d been dreaming of visiting London for what felt like a century, so we finally made it happen in 2022. With family living there, it was the perfect excuse to crash at their place and enjoy some quality time. Our UK visas took about three weeks to arrive—but the VISA application process was a real brain teaser.

They wanted our travel history from the past 10 years. So, there we were, one wild night, buried in passport pages and booking emails, trying to piece together our globe-trotting adventures. After what felt like a scavenger hunt through time, we finally finished around midnight and sent it all in. Who knew time travel could be so exhausting?

Hot tip: Give your application a thorough once-over—any slip-ups mean shelling out a whopping $1.25 just to send an email to their support for a fix. It’s a tad annoying, but hey, that's how the cookie crumbles!

Day 0

We touched down at the ever-busy Heathrow Airport and, while waiting for our brother-in-law to rescue us from the land of baggage claim, indulged in a fancy oat milk latte at Caffè Nero.

Once we finally made it home, we basked in the glory of family time with our beloved crew.

We concocted a master plan for our day trips over the next few days—here’s a sneak peek, with the juicy details coming up in the next chapters:

Itinerary:

1. Day 1 - Dive into Seven Dials Market & get lost in Covent Garden (don’t worry, we’ll find you!)

2. Day 2 - Spin on the London Eye, cross London Bridge, wave at Big Ben, see the Birmingham Palace guards’ fashion show, and maybe stop by 10 Downing for tea!

3. Day 3 - Get dizzy at Piccadilly Circus and make another pit stop at Covent Garden (apparently, we can’t get enough!)

4. Day 4 - Night Hop on Tour: see London’s sights shine brighter than your future!

5. Day 5-7 - Shop 'til you drop at Portobello Market, Boroughs Market, The Shard, Camden Market & Carnaby Street (bring comfy shoes!)

6. Day 8 - Get scholarly at Cambridge University (or just pretend to be!)

7. Day 9 - Stroll through Cliveden Estate like you own the place!

+ And of course, we visited a ton of beautiful pubs, restaurants, and bars along the way. More juicy details coming up!

Markets

London is bursting at the seams with delightful markets—honestly, you might need a map and a compass to navigate them all! We had a blast on our day trips, meandering through spots like Covent Garden, Seven Dials, Piccadilly Circus, Portobello (yes, the Hugh Grant door is still standing like a celebrity on the red carpet!), and Borough Market. Each market is like a quirky character in a British comedy; for instance:

1. Portobello - It's a treasure trove of antique shops and, of course, the famous Notting Hill Hugh Grant door. The area is dotted with cafes and charming little restaurants that practically beg you to try them. We munched on a falafel sandwich and some Japanese delicacies. Yum!

2. Covent Garden - This place is like a fashionista's dream with its boutique and designer shops, plus a buffet of restaurants. They host evening shenanigans like live music, dance, and magic shows. Find your favorite spot, grab a seat, and let the fun begin!

3. Borough Market - A picturesque paradise for picking up local cheese, chocolates, olive oil, fruits, and veggies. We snagged some coffee from a nearby café and strolled through the market like true connoisseurs.

4. Seven Dials Market - Another fabulous spot where you could easily spend the whole day or evening shopping, attending events, and enjoying the amazing cafes and restaurants.

Shop, Walk, Eat, and Repeat

London is like a giant playground for adults—there's so much to explore, you'll never run out of things to do!

Covent Garden - Nestled in London’s West End, this place is buzzing with fancy shops, beauty havens, wine bars, swanky restaurants, and the coziest cafés you can imagine.

Covent Garden also boasts craft stalls at Apple Market and the grand Royal Opera House. It's like the Swiss Army knife of destinations. Here's how I'd tackle a day there:

1. Hop off the tube at "Covent Garden" station.

2. Stroll to the main area and grab a coffee and some French macarons from the famed "**Laduree**". Missed breakfast? No problem! Laduree has a smorgasbord of breakfast delights and Champagne. Try the Portuguese Pastel De Nata and don't skip the Tea at Chelsea Tea bar.

3. Saunter around luxury shops and pop by the Apple Market. Feeling peckish? Grab lunch at one of the popular spots at the Piazza. Thankfully, no need for reservations here, unlike those other London eateries that act like they're guarding the crown jewels.

After a scrumptious lunch, wander some more before snagging a glass of vino at one of the charming wine bars. "Lady of the Grapes" is a top pick with a wine list that could make Bacchus jealous, and their Castelvetrano Olives are heavenly.

5. Mosey over to "**The Punch and Judy balcony**", order a drink, and stake out a prime spot to enjoy the live shows. We loved it so much, we went twice. Just remember, it's not a posh sit-down affair—grab your drink and hope for a seat with a view!

6. Cap off the day with dinner at spots like Cinnamon Bazar, Chez Antoinette, Buns and Buns, or wherever your taste buds lead you.

Find more info on Covent Garden and plan your adventure - HERE

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus—where five bustling streets collide in a neon extravaganza. It's like London's answer to Times Square (New Yorkers, no shade—just painting a picture here!).

The Circus is a hive of activity, and when I say busy, I mean sardine-can busy. But it's a fab spot to find a classic English pub and enjoy a pint, alongside a smorgasbord of eateries and cafés.

It's also my go-to for catching a West End show (Theatre). When we visited in 2022, “2:22” was playing, along with staples like Les Misérables that seem to run forever. Booking tickets in advance is a must for the best seats. For “2:22,” no need for ball gowns unless you're in the balcony—regular seats let you enjoy the show in jeans or whatever floats your boat.

If you tire of wandering, pop over to Fortnum and Mason for some posh shopping or gift hampers, or head to Trafalgar Square, both just a hop, skip, and a jump from the main hub.

As I mentioned, there's so much to do that boredom doesn't stand a chance in London. I'll dish on our escapades in Cambridge and Cliveden in another post—they deserve their own spotlight.

Hope you're already giggling and plotting your London escapade!