Valerie
Valerie fell in love with London on her first trip to the city way back in 2011. Since then, she spent a year living in London and visits as often as she can. Join her to explore my favorite city on earth and learn everything you need to discover the best London has to offer!
7 Days in London: A Perfect Week Itinerary for 2023
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. That’s a heck of a high bar set for a city, right? Even though it might seem an exaggeration I have visited London a half-dozen times and lived in London for a year – and I totally agree. London is the best city in the world. Spending 7 days in London is not nearly enough…
How Much Does it Cost to Visit London in 2023? [Cost Calculator]
As you plan your trip to London, you've probably notice one thing: that place is expensive! London is one of the most expensive cities in the world – both for visitors and for locals who live there. (I can attest to both as I've spent a lot visiting and definitely ran out of money while living there!) Having a good estimate for a London budget can go a long way...
Visiting London in April: What to Pack, Weather, Events & Things to Do (2023)
While summer might be the most popular season to visit London, there's something special about visiting in the spring. Unlike the nursery rhyme that "April showers bring May flowers," London works a bit differently. Flowers and trees begin blooming in March, continuing on through the common rain showers in April until the whole city is verdant and lush in May. If you love seeing the change of seasons, there's no better time to visit than April in London...
15 Essentials You Need to Pack for London in 2023
Ah, London. My favorite city on earth. I've traveled a lot, but there's nowhere quite like London. If you're planning a trip to London (hooray!), you might wonder what it's like and what to pack for London. Is everyone super formal or fashionable? (Sorta.) Do you really need to leave your jeans and sneakers at home? (YES.) Okay then...
10 Days in London: How to Plan Your Itinerary in 2023
When you ask most travelers "where is your favorite place?" I have no problem when asked that question: my favorite place on earth is London. While it seems like a long trip, this itinerary covers how to spend 10 days in London. This list combines my list of must-see sights in London with some gems I've learned to love by being there – and shows how even 10 days in London isn't nearly enough to see all the city has to offer...
45 Essential Things to Do in London (London Bucket List)
Truer words have never been spoken: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." London is one of the world's most popular destinations, and draws travelers from across the globe. Each year, London receives 30 million visitors, and starting in 2011, I was eagerly one of them. Since then, I've visited many times – and even moved to London...
How to Plan a London Trip for King Charles III’s Coronation
It's a fascinating time to visit London: as the calendar turns over from 2022 to 2023, the United Kingdom is ruled by a new monarch first time in 70 years. Everyone's a little uncertain what the future holds with King Charles III at the helm, but there's one thing we know for certain: he needs to have a coronation before much else. And that's a great opportunity to visit London, if you're fascinated by the monarchy...
The 15 Best Tiki Bars in London for a Tropical Tipple
For some of us, it was sourdough starters and growing green onions; other people embraced the tie-dye look again for the first time in decades. There were lots of hobbies embraced by folks during the 2020-2021 shutdowns, and mine was tiki bars. Unfortunately, all of the bars themselves were closed, so I had to satisfy myself with learning about tiki culture and trying my hand at a few cocktail recipes at home...
The 7 Best Tea Shops in London for Steep-able Souvenirs
While there are a number of drinks you might associate with London and the Brits who inhabit this lovely city, most people think of one in particular right off the top of their heads: tea. The British are known for it, though its origins date back to Colonial India and Britain's occupation of the subcontinent. Today, people think less of tea as an Indian drink (though it is definitely consumed there in many forms and styles) and more of a British one...
Roman Ruins in London: 11 Places to See Roman London
London is a city where its history is literally beneath your feet; one of the most fascinating chapters of London history is shown by the evidence of when the Roman empire spread all the way to Great Britain. But, actually, the Romans didn't call it "London" when they did – instead, it was "Londinium," and it was a significant Roman city during their period of British occupation...
