Valerie
Valerie fell in love with London on my 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!
How to Plan the Perfect Oxford Day Trip
If you've read any of the most popular books in the 20th Century, you've likely experienced the influence of Oxford. This moderately sized English city is most famous for its historic university – which has churned out some of the greatest minds in history (though Cambridge would certainly argue about that statement). For this reason, almost everyone knows about Oxford...
Where to Stay in East London:
The 7 Best Neighborhoods (& 8 to Skip!)From my first trip to London, I always knew: I'm an East London person... not a West London person. Now don't get me wrong: West London is nice (literally and figuratively). It's just not my style with all that poshness; East London's colorful, gritty vibe fits way more with me and the places I love to explore. And East London has its own fascinating – and dark – history that it's now reclaiming and reinventing...
How to Make English Trifle
(Taste London at Home)When I first read the Harry Potter series and became an Anglophile, I was a bit confused. What is this “trifle” dish was that everyone’s enjoying? To be fair, trifle sounds a bit like “tripe,” which is definitely not delicious (to me!) and should not be served at celebratory meals (in my opinion!). Actually, as you’ll see in this English trifle recipe, this is a delicious dish and it’s no surprise that you can find it on menus throughout London.
A Guide to the 25 Best London Markets
The smell of fresh-cut flowers mixes with the aroma of delicious food as you browse the wares of a local London artisan. Can you picture it in your mind? This is exactly what it's like to visit one of the many London markets dotted across the city. London's markets aren't unique in that many cities around the globe have markets; London does have a huge number of markets, in basically every neighborhood...
How to Plan the Perfect Bath Day Trip
As you visit London, you'll quickly get the sense that history is all around you. Roman history under your feet dates back two millennia, never mind the imprint of all the centuries since. Other parts of England show the land's long history too back to the origins of Stonehenge 5,000 years ago and other relics of the Romans like the city of Bath...
Where to Stay in West London:
The 9 Best Neighborhoods (& 4 to Skip!)As you plan a trip to London, there's one important logistics issue to sort out early: where you're staying. London is generally divided into five areas: Central, West, East, North, and South. Luckily, that makes sense – and is pretty obvious when you look at a map. I generally recommend staying Central whenever possible – but...
21 London Quotes to Inspire You to Book That Ticket!
A lot has been said about London over the years – some good, some bad, and some that's a little bit of both. I have always loved reading about London and seeing London quotes from famous and notable people who have an opinion on my favorite city...
15 Fantastic Things to Do in London in the Fall
Falling leaves, cuppas of Chai tea, and the delicate blue skies that signal the end of summer; London in the fall is a magical time. Though the warm summer days have come to an end and you might need an extra layer to stay warm as the temperatures drop, autumn is a great season to visit London – and there's tons to do...
How to Plan the Perfect Brighton Day Trip
The wind is consistent and comes ashore with a salty smell. Seagulls wheel overhead, hoping someone will drop a chip for them to feast upon. The waves crash and roll the rocks on the beach in a hypnotic sound. This is Brighton – "The Queen of Watering Places" according to the English poet Horace Smith. Located on Britain's southern coast, Brighton feels like a world apart from London – but it barely takes an hour to reach this seaside escape. That makes it a perfect London day trip option...
15 Must-Try London Drinks to Sip on Your First Trip
When planning a trip to London, there's a lot to keep in mind. Where to stay, where to go, what to see, and what to eat. But have you stopped to think about what to drink during your London trip? You've gotta stay hydrated and celebrate your incredible London adventure, after all! In this post, I'll cover some of the London drinks I think everyone must try on their first trip...
