When most people start planning their trip to London, they pick dates in the summer. Long days, warm weather, and plenty of sunshine are certainly appealing – which is why summer is peak season for visiting London and by far the most crowded time to visit one of the world's most popular destinations. But maybe you're adventurous, budget-conscious, or have to be in London in the winter for some other reason...

Imagine arriving in London: you exit the airport, ride the Tube to Central London, and step out into the fresh air and sunlight of the greatest city on earth. Now what? While there is certainly fun in spontaneity and discovering new things without a fixed plan, I personally need a bit more structure when I travel, and almost always have at least some kind of itinerary for my trips – even when visiting London which I've both visited many times and lived in...

Can I let you in on a secret? There is one surefire way to make every single Londoner hate you instantly: block traffic on the stairs or escalators of the London Underground because you’re lugging around an overloaded suitcase like a tourist schmuck. Look, I know you packed too much – everyone always does (I did try and warn you though!). But here’s the thing: Londoners love to hate on the Tube. Yes, it’s delightfully convenient and pretty reasonably priced for getting us anywhere we want to go in the city – but it’s also smelly, crowded, and frustratingly tedious to navigate, especially when you have to do it on…

When people choose luggage, they don't typically have a specific destination in mind. Usually they compare price, features, and perhaps the aesthetics of how good the suitcase looks. But some destinations require a bit more consideration. For example, you wouldn't want to go backpacking across Southeast Asia with a giant rolling suitcase – you'd choose a great backpack for that. Similarly you wouldn't use a backpack for a tour where your luggage is transferred for you; you could use a rolling suitcase no problem...

Whether you fly during the day or take advantage of an overnight flight, there's no denying that it's a long journey from North America to London. The shortest flights – from New York City – clock in at 6 hours, 40 minutes, while the longest – nonstop L.A. to London – take 11 hours, 10 minutes. No matter how you slice it, that's a long time to be stuck in a tiny seat, uncomfortably nodding off and trying not to touch your neighbor...

Nobody wants to talk about it, but a forecast of rain is something to keep in mind when planning your London itinerary – even during the generally warmer and drier summer months. While I'm wishing you clear skies and sunny weather during your entire trip (no matter the season!), the reality is that you may need to consider packing a few choice items to keep yourself dry if the weather forecast turns more damp as your trip approaches...

You're all excited: you've bought that ticket to London, planned your itinerary, packed your bags, and are about to head off on an unforgettable trip... and then you check the weather forecast. Rain? RAIN!? Yes, it does rain a fair bit in London throughout the year...

Your tickets are booked and your bags are packed – but did you remember the most important thing? It's called a travel adapter, and no matter where you call home, you'll need one if you're planning to visit London. (Unless you live elsewhere in the U.K., I guess!). A travel adapter is a small but critical thing to pack for London, since London uses different plugs (and even different electrical systems) than we do here in North America or elsewhere in the world...