13 Things to Know Before Your First Trip to London
I still remember my first trip to London and the moment when it became one of my favorite cities in the world. I arrived, jet-lagged after not sleeping on my first Transatlantic flight and hoofed it to a bicycle tour. We stopped to admire the view of Parliament at the exact spot pictured above, and I realized: wow! I’m in London! This place is so old! I was hooked, and...
15 Essentials You Need to Pack for London
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...
Why St. Paul’s Cathedral is My Favorite Spot in London
On the list of most relaxing places in the world, I’m fairly confident that most people would not put London on that list. Technicolor double-decker buses trundled noisily past on Cannon Street, adding to the cacophony of foreign tongues. I may be a native English speaker, but in the heart of the English-speaking world, I was surrounded by other languages, other accents, other worldviews...
7 Days in London: The Best Things to Do for a Week
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…
5 Days in London: How to Plan a Short Week Itinerary
London, how do I love thee? Let me count the days... If you didn't already guess, London is my most favorite city in the whole world, and I return there often (my goal is always once a year!). If you're planning a trip to London and it's only going to be five days...
18 Must-See London Sights You Absolutely Shouldn’t Skip
If you're planning a trip to London, no matter the length, there are some sights you just need to see. I've been to London on half a dozen trips and lived there for a year... So I've curated this list from my own experiences. I've broken this list of must-see London sights into several different categories; you can add them all to your London itinerary, or...
How to Do the London Wall Walk: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
I'm standing across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament, admiring the view. My guide suddenly says, "and behind us is the second oldest privately owned garden in London, dating back to the 12th century." [I later learned this is Lambeth Palace Gardens.] Needless to say: on my first trip to London, I was struck by the incredible history of the place....
10 Days in London: How to Plan Your Itinerary
When you ask most travelers "where is your favorite place?" they might have to stop and think. "Well, maybe here... or there. Oh but my trip to this place was incredible!" I have no problem when asked that question: my favorite place on earth is London....
40 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...