A WEEK IN LONDON
This was designed for friends headed to London. They insisted I limit activities so they would both take time to relax. I couldn’t bear that they’d miss some must-sees in one of my favorite cities to visit, so I tried to offer one featured activity daily – and then slip in some other sightseeing along the way. I hope I’ve achieved a good balance of quiet time and touring!
Day 1
- Arrival/Hotel Check In
- After a lunch and a quick nap to take off the travel weariness, walk by Buckingham Palace
- Walk down the Mall and/or through St. James’s Park to The Churchill War Rooms
- Walk over to Westminster Abbey for Evensong at 5 pm. Evensong is a one-hour prayer service. Sit, relax and enjoy music in this magnificent cathedral.
- Immediately outside Westminster, find #11 double-decker bus and take an evening ride through London. See Big Ben, London Eye, the Shard, and more!
- At St. Paul’s, step off and go back the other way.
- Walk to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Visit Abbey Road and have your picture taken on the famous crosswalk. When you’re there,
let friends know so they can watch you online! - Go to the Kensington Palace Orangery for a lovely lunch
- After your meal, stroll through the Gardens and visit Kensington Palace
- Quick stop back at your hotel for a nap?
- This evening, see a play in London’s West End
Day 3
- Board a boat to Greenwich at Westminster Pier on the River Thames
- Visit Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian. Have your picture taken in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
- Walk around the Old Royal Naval College which has some beautiful architecture. And you can’t miss the Cutty Sark moored at the dock, so lots to see here!
Day 4
- An absolute MUST in London is a visit to the Tower of London! Enjoy a Beefeater Tour to really get the most of your visit. After the tour, walk around and see the Crown Jewels, King Henry VIII’s armor and dungeons on your own.
- Once finished, you’re just a quick walk away from Tower Bridge. Worth a visit to see the mechanisms of this Victorian bridge in action.
- Take the tube back to Covent Garden where you can see some really great street performers and have a bite to eat.
Day 5
- Visit the British Museum even if it’s only for an hour or two. Fabulous Egyptian Wing – with the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles – plus a mummified cat!
- You’re only a few blocks from Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the neighborhood of Sir John Soane’s home and museum. An avid collector, his home is jam packed with artwork and statuary from all his travels. It’s something to see!
- After two museums in one day, you’ll be ready for some refreshments. Treat yourself to the quintessential afternoon tea experience at Fortnum & Mason. While there pick up a little souvenir from your trip.
Day 6
- Put on your walking shoes and head over to St. Paul’s Cathedral to climb the dome. It’s an exhilarating and amazing experience to see the structure from the inside – and to see the cathedral from the Whispering Gallery – and the London skyline from the small observatory outside. You can do it!
- Have a pint at Ye Olde Mitre Pub which is a hidden gem from Henry VIII’s time in the vicinity of St. Paul’s. It’ll be tricky to find – so be sure to bring a map.
Day 7
- How quickly a week goes!
- After breakfast near your hotel, head to the airport. On your way, make a list of all the places you’ll visit on your next trip to this marvelous city!
- Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
- Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
- Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
- If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.
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