SIM: Use an e-sim, it's easier than switching it a real sim on arrival. Airalo is an app where you can purchase and set up an e-sim before you leave so that when you arrive you just take your phone out of airplane mode and you will have data.ย
Tower Bridge has long been a famous symbol of progress and history, Built in the late 1800โs and is actually three bridges in one: 2 suspension bridges with a bascule bridge in the middle! Free to walk across the base of the bridge. You can also take a tour ($12) inside the bridge, learn about its history, and walk across the glass floor walkways inside. During the wintertime, the museum opens at 9:30 am. Go as early as possible to avoid crowds!
The Tower of London is one of my favorite sites in London. You get to see this historic spot up close and personal. The guards here all live within the tower grounds , so you are not able to go into all of the houses on around the perimeter as they're peoples actual homes! The highlight of visiting the Tower of London is certainly seeing the jewels. Be mindful that photos are NOT allowed in the jewel rooms, so just live in the moment as you walk through this section.
Head to Somerset House for some ice skating fun in a beautiful 18th century courtyard. Grab your tickets online in advance because session times do fill up fast!
Located just on the south side of the London Bridge, this area of London is a foodie loverโs paradise. The Borough Market is filled with food trucks, coffee shops, and darling little storefronts and pubs. If youโre visiting during a London winter, this is the perfect place to buy a warm cup of coffee and take in all the smells of warm food and treats under the covered market. At the Borough Market in winter, vendors are selling fresh produce and Christmas goods like wreaths, decorations, and gifts. Bring cash as many vendors only accept cash.
The Postal Museum is not like any other in London, set in the 100 year old Post Office. The reason you want to visit this museum is to ride the original railway that was used to deliver letters in the 1900โs. This railway snakes under London and takes your from the former engineering depot into the tunnels and is combined with a theatrical experience.
The team behind Warner Bros. Studio Tour London โ The Making of Harry Potter wanted to preserve and showcase these iconic props, costumes and sets so that Harry Potter fans could experience the magic of filmmaking first-hand. Many of the original cast and crew returned to reassemble the sets and record their memories from filming, and on 31st March 2012, the Studio Tour opened its doors.
Set adjacent to the working film studios where all eight Harry Potter films were made, the Studio Tour offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore two soundstages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breathtaking special effects.
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King's Cross Station
If you are a Harry Potter fan like me then a visit to King's Cross station is a must. Head towards gates 9 and 10 and you will find the trolly cart and platform 9 3/4 before the gates to the trains. Here you can take a picture and go through the Harry Potter shop for any souvenirs.ย
Head to Kingโs Cross Station to check out the flurry of new bars and restaurants popping up thanks to Google and Facebook. Thereโs the saloon Spiritland and the upcoming Coal Drops Yard complex. While youโre there you can take your photo at platform 9 ยพ!
A funky museum to see this unique collection of neon signs. While strolling through all these neon signs be sure to stop by the cafe, Rolling Scones Cafe. Cost: Free
This is a district in Southeast London, known as the Beer Mile, Bermondsey is the epicenter of craft brewing in London (and some would argue the UK). Stretching from Fourpure to Southwark Brewing Company, and containing such London gems as Hiver, Partizan, and Eebria, youโll no doubt discover new favorites, and can walk off the pints as you go.
Take a tour of this famous theatre or see a show! Not the original Globe theatre as that was burned down by the fire of 1613. Many say that the shock of this fire is what destroyed Shakespearโs health, as this was a time with no insurance so rebuilding the theatre was on him. Sadly Shakespeare passed in April of 1616.
A must see for your first time in London. An awe inspiring palace both outside and inside. Weather you decide to venture inside is up to you, but be sure to check out the iconic British Guards who will not move an inch regardless of what you do.
Big Ben stands at the North end of the Houses of Parliament. Make sure to stop by to look at this beautiful piece of Londonโs history. There are no tours of Big Ben due to refurbishment thatโs taking place until 2021.
Head to Camden Town for top notch people watching. Thereโs always something to see here from exhibitions to street performers. Stroll through the Camden Market to check out many alternative shops and quirky restaurants and pubs.
Check out this famous landmark of London located on the South Bank of the River Thames. It is super touristy, but it does offer stunning 360 degree views of London. On your way to the London Eye take the road less traveled through Leake Street Tunnel. Itโs near the famous London Eye and is a street-art wonderland. Located in a tunnel below Waterloo station, itโs an ever changing work of art. This street art tunnel was started by none other than Banksy himself.
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London Speakeasies
Most bars in London get jam packed on Friday and Saturday night. If there's any that you defiantly want to get into I recommend either going early like before 8pm or making a reservation.ย
Absolute must visit! The coolest bar, great drinks and the atmosphere is just magical. They have afternoon tea & cocktails served in a vintage-style speakeasy set in a disused underground station.
Have a drink in Head this beautiful botanical bar for floral inspired cocktails. It's like a garden treehouse! Upstairs in Mr Fogg's House of Botanicals, find a secluded wisteria-filled treetop oasis, serving floral botanical-infused cocktails.
Proof that the Prohibition theme is far from a โ90s-only trend, The Bootlegger brought speakeasy chic to Leadenhall Market in 2015. And in true covert style, this one is hidden between a Nandoโs and dry cleaners. Low lighting, an old-fashioned till a gramophone, and even a hooch distiller seal the speakeasy deal.
Batman Themed Restaurant . The fancy drink is called โThe Blue Boyโ They also have some fancy desserts like the edible balloon and popcorn which will releases dragon breath . The music played here is all by Postmodern Jukebox a group that creates covers of modern songs in the 1920's style.
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Coppa Club
Hours:ย Mon.-Sat. 9AMโ11PM | Sun. 9AMโ10PM
You must make a reservation to sit in the bubbles by the river during the colder months. There is a minimum spend when you make this reservation. It's around $100 food and beverages.ย
Introducing our autumn/winter Igloos in partnership with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Spend some time with loved ones whilst sipping on the finest pink fizz under a canopy of lanterns. Itโs time to make the most of the changing seasons in your own private Igloo. As the nights grow colder feast on your Coppa favorites alongside indulgent Igloo specials and bask in a luxurious pink and green haven, whilst clinking glasses of Champagne Laurent-Perrier.
From the outside, this place looks exactly like what it says on the tin -- a decrepit tailor -- thanks to a sign that is holding on to the brick work for dear life. But take a chance and head down the dodgy-looking side door into a low-ceilinged, exposed-brickwork, raw-light-bulbed den. Youโll soon find yourself with a delicious adult beverage in your hand.
An underground alchemy lab with amazing cocktails (Non-Alcohol options available) ๐งช @magenta_kingscross restaurant inspired by its local 19th century cultural heritage and Northern Italian cuisine offering unique dishes.
As bar after bar opens using the rather tired โBrooklyn Prohibitionโ template, Experimental Cocktail Club seems ever more original โ itโs hard to find, sure, but inside remains opulent and elegantly aloof to trends. Itโs arranged over three floors of an old Chinatown townhouse, flatteringly lit and expensively decorated. Booking isnโt essential, but it is recommended โ the doorman is known for being a little snooty (email booking only, between noon and 5pm).
Upon telling the helpful staff at The Breakfast Club that you are there "to see the Mayor,โ you may then climb through a Smeg fridge and down some stairs into a brick-walled haven of booze. Remember when you leave to try and keep a straight face -- despite the fact that the exit takes you through the My Little Pony toilets.
This area of town isnโt as hip as it used to be, but Callooh Callay is still as much a destination in its own right as it is a hidey-hole to avoid the drinks-offer-seeking masses. Since opening in 2008, itโs consistently served some of the most innovative cocktails in London, even if the decor has been left behind: the Lewis Carroll/Victoriana theme is partially enforced.
Nightjar has become a huge success, busy even midweek; we visited on a Monday and were lucky to get in. Clear message: book a table. The cocktail list, divided into historical eras, makes for enthralling reading with all its unexpected ingredients.
One of Londonโs first speakeasy-type bars and begetter of both VOC and the Worship Street Whistling Shop. Booking is advisable โ though walk-ins will be seated if thereโs space. The layout of the bar, over a number of smallish spaces in a vaulted basement, gives the opportunity for genuine seclusion if thatโs what youโre looking for. And if youโre interested in cutting-edge cocktail making, youโre also in luck.
Deep in the old part of The City, down one of the smaller, less exciting-looking pedestrian alleys, is a small booze shop and pantry thatโs armed with a vast collection of vintage and contemporary spirits, all lining the walls like pieces of art. While this veritable treasury is something to stare at in contemplation, itโs nothing compared to whatโs below. Head down a slightly obscured staircase, and youโll find yourself in one of the largest collections of gin and rum in town. They stockpile around 300 different types of each.
The Last Tuesday Society is a wormhole full of curiosities in Hackney. Here youโll find everything from dildos to skulls. Should you require a drink while viewing all of these oddities donโt worry as thereโs a bar here as well.
Step into the very healthy-looking Juice Club in Covent Garden and hand over a ยฃ20. Suddenly, you're invited behind the bar, through the secret door, and down a tiny staircase into a '20s-style candle-lit cavern. Or, if you find yourself by Mornington Crescent tube, look for the unassuming door that leads to a 1920โs style casino. Oh, and be sure to bring a bottle of booze. They don't have a license, so instead, you bring the bottle of your choice with you, and they'll make it into a bespoke cocktail on the spot with their array of "syrups, fruit juices, spices, herbs, salts, and homemade cordials."
This subterranean watering hole is filled with all the kitsch and banter weโve come to expect from the CTC crew: drinks served in snow globes, wellington boots, and sunscreen bottles; a lighting system that adjusts to the music and mood of the bar.
Some serious speakeasy hallmarks are present at Oriole, with a strict reservation policy, a barely marked entrance, a curtain at the bottom of the stairs covering any view inside and a live jazz band setting the mood. But otherwise, this showy bar throws out the speakeasy rulebook by introducing ostentatious dรฉcor complete with a jungle print wall and flashes of gold and jade. Speakeasy meets House of Holland, basically.
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Blind Pig
Hours:ย Monday to Thursday, 3pm-12am, and Friday โ Saturday, 1pm-12am
The Blind Pig takes its name from the US codename used for bars during the Prohibition era, and a blindfolded little piggie doubles as a doorknocker at this otherwise nondescript entrance on Poland Street. The interior is charmingly antiquey, with dark wood, ageing brown leather and a mirrored ceiling. But the drinks are anything but low key, with pun-heavy names on the menu and a specials list of drinks based on childhood tales.
This restaurant is a three-storey, industrial-chic space with tons of natural light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. On the ground floor is casual restaurant GROUND, serving seasonal, British-sourced dishes, as well as an in-house bakery that supplies the tasty goods for the Aussie-inspired breakfasts (it's one of the best brunches in London). Downstairs, in BELOW, is a dark cocktail bar and hidden wine cellar. But if youโre a true Dabbous fan and can handle an nine-course tasting menu, then head up the sweeping staircase to ABOVE, a huge mezzanine level with views of Green Park. Dabbous trades in (relatively) simple food done really well โ and that shines through here. In GROUND the charcuterie is made in-house and served on a feather, for a touch of drama, and thereโs rich butter to slather on the homemade bread. Upstairs, on the tasting menu, the steamed ikejime turbot is cooked to glistening perfection, served in a sauce made from the bones; tail-to-gill cooking at its best. As HIDE shouts about having the largest wine list in London, you can expect to be well looked after by one of its 15 sommeliers. In BELOW, cocktails are mixed up by Kinberg, Dabbousโ go-to mixologist. The drinks list includes the Green Park Cabaret, made with BarSol Pisco, rhubarb, pink peppercorn and soda, and the refreshing Summer Solstice with Ketel One vodka, melon, shiso and olive oil.
Head down the stairs at Pali Hill towards the restroom. Look for the jaunty sexologist sign and push open The door. Tribute To The 70s Indian smugglers den. Beneath the streets of Fitzrovia, step into a retro Indian smugglers den. Full of spectacular trinkets, foreign liquor, gaudy art, and velvet upholstery, Bandra Bhai is a tribute to underground operations of years gone by and is now your delightfully tacky, dimly lit, groovy basement spot serving the best cocktails in London.
The entrance โ with a simple 'F' to signal its existence while a subtle 'Frenchie' spelt in tiles lies at your feet โ is small, chic and unassuming. The long, thin interior continues the theme, merging New York and Parisian flavours in the low lights, exposed piping and subway tiles for a 'smart 1920s train carriage' sort of vibe. All together and we tip it as one of the most romantic restaurants in London. Creative, rich and French-infused. The bacon scones with maple syrup and cream are an unexpected showstopper. There are wine bottles everywhere here โ not just behind the bar but lining the banquettes as well. Rather than share a list, Frenchieโs stocks fittingly small, artisanal producers, and is keen to suggest the optimum grape for your particular meal.
Elevated comfort food set right on the river โ without a hefty price tag. This Italian joint, set right on the Thames, is more about hearty feasts than fiddly fine dining. The restaurantโs view is almost an afterthought rather than the main reason for booking, but itโs worthy of an honourable mention as it feels almost as if youโre on top of Tower Bridge on the summery terrace (with equally impressive panoramas from the first-floor dining room โ ideal for when evenings turn chilly).
Rustic furniture, distressed copper-topped tables and matching chairs are lit up by fairy lights strung from the glass ceiling and surrounded by thriving plants.
Afternoon tea doesnโt get prettier than this โ the hand-picked wild bouquet takes centre stage at the top of the hand-blown-glass tiered stand, its seasonal blooms paired with the sweet and savoury bites. Loose-leaf tea is served in a glass kettle that youโll want for your own kitchen โ the Giardino blend is as fresh as can be. Itโs no surprise that this menu changes seasonally depending on whatโs growing, keeping in line with the brandโs ethos of using responsibly sourced produce. There are always scones: here, theyโre served with strawberry and prosecco jam and clotted cream.
The standโs top tier holds the coveted sweet treats: lemon polenta cake, meringue, raspberry and pistachio baci di dama and the standout cherry and almond tart. Youโll leave inspired to redecorate your home and garden.
Price: Afternoon tea, ยฃ45; rose-petal prosecco afternoon tea, ยฃ55
The Pegasus afternoon tea is perhaps one of the most beautiful to look at; itโs served on a platform staging a flying horse โ mimicking the restaurantโs giant overhead installation โ and covered in dry ice for extra drama.
The food itself is an unusual offering, but delicious nonetheless. Themed Light It Up cocktails are also available to order on top of tea or coffee. One warning: youโll need to order scones, cream and jam separately if you want to stick to tradition.
ยฃ35 per person, plus ยฃ8.75 for an added cream tea
There is something deliciously opulent about going to The Wolseley in the middle of the day. This Mayfair stalwart, swathed in gold with imposing chandeliers and arching pillars and black-and-cream tiles, is best-known for its lavish breakfasts, topping our edit of the bestย brunch in London. Head through the velvet curtain at the door on an afternoon, though, to find groups of smartly dressed people being served tea from silver pots by suited waiters in the grande-dame dining room.
On the afternoon-tea menu, classic finger sandwiches include smoked salmon and smoked chicken. The vegetarian selection is just as varied and delicious: no endless egg-and-cress here. Instead, thereโs avocado, cucumber with mint, and celery with cream cheese, served on a variety of breads. Second helpings are encouraged. Scones are of the fruity variety, kept warm under a cloche, to be topped with lashings of clotted cream and jam.
Pastries are surprisingly up-to-the-minute for a restaurant that trades so heavily on old-school charm, and include a pistachio friand, baked cheesecake and a salted-caramel รฉclair.
The Wolseleyโs afternoon tea is delicious, and you will, undoubtedly, leave feeling uncomfortably full, as with all of the teas on this list.
Price: Afternoon tea, ยฃ29.75; Champagne afternoon tea, ยฃ40
This unique coffee shop is located in an odd location - an old Victorian public toilet - now fear not as the whole place was scrubbed clean. this coffee shop is located inside an old Victorian public toilet. Fear not as the urinals have been thoroughly cleaned.
Take a seat on the sunny roadside terrace โ this is Hindmarchโs take on the old-school cafรฉ. The focal point is the glass counter lined with show-stopping baked goods, from sponge cakes and handmade biscuits to chocolate truffles, piped beautifully with rich icing in a vibrant mix of colours for you to drool over. The staff are dressed to impress in their suited uniform, which makes it feel as if youโve stepped into a Fifties, diner-style coffee bar. The attention to detail is excellent here, with charismatic charm resonating through all the little touches.
I highly recommend making a reservation a few weeks in advance as time slots fill up quickly and the wait can be over 2 hours. No photography is allowed inside.ย
The Anne Frank House is a writer's house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Cost: 14 euros
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Canal Cruise*
Cruise down the famous canals of Amsterdam during this 75-minute boat tour. Hop aboard the classic wooden saloon boat and sit back and enjoy the beautiful city pass you by. See landmarks while nibbling on Dutch cheese and having a drink. Take a 75-minute canal tour of Amsterdam in an old wooden captains boat Admire the beautiful city and its landmarks as you cruise along Enjoy Dutch Gouda cheese and a drink. You can find many local places offering a canal tour like this one. I highly recommend you take one whether it's private or with a group.ย
Slick, slick, slick. As VIP canal cruises go, captain Reinhard Spronkโs historic saloon boat tours (aboard 1932 teak beauty โWelmoedโ, or 1908โs smaller โFarahildeโ) are really the business. He and his partner Miloe run the show, taking private groups (reservations necessary) on bespoke tours of Amsterdamโs legendary canals. Pick-up is from your waterside hotel or Cafe Van Puffelen, by their office. This is going to be the highlight of your European tour, combining an utterly beautiful vintage boat, the most sophisticated company in town, and (for a supplement) red roses, gourmet finger food, and bottomless champagne.
You'll find Amsterdam's version of Central Park spanning about 120 acres just outside the Canal Ring. This swath of green offers a welcome visual alternative to the monochromatic sea of brick that makes up central Amsterdam. Don't miss The Fish statue by Pablo Picasso, and you can take advantage of numerous music, dance, and cabaret performances at the open-air theater during the summer months.
The Fish statue by Pablo Picasso. There also are numerous music, dance, and cabaret performances at the open-air theater during the summer months.
The western part of the Canal Ring is a labyrinthine neighborhood, known as De Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets), filled with independent shops. The act of shopping becomes a full-on afternoon activity as you wander the brick sidewalks searching for the perfect quirky souvenir or gift. It's full of designer and vintage boutiques, cutting-edge galleries, quaint cafes, and delightfully cluttered antique shops.
Designer and vintage boutiques, cutting-edge galleries, quaint cafes, and delightfully cluttered antique shops. Vintage Chanel flapbag (or other vintage handbags by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chloe, Hermes, and Prada), from L'Etoile de Saint Honore. Affordable yet stylish sunglasses by Dutch company Ace & Tate.
The main feature of AโDAM Tower is Over the Edge, Europeโs highest swing, which sends visitors soaring 325 feet above the ground. Visit the Towerโs restaurants and skybar. At MAโDAM and the rotating Moon restaurant, you can take in the great view with a cocktail in hand and none of the anxiety of the swing.
A visit to Moco is an unforgettable experience and a true eyeopener. In art we trust. Iconic works by celebrated modern and contemporary artists and rising stars. Moco Museum Amsterdam and Barcelona.
Hip, all-pink hangout with a ball pit & umbrellas serving lite American eats, wine & cocktails. Your first drink and entrance fee is โฌ14 or you can opt for the โฌ39 bottomless brunch. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time if you wish to enjoy brunch.
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Food & Bars
Moeders **Must eat at - the best local food in Amsterdam!ย
Itโs all about the stamppot at โMothersโ, a quirky city-centre restaurant thatโs decorated with photographs of customersโ actual mothers. The closest thing the Dutch have to a national dish, the combination of mashed potato, cabbage, bacon and sausage is quite a plateful, especially when it comes with an extra meatball. Thereโs plenty else to choose from, but bring a hearty appetite and donโt bother with starters โ portions are huge. Be sure to bring a photo of your mother to have posted in the restaurant!
Foodhallen has 21 different stands where visitors can try anything from Dutch bitterballen to dim sum, sushi, or Basque pintxos. There are also four bars, so youโll find your beverage of choice, whether itโs craft beer or a fancy gin & tonic. There's live music and a local crowd.
Those on a budget should head to the โYummy Biteโ, which has been dishing up traditional Dutch cuisine since 1935. The butter-soft beef steak, excellent schnitzel and meatballs don't break the bank, and the portions will not leave you hungry. Itโs a cosy little place, and they donโt accept bookings, so come early or be prepared to queue โ itโs very popular.
Rosaliaโs Menagerie is a cocktail bar inspired by Dutch heritage with its rich history in the trade, distilling, and innovation. Established in 2017, our cozy little bar is located on the principal floor of an inn on one of Amsterdamโs oldest canals. We look forward to sharing our passion for Jenever and great locally-made spirits with you, as well as, showcase extraordinary products from abroad.
Oldenhof is a unique old fashioned, high-end bar in the heart of Amsterdam, where we offer pioneering house signature cocktails, premium spirits, wines and craft beers, and serve delectable bar food.
Muiden Castle is a castle in the Netherlands, located at the mouth of the Vecht river, some 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, in Muiden, where it flows into what used to be the Zuiderzee.
Embark on a journey of discovery alongside me. Together, we will uncover the finest bars, exquisite hotels, and hidden gems scattered across the expanse of our world.
Prepare to immerse yourself in comprehensive urban explorations, specialized tours catering to every interest, economical routes for the budget-conscious, and opulent escapades for those seeking lavish experiences.
For those yearning for a tailor-made travel itinerary, delve into my custom travel services!
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Having traversed more than 50 countries as a solo female voyager, I have experienced a spectrum ranging from a humble $3 per night hostel in Asia to the opulent embrace of 5-star luxury retreats in the Caribbean. My passion lies in helping others discover the world. Allow me to transform your dream vacation into tangible reality!
My enthusiasm for delving into the heart of nations, uncovering unique gems, is my driving force. Within my guides, you'll encounter not only historical insights, but also practical tips, cunning tricks, and a deep understanding of each destination.