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Afternoon tea at the Langham Hotel
The Langham The Langham claims to be the birthplace of Afternoon tea so I was very excited to try it and my expectations were really high. The hotel did not disappoint. From the moment I arrived, I was treated with the greatest care and respect, and the service was impeccable. From the footman helping out of my taxi to the service team at Palm Court. I could not fault any of them. As expected the interior was sumptuous, elegant and breathtaking. There are marbled walls and columns everywhere and it is clear that no expense was spared when building the hotel. It screams wealth and Village from every corner yet…
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An incredible day out at Burghley House where the Crown was filmed
I visited Burghley House on Sunday with some family and it was one of the most impressive stately homes I have ever visited. There is almost too much to do and see! Many films have been filmed here including the Crown and Pride and Prejudice. At one point of our tour, we were told that we were standing in the same room where Olivia Coleman as the Queen had received the news of Lord Mountbatten’s death. We were also told that the Christmas at Sandringham scene with Princess Diana had been filmed in some of these rooms. I hope you enjoy this varied tour as much as I did. About…
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A day out at Kensington Palace – Harry and Meghan’s old home
Kensington Palace Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived at Kensington Palace when they first got married before moving on to Frogmore Cottage. The Palace is the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was also the home of the late Princess Diana. Obviously, only parts of the palace are open to the public so I paid to go into a section where there is an exhibit of Queen Victoria’s life. You get to learn about how she lived from a toddler to her coronation. I loved the exquisite furniture and the Tiaras. The place had a slightly oppressive feel which might have been because of the black…
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A night on the beach in Spain – one of the best moments of my life
One of the best moments of my life was lying on a beach in Santander in Spain with my two friends while listening to the waves and staring up at the stars in the clear night sky. It was so late that the beach cleaning truck was making its rounds preparing the beach for the next day. We had just come from a late dinner at a beachside restaurant just a few metres from where we lay. It was still filled with patrons in no rush to leave. There was a wine bar further down the beach playing loud music to a young excited crowd but that didn’t phase us…
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A sunny stroll along the Southbank of London – Activities
We took a midweek stroll along the Southbank of London today and it was glorious. The sun was out in full force and office workers mingled with tourists around London’s famous riverbanks, parks, pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants. There was a spring in their collective step they smiled brighter, talked a little louder and laughed a little harder. It’s one of those moments where you are so glad to be alive and feel so privileged to have so much on your doorstep. So many attractions along the Southbank As the Location for the London Eye, London Aquarium, the London Dungeons, Galleries and the Oxo Tower, the Southbank is a tourist…
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A relaxing day out in Covent Garden and Somerset House
I discovered something new about Covent Garden today, the South courtyard of the market building is apparently the only busking pitch in the world dedicated to classical music and opera. I never knew that which is crazy as I am a Londoner and I’ve been here numerous times before yet I’ve never seen or heard them. This is a typical London disease – not being aware of how much is on our doorstep. I found out this time quite by accident. We were looking for a place to have breakfast on Saturday morning and wandered down into the courtyard to see if there were any nice cafes. We heard this…
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Hopelessly lost on my first solo visit to Rome, Day 2
After a disappointing first day in Rome, I woke up very refreshed and in much better spirits. The superb curtain management system (don’t know what else to call it) had ensured that it remained pitch black until I opened the curtains so I had slept very well. I had also acclimatised to the smokey room and as I had only one more night before heading home, I decided not to bother changing the room. After having breakfast in my room, I put a do not disturb sign on my door and I headed out to see the sights. My plan was to walk to all the sights. I intended to…
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Almost kidnapped on my first solo visit to Rome, Day 1
I decided on the spur of the moment to visit Rome for the first time by myself after a long and stressful year. I wanted a break and a change of scenery. After three very frustrating days of searching for deals, I finally booked my holiday and headed off. To say that I was underwhelmed by my first impressions of Rome would be an understatement. It started with a 45-minute wait for our pre-booked coach in the cold and rainy Ciampino airport car park, to the less than attractive drive to Termini station. I was disappointed and going by the silence and downcast expressions of my fellow travellers, I was…
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Enjoying a weird art exhibition in Bloomsbury Square
WTF! was my initial reaction to the Photo Art fair I attended at Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square, Holborn. However, by the end of it, I had come to really appreciate the naked human body. ‘King Children’ in Russia I started out at Anna Skladmann’s series ‘Little Adults’, apparently about ‘King Children’ in Russia which seemed a little misplaced. It was also one of the most disturbing art displays I’ve seen in a while. It consisted of photographs of perfect little girls, princesses who appeared enviably privileged. However, they were posed in very peculiar spaces that swallowed them up and seemed to be completely devoid of any childhood happiness. They…
