So having lived all my life in London you can get pretty bored of doing all the “normal” things so here are a few off the wall things you should do when you’re in town.

1. If you think Sunday is all about relaxing then think again! Sunday is THE time to hit Shoreditch and Old Street. You want to head to the Hoxton Grill for a bit of brunch (they do amazing Eggs Royal), then you need to make your way towards Spitalfields market. Spitalfields is a wonderful market full to the brim with great designers, book stalls, food stalls however if you only go to Spitalfields you are missing out on the BEST part about this area. You will need to head over the road to the old Truman Brewery for a more gritty side to the area – check out the food in here the Pad Thai is fantastically authentic… if you are still in need of food you are right on Brick Lane. If you are a curry lover you will be in heaven as there are about a hundred different curry houses to choose from! You can also head in to the Whitehall galleries at the end of Brick Lane for a bit of modern art.

2. Another great area to check out is Islington (I’d advise starting at the Angel end and walking up Upper St towards Highbury and Islington tube), there are some fantastic restaurants and if you want a real treat head to Public House on Islington Park Street for an amazing cocktail experience. This area gives you a bit more of an area what it’s like to really live in London. There are also a few theatre’s that are great – the Almeida does some lovely productions.

3. Yes you should visit the V&A!

Enjoy!

In London – Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, guard change at Buckingham Palace, British Museum, Tower Bridge, grabbing a London Pass and perusing a few of the museums offered with this. I also have full intentions of doing a lot of walking to take it all in, finding a few pubs, and hopefully taking in both some of the local and tourist life while there.

In Paris – of course the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Montmartre, strolling the Champs-Elysees, and we’re taking a full day trip to Versailles. Aside from the tourist sites, I plan to do a lot of wandering and eating my heart out while in Paris.

Have you used plnnr.com yet? It has a neat way of helping you plan out your time – you put in your dates, where you’re going, and how quickly you want you move through the city, and it helps you plan it out. It has its limitations, but it’s good for getting ideas!

I HIGHLY recommend a verger led tour of Westminster Abbey, it can be booked by calling them the day before and it is AMAZING. You get access to off limits areas which is always cool. It’s so beautiful and full of history.

A spot that’s a bit forgotten is the Apsley House at the corner of Hyde Park, the home of Duke of Wellington and it’s still owned by the Wellington’s to this day, the last heir Duke of Wellington the 8th is still alive. The art collection in there is pretty amazing.

The British Museum of course… The Parthenon wing, the Lindow Man upstairs, the mummies, the LOBBY! And its free!

A great Afternoon Tea would be the Ritz or the Mad Hatter Tea at the Sanderson Hotel , The tea at the Langham would also be pretty perfect. Also, book a reservation.

Best burger I’ve ever had: Goodman’s on Maddox Street near Oxford Circus.

Best Brunch spot: Tom’s Kitchen in Chelsea near South Kensington

Cool bars: Milk and Honey, Purl, Marks Bar on Brewer, Vista, Connaught Bar, Coburg Bar

Shopping: Harrods, Portobello Road Market, Westfield, Oxford Street, Kings Road, Regents Street, Covent Garden, Liberty’s Department Store (its gorgeous) Marylebone Road

Delicious Vegetarian Restaurant: Mildred’s on Lexington in Soho – no reservations

London Eye at night

Beefeater tour at Tower of London

Borough Market- Thursday-Saturday… have coffee at Monmouth Coffee and eat all the custard tarts and mozzarella that you can while there.

Granola Parfait at Le Pain – several locations around town

Hidden jewel: St. Barthelomew’s Church (est 1128) near St. Pauls – Ben Franklin use to work in a printing shop in the back and TONS of movies have been filmed here.

Another favorite is St. Brides Church on Fleet Street – the spire inspired the tiered wedding cake, it was designed by Christopher Wren and the lightening rod that is inside that spire is the one that Ben Franklin made while living in London.

Ben Franklin has a house here, where he lived for 16 years, its just off the Strand

Trafalgar Square is always a must to get a picture with the Lions

Tower Bridge and the Monument

Notting Hill: Portobello Road Market: everyday, but Saturday is the biggest day, Hummingbird Bakery and Gails for something sweet or Melt on Ledbury for the best chocolate caramel EVER!

Churchill’s War Cabinet Rooms is in Westminster and is pretty cool

A place called Oliver Bonas (a few locations) has some very cute and affordable jewelery

A stroll through Hyde Park is a must, check out the fountains, the ducks, geese, flower walk, statue of Albert, statue of Peter Pan is pretty fun…

Buckingham Palace: make sure you check the times of the guard changing if you want to see it… they vary… you can find it on your website

Abbey Road crosswalk is you are a Beatles Fan

Primrose Hill has a GREAT view of the city and is very close walk to Regents Park Road that has a lot of cute shops and cafes…

Camden: a market area that is a bit punk, tattoo, rock n roll, cool shops, cafes, etc… very different than the norm

Great sushi: Zuma and Nobu

Kew Gardens is beautiful but a bit outside the city… check out their website

Wahaca: great mexican street foods

Brick Lane on Sunday has a great market, its huge! Spitafields market is also good – same area

Columbia Road Flower Market is quite an experience – near Brick Lane

I use to own a tour company here (don’t anymore) so if you have any questions feel free to check out my blog/email…. themccooeysoflondon.blogspot.com

Have a great time!

By the way, check out Tripadvisor for restaurants in Paris, cant go wrong! Fauchon for macaroons – get the vanilla bourbon!! I also highly recommend catching the city sight seeing tour bus at the Eiffel Tour and ride it until the end without getting off. Worth every penny and gives you a good idea of the lay out. They do a pretty good job. If you have time hop the train to Versailles and see the Palace – the word amazing doesn’t give it justice.

-Safe Travels,
Wendy

In Paris
Avenues des Champs- Élysées …Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Élysées. (Anything you want to do on the Champs- Élysées…famous song.) The Champs- Élysées is known for its restaurants and boutiques. The shopping is great, and the energy, especially at night, is so alive. At one end of street is L’Arc de Triomphe. The history and architecture are amazing, but it’s the view that’s captivating…not to mention it’s in the middle of this insane roundabout where you can see Parisian drivers at their best (or craziest!).

Sacre Coeur and Montmarte – Sacre Coeur is a church up on a high hill (Montmarte). The exterior of church is an impressive sight, and the view from the steps is fantastic. Also, Montmarte is known for its artsy, bohemian crowd. You will see plenty of painters around.

Musée d’Orsay –spectacular impressionist collection, especially of Degas’s dancers. If you prefer modern art, Le Centre Pompidou is fantastic, usually street performers out front…

Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis – These islands are in the center of Paris. I wouldn’t spend a ton of time wondering, but there are some must sees: The Pont Neuf (oldest bridge in Paris…will take you to Ile de la Cite), Notre Dame (also Ile de la Cite, the stairs are worth it!), and Berthillion (Ile Saint-Louis, for the ice cream, one of the oldest ice cream shops in Paris…maybe even the oldest. Yum!).

Palais de Versailles – It’s a little outside of Paris but an easy train ride. The history and luxe are breath-taking. You’ve never seen so much gold or so many mirrors! And the grounds (gardens and fountains) are spectacular.

Crepes (no particular place) – Don’t pass up the opportunity to grab a crepe on your walk. You can get them at a sit down restaurant, but there will street vendors selling them all over. They will be wrapped up and easy to eat…maybe a little messy In the US, we tend to think of crepes as a dessert, but try some of the meals, maybe fromage et tomate (cheese and tomato)!

In London
St. James Park – The grounds are beautifully kept, peaceful
Buckingham Palace – You can’t go in, but try to time your visit for the changing of the guards…of course the Palace is impressive as well
Westminster Abbey – Amazing church, tons of history…some very famous people are buried here, beautiful architecture
Camden Market – sometimes kitschy but really fun street market

Obviously, I’ve spent more time in Paris I hope you have a fantastic time!

In Paris, there is also the home of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Such amazing contributors to the culture and lifestyle of early 20th century Parisian life. And awesome women.

In London, I’d visit Sas Petherick and Leonie Wise {who might be in NZ right now}. And Highgate Cemetery {such beautiful markers}. Someday soon, yes.

Have an amazing adventure! Can’t wait to see your videos from across the pond!

My #1 recommendation is Gordon’s Wine Bar at 47 Villiers Street (by Embankment Station). It’s the oldest wine bar in London and looks like it hasn’t changed since it was established – it’s practically underground with these low vaulted ceilings. It’s seriously atmospheric. They have port straight from the barrel.

My other most beloved food destination is Borough Market. It’s south of the Thames by London Bridge stop, and nearby Neal’s Yard Dairy which you can smell from blocks away. Only open Thurs., Fri., and Sat. so check the times first.

For art, my favorites are the Tate Modern and the Saatchi Gallery, followed closely by the Victoria & Albert Museum.

My favorite gastropub is The Queen’s Head and Artichoke (http://www.theartichoke.net/), although it might be a bit out of the way depending on where you are staying.

My last bit of advice is to walk as much as you can when traveling around central London. I promise it is much smaller than it looks on the tube map, and you’ll discover lots of awesome things just avoiding the underground and hoofing it. Definitely stroll through St. James’ Park and down to the Thames for a spectacular view of Parliament.

Have so much fun!