London
June 28 - July 1, 2013 (5D4N): There is so much to do in London that 2013 marked my 4th time visiting London. London is also the gateway to the rest of Europe; you can take a train to Paris, a short flight to Ireland, or fly anywhere in Continental Europe.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1
Evening arrival in London Heathrow
Take Heathrow Connect/Express to London Central
Check-in @ Chamberlain Hotel
Day 2
Breakfast @ KFC near the Tower of London
Tower of London (Suggested duration 2.5 hrs)
Walk to Tower Bridge
South Bank neighborhood:
London Eye (Buy tix online)
Oyster at the market
Bus to London Bridge
Lunch @ Borough market*
Shakespeare global theater (pic only)
Tate Modern (Free admission)
Dinner @ Tayyabs*
Meet up with friends @ Callooh Callay
Day 3
Ride the double-decker bus to Leicester Square
National Gallery (Suggested duration 1 hr; free)
Coffee @ Pret
Changing guard @ Buckingham Palace
House of Parliament (The first time I visited London, I sat through a debate, and it was quite interesting)
Big Ben (pic only)
Lunch @ Old Monk Room
Harrod’s @ Brompton Road
Dinner @ Strada
Day 4
Walk to Oxford Street
Chanel (New Bond St.)
Burberry
Walk to Piccadilly Circus
Take the tube and train to Oxford:
Sheldonian Theatre (pic only)
Afternoon tea @ Old Parsonage Hotel*
Town of Oxford
Day 5
Tube & train to Hampton Court Palace
Lunch @ Rock & Sole Plaice*
Walk to Covent Garden
Apple store
Coffee/dessert @ Laudree
Walk around Liverpool Street Station
Bus to Stansted (1.5 hrs) to catch the flight to Shannon, Ireland
Other points of interest & food
National Portrait Gallery (free)
High tea @ The Lanesborough Hotel or The Georgian Restaurant @ Harrods
British Museum (free)
Victoria & Alberta Museum (free)
Tips
National museums are all free in London, be sure to take advantage of them!
Check the time for the Changing Guard, we saw it between 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Westminster Abbey closes from time to time due to private function, please plan ahead.
