lantana

What a wonderful time my daughter and I had in London and Paris!

We dreamed of the trip for a couple of years and I planned it for about 10 months. The planning really paid off because everything went beautifully. I'm so grateful for all I learned here on Fodors. For me, the most helpful thing was to read trip reports - and lots of them. I highly recommend this to anyone planning a trip to a new place. Many thanks to those of you who write them and I hope mine will help someone.

We flew Delta from Atlanta to Heathrow and returned from Paris to Atlanta on Air France (what a nice airline). We took the Eurostar from London to Paris.

While in London we spent 7 nights at Number Sixteen in South Kensington http://www.firmdalehotels.com/london/number-sixteen/
In Paris we spent 7 nights at Henri IV Rive Gauche in the Latin Quarter
http://www.henri-paris-hotel.com/ My mom joined us in Paris for our week there

I mostly chose the hotels by reviews, price point and proximity to at least one major landmark or attraction of interest. I read reviews on Trip Advisor but made sure they'd been mentioned positively at least once here on Fodors.

I booked my flights and hotels in February.

We flew Economy Comfort to London but Coach home, as Economy Comfort was full.
My daughter and I both slept for the majority of both long flights, which was a relief.

Day One - travel day

We landed at LHR at 12:38pm. We landed, had almost no wait for Passport Control, made quick trip to bathroom, had a bit of a wait for luggage, walked through Customs, took elevator down to tube level, bought tube tickets (7-day travel cards, loaded onto Oyster cards w/ extra £ for travel from LHR to hotel) and were on the tube at 1:26pm. We were at our hotel before 2:30pm.
Taking the tube from the airport was one of the best tips I got here on Fodors. So easy (one rolling suitcase each) and no hair-raising and/or nauseating car ride (I've had bad experiences with this on other trips). Piccadilly line all the way from airport to South Kensington station and then less than 5 min. walk to hotel. Excellent.

Unfortunately our suitcases were wet and the outer layers of clothing were damp. Luckily, our hotel room had two large exposed beams We unpacked and hung some our wet clothes out to dry and then walked back to S. Ken station and took Circle line 2 stops to Kensington High Street. Walked to Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace, took a look in the shop and then walked to the Orangery and had tea. We have tea every afternoon at home (my grandmother was English and my mother has always observed tea time) and this was not only comforting for us after our night and day of travel but also a very nice and proper welcome to England. The tea was perfect - here and everywhere else we ordered tea in London. Must be the water. Fantastic. We enjoyed the elegant but relaxed surroundings and the friendly waitstaff. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/104-1.jpg

We walked to the Sunken garden, which was very pretty. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/116-1.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/112.jpg - and then decided to walk north in the park to explore but the drizzle turned to rain, so, soon after passing a marker for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/120-1.jpg
we turned back. We walked by the Round Pond in a steady rain. There are lovely swans there http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/123-Copy.jpg Took the tube back to our hotel and were happy to be back in our cozy room for the night. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/085.jpg
Showered and were in bed by 8. My daughter wrote in her journal and I did a bit of reading/research. It's so great to have a long trip ahead of you (one whole week in a city qualifies as "long" for me!). I love that feeling.
I woke up in the night feeling I'd had hours of sleep and that it must be early morning. It was only midnight. I went right back to sleep.

Day Two, Friday the 13th

Woke up before 7am.
Took the District line to St. James's Park station.
**Let me mention here that I used MetrO app on my iPhone and NEVER made a single blunder. I think it was tailsock who mentioned this app (it works offline) and I will tell you - it made my trip so much easier. Huge thanks.**

We got coffee and ham and cheese croissants at a Pret A Manger and started walking in the direction of Westminster Abbey. It was a nice morning and there were very few people out and about on the sidewalks. To suddenly see "Big Ben" and Westminster Abbey and Parliament and the London Eye all at once was quite stunning. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/146-2.jpg
We were as giddy as could be. We had our little breakfast sitting on a bench behind the Abbey, and then walked over Westminster Bridge. I couldn't stop taking photos. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/ce50a022.jpg We decided to walk over to the London Eye and arrived there at 7:55. Unfortunately, they don't open until 10. I'd never planned to begin any day with a ride on the Eye, so I had no idea what time they opened. Only closing times. I took photos of the (for now empty) area http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/dc90b3c6.jpg and then we walked back toward the bridge and then west along the South Bank a little way (I assume these are the right directions). http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/0cd0089b.jpg
We then walked back over Westminster Bridge and returned to Westminster Abbey. It was still early (8:15a?) but I decided to "line up" for the Abbey. Other people started arriving at 8:30.
Opening was delayed a bit and we got in right at 9:45 (instead of 9:30). How nice that Jeremy Irons narrates the audioguide. I've always liked him and my daughter has recently started watching "The Borgias" and just loves him. I'd planned to sign up for verger-led tour but had NOT planned to be up and out so early in the morning. Since we'd already waited around for a couple of hours, we didn't want to wait any more, so we had to just go with the audioguide and, for us, it was quite sufficient.

We loved visiting the Abbey. I think the Lady Chapel is one of the most beautiful rooms I've ever seen.
We enjoyed the little shop. I bought a deck of cards (I collect them) and my daughter bought two CDs - Organ Music and Music for Royal Occasions (or something like that).

We left WA at 11:15a and walked (thanks to some advice I'd read that janisj had given another poster recently. Thanks.) via Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace. The timing was such that we got to see some of the Changing of the Guard. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/89c6022d.jpg
Quite a madhouse but very festive to get to see, as I hadn't planned it and had decided before our trip not to bother with the ceremony. We walked (slowly) through the crowds and through Green Park, to the GP tube and took the tube "home" to S. Ken.

We stopped for lunch at Muriel's Kitchen, right outside the South Kensington tube station and had lasagna, chicken & chickpea curry, 2 Cokes for £23, incl. tip. Cute place, with wonderful-looking baked goods in window. I love the giant meringues. http://www.murielskitchen.co.uk/
Speaking of which, we couldn't believe how many restaurants, cafes and bakeries were in London. I've never seen so many places to get something to eat in my entire life.

We returned to our hotel to rest a bit, as we had late afternoon and evening plans.

Around 4:15 we left the hotel and took tube to Piccadilly Circus, to walk to The Wolseley for tea at 5pm. I'd timed it so that we would have a late tea for supper and then walk to see "Matilda" at the Cambridge Theatre. It worked very well. On the way to tea, we passed a market outside St. James's Church, where my daughter fell in love with a peachy-pink fascinator with a veil. It looked so beautiful on her that I had to buy it. I think it was the single most expensive thing we bought during our trip and we had to ship it home before we left London, as I knew it would get crushed in luggage or carry-ons. Luckily, there was a Mailboxes, Etc. right around the corner from Number Sixteen. There was also a post office, a drugstore, a Starbucks, a Pret A Manger - and a Lamborghini dealership http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/136-Copy.jpg

Tea at The Wolseley was something I'd seen recommended by several sources and it really did not disappoint. Very good service and delicious tea and scones and sandwiches, etc. I didn't love the atmosphere - but we enjoyed it. I had a raspberry tart that was exquisite - very fresh. We actually split the tea and my daughter got a "crispy bacon roll" that hit the spot. The Wolseley has a great menu. http://thewolseley.assets.d3r.com/pd...6-cafe-web.pdf

We had arrived early for tea and were ahead of schedule for our 7:30 show. So, we walked to the National Portrait Gallery. We really enjoyed it, my daughter especially. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the Anne Boleyn portrait she's seen so much in her study of history and in books and media. http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/se...role=sit&rNo=0
She was thrilled and spent a good bit of time checking out the Tudor and Elizabethan portraits.
We were hoping to see the portrait of Princes William and Harry http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/se...role=sit&rNo=4 but it was not on display. We did see Diana's 1981 portrait, and were able to see the famous William Shakespeare portrait as well as many others, such as Liz Taylor by Andy Warhol, and many things in between The NPG has a great gift shop. I bought one of my nieces the most adorable stuffed corgi http://www.npg.org.uk/shop/shop-list...ctDetails=5461 .
We returned later in the week for "The Queen Art and Image" exhibition, which I enjoyed even more than I expected.

We walked to see "Matilda" and the show was tons of fun. It's a great show for children and adults. Riotously funny in some scenes. We really loved it! Getting in and out of the theatre was so much more quick and relaxed than on Broadway, I noticed. Perhaps it was just a small theatre, I'm not sure. I think I bought these tickets in March.

Tube from Covent Garden (which was mobbed - we walked down 193 steps rather than wait for lifts) back to South Ken. On the way back to our hotel the Pret A Manger across from the tube station was still open. We got coffees to go and went back to hotel.

Great first couple of days in London

Fodorite018

Can't wait to read more I travel with our DD often and love it. We took my mom to Paris a few years ago, just the 3 of us. So I am really looking forward to hearing how your trip with the 3 of you went.

willowjane

Great report. I travel with my sweet mother all the time and we always have the best time. I can't wait to read more!

tailsock

i agree that trip reports are helpful for ideas. i also like that you took the time to actually plan AHEAD instead of posting another "leaving for Paris in 2 days what should we see?" type nonsense. looking forward to reading more.

stokebailey

Fun report, lantana. I'm looking forward to more. I like your illustrations!

latedaytraveler

Hi Lantana

"We were hoping to see the portrait of Princes William and Harry"

Did you see the portrait. Great, eh?

Really enjoying you report...

europeannovice

Looking forward to more lantana!

lantana

Thank you all for the encouragement

mms - your TRs are definitely some of my favorites!
tailsock - you made me laugh. Thank you for reading.
latedaytraveler - no, we didn't get to see the portrait We asked about it and were told it was not currently on display.

Day 3
We were out of the hotel a little after 9am. Went to the Starbucks around the corner for coffee, tea - and a bacon roll for my daughter. She loved these. We also enjoyed a wi-fi frenzy, as wi-fi at Number Sixteen costs a whopping £20 per 24-hr. period. We appreciated being able to check emails, send emails and upload pics.

By 10:20 we left Starbucks (in a light rain) and headed to the V&A, which was just a couple of blocks away. Currently, there's an exhibition "Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950" http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/ballgowns/ that I knew would be of great interest to my daughter, who's very "into" history, fashion and Britain. It was about £17 for the two of us to go in. We enjoyed it - and also the permanent collection of fashions from 18th and 19th centuries. My daughter was in heaven here. Not allowed to take pics of ballgowns but here are some from permanent collection:
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/efa31abc.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/9d06531a.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/254-1.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/255-2.jpg

The museum, as frequently mentioned, is huge. We explored a bit, admiring the stained glass, portrait miniatures (loved) and the Turners. I just couldn't handle the jewelry but my daughter checked it out while I sat down and studied my map and rested a bit. There's nothing more exhausting than a museum!
We went out into the courtyard, even though it was chilly and wet, and had fun in the rolling basket chairs. Browsed in the large shop, which had many nice items.

When we walked outside, my daughter remembered the Cabmen's Shelter that I'd told her beforehand (thanks to lovs2travel) would be right outside the V&A entrance. We were eager to get tea from one of these historic stands/shelters but it had literally just closed! http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/314.jpg It was open only until 1pm on Saturdays. We never did make it to one - but at least we saw a couple. Very cute.

We were chilly and wet (but happy) and walked back in the direction of our hotel. We were hungry and had passed a Le Pain Quotidien that morning that looked very appealing. We stopped there for lunch and it was delightful. We had to wait (it was 1pm on a Saturday) a bit but we had a really nice lunch and just fell in love with the place. We returned several times during the week.
Chicken and mozzarella tartine at Le pain Quotidien: http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/280.jpg

After lunch, we walked to Harrod's. This is an hour out of my life that I wish i could get back but, oh well. I'd been warned but it just seemed like something we should at least see. Ugh. Then we went to Harvey Nichols for about 5 minutes. We walked to Hyde Park Corner and entered the park, walking along the lake, eventually coming upon the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain (there are many Diana references in my report b/c my daughter loves her and has read several books on her. She's also a "royal watcher" in general). We were happy to have seen it, although it's not exactly beautiful.
We loved seeing so many dogs enjoying the parks - almost all were off-leash, unlike where we live. These were happy doggies. And mostly terriers They had wet bellies from running through the damp grass. We had fun people- and dog-watching in the parks.

Continued our walk into Kensington Gardens http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/292-2.jpg and returned to the Palace http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/298-3.jpg and its gift shops. There are actually two shops - one with children's items and also books. It had been closed when we were there our first afternoon, so we were glad to be able to check it out. I bought a small Bensons map of London, which I used for the rest of the trip.

We ended up returning to the Orangery for tea and cake. It wasn't quite as fabulous as our first time - but nice. And sunshine was streaming in through the windows by the time we left. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/317.jpg Got to see gardens in a different light http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/323-1.jpg

We walked out of the park, along the south border, and out at the Albert Memorial http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/330-1.jpg , admiring the Royal Albert Hall across the street. We walked a bit out of the way but there were many interesting sights on the way back to our hotel, including what I believe (from looking at my map)to be Ennismore Gardens. Lovely neighborhood. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/336-2.jpg

We got back to the hotel and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

kerouac

Even though I am going to London soon, I can't wait to see what you have to say about Paris, good or bad.

ElendilPickle

What a fun report! Thanks for posting it. I'm looking forward to the rest.

Lee Ann

lantana

Day Four Sunday, July 14
Got a late start. Woke up very early but went back to sleep and then could barely get moving.
We went to Starbucks for coffee and wifi and were on the tube by 11am on our way to the British Museum. We arrived by 11:30. We loved what we saw but were pretty much in and out. The place was mobbed. I had a list of the major must-sees which, for us, were the Rosetta Stone, Elgin marbles and mummies.
I like taking photos but it gets silly at museums. I think it should be banned. And enforced. Anyway, we were lucky to get 30 full, unobstructed seconds before the Rosetta Stone.
The mummies were so special. We spent most of our time with them. Fascinating and very touching. Miraculous.
We left and headed to our tea time at Fortnum & Mason. Stopped in at Hatchard's bookstore on the way. Great bookstore and I got one of my brother's a signed copy of the latest Martin Amis novel. My daughter got a book on Wallis Simpson that she's enjoying very much.

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Room It was posh and all that but I didn't love it. Sort of fake fancy http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/380-3.jpg My daughter was very impressed, though. Everything tasted good. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/385.jpg
We shopped afterwards and just loved the china and antiques section. What a nice store...
After tea, we walked to the National Gallery, which we absolutely loved. We got super lucky here because Vermeer's "Guitar Player" was on loan from Kenwood House, which is going through a renovation. I love to see Vermeers where and when I can and had made a note of the room in the NG where their two are. When we arrived, "Lady Standing at a Virginal" was there but "Lady Sitting at a Virginal" was not. There was the "Guitar Player", though - one of the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen. I felt very lucky.
We also went to see "Sunflowers" and as an added bonus, got to see someone get blessed out for photographing it
So much important art here - da Vinci, van Eyck (got to see the "Arnolfini Wedding Portrait" in real life and learned that it's actually no longer called that, as it's not considered to portray a wedding at all), Caravaggio, Rembrandt, etc. It was overwhelming but in a good way. We had fun buying postcards of some of our favorites.

Walked out into Trafalgar Square and there was a huge crowd watching some performers. Human Fountain or something like that. Anyway, I took pics of my daughter with the Olympics countdown clock (couldn't resist) and then we walked around the corner to the Nat'l Portrait Gallery. Had just missed the Queen Elizabeth exhibition (again), but we shopped a bit and used the restroom. I then dragged my daughter over to the London Eye. It was very chaotic in the area http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/424-1.jpg but I really wanted us to do it and it was a nice afternoon. We got tickets and waited only about 20 min. Unfortunately, my daughter was quite uncomfortable with the ride at first but she did ok in the end. I'm glad we did it once. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/476-2.jpg http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/459-1.jpg

Got back via tube and stopped in at "our" Pret A Manger for hot sandwiches and a cappuccino and hot chocolate to go. We were exhausted. There was a knock at the door about 20 min. after we got back to our room and it was a housekeeper, telling me I'd left my key in the door

We relaxed for the rest of the evening. My daughter was happy with her book and I scanned my notes and Michelin Green Guide.

lantana

kerouac - all good, all good. Although, I somehow missed all the fabulous métro stations you'd gotten me excited about. Well - all but Arts et Métiers. It was lovely.
Let's just say I spent way too much time in Châtelet :-B

janisj

Wonderful report. Haven't clicked on all the photo links yet but will this evening.

>><i>had fun in the rolling basket chairs.</i><< I loved those. My problem is I'm very short and had the darnedest time getting enough traction to get it rolling. But w/ a mighty fling backwards I finally got it going.

annhig

Speaking of which, we couldn't believe how many restaurants, cafes and bakeries were in London. I've never seen so many places to get something to eat in my entire life.>>

lantana - you set me thinking about how many eating places there are in my local town - Truro.

after a great deal of research ! I've concluded that very roughly every 5th shop is a restaurant, cafe or pub. there's one area of town where that goes up to one in two places.

no wonder we're all getting fatter.

BTW, lantana - I'm greatly enjoying your TR.

lovs2travel

This is great! I love all the detail and that you added your pictures into your report. I am looking forward to the rest!!

lantana

janisj - how hilarious about needing traction for those chairs at V&A Very cute.

annhig - you live in Cornwall? My parents hope to visit there in the next couple of years ♥
No kidding about us all getting fatter. My friend in Paris took me to get Berthillon ice cream after dinner one night and I couldn't believe how gigantic US scoops are in comparison. It's obscene, really.

Thank you lovs2travel. I hope you know your report was a delight to read!

Day 5
I woke up at 5:30am
It was, unsurprisingly, a wet, grey morning. Didn't get moving until later and didn't leave hotel until 10:15a. Had breakfast at Muriel's Kitchen. http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/507-1.jpg and then went to a bank across the street to get coins for my husband. He wanted some £1 and £2

Tube by 11:30a. We were at St. Paul's by noon and got to hear the bells ringing. St. Paul's certainly is impressive. Just magnificent. My daughter was thrilled to walk in the footsteps of Diana on her wedding day.
We enjoyed the audioguide and then walked up to the Whispering Gallery. I'm so glad we did. Beautiful to see the church from that vantage point.

We finished in the cathedral's shop by 1:30p and walked down the street to a Starbucks, happy to sit down with some refreshment and, yes, wifi (we had a lot of people back home who were eager to hear news and see photos!)
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/529-3.jpg

I needed to pick up a few things from a drugstore and when I saw a Boots across from the Stbx, I decided to go in. I recognized the name from Fodors. We bought some UK eye shadow for my makeup-loving niece and some face wash and tiny nail clippers. I also got correct directions to the Millennium Bridge. I was glad I asked, as I was headed in the opposite direction.

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/541-1.jpg
We walked across the MB to the Tate Modern http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/551-3.jpg , which we enjoyed for its restrooms and free wifi. I can't believe how popular this place is. Oh well, at least we got to see a few things we enjoyed (a Matisse portrait, some Miros and a Kandinsky. Most things we saw looked ridiculous to us.)Just not our thing at all...

Took a cab back to our hotel. This was our only cab ride in London. We had a very nice driver but the ride was long and cost as much as one of my 7-day travel cards. Plus, we both got nauseated with all the stops and starts.

Stopped and had an early supper at Le Pain Quotidien on our way from S. Ken station to our hotel. I had a chicken curry sandwich that was very nice http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/576.jpg , my daughter got a ham and cheese quiche http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/577-1.jpg We also had a nice pot of tea http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/575-1.jpg
We waited to get dessert from the Hummingbird Bakery on the walk back to the hotel. I got a whoopie pie that was insanely delicious and huge. It lasted 2 days. My daughter got a red velvet cake cupcake. I only got pics of the to go boxes http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...nhymns/578.jpg

We were back in our room by 6pm and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Day 6

This headline made me laugh: http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/582-1.jpg

Today we had tickets to visit Highclere Castle from 1-4pm. We love the Masterpiece series, "Downton Abbey" and thought it would make a fun day trip. We loved it and had a great day.
We got very lucky with the weather, as today called for sunshine and 71 degrees. And no rain! So we didn't have to lug our raincoats this day.

On our way to the tube station we dropped off my daughter's fascinator to be shipped home (£16.20) and then stopped for breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien - so good! http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/584-1.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/585-1.jpg

Took tube to Paddington Station, got some cash from an ATM, bought chocolate (for my daughter), raisins in adorable little boxes (to take home to my little niece) and water from M&S, then took a train to Newbury. I knew which times there'd be trains but didn't buy them until this morning. I think it came to about $60 USD for the two of us for train to Newbury and same-day, non-peak return.
Left right on time, at 11:18a
Lovely trip. The countryside is gorgeous.
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/595-1.jpg

Had a really friendly cab driver to Highclere. He gave me his card and told me to call him when we were ready to return to the train station and he helped me with how much time to allow, etc. I think it was £15 each way and I tipped him another £3;

Lots of sheep on the Highclere grounds. And they're loud. When we first arrived and were walking around outside, I told my daughter there must be some sort of match going on nearby b/c I could hear yelling. She told me it was the sheep #-o
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...ymns/602-1.jpg

We got there and walked the grounds a bit, then went to find bathroom and then shopped a bit. We entered the house by 1:30. No photos allowed inside.

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/868a93f7.jpg

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/951ac53d.jpg

It was fun to see some of the rooms from the show and it was very interesting to see a real castle but the passageways get packed with slow-moving guests. And there are a few too many photos of the lady of the house for my taste But it was fun to visit and we really fell in love with the English countryside. Just the cab ride from train to castle was delightful. My daughter dreams of living in the country with her English husband and babies one day

After going through the house, we had tea outdoors http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/8d9544b1.jpg (tea for two, plus two scones w/ jam and clotted cream was £8) and then walked in the fields below and behind the house. It was such a pleasure being there.
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/9867dd28.jpg
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/91392d5d.jpg


We were on train back to London by 3pm. On return we took train that required change in Reading, rather than waiting around 45 min. (I think) for the direct train.

From Paddington we took tube to Oxford Circus. I wanted to go to Liberty of London. I thought it looked like a store we'd enjoy. Very original. We loved it. They have an amazing vintage clothing collection. And great china and gifts and paper goods. Very fun place to shop. And I love that they sell knitting yarn and buttons and fresh flowers. Very cool store
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/adfba896.jpg
We ended up having dinner across the street at a Spaghetti House. It hit the spot. Afterwards, we walked via Regent St. to Piccadilly Station, stopping in at a Zara where we found my daughter a very pretty Chanel-inspired jacket, then took tube to S. Kensington.

willowjane

I am saving this report for future trips. You have planned this out so well! I can't wait to read more.

Nikki

I'm really enjoying your report, also looking forward to Paris.

Fodorite018

Love seeing all the photos! Thanks

latedaytraveler

“no, we didn't get to see the portrait We asked about it and were told it was not currently on display.”

Lantana, Sorry that you didn’t see that great portrait of Wills and Harry at the Portrait Gallery – probably on view elsewhere. I am sure that it will be back in London someday.

Really enjoying your report - thanks for sharing...