We took our granddaughter to London & Paris for her 13th birthday. This was the same trip we took her sister on 4 yrs. ago but the previous one was on a tour. This time we booked everything on our own. All my hard work on tours & skip the line tickets paid off.

We again stayed at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel. We had a studio room which is perfect for families. There is a sitting room with a pull out bed. Our GD was glad to have her own space.
The location is great to walk to many sites.

Arriving at 11am, the hotel had our room ready.....that doesn�t always happen in Europe.
Tired after being up 20 hrs. we headed out to find lunch.
Yikes! What a disaster. Le Pain Quotiden was Just not good. A Farmhouse soup & Minnestroni soup were both awful. Actually my ham & cheese tart with a small salad side was OK. It was crowded & noisy and the staff was running around looking totally confused. I�d say to stick yo the bakery in the counter up front as it looked good.

A 2 hr. nap was in order (no more in our experience.). The next day we�d be fine.

OMG! We were on the 7th floor. When we awoke we looked out the window to see 200+ naked guys on bikes celebrating gay pride day. I don�t mind them having their day but NAKED! Not a pretty site.

That 1st night we had dinner at Brasserie Joel right at the hotel. Fantastic meal.

Day 2 was a speedy one....we walked 21,400 steps.
I had booked a walking tour through Viator with City Wonders. Marnie, our tour guide, was outstanding. She whisked us through so many different spots for the changing of the guard. We never stood in one spot long before the horses, soldiers, etc. marched by right next to us. Then we�d be on to another spot to watch the horse guards change, another spot for a band. This gal knew her locations well. It sure beat standing in one place for hours. Then she showed us St. James Park and all the good Photo spots. So well informed, she kept the commentary light but still historic. Finally we were dropped off at the Royal Mews, The carriages were stunning but not enough horse action IMO. All in all it was an excellent tour and worth the price

From the Royal Mews we walked to The Eye where we had skip the line tickets. That is definitely the way to go. We zipped right past the long line and into a pod. The last time we ere here it was a gray day. This time we lucked out with warm, sunny skies. We all enjoyed the flight and took lots of photos.

In strolling down Southbank Walk our GD spied the carousel and wanted to ride. She may be 13 and growing up but she�s still a kid at heart.

Dinner that night was at Locale near our hotel. If you want Italian, this is the place to choose.
The food & service was outstanding. The man who sat us and Cora, our server, checked on us frequently to ake all was well. All of our starters & mains were delicious, the highlight was the ravioli in a creamy butter sage sauce.

Day 3....each morning we had breakfast at the hotel. An extensive buffet, it was worth the price. Excellent food and service.
This day we went to Windsor Castle. Booked a morning half day tour through Viator.
It was with Andersen Tours and we were to meet the bus in Earls Court area which was far from hotel. The bus ride was comfortable, the guide informative. On the ride home the guide said we could get off in Victoria and she dudn’t understand why the company hadn’t given us that option to pick up the bus going out.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and Windsor was at it’s best. Really enjoyed it, especially after watching Harry & Meghan’s wedding a few weeks ago.
Returned to London by about 2pm and had a light lunch in the hotel coffee shop.
Dinner that night was again at Brasserie Joel in the hotel. It was so good on the first night that it deserved a repeat.

Windsor is on my to do list and now after watching Sir Paul tour his childhood home my husband wants to go to Liverpool. I love that you do this for your grands. Hoping they appreciate all the hard work you put into planning.

on for the ride

Enjoying your report and looking forward to hearing what your GD thought of things . . .

Just a comment that is too late for you but may help others: >>This day we went to Windsor Castle. Booked a morning half day tour through Viator.
It was with Andersen Tours and we were to meet the bus in Earls Court area which was far from hotel. The bus ride was comfortable, the guide informative<<

You could have more easily and much cheaper just walked across the street to Waterloo Station and taken the train to Windsor and do it on your own.

Janisj.....I totally agree with you, and most times we do everything on our own but with the GD along
I wanted more structure. The walking tour the 2nd day was fantastic, the Windsor tour not worth it, we should have gone on our own. Live & learn.

Day 4....Had skip the line tickets for The Tower of London. The tickets were good all day, any time.
We walked along Southbank Walk from our hotel at Westminster Bridge to the Tower, far but doable.
actually we had fun watching the street entertainment along the way.

The Crown Jewels, the Armory, The Beefeaters, I could tell our GD was enjoying it because she took a lot of photos. That’s a key with teens.....no photos they’re bored, photos they like it.

We we took some nice photos with Tower Bridge in the background. Brought back memories of taking the same with her sister. A few months later at home we were in a movie theater when Tower Bridge came on the screen. Her sister stood up and shouted, “I stood right there.”

After a few trinkets in the shops we had a sandwich & treats on the pier.
Maybe we didn’t find the right food places on the Tower grounds but all we saw were sausage sandwiches. Since our GD is a vegetarian that couldn’t work at all.

We then had a nice boat ride back to Westminster. At the end of the Bridge was a kiosk with London sweatshirts so we bought one for her & her sister. When we were here 4 yrs. ago with her sister she bought one in the same place. It was a favorite but burned up in a fire at their house a few months later.

We took a cab to dinner that night at Aster before going to see Wicked. The restaurant was just a bit down the street from the theater. Terrific food & service. The play was so much fun. Our GD loved it.

I forgot to add that at Windsor Castle she purchased 2 tiny catapults....again a kid at heart. She shot paper balls all over her room, and yes I made her clean them up. She said that her sister & her would have grape fights at home with them.

“ I could tell our GD was enjoying it because she took a lot of photos. That’s a key with teens.....no photos they’re bored, photos they like it.”


It’s possible one could say the same about me.

Looking forward to hearing more, and also to hearing about Paris.

I�m surprised you could see that much detail from the seventh floor.

Well the hotel conveniently provided binoculars.

Day 5.....Eurostar to Paris

I’ll continue under France.....Paris with a teen

A few from London
On a The Mall


Up close when 12 guards change

Thanks for the report, TPAYT. We go to London in April 2019 and now I know we will just take the train to Windsor. I know my husband will love the Tower of London!

Denisea: depending on where you are staying . . . You can take the train from either Waterloo or from Paddington. They arrive at different stations in Windsor, but both are walking distance to the town center and castle

Sadly our GD just was not into museums. There is so much more to London but that’s for another trip. Luckily we had great weather to walk around.

When we got home she talked about The Eye, Windsor Castle, Wicked, the Tower of London, and getting close to the horses and “guys with the huge fluffy black hats” in the parade to anyone who would listen. We were so glad to have this bonding time with her.

Saw your Paris TR first but enjoyed this as well. The skip the line passes make life easier for sure.

Well done! What a treasure you have given your GD.