Charm:
The only United Kingdom city with direct flights from Tampa is London. This helps with our likability index. Before New Years Day 2021, I would have said European city. I am not sure after Brexit. From London, a traveler can connect to virtually every European city. To some travelers London is not a pretty city. London has a charm not matched by any other large city in the world. The City has a diverse population of 9 million people. The City’s history goes back to the Roman Empire. Any visitor has a lot to like and do in the City. It is truly our favorite city because of this and vitality and variety.
History:
How can anybody not want to see Big Ben and Parliament, Buckingham Palace with the changing of the guard, and of course Westminster Abbey. These are very special places. Visiting London is like living in the chapters of our long ago school text books. If you have ever seen an episode of the Netflix drama “The Crown” you should try visiting London and the surrounding countryside. “The Crown” comes alive.
Traditions:
The British have preserved the past everywhere, including London. They also have embraced the future in a very calculated and non-disruptive way. For example, modern, clean subways speed along underneath centuries old buildings. Pomp and circumstance happens routinely on London streets, like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. There has always been a very close relationship between the people of the United Kingdom and the United States. The language, the customs and the histories have formed an unbreakable link.
The People:
After many journeys to the UK we still look forward to returning. We enjoy just mixing in with the locals, experiencing everyday life, the food, the entertainment, and the easy train rides into the country. On our most recent trip we spent considerable time outside London in the Cotswolds, Oxford and Cambridge. No matter where we go, the Brits are welcoming and warm. They each know someone in the US and ask if we know them.
The Favorites:
We have stayed at several different hotels over the years. Each has been comfortable, clean and charming it their own way. One hotel, on the smaller side, was the Dukes Hotel in St James. The hotel is a 5 minute walk from Buckingham Palace and other notable attractions. The Dukes has all of the charm, history and comfort you would expect from a top London Hotel.
At the other end of the size spectrum is the Lanesborough Hotel in Hyde Park. It too is a favorite because of its central location to really great restaurants, historic sites and public transportation. This hotel gives you the feel of palace life. Its expensive, but try it. You only go around once in this life.
