Sunny days in London

Recently Ely and I made our annual trip to London, one of my favorite place on Earth. As I have already probably written in previous posts, I have a special feeling with London. Once I land in Heathrow, it's like being back home. Everything is so familiar in London(probably because I went visiting several times, almost once a year!) and to me it just feels good to be there. I love it! ;)

This time we were traveling with Ely's parents and all together we had a great time. Incredible for this period, we found a fantastic warm climate, mild temperatures, extremely over the average. When in London, we have a traditional first visit once we have settled in the hotel and have taken the tube to Piccadilly. In fact we always make it to Waterstones Book Shop, where we enjoy some time at the culinary section for new finds on cook books. Later we visit the always incredible chic and expensive Fortnum & Mason, with its incredible floors of food, luxury housewares and stationary among the others. Afterwards we go through the Burlington Arcade to Regent Street, then walk to the super commercial Oxford Street and end up somewhere between Soho and West End after many stops in different shops (and several Pounds later!). Our first very culinary stop in London is a great Jacked Potato at the food court of the Plaza Shopping Centre. Yummy!

F&M

Burlington Arcade

The days later we visited most of London's best markets such ad Borough Market, Camden Town Market, Portobello Road Market, Spitafields Market, Brick Lane Market. One of our favorite day was spent between Spitafield and Brick Lane, trying to pick some good occasions in the several vintage markets. It was fun! ;)

We also found an incredible place where to have a special Fish and Chips.

Every time we go back to London, another habit is to go to see a West-End musical. This time we made it for "Mamma mia". What a show! We like Abba music, and the performance was so absorbing and exciting. The cast made all the people in the theatre literally dance all together at the end of the show. Stunning and so much fun!!

We also met some friends in London, with whom it was a pleasure to catch up and talk about our weddings (in fact also these friends are getting married this year!!!).

For the first time we also climbed the 300-and-something steps of the Monument in the City of London, from which the view over the river Thames, the Tower Bridge and the skyscrapers of London were amazing.

Approaching the city

@ the top of the Monument

View from the top of the Monument #1

View from the top of the Monument #2

London Eye

Summary? Great city, great weather, great company, great food and great shopping (Ely found shoes for the wedding at Harrods! ;)) ) We have been missing London yet and are thinking about the next visit...to do as soon as possible.

God save the Queen, and the Royal Wedding, soon to be! :)