Booking a last minute trip to London and Paris through Gate 1 Travel, this vacation would include many first experiences for me. l would finally be exploring two of the most popular travel destinations for the first time and managing my travel through an independent tour company. I could not pass up this deal where I would spend three days in London and then three days in Paris for under $1400, including round trip flight from Columbus, a flight to Paris from London, transportation to and from the airport, three excursions and the additional single supplement fee, which is usually an outrageous add-on.
For London, my tours included bus transportation throughout the city, a ride along the Thames and a day touring Bath, Windsor and Stonehenge.
In Paris, I booked the Hop On/Hop Off bus which also included a river cruise down the Seine, a night tour of Paris and a day in Versailles. Granted, I am taking my chances by traveling in February for the weather, but I am up for the challenge.
The day of departure arrived and for starters, the Delta flight coming in from JFK was delayed. I would not be able to make my connection. The gate agent stated that I would need to come back tomorrow and that they would rebook me for an earlier flight. In hopes that they would help me reach my destination by tomorrow morning, I explained that I was traveling light with a carry on and wanted to see if there were other flights traveling to Heathrow. I was so happy when Rodney was able to reroute me through Atlanta. The flight was currently boarding and was only a couple of gates down from where I was standing. I would be arriving an hour and a half later, so I called Gate 1 Travel and they made arrangements to have a driver pick me up at my rescheduled time.
Arriving in Atlanta, I needed to reach Terminal E and we had arrived in Terminal B. Everything was running smoothly to reach my gate in Atlanta and shortly after taking a seat in the concourse, Zone 3 is called and I board the plane, eager to find my seat. I am so relaxed and looking forward to take off. What a crazy start to my trip, but it is all working out in my favor.
I decided to watch The Girl on the Train and soon after leaving Atlanta, I was provided dinner which includes pasta, shrimp cocktail, salad, cheese and crackers and a brownie. I ordered a couple of glasses of white wine (included with the international flight) in hopes that I will be able to fall asleep sooner. Unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect and I could not manage to find a comfortable position. After the movie, I played a couple of games of Bingo and finally rested before I realized that daylight was slipping through the window.
This was possibly one of the worst landings I have ever experienced, not by any fault of the pilot, but apparently we had wind gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour. I was so happy to be on the ground and ready to bolt for ground transportation.
Customs and immigration took less than ten minutes and I was in search of the driver, so kindly arranged by Gate 1 after reaching baggage claim. I finally found Fernandes after searching through a crowd of hand-held signs and learned that he would be picking up additional passengers to include a newlywed couple and another solo traveler.
I was so happy that I packed my winter coat, scarf and umbrella at the last minute with a forecast of rain, rain and more rain. Our driver explained that the winds were exceptionally strong and unusual for this time of year. Leaving the Heathrow Airport, the scenery from the airport to the West End was grey and industrial. I would be staying at the charming Ambassador Hotel for the next three days.
I checked in at the front desk and learned that I was too early to enter my room, and that the hotel staff was working quickly to help accommodate a large group that was waiting in the lobby. I was asked to take a seat and they would call me as soon as my room had been cleaned. I picked up a few brochures and reviewed some of the additional tours available and within minutes I was dropping off my luggage and heading out into London to find a bank to exchange some money, Off to find a place for Fish and Chips and a pint. Welcome to London.
Trying to reach the Thames River where I could reach Westminster Abbey, somehow, I managed to walk in a circle in an hour’s time. I’m not sure if I was lost because I had not had enough sleep or of it was merely because I could not read the map. I found the MetroBank where I exchanged $100 for British Pounds (72 BPs to be exact) and by now starting to feel hungry. I asked the bank attendant if she could direct me towards a restaurant with fish and chips, which was easy enough. Just around the corner is the Earl’s Court Tavern Taylor Walker and within 20 seconds I am entering the pub. I placed my order for a pint of Punk IPA and the Ultimate Fish and Chips, not settling for anything less than ultimate on this vacation.
Either I was extremely hungry, or this was the best fish I had ever tasted. The batter was perfectly crisp and warming me up on the inside. I had as much malt vinegar as I wanted for drowning my fish and fries, careful not to contaminate my peas. My bill came to a little over 18 BPs without the tip and the pub began to fill up for happy hour just as I was ready to leave.
Exiting the pub, the wind had picked up and my hair was flying in every direction possible. The sky was spitting rain and I was being pelted by dirt and any type of debris that could have been picked up in 30 degree winds. I thought it best to turn in early and reach my hotel before dusk.
There were several apartments and pubs where the local police were assisting with flying debris from balconies and windowsills. I was ready for a great night’s sleep so I could wake early to watch the sunrise down at the Thames. The weather was once again calling for rain, so I would be prepared with my raincoat, umbrella and new pair of wellies.
I arrived at the hotel, unpacked my belongings and turned on the television, which is something I do not typically do on holiday. Flipping through channels, I happened upon the British Bravo television show of the Ladies of London, where I watched a couple of episodes back to back. Seriously, now I will need to find the Eclipse Bar so I can order a watermelon martini and isn’t Sophie the most amazing Brit with her fabulous hair?
Needing to have at least a couple of hours of sleep before the early dawn, I finally switched off the telly and feeling a bit knackard (tired), I enjoyed an amazing night of restful slumber. I can’t wait to explore London tomorrow!
Have you been to London? What fun “touristy” things did you attempt during your visit? I would love to hear all about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my first day (short as it was) in London and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Watch Ladies of London on the local television station!
Check out my later posts for a list of amazing attractions in London…
Where to Stay:
The Ambassadors Hotel
16 Collingham Road
Kensington, SW5 0LX
London, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 7373 1075
Photo Credit: Ambassadors Hotel London
Where to Eat:
Earl’s Court Tavern
Taylor Walker
187 Earl’s Court Road
London, SW5 9RL
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 7370 2760
I ordered the Fish and Chips and a local beer for dinner.
What to Eat:
- Fish and Chips – fried fish and French fries
- Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding – usually eaten from noon to five on Sundays
- Full English Breakfast – includes eggs, sausages, potatoes, mushrooms, blood pudding, tomatoes and toast
- Pie and Mash – typically a simple steak and kidney pie or pork pies, this is a classic British comfort food served with mashed potatoes and gravy
- Bangers and Mash – which is sausage served with mashed potatoes and gravy
- Cockles – a small type of clam
- Eton Mess – a dessert made of merengue, cream and strawberries
- Sticky Toffee Pudding – a moist sponge cake baked with dates or raisins and smothered in toffee sauce served with custard or ice cream
- Afternoon tea – with teacakes, scones, jam and clotted cream as well as champagne and tea
- Beef Wellington – filet steak covered with pate and wrapped in puff pastry
Where to Drink:
Eclipse Bar
158 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington, London, SW5 0BA England
Telephone: +44 20 7259 2577
What to Read:
- The Light Over London, by Julia Kelly
- London: The Biography, by Peter Ackroyd
- The Five, by Hallie Rubenhold
- London: A Travel Guide Through Time, by Dr. Matthew Green
- The Diaries of Samuel Pepys
Photo Guide to London:
- Inside the Natural History Museum
- Oxford Street and Regent Street – lovely street photos
- Neal’s Yard – colorful surroundings
- Notting Hill and Ladbroke Square- upscale architecture
- Portobello Street and Hillgate Place – pastel colored flats
- Leadenhall Market
- Peggy Porschen Cakes
- Coppa Club
- Churchill Arms Pub
- Tower Bridge
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Millennium Bridge
La Chatelaine, a French Bakery and Bistro, made its debut in Dublin in 1991. I couldn’t wait for Saturdays to purchase Brioche rolls for the week and choose from their large selections of fresh pastries as well. From chocolate croissants to coconut macaroons, I enjoyed selecting a few for a late afternoon indulgence.
For an amazing steak in historical Dublin, my favorite restaurant is Oscar’s Bar and Grill. With a lovely, rustic setting, this restaurant offers an incredible selection of entrees, but in my opinion, their finest dish is the 8 oz. filet. For a side dish, my go-to options are either the cranberry balsamic salad or the fried Brussel sprouts.
J. Liu is the perfect place when you are craving Asian-inspired dishes. My only problem is that the offer so many delicious appetizers, that I have a difficult time making a choice. My favorites include the crab rangoons, spring rolls, potstickers and the lettuce wraps. However, if I’m in the mood for an entree, I can never go wrong with the miso salmon or the poke bowl.
