BESPOKE LONDON TOURS
A SAMPLE DAY IN LONDON
"No, Sir, when a man is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford"
Samuel Johnson.
The largest city in Europe London is home to approximately seven million people; spread over six hundred and twenty-five square miles. London was founded by the Romans in the first century AD. For one thousand years it has been the principal residence of British monarchs, and is rich in historic buildings and treasures from all periods. In addition to its royal palaces, museums, galleries and churches, London is overflowing with a vast array of theatres, restaurants, entertainment and shops. The attractions on offer are virtually endless.
Shopping in London is a Unique Experience
(if you know where to go)
Shopping in London is a serious adventure. Knightsbridge, Sloane Street, Bond Street and Beauchamp Place have a selection and diversity of shops that are unrivalled. Our famous department stores Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum and Mason's and Liberty's, alongside designers such as Stella McCartney, Zandra Rhodes, Vivien Westwood and Jimmy Choo sit comfortably with the bustling markets of Covent Garden, Portobello, Berwick Street and many more. The whole of London beckons shoppers with its treasures and collectibles, crammed into quaint little antique shops and streets full of antiquarian booksellers and art galleries. Whatever you may be looking for I will know where to find it.
Either take breakfast in your hotel or I could drive you to The Brompton Quarter in Knightsbridge who specialise in the most wonderful croissants and pastries and from there you can explore Knightsbridge. By now it must be lunchtime and Knightsbridge is littered with diverse options. As this could easily turn into a gastronomic tour then we ought to get down to doing some serious sightseeing. Close to Knightsbridge is Kensington Palace, previous home of Princess Diana and from there we could drive by Buckingham Palace and travel down The Mall, under Admiralty Arch into Trafalgar Square and see the magnificent Lord Nelson on his column. It's then a very short distance down Whitehall past Banqueting House, Downing Street and Horseguards to The Palace of Westminster (Parliament) and Westminster Abbey. After a hectic days sightseeing and shopping, afternoon tea or cocktails followed by theatre and dinner seems like a plan.
Our first stop - Afternoon Tea
The choice is endless from the grandeur of Claridges, The Dorchester or The Ritz to the quaint, very English, Brown's Hotel, The Capitol, Stafford and Dukes. These are just a few to whet your appetite although I could take you to my personal favourite!
Maybe it's time for Cocktails
At this point in the day, real 'car-to-bar-to-theatre' proximity is a definite plus. My favourite theatre land cocktail bars have a fantastic variation of themes but have a consistent high standard of cocktails. Asia de Cuba, The Lobby Bar, The Lab or Revolution are a few of my Soho choices. If we're not in a crazy spin to catch the curtain rising on our show we could sample the Blue Bar or the Donavan Bar in Mayfair or even Sketch. If you want to be really cool try the Ice Lounge or again you could trust me to introduce you to my all time favourite.
Now for our evening's entertainment
Our theatre choice is enormous, with a huge variety that only a city like London can provide. I can help you choose between the seemingly endless names of world famous performers and even arrange the best seats for any performance if you wish.
London is the only city on the world to have five international symphony orchestras with a vast array of visiting world-class performers. Our concert venues range from the grandeur of Queen Victoria's Royal Albert Hall to the modern Barbican centre and the South Bank. As I have performed many times in all these concert halls I would be delighted to accompany you to an evening of classical serenity.
The Royal Opera House and the Coliseum are the two main venues for opera in London. The extravagant productions and constant rotation of international soloists make these theatres unique. In the summer months Glyndebourne Opera and Garsington Opera make stunning days out or inclusion in one of our Heritage Tours
After an evening's entertainment a small late dinner can complete the perfect day.
From the totally English Rules, Scotts and Wiltons to the fun Asian fusion Zuma, Hakkasan and Nobu and everything French or Italian in between, (notwithstanding a new opening every month) you could discuss dining in London for a week or more and still not reach a decision. I can save you the debate and offer my suggestions of the most memorable restaurants in London, some new, some old favourites.
And so to bed.
My main objective is to suggest hotels that offer a flavour and, in some cases, history that is unique to London. Claridges is the one 'large' hotel that embodies English glamour and gentility. This art-deco monument of the 1930s is still alive with its cocktail bar, dining room and sweeping, chandeliered staircase. All very reminiscent of The Titanic. I also have a passion for the traditional English boutique hotels. Nothing comes more traditionally attired than Dukes Hotel or the Stafford in Mayfair. These quintessential English establishments, with their beautifully furnished rooms and impeccable service are also on my afternoon tea recommendations. A touch of theatrical flamboyance sums up the Covent Garden Hotel with its extrovert English dècor in the heart of Covent Garden's theatre land. A few blocks away the Soho Hotel is the epitome of colourful modern design set amongst the lively backdrop of the Soho district's vibrant nightlife. My hotel selections as well as all my other recommendations are based on personal experience with that most satisfying feeling of money well spent as opposed to good value for money.
