Travel: London
See the capital at its most bling! From lights to carols, come and enjoy what the city has to offer…
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
‘ Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner, that I love London town’ – or so the song goes. And maybe that is why I love it. From the dazzling shop window displays at Selfridges to the buskers in Covent Garden and the funky lights of Carnaby Street, there is – for me – no place like home, especially at Christmas.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Afternoon tea is a must while you’re here. There are so many places where you can sit back and relax, but if you choose to stay at St Ermin’s (see right), we highly recommended spoiling yourself with its unlimited Prosecco deal at £35 a head. Go on, it’s Christmas! Elsewhere, Leicester Square will feature star-shaped lights, a European-style Christmas market and a line-up of shows from comedy to cabaret. Check out Liberty, off Carnaby Street, for festive decorations, and Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly for oldfashioned sweet treats. If the kids are with you, don’t miss Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, which runs from 17 Nov to early Jan. And don’t forget a visit to the iconic Hamleys on Regent Street!
DON’T MISS
A carol concert is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits. From grand affairs in majestic venues like Westminster Abbey* to sing-a-longs at the Royal Albert Hall**, or the free open-air concerts in Trafalgar Square, London’s carol services are likely to leave you with a warm glow.
FOOD AND DRINK
Cocktails are a must! Try the Roof Deck at Selfridges, and The Icebar – kept at -5ºC all year round – that operates 40-minute time slots where you get a thermal cape, gloves and an ice-cold glass of Champagne. Visit icebarlondon.com.