‘London opens to you like a novel itself… It is divided into chapters, the chapters into scenes, the scenes into sentences; it opens to you like a series of rooms, doors and passages. Mayfair to Piccadilly to Soho to the Strand.’-Anna Quindlen.

Outside of where I grew up, the place that feels most like home is London. I have visited this city probably more than any other from the time I was a baby through today. When we lived in Saudi Arabia, we would go to visit my paternal grandparents often and, even when we moved back to the US and they followed, I still managed to find my way back over and over. I love this city and it is a privilege to be able to call a tiny piece of it home. When I was planning my winter holiday it was no brainer that it would include London for one key reason, I really wanted to see Cabaret in the West End. They did a ticket release and I planned my trip dates around the show.

I took the Eurostar from Paris’ Gard de Nord. A couple of notes…buy your ticket(s) as soon as possible. They go up as it gets closer. My $60 ticket was two to three times as much by the time I departed. Also, you can only enter the border check point at the station 2 hours before your train departure. Not any sooner. I was slightly early and when I scanned my ticket/passport, I was turned back until my designated time. Once I was able to gain entry, there are a lot of comfortable chairs and a coffee shop. I then boarded and headed on my way via the English Channel Tunnel (AKA The Chunnel). I have taken the channel route every way and this is the easiest. The ferry can be VERY choppy across the Channel and when you take a vehicle (I did it via coach), you are in the auto section which is a bit strange. The train trip is about two hours and end up at King’s Cross Station/San Pancreas in the heart of London. From here, you can access various Tube (subway) lines to get you where you need to go. Note: there are A LOT of stairs (much like in Paris) and not a lot of accessible ways to get above ground from many of the stations. So be cognizant while packing because you will be lugging up and down.

I found an inexpensive (relatively) hotel near Hyde Park. Much like the Tube, outside of posh hotels, most don’t have elevators or air conditioners. If they do, it will be noted in the listing. My room was small and the only window faced another wall. It was a bit claustrophobic but it did have a hairdryer, good price, and close to everything. Most importantly, it was within a couple minute walk to the Tube. I value that and safety more than most other things a hotel could offer. It was a give and take plus it was only for a couple of nights. The location couldn’t be beat so weigh the pros and cons for you.

The first afternoon, I just kind of wandered around Hyde Park and grabbed a bite to eat at Pret a Manger. Then got changed for afternoon tea at The Ritz! I did the last reservation spot, at 7:30 pm, so it was my dinner (although still called afternoon tea). You need to make reservations well in advance. They had one table available but did not allow for only a single. I emailed and they were beyond helpful. They made the reservation and sent me the link to put down my deposit (also mandatory). It was expensive-I paid about $100 and then splurged an a fancy glass of champagne. But it was worth it. The food was amazing, they will give you refills of what ever sandwich you enjoyed and even boxed up what was left. Everyone was dressed nicely (I had packed a black dress, nice ankle boots, and brought some nice earrings but some people were VERY glamorous) and it was decorated for Christmas. I had the best time!

One of the things I really wanted to do was go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. As a massive fan, I had never done this tour. I had heard it was remarkable and it is! Going for the holiday season was even cooler as everything was decorated for the festive season and covered in ‘snow.’ You need to pre-book your ticket. There is a train that will take you directly there, I however did not take the express but the local. This caused me a delay but I called and they said it would not be an issue at all. Coming back, I was on a different train due to an incident on the line. Gist is, don’t ask me for train advice to get there as I didn’t make it in a straight shot. But when you do, the shuttles to the studio tour are clearly marked. You should carve out a couple of hours to move through. You get to see a lot of the film sets, costumes, and a touch of magic along the way.

I had two days to wander around the city, my favorite thing to do. A lot of things you can book ahead of time and I HIGHLY recommend doing so. Lines can get long.I visited Westminster Abbey for the first time in several visits. It is expensive (about $40 plus $8 for the galleries) and, if you have been before, you can skip it. If you have never been or it’s been a long time, I do recommend going. Outside of all the famous people buried there (Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Isaac Newton, Winston Churchill, Shakespeare, etc), the architecture is stunning. I mean, it’s more than a 1000 years old! I did do something I had never done before…view the upper galleries. This was opened for Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the first time to the public. You can take the elevator or stairs…if you’re able, take the stairs. Seeing areas of Westminster you can’t see up close has you walk up was just really cool. You aren’t supposed to take photos, there was a sign I didn’t see right away so I did sneak one in of the view. One of the things that is cool is that you can see the Tomb of Edward the Confessor from above, which is not visible from the floor as access is very limited due to condition. Something I did find interesting is that he is venerated by the Catholic Church and the tomb of St. Edward is a pilgrimage site due to a slew of miracles associated with him. Since Westminster is no longer Catholic, they do allow Catholic pilgrims to visit on certain days (there was a sign). At the top, you can also see the second St. Edward’s chair! The original, which is viewed as you are exiting the Abbey (mine was flanked by a manager as it was Christmas), has been used for all but two coronations since William the Conquerer. When William and Mary ascended the throne following the Glorious Revolution, a second was made since they ruled as equals. The second hasn’t been used since and was not publicly seen until the galleries opened.

Just past Westminster Abbey you can get excellent views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. It was actually the first time in many visits there was no scaffolding! I also hit up the British Museum, which is free. Is it one of the largest houses of stolen goods? Yes. Should you still go? Yes. The British Museum is full of so many amazing artifacts. If nothing else, seeing the Rosetta Stone, one of the greatest discoveries in history, is worth the pop in. You can also see the Book of the Dead, Treaty of Versailles, and a Moai of Easter Island. After, I swung by the British Library, which is also free. There you can find some of the most complete versions of the Gutenberg Bible and the only version of the Magna Carta that contains the seal of King John. And some Shakespeare and other cool documents. I also went to the National Portrait Gallery, which I am not sure I had been before. It was cool to see many a portrait of British monarchs that I show in my class. There was a special exhibit on the Windrush Generation, something I wasn’t as familiar with but a way to celebrate Jamaican immigrants who had been so badly treated by the government.

Since I was going during the holidays, I looked up best holiday related things to do in London. One of the things that came up was Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. It was on a lot of lists. You do need to get tickets in advance and there are timed entries. I was picturing something like Christmas at Bryant Park but bigger. I was very wrong. It is essentially a carnival. There are rides and (expensive) food stalls. I did do a sub zero ice bar that was cool but overall, I would say skip it. There were a lot of people, long lines, and overall meh.

One thing I always recommend is a show on the West End. Cabaret is one of my favorite musicals and I heard this new show was a fully immersive experience. My Emcee was Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters and he was great! I sat up close, with a mid-range ticket. It was expensive, about $350, but included two cocktails (which were amazing), a pre-show charcuterie, and ice cream. There are different price options, some include dinner. The show is fully immersive and very intimate, the venue was redesigned and has significantly fewer seats than a traditional show. No photos allowed and they actually give you a sticker to cover your phone before you enter. You enter through the back and there are dancers are everywhere as you enjoy the experience working through the spaces. You really feel like you are in a Weimar Cabaret. I have heard the Broadway experience isn’t quite the same but if you have a chance, do it! It was well worth the money I spent and I would do it again!

I just really love London and would move there tomorrow if I could. Embrace the city, focus on things you want to do and know you will have to go back!