This is London | Part One

We arrived to a week of beautiful blue skies in one of the world's greatest cities to celebrate our second anniversary. We had an itinerary (that later blew into the Queen's fountain) that we based on travel shows, personal recommendations, some internet but mostly on our beloved, Rick Steves (who we previously met in Rome!). After minding the gap and a tube ride into the city, we walked to our hotel, Hazlitt's. 

Hazlitt's was unassuming, located in the heart of London's cosmopolitan Theatreland, Soho, and was surrounded by lovely restaurants and bars. There was a park down the street that quickly became our favorite for people watching. This hotel was away from the roar of traffic but within a very short walk to the most frequented sites. Hazlitt's was built in 1718, and Hank knew we had to stay there after he saw it on Anthony Bordain's show No Reservations. This hotel had an intimate charm that no large hotel can match. Furnished with antiques, no two rooms were the same, and well, that's just my style. The staff was legitimately great, and they sent us on our way to our first stop, Dog and Duck.

Dog and Duck was a nice pub right down the street. I started off with (surprise!) fish and chips, and Hank dined on beef pie. We both had local brews and said our first of many cheers! When people ask about my favorite part of London, I give a loaded answer, that it truly was the pulse of the place. I love that we walked right into a new to us city with no language barriers. I love how relaxed the locals were, they all said cheers!, the bars were packed with businessmen grabbing a drink during lunch, and everyone congregated outdoors at the end of the work day to share a pint and chat. 

After lunch, our lofty day one goals were to see historic Big Ben, bustling Trafalgar Square (pictured above), tour the Tower of London, home of the crown jewels, and walk the aisle of Westminster Abbey. You'll see the Tower of London below. We took their Beefeater Tour and learned this tower is where traitors, such as Anne Boleyn, were decapitated... Yikes! 

The view of Tower Bridge was gorgeous, the lawns inside were as nice as they could be, and I spotted this cutest home on the Tower Green with a Carolina blue door. Hello, charming.

(Royal Guard}

{Tower Bridge}

In regards to the crown jewels... just wow. We saw the Sovereigns's Scepter which is encrusted with the world's largest cut diamond at 530 carats. It. was. huge.  

We caught a boat at Tower Pier and cruised on the Thames River to Westminster Pier.

{See ya, Tower of London}

{Cruising by the London Eye}

{And... Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben!)}

This is our London in a Photo: Big Ben, Eye of London, Black Taxi. 

We have arrived... Westminster Abbey! 

The Abbey was built in 1065, and it was truly breathtaking. You can feel the rich history radiate from the walls around you. I couldn't believe I was standing in the most famous English church in Christendom, where royalty has been wedded, crowned and buried since the 11th century (!!!). 

Whew... I was mind blown. We took a rest on the lawns of the Abbey before heading back to our hotel to do as the locals do. We saw lots of pretty on our walk back "home."

And we certainly knew it was the end of the work day after a walk back past Dog and Duck.

Once back at Hazlitt's we soaked our feet and got ready for dinner. London is known for a lively, trendy and pleasantly surprising cuisine scene. Our Hazlitt's staff sent us back on our way to start the night at The Red Fort. Eating Indian food in London is "going local," and we had some good eats and wine at this Indian restaurant. Cheers to a fun first day!