Tuesday, January 3, 2012

'Tis the Season...for a trip to London!

I first visited London in the summer of 1995 as a way too unappreciative pre-teen on vacation with my Dad and step-family.  On second thought, maybe I wasn't actually unappreciative but had the foresight of knowing how awkward I would look in these pictures 16 years later, thereby deciding it would be better to look pouty and act like someone else actually forced me to dress in these heinous clothes!
Summer 1995
It wasn't until March 2008 that I found myself back on UK soil.  Following that trip were 2 more business trips in July 2008 and May 2009.
March 2008
July 2008
May 2009
Since I wasn't blessed with the world's best long-term memory, the 1995 trip was a complete blur and the business trips were just that.  I tried my best on these solo trips, getting out to see the sights as much as possible in between meetings (even riding the big, double decker tour bus).  However, it wasn't until my recent trip to this great city that I really fell in love.
Dec 2011
I had to be in town for business meetings starting on a Monday and had been in San Francisco for work the week before.  Making the choice to spend the weekend in between right there in London was simple.  Whisking one of my best friends Kristen off to share in the experience was just icing on the scone :)

Per my usual destination posts, I'll soon provide you with a rundown of London flight options, hotel options, must-see sights, etc., but I thought I would start with a post dedicated my favorite part of this year's trip: the city's plentiful and exquisite holiday lights.
Trafalgar Square Carol Singers
Leicester Square
Regent Street
Regent Street
Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street
Oxford Street
Oxford Street
Oxford Street
Santacon, nearby Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Buckingham Palace
Tower of London
Tower of London / Tower Bridge
You can probably see why I feel so fortunate to have been here during this special time of year!  So long as you don't mind bundling up, definitely consider planning your next London trip in December - you won't be disappointed!

3 comments:

  1. aww the icing on the scone! santacon was nuts, I totally forgot to post those photos.

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  2. I think its only until you really get to know London that everything is no longer a blur.When I used to come and visit, everything was so rushed I just followed my sister without even taking in the surroundings! I have to agree, nothing beats Christmas in London, you feel like you are in a film! I once had the perfect day in christmassy London, spending the afternoon shopping in Covent Garden (with a gingerbread latte in hand) and then returning to a london apartment to have a hearty beef stew with my sister. Pure bliss!

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