February 23, 2022
Last week, I attended my first Taste of the Chamber event which is an annual event hosted by my local Chamber of Commerce where local businesses get to showcase their company, network and taste some local food & beverages in Carmel, Indiana.
I loved reconnecting with friends and getting to meet new acquaintances. While the weather outside was miserable and sleeting, the vibe inside was warm & happy. So many people mentioned how wonderful it was to be able to shake hands, hug and talk face to face after the past two years.
And the best part is getting to talk about travel with people…my favorite topic of course! We did a BUCKET LIST theme with a bucket filled with goodies from all around the world as a giveaway. We also had fortune cookies filled with Bucket List destinations for some travel inspiration✈️
Needing some travel inspiration? Check out my below article on one of my personal favorite destinations…London!
LONDON IS CALLING
It could be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee or the recent loosening of travel restrictions, but we are seeing a strong uptick in requests for the United Kingdom and London in particular.
London has long been considered a must-see destination, whose stunning skyline is an embodiment of the meeting of two worlds: modern and historic living together side-by-side.
Discover the absolute best this city has to offer with this sample itinerary:
Day One:
Once settled in your hotel, get out and hit the streets to see some famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square or The Houses of Parliament. Complete your first day with a trip on the world-famous London Eye. Built in the year 2000, The London Eye is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world and provides a spectacular bird’s eye view of London and beyond. There can be no better conclusion to your day.
Day Two:
Visit the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the early 1080s and has borne witness to many key events in British history. See the splendid ‘Beefeaters’ who provide guard and the magnificent British Crown Jewels.
To follow, cruise on the River Thames, one of the best ways of seeing and experiencing London. You will pass under the London Bridge and see such famous landmarks as Shakespeare’s reconstructed Globe Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tate Modern. Afterwards, take a tour of Westminster Abbey, the coronation church of every King and Queen of England for the past 1,000 years.
Day Three:
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and pageantry for which Britain is renowned as the Changing of the Guard. Follow with a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most famous domes to pierce the London skyline. In its 300-year history it has hosted State Funerals and most famously the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
At the end of the day, visit Kensington Palace. Queen Victoria was born here in 1819 and Princess Margaret stayed here, however; it is perhaps best known for being the home of Princess Diana from her marriage until her death in 1997. Fast forward several years and today, it’s the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Day Four:
Take a private Black Cab tour and be whisked away on a trip down memory lane to the swinging sixties, and the height of Beatlemania. Stop for photographs on the famous zebra crossing of Abbey Road, see Abbey Road Studios, and stop outside the house where Paul wrote “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”
Afterwards head to Fortnum & Mason for a traditional afternoon tea. Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason is the official grocer to the royal household and the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is a very fancy affair. Enjoy the evening in the West-End where you can dine at a local establishment and take in a Broadway show.
Day Five:
Head west to visit Windsor Castle, one of three official residences of The Queen which has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. Highlights include the State Rooms and St George’s Hall, where The Queen holds splendid banquets and St. George’s Chapel. Tying everything together is the 13 acres of finely manicured grounds. While here, there’s never any doubt you’re in the company of royalty. Conclude your day on return to London.
