travel
Travelling can be quite stressful specially to a new place. One of the top stress points is what to pack, even though i travel quite frequently it still catches me so i decided to come up with a checklist, from my travel experiences, of the factors to consider before starting on the packing part and i am sharing the tips here with you today.
- First and foremost, the weather forecast for the place you are traveling to, i mean of course, when we decide on where to travel we have an idea of the kind of weather typical to a place for a certain time e.g In wales all year round the winds are sooooo strong, you can make out from the picture above, its absolutely essential to carry a wind cheater kind of jacket, but lets face it in todays time weather has a mind of its own, consider Delhi, it starts to rain anytime now even in April. So to not have disappointments and so you have an equipped and practical suitcase do a real factual weather forecast check on BBC weather or accuweather.
- The activities you plan to do- Everyone has a different idea and purpose of travel. Some travel for adventure, some for party, some to relax, some to explore, some to eat, etc etc. Now before you start your packing you decide whats yours, it can also be a combination of things and what you pack has to be according to the activities you plan to do. For e.g i don’t party even when i was in Mykonos- the party place, we dint go out partying so a party dress was useless in my suitcase. If you know you will be walking a lot to explore, keep flats and sneakers. If you are going to eat a lot, i always do, better pack roomy clothes, lol!!! and so on.
- The vibe of the place- Now every place has a certain vibe and mood. A good way to check how that translates to outfits is checking the street style of the place on Pinterest or relevant hashtags for the place on instagram. Lets consider Paris, check the # parisian/ parisstreetstyle and the likes on instagram or search on pinterest to understand the kind of outfits that go well with the mood of the city. Also recommend checking famous bloggers from the place for inspiration. I strongly suggest that you stick to your own style wherever you go but its just a few things that we can select or not select from our own style that will be fashion appropriate for the place we are headed.
- Consider what you will love to buy or what you can buy when there- Shopping is part of travel too and if you already know you will be buying something specific you don’t have to bring a similar item with you. Also what you can buy so don’t have to bother packing. Number 1 item in my list is a hat. I have read so many blogger posts talking about bringing a hat if you are going someplace warm but trust me do not. I have been doing this mistake and after my Greece trip i have resolved to never take a hat. Too much work to pack it well and even carry if you plan to wear it to the airport so you don’t have to pack. You always get great options to buy hats in 99/100 of all the warm places. Really great options and at good price.
- Pack pieces that are versatile i.e easy to wear in a number of ways and work for different occasions from formal to casual. Like a white shirt that you can wear as a cover up to the beach and also for drinks in the evening.
- Last but not the least pack only the pieces you really love and wear and not pieces you hope to love and wear.
Suggested read- How to travel more
Would love to know if you have other factors i can add to the list, thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
6 important factors to consider before packing for any travel
Travelling can be quite stressful specially to a new place. One of the top stress points is what to pack, even though i travel quite frequently it still catches me so i decided to come up with a checklist, from my travel experiences, of the factors to consider before starting on the packing part and i am sharing the tips here with you today.
- First and foremost, the weather forecast for the place you are traveling to, i mean of course, when we decide on where to travel we have an idea of the kind of weather typical to a place for a certain time e.g In wales all year round the winds are sooooo strong, you can make out from the picture above, its absolutely essential to carry a wind cheater kind of jacket, but lets face it in todays time weather has a mind of its own, consider Delhi, it starts to rain anytime now even in April. So to not have disappointments and so you have an equipped and practical suitcase do a real factual weather forecast check on BBC weather or accuweather.
- The activities you plan to do- Everyone has a different idea and purpose of travel. Some travel for adventure, some for party, some to relax, some to explore, some to eat, etc etc. Now before you start your packing you decide whats yours, it can also be a combination of things and what you pack has to be according to the activities you plan to do. For e.g i don’t party even when i was in Mykonos- the party place, we dint go out partying so a party dress was useless in my suitcase. If you know you will be walking a lot to explore, keep flats and sneakers. If you are going to eat a lot, i always do, better pack roomy clothes, lol!!! and so on.
- The vibe of the place- Now every place has a certain vibe and mood. A good way to check how that translates to outfits is checking the street style of the place on Pinterest or relevant hashtags for the place on instagram. Lets consider Paris, check the # parisian/ parisstreetstyle and the likes on instagram or search on pinterest to understand the kind of outfits that go well with the mood of the city. Also recommend checking famous bloggers from the place for inspiration. I strongly suggest that you stick to your own style wherever you go but its just a few things that we can select or not select from our own style that will be fashion appropriate for the place we are headed.
- Consider what you will love to buy or what you can buy when there- Shopping is part of travel too and if you already know you will be buying something specific you don’t have to bring a similar item with you. Also what you can buy so don’t have to bother packing. Number 1 item in my list is a hat. I have read so many blogger posts talking about bringing a hat if you are going someplace warm but trust me do not. I have been doing this mistake and after my Greece trip i have resolved to never take a hat. Too much work to pack it well and even carry if you plan to wear it to the airport so you don’t have to pack. You always get great options to buy hats in 99/100 of all the warm places. Really great options and at good price.
- Pack pieces that are versatile i.e easy to wear in a number of ways and work for different occasions from formal to casual. Like a white shirt that you can wear as a cover up to the beach and also for drinks in the evening.
- Last but not the least pack only the pieces you really love and wear and not pieces you hope to love and wear.
Suggested read- How to travel more
Would love to know if you have other factors i can add to the list, thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
You have seen the city enough or maybe you haven’t seen it all but you need to see something else, something fresh to entice your senses, fortunately London has many day trip options. I was deciding on the best day trip from London and after much thought and let me tell you it was not easy, i chose Brighton. Close contenders Cambridge, Oxford, The Cotswolds.
Brighton won for 3 reasons 1. Vitamin sea 2. The architecture of The Royal Pavilion 3. A complete package for a day.
The main attraction of the city is obviously the beach, the minty sea with the pebble beach is beautiful and there is literally nothing like lying on a beach chair the whole day under the sun at just 1 hour from busy city London. The Brighon pier at the beach is twinkling and inviting, just gives the happy summery feels. You can also indulge in some trampoline and water sports like kayaking and surfing at the beach.
The Royal pavilion comes on the way to the beach from the train station. What a majestic and unique piece of architecture in England. If no one tells you, you would say it belongs to somewhere in India, built in Indo Saracenic style prevalent in India in 19th century. The pavilion gardens is great to sit, relax and chat. The best pictures and less touristy shots of the Royal pavilion also called the Brighton Pavilion are possible from the outer part.
Brighton also has some great shopping, small shops, boutiques and high street.
With the sea comes the yummy sea food and let me tell you the portions are quite big in Brighton as compared to London. I had a kids portion of fish and chips and it was just as big as a full portion in London.
If you go in the summer you will find streets full of seasonal shops, restaurant sittings spilling onto the streets, music performances and many other activities. Definitely suggest checking in advance about the activities before you go. Also i would suggest to avoid the weekends if you can as half of London comes to Brighton, well not literally but u get what i am trying to say!
At under 1 hour from London Bridge station Brighton also famous for its LGBT community is bursting with attractions. From shopping to museums to beach to architecture to food to adventure there is something for everyone and deserves the title of the best day trip from london.
- What to wear in London in summer
- Reasons to love London
Thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
The best day trip from London
You have seen the city enough or maybe you haven’t seen it all but you need to see something else, something fresh to entice your senses, fortunately London has many day trip options. I was deciding on the best day trip from London and after much thought and let me tell you it was not easy, i chose Brighton. Close contenders Cambridge, Oxford, The Cotswolds.
Brighton won for 3 reasons 1. Vitamin sea 2. The architecture of The Royal Pavilion 3. A complete package for a day.
The main attraction of the city is obviously the beach, the minty sea with the pebble beach is beautiful and there is literally nothing like lying on a beach chair the whole day under the sun at just 1 hour from busy city London. The Brighon pier at the beach is twinkling and inviting, just gives the happy summery feels. You can also indulge in some trampoline and water sports like kayaking and surfing at the beach.
The Royal pavilion comes on the way to the beach from the train station. What a majestic and unique piece of architecture in England. If no one tells you, you would say it belongs to somewhere in India, built in Indo Saracenic style prevalent in India in 19th century. The pavilion gardens is great to sit, relax and chat. The best pictures and less touristy shots of the Royal pavilion also called the Brighton Pavilion are possible from the outer part.
Brighton also has some great shopping, small shops, boutiques and high street.
With the sea comes the yummy sea food and let me tell you the portions are quite big in Brighton as compared to London. I had a kids portion of fish and chips and it was just as big as a full portion in London.
If you go in the summer you will find streets full of seasonal shops, restaurant sittings spilling onto the streets, music performances and many other activities. Definitely suggest checking in advance about the activities before you go. Also i would suggest to avoid the weekends if you can as half of London comes to Brighton, well not literally but u get what i am trying to say!
At under 1 hour from London Bridge station Brighton also famous for its LGBT community is bursting with attractions. From shopping to museums to beach to architecture to food to adventure there is something for everyone and deserves the title of the best day trip from london.
- What to wear in London in summer
- Reasons to love London
Thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
A record 19.88 million tourists (international) visited London in the year 2016 making it the second most visited city in the world after Bangkok. Summer is the most frequented time and whether travelling to the city from places close or far i have got you covered with what to pack so you have a fashionable but practical suitcase full of clothes and things for a trip to my favourite city.
To begin with let me give you a let down on London style. I plan to cover what is London style in detail in a separate post but to just describe in brief, London style is classic and sophisticated with some quirkiness and edge. You always see the latest trends on the streets. Londoners have this polished and chic look with hints of fun and their own personality in their outfits. Somewhere between Paris and Milan.
The thumb rule for packing for any travel is to consider 1. the weather and no 2. what you plan to do in your travel. So before you begin to pack plan down your itinerary, if you are spontaneous kind and want to take as it comes, 100% think about the kind of activities you will want to do in the city even if you can’t plan it just yet and do a weather check so you know what is coming weather wise and there are no disappointments.
A bit about London weather- London is having it great at the moment weather wise and it makes me really happy, even though i am not in London right now i am happy for the city and and its residents who have had a rough time lately with terrorism and things. Yesterday was the hottest day in 40 years and my friends, family and everyone on social media was like we are dying, about to melt!!!! Lollllll !! I totally get it, just last summer i was about to faint twice in London due to the heat, its just weird how the sun falls! Haven’t ever really come close to that in Delhi where the temperature in summers is 45 degrees celsius plus but London 30 degrees plus means disaster. Having said that, such days are rare and i will always want it to be sunny in London. Glorious and divine in the sun! If one word best describes our London weather it is ‘unpredictable.’ Not a shock to experience four seasons in a day, bright and sunny (28 degrees) starts to rain (becomes 18) then the winds want to have a go (falls to 9) and if you are in luck it will be sunny again!!!!!! So you really have to be ready for all kinds while looking great, exactly the reason majority of London girls, carry a tote bag usually the Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag or a backpack with some shoes and clothes option.
Before i write down the essentials let me talk about this outfit i wore in London a week back to go to Peggy Porschen Cakes. Dress over jeans is literally my go to London summer outfit. Trust me what i told you about the heat wave is rarest of rare (the avg temp in London in summer is 20 degrees celsius) and even on the hot days, evenings may not be so bare legs are mostly not practical and summer means dresses so dress over jeans is my practical way to do summer in London. And now the essentials for summer in London.
- Bring flat sandals, white sneakers and the current trending mules. Spelling summer and warm weather take the liberty with your shoes. Keep a pair of heels just incase you go somewhere fancy. Restaurants can have dress codes so do check in advance.
- A light jacket- A leather jacket or a denim jacket or a trench coat- I say or because it all depends on the space in ur suitcase and why will u carry 3 jackets for a week long trip so choose what suits u best but in my opinion a leather jacket is the best bet because it is very versatile goes with dresses, skirts, jeans everything and works for semi formal to casual occasions.
- Keep trending shirts/ blouse to wear with jeans but also do not forget a plain white tee. White tee is super versatile for city outfits. Paired with skirts or jeans alike.
- Bottoms- Trousers and jeans, depends on what you wear. Shorts are not essential but you can certainly if you love them, will also suggest keeping a pair of tights to wear with shorts if it is not enough warm.
- Hat is the number 1 accessory for London. Londoners love to wear hats, go so well with the mood of the city. In case you can’t make space in your luggage you can always buy at Primark or Topshop for a day of fun around london town.
- Scarfs save you many a times- For summer you can keep a lightweight one.
- Bring on the prints, patterns and colours. With the sun more in sight the colours look more yummy! Bright dresses and skirts to pair with neutral pieces should be in your suitcase.
- Also keep a thin cardi easy to throw on over ur dresses.
- Bag - A tote or a backpack to keep all ur essentials for your day out and a fancy sling bag.
- Bring the bling with earrings, rings and necklaces.
- Pack a mix of neutrals and colourful pieces, trendy and basic pieces. A ratio of 2 trendy to 3 basic will help you create more outfits from few pieces.
- Colours to wear in London- Londoners usually wear more neutral colours black, white, grey and nude. Khaki and navy are other favourites. It has to do with the grey weather but in the summer you see a lot more colour on the streets. Bright hot reds, pinks, corals and the likes.
Essentials to keep in your bag for a day out in London- Umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, something to eat like biscuits or anything u like, scarf / thin cardi / light jacket choose whichever goes well with ur outfit. Also make sure you have some cash to pay incase cards are not accepted or something wrong with the machines.
Suggested posts- What to wear in England in Spring
What to wear in Cotswolds england
Best day trip from London
Where to find the cutest streets in London
Reasons to love London
London fashion week aw17 street style outfit
What to wear in Cotswolds england
Best day trip from London
Where to find the cutest streets in London
Reasons to love London
London fashion week aw17 street style outfit
Are you traveling to London in the summer? Hope these packing tips are helpful.
Thank you for stopping by! See you with my next.
Love
Chichi
What to wear in London in summer
A record 19.88 million tourists (international) visited London in the year 2016 making it the second most visited city in the world after Bangkok. Summer is the most frequented time and whether travelling to the city from places close or far i have got you covered with what to pack so you have a fashionable but practical suitcase full of clothes and things for a trip to my favourite city.
To begin with let me give you a let down on London style. I plan to cover what is London style in detail in a separate post but to just describe in brief, London style is classic and sophisticated with some quirkiness and edge. You always see the latest trends on the streets. Londoners have this polished and chic look with hints of fun and their own personality in their outfits. Somewhere between Paris and Milan.
The thumb rule for packing for any travel is to consider 1. the weather and no 2. what you plan to do in your travel. So before you begin to pack plan down your itinerary, if you are spontaneous kind and want to take as it comes, 100% think about the kind of activities you will want to do in the city even if you can’t plan it just yet and do a weather check so you know what is coming weather wise and there are no disappointments.
A bit about London weather- London is having it great at the moment weather wise and it makes me really happy, even though i am not in London right now i am happy for the city and and its residents who have had a rough time lately with terrorism and things. Yesterday was the hottest day in 40 years and my friends, family and everyone on social media was like we are dying, about to melt!!!! Lollllll !! I totally get it, just last summer i was about to faint twice in London due to the heat, its just weird how the sun falls! Haven’t ever really come close to that in Delhi where the temperature in summers is 45 degrees celsius plus but London 30 degrees plus means disaster. Having said that, such days are rare and i will always want it to be sunny in London. Glorious and divine in the sun! If one word best describes our London weather it is ‘unpredictable.’ Not a shock to experience four seasons in a day, bright and sunny (28 degrees) starts to rain (becomes 18) then the winds want to have a go (falls to 9) and if you are in luck it will be sunny again!!!!!! So you really have to be ready for all kinds while looking great, exactly the reason majority of London girls, carry a tote bag usually the Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag or a backpack with some shoes and clothes option.
Before i write down the essentials let me talk about this outfit i wore in London a week back to go to Peggy Porschen Cakes. Dress over jeans is literally my go to London summer outfit. Trust me what i told you about the heat wave is rarest of rare (the avg temp in London in summer is 20 degrees celsius) and even on the hot days, evenings may not be so bare legs are mostly not practical and summer means dresses so dress over jeans is my practical way to do summer in London. And now the essentials for summer in London.
- Bring flat sandals, white sneakers and the current trending mules. Spelling summer and warm weather take the liberty with your shoes. Keep a pair of heels just incase you go somewhere fancy. Restaurants can have dress codes so do check in advance.
- A light jacket- A leather jacket or a denim jacket or a trench coat- I say or because it all depends on the space in ur suitcase and why will u carry 3 jackets for a week long trip so choose what suits u best but in my opinion a leather jacket is the best bet because it is very versatile goes with dresses, skirts, jeans everything and works for semi formal to casual occasions.
- Keep trending shirts/ blouse to wear with jeans but also do not forget a plain white tee. White tee is super versatile for city outfits. Paired with skirts or jeans alike.
- Bottoms- Trousers and jeans, depends on what you wear. Shorts are not essential but you can certainly if you love them, will also suggest keeping a pair of tights to wear with shorts if it is not enough warm.
- Hat is the number 1 accessory for London. Londoners love to wear hats, go so well with the mood of the city. In case you can’t make space in your luggage you can always buy at Primark or Topshop for a day of fun around london town.
- Scarfs save you many a times- For summer you can keep a lightweight one.
- Bring on the prints, patterns and colours. With the sun more in sight the colours look more yummy! Bright dresses and skirts to pair with neutral pieces should be in your suitcase.
- Also keep a thin cardi easy to throw on over ur dresses.
- Bag - A tote or a backpack to keep all ur essentials for your day out and a fancy sling bag.
- Bring the bling with earrings, rings and necklaces.
- Pack a mix of neutrals and colourful pieces, trendy and basic pieces. A ratio of 2 trendy to 3 basic will help you create more outfits from few pieces.
- Colours to wear in London- Londoners usually wear more neutral colours black, white, grey and nude. Khaki and navy are other favourites. It has to do with the grey weather but in the summer you see a lot more colour on the streets. Bright hot reds, pinks, corals and the likes.
Essentials to keep in your bag for a day out in London- Umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, something to eat like biscuits or anything u like, scarf / thin cardi / light jacket choose whichever goes well with ur outfit. Also make sure you have some cash to pay incase cards are not accepted or something wrong with the machines.
Suggested posts- What to wear in England in Spring
What to wear in Cotswolds england
Best day trip from London
Where to find the cutest streets in London
Reasons to love London
London fashion week aw17 street style outfit
What to wear in Cotswolds england
Best day trip from London
Where to find the cutest streets in London
Reasons to love London
London fashion week aw17 street style outfit
Are you traveling to London in the summer? Hope these packing tips are helpful.
Thank you for stopping by! See you with my next.
Love
Chichi
Reasons to love London, well, I have wanted to write this post since forever!!! The recent terror attacks on the city and now the fire at Grenfell Tower, London is clearly going through a difficult time and i have so much pain in my heart because it truly is the greatest city in the world. No matter how busy, chaotic, polluted it gets and how silly the weather behaves, London is and will always be a magnet. And today i am sharing the reasons that make it this city like no other and why i love it.
- Multicultural - Diversity could be its second name as almost every country in the world has a representation in this city so you meet people from all over the world, in a way the whole world lives here, different languages constantly enter your ears at almost every turn. I hardly hear english on the streets of London!!! A melting pot that welcomes you with open arms. You might want to tell me that there are many multicultural cities in the world but what makes this grand old city stand out is that its own British culture is still very much kicking yet a new person does not feel like a stranger. History and tradition with diversity, now you agree!!!
- A very pretty city- Extremely pretty with so many surprises. Victorian houses, brick walls, grand boulevards, parks, the modern constructions of canary wharf, the thames river, neighborhoods to get lost in beauty, cutest streets. The changing seasons, please let me know if any other city does spring and autumn better! Undoubtedly the most instragammable city in the world.
- The food scene- Thanks to the diversity you find every cuisine and every type of food here. Its like if a dish is being made somewhere in the world it is also being made in London. The swankiest michelin star restaurants, the delicious street food in the many food markets, the experimental food in quirky cafes or the classic afternoon tea (my fav) and not to forget some great traditional British food as well, after indian food, i can live on fish and chips.
- You are right in the centre of the world- London literally divides the world into east and west. Takes about 7-8 hours to reach New Delhi and the same amount of time to reach New York. Just so much easier and quicker to go anywhere from London. Be it trips to any of the pretty places in europe or a day trip to the english countryside or a different continent there are great connections and multiple ways to reach anywhere and everywhere from London.
- The architecture and the parks- Ok cities in the world have one or two beautiful historic and architectural buildings and they boast about it. And our London is filled till the brink with old architecture. No matter what part you go you have history and architecture for company. Its an enormous feeling. And what should i say about the parks, another one unmatched. Huge green spaces in the middle of the city. For e.g You walk 15 mins from one of the busiest streets in the world, the bond street, and you are in Hyde park and you just see greenery till the end of your sight. You go to hampstead heath and you feel like you are in the countryside. No exaggeration.
- The kickass public transport- Most of London does not own a car because it is one city with excellent public transport. All parts are well connected and the services run from early morning till late. I have hardly ever waited more than 5 mins for the next tube so you can actually depend on the tube for your life. Only helps that one can pay using contact less debit/credit card and of course oyster cards. From a tourists point of view the ticket machines are right at the stations and very easy to use. Not to forget the iconic red bus and the black cabs. The black cab guys are like moving london encyclopedia. Know it like the back of their hand. Very good to talk to as well, nice and chatty. A little furious with Uber, lol!
- Its always free to visit a museum- so you don’t have to rush to do it all in one visit. Museums are sources of knowledge for the people and hence they are free, the city maintains. Its actually so good, you are free to go as many times as you want and for as much time as you want. So for e.g i am in central London, i can just walk into V&A for 30 mins to absorb, will not really be the case if i have to pay.
- Made for the pedestrians- I love to walk and the city is made for it.
- London does not judge you- the freedom to be who you are without anyones influence and interference. Be it fashion or sexual orientation or religion or anything you can just be!
- Afternoon tea - Well i love my tea and the whole tea culture. If i have to choose, tea will be my favourite meal, if i may call, of the day. London does it best, should not be even said.
- Things like this in no order
- Walks over the thames and along the southbank, even better at night.
- the most famous royal family of the world lives here.
- you love music you get it here- the rolling stones, the beatles, to the present generation adele, coldplay and one direction that have and are shaping the international music scene. That said you have great music scene always and you might just get lucky and even get to attend a music concert for free.
- street food in the park.
- distinct neighbourhoods, compare shoreditch with chelsea or hackney wick with notting hill.
- sports and games - home to the biggest football clubs in the world, cricket- the lords, rugby, you can take a dip in the swimming pool used by michael phelps in the 2012 olympics, and my favourite the wimbeldon-i find it charming.
- It is possible to experience centuries old traditions. e.g The ceremony of keys at Tower London taking place since the 14th century.
- Some fab street art.
- Bar and pubs galore.
- It looks beautiful even when its rainy and grey.
- Its vast and full of surprises you can spend your lifetime and still not see it all.
- There is always a plan, so you do not run out of things to do.
- Sitting on a bench in a sunny regents park doing nothing and still not bored.
- Harry porter and Sherlock Holmes become more real.
- Kew gardens is a flower lover paradise.
- Very pet friendly.
- Its a champion at street style.
- the notting hill carnival.
- this list is endless and i will keep on adding to it.
I was flying to London from Athens on June 7th. We reached heathrow and after a few mins the captain announced to disembark. 2 mins later another announcement ‘everyone just sit wherever you can find a seat, we need to get a few security checks done’ ok everyone is a bit confused, people sit wherever they can and after a minute 2 huge policemen wearing bomb diffusers and stuff enter the flight, people in shock, i am scared as hell as they walk past me, they go straight to this guy sitting in one of the back seats and take him out of the flight. After they leave all passengers are relieved and thank god the flight dint blow away or something. The guy they took had infact checked in just before me, the security person at the boarding gate in Athens asked him for visa and he showed some card, then he asked him what does he do? replied i am a driver followed by some weird reaction to which the security person responded by asking what driver, Formula 1 and he said yes. I still wonder was the guy really something or was he just arrested for being weird. This was my first experience with anything close to terror and had put me in not such a good mood. Anyways I get out of the airport and reach Mayfair, there is a demonstration people shouting ‘ I am a threat.’ It was the day before the elections and the city was feeling a little heavy, me and my brother decided to call delivery and stay in. I was still a little out of sorts but the next day, the election day, i decided to walk on the streets before catching train to my sisters. With every step i am feeling better, London is coming back, my London mood is back. So it is really such a city, so resilient, puts you back on track in no time.
As you guys know i love to travel, while visiting new places and absorbing them gives me a high being in London gives me comfort. I very well remember and some of you might find it strange, even on my first flight to the city as a tourist i had the feeling that i was going home. London matches my frequency and captures my imagination and nothing more needs to be said.
Do you love London? Please share your experience.
Thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
Reasons to love London
Reasons to love London, well, I have wanted to write this post since forever!!! The recent terror attacks on the city and now the fire at Grenfell Tower, London is clearly going through a difficult time and i have so much pain in my heart because it truly is the greatest city in the world. No matter how busy, chaotic, polluted it gets and how silly the weather behaves, London is and will always be a magnet. And today i am sharing the reasons that make it this city like no other and why i love it.
- Multicultural - Diversity could be its second name as almost every country in the world has a representation in this city so you meet people from all over the world, in a way the whole world lives here, different languages constantly enter your ears at almost every turn. I hardly hear english on the streets of London!!! A melting pot that welcomes you with open arms. You might want to tell me that there are many multicultural cities in the world but what makes this grand old city stand out is that its own British culture is still very much kicking yet a new person does not feel like a stranger. History and tradition with diversity, now you agree!!!
- A very pretty city- Extremely pretty with so many surprises. Victorian houses, brick walls, grand boulevards, parks, the modern constructions of canary wharf, the thames river, neighborhoods to get lost in beauty, cutest streets. The changing seasons, please let me know if any other city does spring and autumn better! Undoubtedly the most instragammable city in the world.
- The food scene- Thanks to the diversity you find every cuisine and every type of food here. Its like if a dish is being made somewhere in the world it is also being made in London. The swankiest michelin star restaurants, the delicious street food in the many food markets, the experimental food in quirky cafes or the classic afternoon tea (my fav) and not to forget some great traditional British food as well, after indian food, i can live on fish and chips.
- You are right in the centre of the world- London literally divides the world into east and west. Takes about 7-8 hours to reach New Delhi and the same amount of time to reach New York. Just so much easier and quicker to go anywhere from London. Be it trips to any of the pretty places in europe or a day trip to the english countryside or a different continent there are great connections and multiple ways to reach anywhere and everywhere from London.
- The architecture and the parks- Ok cities in the world have one or two beautiful historic and architectural buildings and they boast about it. And our London is filled till the brink with old architecture. No matter what part you go you have history and architecture for company. Its an enormous feeling. And what should i say about the parks, another one unmatched. Huge green spaces in the middle of the city. For e.g You walk 15 mins from one of the busiest streets in the world, the bond street, and you are in Hyde park and you just see greenery till the end of your sight. You go to hampstead heath and you feel like you are in the countryside. No exaggeration.
- The kickass public transport- Most of London does not own a car because it is one city with excellent public transport. All parts are well connected and the services run from early morning till late. I have hardly ever waited more than 5 mins for the next tube so you can actually depend on the tube for your life. Only helps that one can pay using contact less debit/credit card and of course oyster cards. From a tourists point of view the ticket machines are right at the stations and very easy to use. Not to forget the iconic red bus and the black cabs. The black cab guys are like moving london encyclopedia. Know it like the back of their hand. Very good to talk to as well, nice and chatty. A little furious with Uber, lol!
- Its always free to visit a museum- so you don’t have to rush to do it all in one visit. Museums are sources of knowledge for the people and hence they are free, the city maintains. Its actually so good, you are free to go as many times as you want and for as much time as you want. So for e.g i am in central London, i can just walk into V&A for 30 mins to absorb, will not really be the case if i have to pay.
- Made for the pedestrians- I love to walk and the city is made for it.
- London does not judge you- the freedom to be who you are without anyones influence and interference. Be it fashion or sexual orientation or religion or anything you can just be!
- Afternoon tea - Well i love my tea and the whole tea culture. If i have to choose, tea will be my favourite meal, if i may call, of the day. London does it best, should not be even said.
- Things like this in no order
- Walks over the thames and along the southbank, even better at night.
- the most famous royal family of the world lives here.
- you love music you get it here- the rolling stones, the beatles, to the present generation adele, coldplay and one direction that have and are shaping the international music scene. That said you have great music scene always and you might just get lucky and even get to attend a music concert for free.
- street food in the park.
- distinct neighbourhoods, compare shoreditch with chelsea or hackney wick with notting hill.
- sports and games - home to the biggest football clubs in the world, cricket- the lords, rugby, you can take a dip in the swimming pool used by michael phelps in the 2012 olympics, and my favourite the wimbeldon-i find it charming.
- It is possible to experience centuries old traditions. e.g The ceremony of keys at Tower London taking place since the 14th century.
- Some fab street art.
- Bar and pubs galore.
- It looks beautiful even when its rainy and grey.
- Its vast and full of surprises you can spend your lifetime and still not see it all.
- There is always a plan, so you do not run out of things to do.
- Sitting on a bench in a sunny regents park doing nothing and still not bored.
- Harry porter and Sherlock Holmes become more real.
- Kew gardens is a flower lover paradise.
- Very pet friendly.
- Its a champion at street style.
- the notting hill carnival.
- this list is endless and i will keep on adding to it.
I was flying to London from Athens on June 7th. We reached heathrow and after a few mins the captain announced to disembark. 2 mins later another announcement ‘everyone just sit wherever you can find a seat, we need to get a few security checks done’ ok everyone is a bit confused, people sit wherever they can and after a minute 2 huge policemen wearing bomb diffusers and stuff enter the flight, people in shock, i am scared as hell as they walk past me, they go straight to this guy sitting in one of the back seats and take him out of the flight. After they leave all passengers are relieved and thank god the flight dint blow away or something. The guy they took had infact checked in just before me, the security person at the boarding gate in Athens asked him for visa and he showed some card, then he asked him what does he do? replied i am a driver followed by some weird reaction to which the security person responded by asking what driver, Formula 1 and he said yes. I still wonder was the guy really something or was he just arrested for being weird. This was my first experience with anything close to terror and had put me in not such a good mood. Anyways I get out of the airport and reach Mayfair, there is a demonstration people shouting ‘ I am a threat.’ It was the day before the elections and the city was feeling a little heavy, me and my brother decided to call delivery and stay in. I was still a little out of sorts but the next day, the election day, i decided to walk on the streets before catching train to my sisters. With every step i am feeling better, London is coming back, my London mood is back. So it is really such a city, so resilient, puts you back on track in no time.
As you guys know i love to travel, while visiting new places and absorbing them gives me a high being in London gives me comfort. I very well remember and some of you might find it strange, even on my first flight to the city as a tourist i had the feeling that i was going home. London matches my frequency and captures my imagination and nothing more needs to be said.
Do you love London? Please share your experience.
Thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
London ah London the uber multicultural and forever busy capital known for its tall victorian houses and grand boulevards has so many surprises. Streets where you step foot and wonder is this really London? I am talking about the charming mews of London. If you haven’t walked around to explore in the great city you probably don’t even know what they are and where do they exist. The charming cobbled mews streets are tucked behind the victorian houses, originally constructed as service lanes providing back entrance to the mansions and stables for horses, today the mews have transformed into some of the most sought after properties in London. Quaint and charactery, very rightly many famous people have chosen to live in the mews. Also seen in tv shows and movies representing London and Victorian times. Painted in pastels and framed by lush creepers and pot plants you really have to wander around and when you do be ready to be transported to another time and place.
London has many charming mews scattered and this sunday me with my girlfriends went wandering around 10 in west London. While i would say all had their unique characters but 6 stole my instagram heart and they totally deserve to be on the list of the cutest streets of London.
- Albion mews - Lush green, we entered and were instantly transported to somewhere in the amazon. Nearest tube- marble arch.
2. Bathurst mews- Extremely pretty cobbled mews, also famous for the last two riding schools in central London. Nearest tube- Edgware Road.
3. Conduit mews- The prettiest pink and blue house together. Nearest tube- Queensway
4. Kynance mews- The iconic Kynance arch best photographed in spring with the wisteria and in autumn with the red leaves. Nearest tube- Gloucester Road.
5. St lukes mews- Where the movie ‘love actually’ was shot. Keira knightley’s house as shown in the movie is just as pretty in real life. Nearest tube- Westbourne park.
6. Holland park mews- Staircases leading to the second floor making it unique and very photo worthy. Nearest tube- Holland park.
Even though i have mentioned different tube stations its really possible to do all the 6 on foot in about 2-3 hours, pretty close to each other. So do wander around and make your own discoveries around the mews and be charmed.
Suggested read- Reasons to love London
Any travel plans to the big city london? Have you wandered in the mews, which one is your fav? As always i hope this post is helpful, thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
The mews: the cutest streets in London
London ah London the uber multicultural and forever busy capital known for its tall victorian houses and grand boulevards has so many surprises. Streets where you step foot and wonder is this really London? I am talking about the charming mews of London. If you haven’t walked around to explore in the great city you probably don’t even know what they are and where do they exist. The charming cobbled mews streets are tucked behind the victorian houses, originally constructed as service lanes providing back entrance to the mansions and stables for horses, today the mews have transformed into some of the most sought after properties in London. Quaint and charactery, very rightly many famous people have chosen to live in the mews. Also seen in tv shows and movies representing London and Victorian times. Painted in pastels and framed by lush creepers and pot plants you really have to wander around and when you do be ready to be transported to another time and place.
London has many charming mews scattered and this sunday me with my girlfriends went wandering around 10 in west London. While i would say all had their unique characters but 6 stole my instagram heart and they totally deserve to be on the list of the cutest streets of London.
- Albion mews - Lush green, we entered and were instantly transported to somewhere in the amazon. Nearest tube- marble arch.
2. Bathurst mews- Extremely pretty cobbled mews, also famous for the last two riding schools in central London. Nearest tube- Edgware Road.
3. Conduit mews- The prettiest pink and blue house together. Nearest tube- Queensway
4. Kynance mews- The iconic Kynance arch best photographed in spring with the wisteria and in autumn with the red leaves. Nearest tube- Gloucester Road.
5. St lukes mews- Where the movie ‘love actually’ was shot. Keira knightley’s house as shown in the movie is just as pretty in real life. Nearest tube- Westbourne park.
6. Holland park mews- Staircases leading to the second floor making it unique and very photo worthy. Nearest tube- Holland park.
Even though i have mentioned different tube stations its really possible to do all the 6 on foot in about 2-3 hours, pretty close to each other. So do wander around and make your own discoveries around the mews and be charmed.
Suggested read- Reasons to love London
Any travel plans to the big city london? Have you wandered in the mews, which one is your fav? As always i hope this post is helpful, thank you for stopping by, see you with my next.
Love
Chichi
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