London, Your Way: A Travel Advisor’s Chic & Soulful Travel Guide
So, You Want to Go to London?
Of course you do! London is undisputedly one of the world’s best cities, and if you’re planning a trip and wondering how to make it feel less like a checklist and more like a beautifully told story—you’re in the right place.
One of the most common questions my clients ask is: “What are the best things to do in London?”
And the answer? It depends on how you want to feel while you’re there.
The truth is, like many of the best places to visit in Europe, London is a city to sink into slowly. It reveals itself through details: morning mist along the Thames, a quiet chapel corner in Westminster Abbey, the first bite of a dish you didn’t expect to love.
Here’s a curated plan, inspired by my own recent journey, designed with the same attention to detail as our bespoke travel planning service to help you experience London in a way that feels immersive, beautifully paced, and tailored to your style.
Stay Somewhere That Sets the Mood
Start at The Savoy.
Tucked along the Thames, The Savoy will delight you. With Art Deco interiors, riverside views, and warm scones served at breakfast, it’s a cocoon of elegance with just the right touch of old-world glamour.
When The Savoy opened in 1889, it was a game-changer. Built by theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, it was Britain’s first purpose-built deluxe hotel, dazzling Victorian London with electric lighting and the Red Lift (called the “Ascending Room”)—London’s first electric elevator.
Here, mornings are slow and graceful. Evenings? The perfect blend of understated sparkle and comfort.
You can read more about my recent stay at The Savoy in my newsletter.
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Luxury travel tip: The hotel you choose sets the tone for everything else. If you want top-level service with friendly staff and an elegant stay. You cannot go wrong with the Savoy.
Ease In Gently
A Candlelit Cruise on the Thames
There’s no need to hit the ground running. Instead, take a dinner cruise along the Thames—especially after a long international flight.
As the sky dims and city lights flicker, you’ll glide past Tower Bridge and Big Ben, your table bathed in candlelight. With soft music and sweeping views, it’s the kind of moment that reminds you to simply be present.
Why it works: It creates space to land—physically and emotionally. It’s one of my favorite ways to settle into the rhythm of a new city.
Taste & Play
A Foodie Bike Tour Through South London
If you’re wondering how to make sightseeing feel less structured and more spontaneous—try this.
I joined a playful, food-forward cycling tour through South London with No Diet Club. We rode through the South Bank and Camden, stopping for gooey truffle mac & cheese, crisp halloumi fries, and spiced crumble.
We ended with a slow ride on the London Eye at sunset. A perfect way to see the city from a new perspective—quite literally.
Great for: Families with older teens, food lovers, or anyone craving a deeper, more local flavor of London.
Touch the Past
Churchill War Rooms & Westminster Abbey
London’s history surrounds you, and lives right under your feet.
Step into the Churchill War Rooms and stand in the very place where wartime decisions shaped the modern world.
Then walk to Westminster Abbey, where monarchs are crowned, poets are honored, and centuries of stories come together in stone and stained glass.
You will see where the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots lie eternally together.
If you love history, these stops will bring to life the stories you’ve read. I have always loved their stories of rivalry, power, legacy. Being here with them left me deeply moved.
It’s moving. It’s unforgettable. And it reminds you that this city has always been a stage for the extraordinary.
After a morning absorbing treasures at the Westminster Abbey, retreat to the refined calm of Claridge’s for afternoon tea.
Explore the Icons
You’ll want to see Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower of London—but do it with a private guide. Someone who knows the stories behind the stones. Ask the questions you’ve always wondered.
Then stroll through the British Museum to admire the Rosetta Stone, or find stillness at the National Gallery, where Van Gogh, Turner, and Caravaggio wait quietly on the walls.
I always recommend a visit to the British Museum’s Enlightenment Gallery—it’s a beautiful way to walk through history in under an hour.
Finish the day in London’s West End—watching a witty, bold, or soul-stirring performance that leaves you buzzing long after the curtain falls. Do not miss this experience!
Change the Pace
Take a Day in the Countryside
Want to experience the best places to visit in Europe within reach of London? Step just outside the city.
Spend one day in the Cotswolds, where golden stone villages and ivy-covered pubs feel like a watercolor come to life.
On another, visit Stonehenge at sunset—yes, you can step inside the circle if you are on the right tour. (p.s. I know the one. Email me at rachel@travelwithandare.com)
Pair it with time in Bath and dinner in Lacock, where you’ll dine in a candlelit tavern that’s been serving guests since the 1300s.
These experiences are some of the best that travel has to offer-you get the chance to change your pace and your perspective, collecting lifelong memories along the way.
Smart, Stress-Free Travel Tips
- Use contactless cards or Apple Pay on the Tube—no need to buy paper tickets.
- Book a private guide for cultural sites—more insight, less guesswork.
- Let your concierge reserve your dinners—they know the hidden gems.
- Plan early for museums and theatre—especially in spring and autumn, when London feels alive with travelers and energy.
So—What Should You Do in London?
Do the things that light you up. That feels like you.
For my clients, that often looks like:
- A private tour at sunrise before the crowds arrive
- Afternoon tea in a quiet garden
- A countryside drive where time slows down
- A walk through royal history, guided with meaning
- A street performance that makes the whole family pause and smile
Let’s Create Your London Story
London perfectly pairs with a trip to Paris for a multi-city European escape. It’s ideal for luxury family vacations with older teens or adult children.
Planning a luxury family vacation, a milestone couple’s trip, or a deeply personal solo escape? I’d be honored to help you experience London —with the insight of a boutique travel agency that understands your tastes-so you can focus on living the story, not managing the logistics.
When you’re ready to start planning, reach out and we’ll talk about how you can get the most out of your trip to London, and make it a marvelous part of your story.
