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The Balanced Mom Travel Diaries: Planning the Perfect Trip to London

FOOD, FUN

the blog:

In October, I visited London, England to support my husband Rodger and the LA Rams as they played the New York Giants at the historic Twickenham Stadium. I stayed for five days and six nights, and had the most wonderful trip! I have to admit, I wasn’t very excited about the trip because I didn’t know much about London, and I’d never had the urge to go there (which is pretty strange in itself, because I absolutely love to travel). I decided to make the trip for moral support, but also to take a break from LA and explore a new place. I get wanderlust pretty often, and I’m always itching to go somewhere new and exciting. In fact, while I was planning my trip, I thought I’d squeeze in daytrips to Paris and Amsterdam, but once I got to London, I didn’t want to leave! There was so much more to London than I’d thought. My trip was full of luxury, adventure, great food, and amazing people. I want to share some of my favorite things about London — including a number of sweet discoveries.

 




Where to Stay:



Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, Bagshot, Surrey – Located just 40 minutes outside the city, this historic country house is a hidden gem, tucked away in an intimate wooded area. The hotel was given a five-star rating by the AA Hotel Guide, and with good reason — this place offers impeccable service; unique rooms; a decadent, award-winning spa; a golf course; and delicious restaurants! Rodger and I had a life-changing afternoon tea right on their grounds. It was the best introduction to British culture either of us could have imagined. Our tea included an assortment of English teas (of course), delicious pastries, and champagne! It was the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

 



If you’re interested in staying closer to the city, the Jumeriah Carlton Tower is the perfect spot! This emblem of modern luxury is located just minutes away from all of the hottest restaurants and clubs in London!


 


How to Get Around:



One of the best decisions we made during our trip was choosing Goldline Chauffeurs as our sole transportation provider. Company owner Daljit Bassi showed us the true meaning of luxury transportation, and we felt blessed to have him as our chauffeur. The first-class service that he and his staff provided was astounding. (Goldline made me feel like royalty. Mr. Bassi literally called me “your highness” from behind the wheel!)

Born and raised in London, he knows absolutely everything there is to know about the city, and he gave me a customized VIP tour! Thanks to Mr. Bassi, I even got to know some of the city’s hidden gems! And don’t get me started on the vehicles! Goldline offers a fleet of luxury cars, including a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Bentley Mulsanne, a Mercedes Benz S-Class, a Range Rover Autobiography, and more. Goldline is always professional, safe, timely, and never more than 30 seconds away when you call. I came to London with a chauffer and left with a new friend!




 

 

Where to Eat:



Depending on what you’re in the mood for, here are a few of my suggestions:



Novikov – For an upscale, exclusive but fun atmosphere, with expansive Asian and Italian menus, this place is not to be missed. There’s even a lounge downstairs for late-night drinks and music!

Gaucho – This Argentinian restaurant has the best steaks! If you like steak, it would be criminal to visit London without stopping here! It’s a great place to go with a group of friends. They even have a private room that comes with a super-cool game for the table to play.

Scotts– 

If you’re a seafood lover you definitely have to try out Scotts. It’s one of London signature restaurants and for good reason too! The ambiance is one of pure elegance and the service is impeccable! I’ll definitely be back!  

Jack’s – Located 40 minutes outside the city, very close to Pennyhill Park Hotel, Jack’s is definitely worth the trip. They’re famous for their authentic fish and chips, which were absolutely delicious! 


 

 


Where to Hang Out:



Meltdown Bar – For all the gamers out there, I would definitely recommend stopping by this hip bar that is 100% dedicated to E-sports! It’s a super-cool place for gamers and non-gamers alike.

Harrods – This is definitely a signature location that you HAVE to visit if you like to shop. This place has every luxury brand you could ever imagine! You can literally get lost for hours in this five-floor shopper’s paradise.

Cirque Le Soir – For a unique, entertaining nightlife option, I suggest visiting this club! It’s filled with VIP sections, impressive bottle service, mixed music, and fun extras like a photo booth, popcorn machine, and ball pit! You will really feel like you’ve entered an adult circus filled with mystery and excitement! 



NFL Game – If you visit London during the NFL football season, why not catch a game? The NFL sends teams over to London every so often to increase their fan base in the international market. In my opinion, there are few things more entertaining than watching an NFL game in a stadium filled with people who do not fully understand the sport! I must have laughed for days.



 

What to See:


I’m not one to spend long hours in history museums, and there are things I’d rather do than visit historic monuments. However, my chauffeur, Daljit, offered the best solution for me. Instead of spending an entire day waiting in lines, walking around, and boring myself with too much information, I got a private tour of London’s signature sites — all from the comfort of my luxury vehicle. Not only that, but my tour guide-slash-driver gave me the historic rundown of landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. I also ventured outside the city to a smaller, gorgeous town called Windsor. Windsor reminded me of Hogwarts! Walking the grounds of Windsor Castle was incredibly peaceful, and I would recommend it to anyone. 




I love traveling, but no trip is perfect.The pros and cons of my trip to London? Well, I have mixed feelings about staying 40 minutes outside the city. But overall, I enjoyed every second of my stay in England. Feel free to comment your suggestions on other places to visit. I know there’s so much more for me to see in London, and I’ll definitely be back.


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