A Weekend in London
The view from our room at the Portobello Hotel
I've already shared some memories (here, here and here) from our trip to London, but I also wanted to post our full itinerary. Since we only had one full day in the city, we planned our trip very precisely to make the most of our time.
Because we wanted to experience two different areas in London, we stayed in the Notting Hill neighborhood, even though most of our activities were closer to the city center. We absolutely loved the calm and charm that Notting Hill offered and it was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle downtown. I'm so happy that we were able to see and do everything we had planned (Ottolenghi! Afternoon tea! Liberty!), but I'm already itching to go back!
Thursday
Arrive in London in the evening
Check into the Portobello Hotel in Notting Hill
Dinner (pizza and prosecco) at Portobello Ristorante Pizzeria - a little gem of a restaurant with wonderful food, pretty people and a cozy heated outdoor seating area
Friday
Toast and jam at the Portobello hotel's warm and charming breakfast room
Walk around Notting Hill and eventually meander through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens - an oasis among the hustle and bustle
Wander to Westbourne Grove for a snack at Ottolenghi and some serious window shopping
After a quick change at the hotel, take the tube to Charring Cross station, gaze at the landmarks of Trafalgar Square and see some favorite pieces at the National Gallery
Take in afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason - a nod to when my grandma took my sister and I there years earlier
In an attempt to walk off the scone coma, shop around at Liberty (just as charming as I hoped it would be!) and Topshop
Dinner and some really good drinks at Nopi (and of course we checked out the mirrored washroom!) followed by after-dinner drinks at a very crowded Sketch
Wander around the very happening and fun Soho area before climbing into bed
Saturday
Wake up to gloomy skies, so stay awhile in the cozy warmth of the Portobello Hotel's breakfast room
Stop into Gail's for some coffees to go (though it was tempting to want to grab some baked goods here as well!)
With warm drinks and umbrellas in hand, explore the Portobello Market and purchase a few trinkets for friends back home
Leave Notting Hill by double decker bus to head over to Harrod's - their shoe department is aptly named 'Shoe Heaven'
Explore the very posh area of Belgravia
Grab lunch to go at Ottolenghi (I wish I could eat here everyday - some of the healthiest and most delicious food I've ever eaten!)
Pack up, check out and head to Paris via the Chunnel! (and incite jealously while eating our Ottolenghi at the train station)
Stay tuned next week when I share memories for the second stop on our trip to Europe - Paris!
Until then.
- B