A quick trip to London can be just as amazing as a longer one! My husband and I recently had a fantastic, whirlwind weekend in London. Even though it was just three days and nights, we packed in so much, and it was truly an amazing experience.
This post is all about sharing our London adventures, hoping to inspire you to plan your own romantic getaway. Let’s dive into our trip!
A Tradition of Traveling Together
We have a special tradition: every year, we take an international trip, just the two of us, without the kids. It all started with our honeymoon in Thailand – we had such an incredible time that we decided travel would always be a priority. We save up for these trips, and instead of buying each other expensive gifts for birthdays or anniversaries, we prefer to gift each other with the experience of a trip!
Having kids has made these child-free trips even more special. They are a chance to reconnect as a couple and have adventures of our own. We miss our boys terribly when we are away, but we treasure this time where we don’t have to worry about bedtime routines or picky eaters.
Of course, we love traveling with our kids too! We usually do a road trip and a few weekend getaways with them each year. Seeing the world through their eyes is always fun. This year, we even took them on their first big international trip to The Netherlands and Kenya, which was incredible.
However, since the boys were coming with us on what would have been our annual couple’s trip, we decided to plan a quick getaway just for the two of us. We found an awesome deal on direct flights from Texas to London, and that sealed the deal!
London: The Perfect Destination
London ended up being the ideal destination for our romantic getaway. In addition to the direct flights (which maximized our time there), we were also excited to see some friends who live in London. We met these wonderful people, Katie (of Kalanchoe) and Ben (Twenty First Century Gent), on our trip to Turkey and Greece last year. We instantly clicked with them, and they became like family. We were so excited to spend some time with them and have them show us their amazing corner of London!
Where We Stayed: DoubleTree by Hilton London Hotel – Westminster
We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton London Hotel – Westminster. The location was perfect – right on the Thames River and within easy walking distance of all the main attractions in Central London. We loved the complimentary breakfast each morning and the cozy Millbank Lounge in the evenings. The staff was friendly and the rooms were comfortable.
Food and Drink: A Feast for the Senses
London is a food lover’s paradise! We had some incredible dining experiences, which are always a highlight of any trip for me. Here are some of our favorites:
- Farm Girl Café: We enjoyed a delicious brunch at this charming café in Notting Hill, where I fell in love with their beautiful rose latte.
- Rock and Sole Plaice: This iconic restaurant has been serving up delicious fish and chips since 1871! We went on a mission to find the best fish and chips in London, and Rock and Sole Plaice definitely delivered.
- LIMA Floral: This Peruvian restaurant in Covent Garden was a real treat, thanks to our friends Katie and Ben. The ceviche was absolutely incredible, just as good as I’ve had in Peru itself.
- Rules: My husband did some research and discovered London’s oldest restaurant, Rules. We had a romantic dinner here, with cocktails in their upstairs lounge beforehand. The ambiance was amazing, and the food was incredible. The Rib of Beef for Two was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Local Pubs: We also had some wonderful evenings in local pubs, which are always fun for a good conversation and a taste of the local culture. We were amazed by how old some of the pubs and buildings were – some of them are older than the United States!
A Peek into London’s Charm
London is a city with so much to offer. We spent our days exploring and embracing whatever caught our eye, while making sure to hit some historical landmarks. Here are some of the highlights:
- Portobello Road: After brunch with Katie and Ben in Notting Hill, we strolled down Portobello Road, browsing the boutiques and antique shops. The shopkeepers shared fascinating stories about the history of some of the items, and I couldn’t resist trying on a stunning tiara, imagining myself as a glamorous lady of the past!
- Shopping Spree: We stumbled upon a designer consignment shop and I found a pair of beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes at an incredible price. What a score!
- Afternoon Tea at Dalloway Terrace: This was one of my favorite moments of the trip. Afternoon tea is not as popular in the U.S. as it is in the UK, but I could totally get used to this delightful tradition. Every course was delicious, and I highly recommend Dalloway Terrace!
- Tourist Must-Sees: We walked by Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Parliament, and enjoyed a stroll along the Thames River. We also visited the Tower of London and were awestruck by the Crown Jewels. I was speechless looking at those priceless pieces of history!
- Exploring the Neighborhoods: We walked around South Bank, Covent Gardens, SoHo, and Trafalgar Square, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of each neighborhood.
- Primrose Hill: Katie and Ben took us to their neighborhood in North London, Belsize Park. We climbed Primrose Hill for a stunning view of the city. It was a moment of pure appreciation for everything around us.
A Perfect Whirlwind Weekend
Despite being a short trip, we managed to have a truly unforgettable weekend. It was everything we hoped for and more. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, don’t be afraid to try a whirlwind weekend like ours! We’ll definitely be back to London soon, and we can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating city with our kids someday.
Stay tuned for Friday’s post, where I’ll share details about my outfits from the London trip!
