A Few London Secrets

I've visited London nearly a dozen times over several decades, and it continues to be one of my favorite cities. There's an abundance to explore and countless events to enjoy. While the well-known attractions are worth ticking off the list, I've also uncovered some hidden gems and lesser-known details that have been the highlights of my recent trips.

On arrival, our flight from Austin typically lands early to mid morning. We always head to Mayfair/Marylbone for a coffee and bite to eat. Staying in Marylebone is a wonderful experience. It's a nice neighborhood, close to Hyde Park, fantastic shopping and restaurants. A highlight is early morning walks in the park, where horses, dogs and people get their morning workouts.

We begin our days in London with a nice walk. By the end of the day, it's easy to lose count and usually accumulate many miles. My suggestion is to plan in advance and think about which sites and experiences you's like to cover, and whether you'd like to schedule custom, private tours, a private driver or prefer to go DIY. Planning in advance will save you quite a bit of time on the ground.

If seeing the changing of the guards is on your list, you may want to also consider the changing of the horse guards. The route they take along the mall from the palace to Horseguards parade gives you ample opportunity to see them walking in formation. The parade ground is where many ceremonies take place. The horsemanship is amazing (if you see nothing wrong, that's the whole point!) and the horses are spectacular. Conveniently, now you're right next to the Churchill War Rooms, and Trafalgar Square is a close walk where you'll find the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

On another day, head to the Tate Modern for the exhibits, and a lesser known highlight– the restaurant on the top floor. The food is wonderful and the views of London are spectacular! Definitely a best kept secret. It's best to make a reservation, although you can wait in line as well and sit at the window bar for light bites.

If you have an interest in art collections and wish to steer clear of large crowds, The Courthold Gallery offers a lesser-known yet highly impressive collection. It's definitely worth visiting!