Day 1: London
Dublin —> London
Flying into London was surreal for me. Looking out at the London Eye and the River Thames brought back so many memories of the last time I was here. Four years ago I flew into the same airport with the same view from my window seat. Then I was younger and excited to explore this famous city for the first time. I was a college student getting ready to study abroad for a summer session. Now in 2019, I was arriving for a short vacation with my Mom to show her the city that stole my heart. No longer a college student but with tons of knowledge of the city and how to get around. I already knew how to navigate the train system and where all of the major landmarks were. This time was different because it felt like I was coming home, (one of the homes I claim around the world.)
Our hotel was in an incredible location, in Waterloo a
We walked about 10 minutes to the River so I could show my Mom all of the sights. Here you could see the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben, (currently under construction.)
There are tons of things to do and see along the River Thames. Here you will find tons of restaurants, performers, and shops. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for the next day of adventures in London!
Day 2: London
For our second day in London we wanted to get in as much sightseeing as possible since we were only in town for a limited time. Since I had been to London before I had already seen most of the landmarks but for my Mom this was a new city. We started by taking a bus tour that drove by Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. We were able to get out at Buckingham Palace and Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Visiting these places for a second time was just as mesmerizing and memorable.
That afternoon we went to the Tower of London and Carnaby Street. The tower of London was a short tube ride away along the Thames river. It is one of the most historic locations in London and attracts people from all over the world. We walked through the old towers and prisons and saw the crown jewels. Next, we headed back on the tube to Carnaby Street. I wanted to take my Mom here because she loves to shop and this is the #1 place to do it in London. There are tons of clothing shops, art shops, and restaurants along Carnaby Street. It is a great place to find unique clothes and gifts.
Day 3: London
Day 3 in London was all about Harry Potter and I was so ready for it. Both my Mom and I have always been huge Harry Potter fans so it only seemed right to take a tour of the studios where the movies were filmed. I had wanted to do this tour the last time I was in London but couldn’t because you have to book months in advance.
We took the tube out of town to catch a bus to the Warner Brother’s Studio. Approaching the studio is so exciting knowing that the majority of the eight movies were filmed here. Once we collected our tickets we made our way inside. The tours are done throughout the day so you can enter at
Queen Wanderlust