London Travel Guide: The Best Places To See, Eat and Visit for an Active and Healthy Weekend Stay
Best time to go in
Any time of the year, is a great time to visit such a vibrant city, being one of the most charming in the world! However, the best time to visit it, is definitely the Spring Period, where flowers bloom all over the city’s most beautiful parks, and Summer, when days are endless and the magic light will keep you awake till late at night!
Language
English
CurrencY
British Pounds, £
Transportation
The best way to move around London is either by car, by bus or by tube. If you are willing to travel around by car, you can very easily book a Taxi or an Uber via their respective apps “Free Now” and “Uber” App. I love walking around the city, as I find it incredibly fascinating and stimulating! Besides night times, I tend to walk to every destination that I have to reach by feet, regardless of the weather or the season!
What to take ?
Some elegant and funky evening dresses will get you ready for the vibrant London nightlife, along with a couple of activewear clothes to use during your morning or evening runs in the incredible English parks! A city map, will definitely help you travel around without getting lost too often!
What to know before you go ?
When visiting London, you will find yourself immersed in a vibrant community of open-minded people, all with different backgrounds and tastes, which is what makes the city so unique. Its diverse neighbourhoods all showcase different elements: from the groovy and unpredictable Notting Hill, to the quiet and classy Belgravia, vibrant Soho, the entertainment hub, and so many more. In addition, you will be able to enjoy long walks in the majestic parks, located in the city centre. If you are a foodie, London offers some of the best restaurants in Europe, or in this case… Ex Europe. Jokes asides, London also has some of the most iconic and unique restaurant interior that must be seen!
BEST PLACES TO EAT
Breakfast AND BRUNCH
Farm Girl (found in multiple locations including: Soho, Fitzrovia and the original in Notting Hill, located in a leafy hidden corner of Portobello Road, Farm Girl is a brunch spot that serves fresh and holistic meals all day long. On a sunny day, you can enjoy your fresh avocado toast, while sipping an orange juice, in their beautiful courtyard).
Granger & Co (located all over London, including: Notting Hill, Chelsea, Marylebone, King’s Cross and Clerkenwell, Granger & Co offers modern European dishes with a twist. From vegetable fritters, to classics such as: poached eggs and avocado toast, this is a great spot for a Sunday Brunch!).
Ottolenghi (experience Israeli-born British chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s, healthy recipes such as: roasted pumpkin with feta cheese and nuts crumble, roasted salmon, and all kinds of Mediterran salads in multiple venues including: Spitalfields, Marylebone, Notting Hill, and Chelsea).
26 Grains (Lovely spot for a traditional and cosy breakfast, located in the heart of London).
Lunch
Nac (stylish French bistro, offering sharing platters and exquisite desserts, located in the heart of the glamorous Mayfair).
Raw Press (organic, plant-based food, smoothies and cold-pressed juices available to purchase on the go!).
The Good Life Eatery (casual spot offering all-day dining, with many: vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free meal options available).
Holy Carrot (your ultimate vegan spot, Holy Carrot has a nutritious, plant-based menu that can be enjoyed in a sophisticated, yet warm environment! Must try: their vegan maki rolls).
Wild by Tart (dine in a former power station and coal store, that has been transformed in an innovative restaurant offering fresh and delicious meals).
Dinner
Lucio (enjoy the cosy atmosphere of this family-run Italian restaurant, which offers the best chicken pillared in town, and my favorite “puntarelle with anchovies” salad!).
Trillo (another dreamy Italian spot, located in Chelsea. Their bread basket paired with their olive oil, in which I love to dip their homemade focaccia, will make you dream just as you sit down! Ideal for: good pastas, fresh sea bass and if you love meat… steak with salad or fries!) - Sumi Sushi (up and coming new sushi spot, offering an authentic Japanese taste, using only the freshest fish to enjoy in a lively atmosphere. Must try: their seafood gohan!).
Santo Mare (specialises in offering a selection of fresh fish and the best wines to pair with their amazing tartares and spaghetti alle vongole!).
Cipriani (In case you haven’t noticed yet… I love my Italian food, especially for dinner when in London! Inspired by the orginal italian Harry’s Bar in Venice, Cipriani has by far the best raw artichoke salad, topped with fresh parmasean cheese and avocado! Pair it with some veal scaloppine with roasted potatoes and a glass of red wine and… call it a night!
Where to buy fresh foods, fruits or vegetables. Markets or organic farms
Healthy Supermarkets
Daylesford
Prezzemolo e Vitale
Bayley and Sage
Natoora
Whole Foods
Local Markets
Chelsea Farmers Market
Notting Hill Farmers Market
Borough Market
Marylebone Farmers Market
Bloomsbury Farmers Market
What to see or visit?
MUST-SEE IN THE CITY
Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
Trafalgar Square
Big Ben
Kensington Gardens
Museums
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Tate Britain
• The National Gallery
• British Museum
• Royal Academy of Art
• Gagosian Gallery
• Serpentine Gallery
QUICK AND UNIQUE ESCAPES from the city to melt away your stress:
Richmond Park - around 1h car drive from city centre (admire incredible landscape and wildlife in the largest London Royal Park. The perfect way to unwind and relax, away fromthe chaotic London).
Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons - around 1h30 car drive from city centre (a place nestled in the British countryside, where gastronomy, culture and nature meet. Experience nature in this iconic country house).
Cotswolds - 2h car drive from city centre (beautiful landscape, dotted with picturesque villages, market towns and country houses. Perfect for scenic walks and an afternoon tea in charming tea rooms).
Bicester Village - around 1h30 car drive from city centre (a historic market and garden town where you will be able to shop from the world’s most well-known designers).
Windsor - around 1h car drive from city centre (visit the stunning Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest in the world, which has been the family home of British kings and queens for over 1,000 years. Discover the beauty of such a historic town, by walking around its cobbled streets or on horseback, as Windsor offers great horseback riding excursions).
FUN ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY WHEN IN london
Yoga Studios
Triyoga
Indaba Yoga
Light Centre
Pilates Studios
Vita Pilates
Heartcore
Flex
Barrecorre
Boxing Studios
Kobox
BXR
Best Spas
Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane
The Mandarin Oriental Spa
Bulgari Hotel
Aman Spa at The Connaught
Agua London
Cloud Twelve
Bamford Hay Barn Spa
Best Parks for a morning or evening run
Hyde Park
Green Park
Holland Park
Regents Park
BEST PLACES to stay
The Ritz Carlton
The Dorchester
The Connaught
Claridges
San Domenico House
Where to shop (vintage stores, local boutiques, antiques, bookstores, markets)
Portobello Road – Boutique and Street Shopping, Antiques, Vintage pieces, Leather goods and much more!
New Bond Street – High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
High Street Marylebone- High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Kings Road- High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Harrods – High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Selfridges – High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Harvey Nichols – High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Why do you love this place and why would you recommend it to a friend?
London is the city I love the most, after Rome! Here, I have been through both personal and physical growth: as a young adult, I pursued my studies at the University of Queen Mary inBusiness and Management and later on in life, I approached the work environment in different fields such as: Hospitality, Events Management, Fashion PR… and then ended up entering theWellness Industry. London has challenged me to prepare me for the real world, and highly sparked my passion for health and wellness world, which I continue to nurture every day. Not by chance, my own business, The Wellness Reporter, was founded and inspired in this city, which I like to call home.