Well, it’s hard to believe our epic trip has already come and gone. I think it’s safe to say we thoroughly celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary—and more than made up for our 25th anniversary trip to Paris that was canceled due to Covid!
In case you missed it, we started out in Iceland, where we toured Reykjavík and the South Coast. From there, we flew to Scotland, where we explored Edinburgh, spent a few days in the Highlands, and finished with an afternoon and evening in Glasgow before taking the train to London for the final leg of our journey.
The London portion of this trip was a bit of a last-minute addition, and I’m so glad we decided to do it. We enjoyed it so much that we’re already scheming ways to go back. In fact, Paul even looked up the cost of a flat, just for fun. Spoiler alert: we are not moving to London anytime soon!
I never got around to writing a recap of my 10-day trip to London and the Cotswolds last spring (although I did a big post on everything I wore that more or less outlined the itinerary). But I wanted to make sure to document this London visit while it’s still fresh, both for future reference and for anyone else who might be planning a trip.
How We Spent Four Days in London
We arrived in London by train from Glasgow at the London Euston Station and took a cab over to The Mayfair Townhouse, a modern five-star hotel in the posh Mayfair neighborhood. After moving around so much in Iceland and Scotland, it felt like such a treat to stay in one place for four nights. Our room was small but well-equipped, and I appreciated the modern elegance of the décor.
One of the highlights was The Dandy Bar, which we visited more than a few times during our stay. Some hotel bars feel small and like an afterthought, but this one was lively and inviting—a fun spot to unwind at the end of the day.
My only real complaint was the lack of a usable outlet near a mirror in the bedroom. Bathrooms in the U.K. never have outlets (besides the ones for shavers), so I’m used to doing my hair in the bedroom, and most hotels provide a workaround with a vanity mirror near an outlet. This one didn’t, which made getting ready a bit more challenging.
Other than that, our stay was wonderful, and the location was super convenient. I’m not sure I’d stay there again—London has so many options (and the outlet/mirror situation really was annoying)—but it was definitely a lovely place to call home for four nights.
After getting settled in, we changed into lighter clothes—it was noticeably warmer in London than it had been in Scotland—and set out to explore the neighborhood.
With no plans for our first night, we wandered around to get our bearings and ended up making a last-minute reservation at Home Marylebone for dinner. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to relax and unwind in the bar.
Day 2
Sunday was another free day, so we took it easy that morning, enjoyed breakfast at our hotel, and then went to a church service at All Souls. There’s nothing like worshipping in a different country, surrounded by people from all over the world, to remind us of what’s truly important. We even ended up chatting with a woman from South Africa who had just moved to London last year. It was a really nice experience, and I’m so glad we made time for it.
After that, we decided we couldn’t spend a Sunday in London without having a traditional Sunday Roast, so we grabbed the last reservation at Berners Tavern inside The London Edition. The food was absolutely delicious, and the setting was just as memorable—soaring ceilings, dramatic chandeliers, and walls lined with gilded frames made the whole experience feel like dining in a grand gallery. It was old-world elegance with a modern twist, and the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon in London.
Sunday Roast at Berners Tavern
Later, we did a bit more wandering through the London streets and popped into a few shops before heading back to our hotel for a final nightcap in The Dandy Bar.
Day 3
We met our guide, Geoffrey, for a Royal Walk in the hotel lobby the next morning. He led us through the neighborhood around our hotel and then on through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace, where we saw uniformed soldiers in their bearskin hats on horseback preparing for the Changing of the Guard, and then the horses parading near the stables.
From there, we meandered over to Westminster Abbey, taking in the sights along the way. Geoffrey was a wealth of knowledge on the history and architecture, and he also shared some great restaurant suggestions and other stops to consider during the rest of our trip.
We parted ways right outside Buckingham Palace, where we had tickets to go inside, but at the last minute we ditched the plan and opted for lunch at the nearby Westminster Arms instead. Paul had officially hit his castle quota, and I was starving, so that was that! I indulged in fish & chips, Paul went for a burger, and both were excellent. The pub had such a fun atmosphere too. It’s definitely one to keep in mind for next time we’re in the area.
We had tickets to see Hamilton that night, so we went back to our room to change and rest for a bit before grabbing a cab over to the Victoria Palace Theatre.
The building itself is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out, and the show was every bit as magnificent as we expected. This was only my second time seeing the musical, but since I know most of the music, it was really fun to experience it again—especially in London! They even added a few extra bits with King George that weren’t in the production we saw in Philly a few years ago, which made it even funnier given the setting.
Getting a cab back to our hotel afterwards looked like it might be a challenge, so we decided to walk it. My Citymapper app routed us right past Buckingham Palace, and it was the strangest thing—it wasn’t lit up, and there were hardly any people around. It was just there. We couldn’t believe how close we were able to get, though I’m sure there were plenty of armed guards hidden out of sight.
Day 4
For our fourth and final day in the city, we took the Tube to London Bridge and met another guide for a tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower is such an iconic spot, full of history, and we also got to see the Crown Jewels, which was really fascinating. Honestly, it’s the kind of place you can easily explore on your own with the audio guide and exhibits, so I don’t think we really needed a private guide—but we still enjoyed spending time with Ben.
Of course we had to get a photo with one of the “Beefeaters”—the guards that protect the Tower and its treasures, including the Crown Jewels.
After we parted ways, we had lunch at Coppa nearby, where we sat outside by the Thames, and then took the Uber Boat back to Westminster before wandering leisurely back through St. James’s Park to our hotel. I just tried to go slowly and soak it all in. London has a way of making you wish for just one more day.
For our final dinner, we had reservations at Muse by Tom Aikens, a Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away on a quiet side street in Belgravia. We had some time to kill before our reservation, so after resting for a bit at the hotel, we turned it into a little walking tour of a few more pubs. Paul says he wants to visit every single one eventually—haha! He just loves the idea of tucking into a quiet corner with a good book and nursing a pint all afternoon.
Belgravia is a posh little pocket of London, full of white townhouses and leafy squares. We enjoyed meandering for a bit, browsing some shops, and yes—popping into one more pub before it was time for dinner.
Muse offers a 10 Course Tasting Menu that’s designed to “take guests on a journey that encapsulates pivotal memories of Tom’s personal life and culinary career.” Each dish was an exquisite mix of flavors, presented like a work of art.
Having dinner there was such a treat, and the perfect way to spend our final night in London and wrap up this epic trip. I promised Paul it would be the last time I used our 30th anniversary as an excuse to splurge—I definitely stretched that one as far as it would go, haha!
In Conclusion
I’m not even sure how to wrap this one up! It was an absolutely amazing 16 days. Paul and I had never spent so much concentrated time together in 30 years, and we’re still happily married, so I’ll call that a win!
I think it’s safe to say I’ve caught the travel bug. We’ve already been tossing around ideas for our next trip—Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, and Greece are all on the short list. I’d love to hear your thoughts…where do you think we should go next?
Stay In Touch
If you liked this post, be sure you’re signed up for my email newsletter. In addition to my most recent blog posts, you’ll receive exclusive newsletter content like special sales, my newest favorite finds, and an occasional peek behind the scenes — all delivered right to your inbox.
I would also love for you to join my JLS Fashion Insiders Facebook Group! This is a friendly place to discuss all matters of fashion and style with other women, share your outfits, get advice, and stay up to date on all the happenings in our community.
52 Responses
Loved your recap! I was in London in July and enjoyed seeing many spots I had visited. It’s such a nice city- can’t wait to get back either!!…Onto Greece next summer!
My daughter went to Greece last summer. She loved it, especially Positano.
Positano is in Italy
Haha, as soon as I wrote it, I knew it was wrong. Menopause brain is real. I meant Santorini.
This trip sounds wonderful. What an experience! I would suggest looking into Cork, Ireland. We went there to visit my daughter when she was studying abroad and it was one of the best trips we have done as a family of 5!
Ireland is definitely on our short list. I’ve heard great things about Cork.
Happy Anniversary to you two—what a great way to celebrate! I agree with you that you always want more time in London! We were there in the summer of 2024 for our 30th anniversary, plus we were celebrating our son’s high school graduation. We started out in Belgium (Ghent & Bruges—highly recommend!), then had a few days in London, and finished up with several days in Oxford (loved staying here in an Air B&B for several days). I loved every minute & am constantly plotting to return to London. Just yesterday, I was talking with my husband about traveling and noted that there are so many places we’ve visited that I’d like to return to but also so many new places to go. Thanks for sharing about all of your trip with us.
That sounds great. We met a guy from Belgium in Scotland on our whiskey tour, and he ended up having out in that bar in Oban afterwards.
Craig and I are hoping to rent a flat in London! Maybe we can be neighbors.
Twist my arm!!!
Just curious how difficult it was dragging your luggage on the train from Scotland to London. We’re planning that same trip but we don’t travel light so I’m worried about all the luggage.
It wasn’t too bad because we got there first and we were able to put our biggest suitcase in the luggage compartment. People who got there after us had to rearrange things to fit theirs.
We also kept our stuff consolidated, so maneuvering through the train station and down to the train car was not terribly inconvenient. Thank goodness, we didn’t have to navigate any steps. although we actually did at the airport and Paul just carried that big pink suitcase and I carried the black one and we had our backpacks on our backs and we were fine.
What an amazing trip and congratulations on 30 years married ❤️ How did you find the tours you took? Have you ever used AirBnB experiences on your travels or at home? Besides the Burburry scarf, did you buy anything else for yourself? What were the fashions like?
Our tours were all good, mostly private, which makes them really nice b/c they can tailor them to your interests. We use Airbnb and VRBO a lot here at home, but not yet when traveling abroad. If we go anywhere with our family again, we will look into that, though. The hotels with a bigger family are not very practical.
I also got a beautiful wool throw at a cute little shop in the Highlands (Scotland), which I’m using on our family room couch. And I got a really pretty handmade vase in Iceland that reminds me of the landscape. Plus, I got the cashmere headband and beanie in Iceland. I feel like I’m forgetting something… Oh, yes! I ordered scarves in 2 of my family tartans when we were in Edinburgh, one for each grandmother. Then the Burberry scarf was my London souvenir. 🙂 I tried on a trench, and I was sooo tempted, but I ended up leaving it. I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much.
LOVE LONDON!
I’ve stayed a few times at the Knightsbridge hotel. It’s darn dreamy. The street itself makes me swoon. It’s right near Harrods. Then last year we stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy not too far from Marylebone. I think it’s Bloomsbury. It was quite a departure from Knightsbridge and what I was used to. Both are 5 star properties. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the Firmdale properties… No 16, etc
It’s my understanding and experience no London hotel bathrooms have outlets. When I voiced my lack of joy over this last year I was told it was code. Who knows but it sure makes a gal’s job challenging! Both hotels have brought extensions cords to me so I could still get ready in the bathroom so I survived! Barely!
My understanding is that the British don’t think that water and electricity go well together.
That’s a true fact!
It’s not simply that us Brits don’t think water and electricity don’t go well together, which of course they don’t, it’s that due to the UK electricity voltage, it’s simply more dangerous than in the US….The voltage in Britain is twice that of the US ( the UK uses 230 volts while the US uses 120 volts) hence the reason that there are only shaver outlets in the bathrooms (the shaver outlet includes an isolating transformer and thermal cutout so that neither wire of the shaver has any voltage to earth, a shock to earth is impossible, and the socket cannot be used for more powerful appliances)
Very interesting!
Yeah, I know the bathroom situation is the same all over the U.K., but all the other hotels I’ve stayed at have a decent mirror in the bedroom with an outlet nearby. This was the only one where there was no great option. No biggie, just thought it was worth a mention, since I found it pretty frustrating and at a 5-star hotel, it seems like there should be a better option. That said, they provided a nice GHD hairdryer, so… that was nice!
Ooooh! What a great trip you had, and thanks for sharing your fabulous photos! My late husband and I did a very similar trip to Scotland in 2018 so Ioved seeing those places again in your posts. The best time to plan your next trip is NOW and, of course, I have some ideas for you!
I’ve been to Greece, Spain and France, but Portugal and Ireland are on my short list. I’m returning to France in May for a few days in Paris and then a wine focused cruise down the Rhone River to the South of France. Since you love England, and want to return, you could easily combine a trip to France with another visit to London.
I recommend flying into Paris to enjoy several days soaking up the history, food, art, architecture and cafes. Paris really is on another level. So incredibly beautiful. It seems like Paul is a history buff and I highly recommend a trip to Normandy to soak in the WWII history. There is a lot of other things to see and do in this seaside region as well. We stayed in a French farmhouse where we could walk to Gold Beach, which was very memorable. After a few days there, we returned to Paris (also available near Calais) and took EuroStar through the chunnel to London where you can wrap up your trip.
Mike and I did this trip several years ago in late May/Early June before the summer crowds and heat. Of course there are so many other things to see and do in France, but I would rather slow down and enjoy less sites in a more leisurely way. I love that it appears that you and Paul travel that way as well. I loved that you bagged the palace, and followed your own whims. This flexibility is what makes travel fun and not a slog from place to place.
I can also recommend Spain. I was in Barcelona and Madrid this February, and felt right at home. Great food, art and easy to navigate. I loved Spain, but I think the culture in France is so unique that it is my top recommendation. Can’t wait to hear what you decide.
Thanks for the suggestions. France would definitely be next on my list, but for some reason, Paul is not super excited to go back. (He’s been to Paris once, many moons ago, and didn’t care much for it.) Although we would both love to see Normandy. We are both history buffs. So I know we will get there eventually. I’d also love to see the French countryside. If I promise him we can end in London, I’m sure I could finagle it, haha! He also wants to get back to Switzerland, which we could work into that trip.
I’ve been saying Spain or Portugal b/c it is warm, and I am ready for a warmer destination next time, although honestly, I didn’t mind this. It wasn’t THAT cold, and as long as we pack appropriately, it’s fine. It just takes up more room in the suitcase is all. We were going to go back to Florida at the end of Feb, and I was thinking maybe Spain instead… or somewhere else in the U.S. that is warm at that time of year?
Too bad Paul is lukewarm on Paris. I think you should insist that you must go there at least a couple days to check out the French fashion vibe, and then he can plan where he wants to go from there. LOL.
I was in Spain in mid-February and it was definitely warm. I ended up having to buy some lighter weight tops, and my coat never came out of the suitcase. We did a day trip from Barcelona to the beach town of Sitges where we sat in the sun for lunch in short-sleeves which was glorious and reminded us all of Santa Cruz here in California.
I can’t wait to hear where you decide to go next.
He will go if I want to, as long as we combine it with other destinations he wants to see. We just need to decide how to prioritize our next trip, and it partly depends on the time of year. We have plans to be in Sarasota, Florida in late April and we were also going to go to Clearwater for Spring Training in late February, but I kind of hate to go to the same area, when we could go pretty much anywhere. I don’t feel like that’s the time of year I want to go to France, so I was thinking maybe Spain or Portugal. Or maybe somewhere else in the US. Even the Keys… it’s still Florida, but I’ve never been there.
You have a great shortlist for.your next trip, some of those are also on ours and we are also undecided.
Just to add confusion I suggest Germany. That was our last big Europe trip and we loved it. We rented a car (easy to drive) and did Bavaria over 16 days.
Yes, I do want to get to Germany. My maiden name (Guelich) is German! My brother’s family just went to Germany and they visited the town we believe our last name originated from – Jülich. Good to know it’s easy to drive there.
I enjoyed reading your London recap. I know that visiting other countries is more glamorous and exciting, but have you thought about visiting other states in this great country? There is so much beauty and history here. While we enjoyed visiting other countries, our trips to Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska remain our favorites, and are places we’d go back to in a heartbeat.
I agee Ginger that there are soooo many beautiful places to see in our own country! We have friends who live in Montana and keep saying we’ve got to go out there and visit!
Go!! You won’t be disappointed!! Be sure to visit Glacier National Park!! Love Montana…Missoula. I agree about our own country. I’d love to see England, but glamorous vacations aren’t on our big life list. I do love reading about others journeys tho. Grateful for the amount of time you spent on this recap, Jo-Lynne. 💕😎
Oh, for sure. We have a list for stateside visits too. I guess they seem easier to plan on short notice, lol. I feel like European trips need more lead time, and we will use our travel agent for that. Paul wants to rent an R.V. and tour the state parks…the question is what is the best time of year to do that to avoid crowds and still get decent weather.
Having lived in Alaska for several years I highly recommend it! I loved it.
A friend of mine and her husband were just in Acadia National Park (Maine) the past two weeks and it was packed she said. They own an RV and took it up there. They were surprised by the crowds, especially with schools back in session. I have nothing to offer on when is the best time tho. 🙂 Probably depends on which parks you want to visit. That sounds fun to me!!
Yeah, Acadia get really crowded July – Sept, basically till it gets cold.
Thanks great post! Would you have spme lower price alternatives for the Nili Lotan Jane belt in brown?
Sure how about this?
Thank you!
I enjoyed all the details of your trip to Scotland, Ireland, and London. All on my bucket list. Thanks so much for sharing.
May God Bless and Keep You..
Kay English
Thanks, Kay!
It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your trip! It is so great to experience other cultures. I am also originally from South Africa living in Canada now. You should put a South African trip on your radar and do a safari. You’ll love it!
Oh, yeah, I’ve watched a few friends document their South African trips. They look amazing.
Happy Anniversary! It sounds like a lovely trip! After 37 countries, our favorites are a South African safari with a side trip to Victoria Falls, Iceland, Israel, Greece (Do more than just islands! Meteora was amazing!) and Ireland. Norway is also beautiful! We definitely have the travel bug and are heading to our 7th continent in January with an Antarctic cruise.
I have a suggestion for your outlet issue. Always take an extension cord. Plug the cord into an adaptor and the adaptor into an outlet in the room that isn’t too far from the bathroom. You can then plug your dual voltage hair tools into the extension cord and use the bathroom mirror!
Awesome advice. I will definitely do that next time! And wow, 37 countries… that is impressive.
Every place you visited is wonderful as you stated. I was just in Iceland, too but on the northern and west coasts. We went whale watching in a fast rib boat, saw the northern lights twice, walked inside a glacier, saw geysers, hot springs and amazing waterfalls, went to a black sand beach as well as enjoyed the fabulous Sky Lagoon and the Perlan Museum. As you know, the landscapes are so awe-inspiring. Even more wonderful natural wonders are waiting for you to discover so you might just need to return!
Paul definitely wants to go back to Iceland and explore the north coast. We’ll see… as much as I liked it, it isn’t really the one I feel the need to return to. I think it’s partially b/c of all of the gear needed, and then if you want to go somewhere else after, you need a whole other wardrobe. It was very cumbersome to pack for, but if we combined it with Norway or Ireland, we might be able to reuse some of the gear.
Re: the countries on your bucket list
They are all wonderful and offer so many diverse sights to enjoy.
Portugal is lovely. Colorful tiles are everywhere from the buildings to the sidewalks. Going up the coast from Lisbon, stopping at the little historic towns along the way and ending up in Porto is a wonderful trip! Great food and terrific hospitality, too. Plus, don’t forget to eat the famous egg tarts and buy something made from real cork!
Yes, I was having one of those egg tarts at a coffee shop in London, and our server started telling us how we need to go to Portugal. Evidently it’s where a lot of the British vacation these days. It’s fairly affordable and not too far. So we could do that and go back to London for a few days… lol!
You certainly look happy in all your photos! I have not traveled to England yet, but from hearing friend’s trip reports as well as reading your review I have a feeling I would l like it too. It sounds like London has your heart like Paris has mine! I’ve been there four times and I cried each time I’ve left Paris! (Well France in general is magical for me.) I’m currently starting to plan a trip next year to see the southwest of France where our “French Daughter” lives (our exchange student we had with us over the summer 🙂 ). Thinking about combining that with a few cities in Spain.
If you choose to travel to France, I reccomend going to Paris first for at least 4 days, and then visiting Normandy and the American Cemetary and WWII sites. It is so beautiful and impactful to see and experience. And the south of France and Provence is amazing too. But travel, like fashion, is so individual….. do whatever sounds best for you!
All of that sounds wonderful. I have a friend who feels the same way about France. She goes often and sometimes stays a few weeks at a time. I always thought I’d feel that way about Paris, that’s why it is where we planned our 25th anniversary trip. It would have been my first experience traveling abroad. I also took 3 years of French in high school, so I feel like I would have an easier time with some of the typical greetings. (I struggled in Italy, my French would always come out when I was flustered, lol.) So yeah, I may have to go with someone besides Paul, but I’ll get there!
Happy Anniversary!! Love to hear of longevity in marriage. Such a lovely couple!! What a wonderful way to celebrate your 30 years. Cheers!
Thanks, Laurie.
When you report on the body blur, please let us know if it rubs off on clothes at all, like if wearing a skirt. Also how to apply with the brush. I read about Cyndi using it. Glad you are settling in at home and had a great anniversary trip. I can’t wait to read this post.
What a wonderful trip. Love this recap. It sounds like you found some great places. We were in London last summer and absolutely loved it. We tried to eat at more independent pubs and restaurants and stayed away from the many pubs owned by Greene King & Fullers. We found that they basically have the same menu even if they appear as if they are different establishments. I would love to hear the recommendations your guide gave you. We always love to hear recs from locals and I know we’ll go back in the future.