Watching Averill of Odi et Amo decorate her house has been an inspiration. Not only does her blog contain a ton of beautiful design images and great finds, but seeing what she has done to her own home really makes me excited for my own decorating.
Here some of this sweet, talented blogger's vacation faves...
Favorite Vacation Spot
London, England. I've been a half dozen times since I was a teenager (including last July) and we're going again this May.
London, England. I've been a half dozen times since I was a teenager (including last July) and we're going again this May.
Where To Stay
I try and mix it up in London, staying in a different neighborhood each time. The past two years Dave and I have had incredible luck with Hotwire -- just pick a neighborhood and a hotel class and take the gamble! The savings are incredible and with London as your playground, you won't be spending much time in your room anyway -- the key is being well-located. This year we're staying in Westminster, near Victoria Station, which is an amazing location. Last year we were in Kensington, and while its a little farther out it is well-located for a number of amazing sites (like the V and A as well as Kensington Palace), is just a tube-ride away from the heart of London, and has wonderful, posh neighborhoods that I love to stroll through and some great restaurants.
I try and mix it up in London, staying in a different neighborhood each time. The past two years Dave and I have had incredible luck with Hotwire -- just pick a neighborhood and a hotel class and take the gamble! The savings are incredible and with London as your playground, you won't be spending much time in your room anyway -- the key is being well-located. This year we're staying in Westminster, near Victoria Station, which is an amazing location. Last year we were in Kensington, and while its a little farther out it is well-located for a number of amazing sites (like the V and A as well as Kensington Palace), is just a tube-ride away from the heart of London, and has wonderful, posh neighborhoods that I love to stroll through and some great restaurants.
Where To Eat
The key to enjoying your meals in London is to go for ethnic fare. Indian, Malaysian, Thai...these are all done superbly in London and should not be missed. The only traditionally English fare that I love is tea time, and nobody does it better than The Palm Court at the Ritz. For great continental dining + after-dinner drinks combination, you can't do better than The Boxwood Cafe and the adjacent Blue Bar (shown above), both at The Berkley.
What To Do
I'm sure most of you know the highlights of what to see in London (Westminster Abbey, the Tower, the London Eye, Windsor Castle, etc.) but a few sites off the beaten path that I love include the Museum of London (small, but so well done), the Imperial War Museum (incredibly moving exhibits on WWII in particular), and Kensington Palace (especially if you're a fan of Queen Victoria or Princess Diana). For easy day trips, I'd suggest taking the train up to Oxford and then grabbing a cab to Blenheim Palace (the ancestral home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill), it's everything a grand English country estate should be. For shopping, if you haven't been to Harrod's food court, you simply must for the gawk-factor. If you actually want to buy something, I'd suggest another one of England's classic department stores: Henri Bendel or Liberty of London (shown above).
Five Vacation Essentials
1. A guide book -- I am particularly fond of the Lonely Planet series. I often don't read them until I get on the plane, but planning your trip (and getting excited about it) is a great way to kill time on long flights.
2. Chick lit -- the fluffier, the better. My all-time favorites are Jennifer Weiner and Marian Keyes.
3. My sunglasses -- even in foggy London, I can't spend any real time outside without my shades.
4. My camera -- Dave got me the Canon Elph last February for Valentine's Day and I love it. The small size is perfect for traveling and it takes great, idiot-proof photos.
5. My blackberry -- sad, but true. Even when I'm traveling out of the country, I'll buy a short-term international plan just so I can take it with me. Yes, it's an addiction.
Vacation Clothing Staples
I always try and pack light and despite my love of clothes (and shoes!), I often manage to pack for a week long trip with just a carry-on. I do this by sticking to a very tight color palette. I'll go with either a black, brown or navy base and everything I take has to work with the single color base I'm working off of. Not only does this helps limit the number of shoes I take, which is essential if you're trying to keep your load lighter, but it also allows me to mix-and-match once I get to my destination (I hate pre-planning every outfit!) I also tend to keep jewelry and purses to a minimum lest I lose them.
What I Bring for the Journey...
I've got a pair of Lululemon Athletica loose fitting yoga pants (they sell them in long, hallelujah!) that I always wear on long flights. I typically pair them with a comfortable tank top (I actually love Banana Republic's ribbed tanks) and a zip-up hoodie. Flip-flops or slip on sneakers make going through security much simpler. For entertainment, I also bring in my carry-on one book, two magazines, and my iPod. I like to have options!
Favorite Traveling Companion
My darling husband of (nearly) four years, Dave.
The Next Spot I'd Like to Visit...
Can I cheat and do a four-for-one? I'd love to do a proper tour of the Near East: I'd start in Greece (Athens and then some island hopping: Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, etc.) then jet over to Turkey (Istanbul primarily, but I'm also dying to see Ephesus), then skip over to Jordan to see the Roman town of Petra, and finish up in Israel (Jerusalem, Galilee, the Dead Sea...). And back home again via Tel Aviv. Quite the trip, no? I figure I'll need at least 3 weeks and quite a bit more money saved up to do it properly.
