An unrivaled view
We start our route through the capital, and we check-in at the new Mondrian London at Sea Containers , located in the Southbank area. This great design hotel has spectacular views , and is only a seven-minute walk from the london eye (our next stop, of course) . There, under a fine rain that makes everything more Romantic , we were delighted with the 360º views of the city, and we were ecstatic with how beautiful the Big Ben from the heights
At lunchtime, we stop at Portobello Road , where we fell in love with each of its colorful corners. There, in an alley, hides a small paradise of brunch and healthy food, Farm Girl , which automatically becomes one of my favorite restaurants (their vegetable creams and açai bowls are impressive).
Then we approach The Distillery , because their wonderful gin and tonics have been recommended to us. There, they also offer us the possibility of contemplating the process of elaboration of its alcohols , and even to participate in it by adding to the gin our favorite aromatic notes . After this unique experience, we do a tasting of its flagship product, and yes, we can say that it is as extraordinary as promised.
When the sun goes down, we move to one of my favorite places in the capital: sushi samba . Everything here is a pleasure for the senses , from the rise in the glass elevator (from where you can see the city fully illuminated), to the views of the restaurant itself, including, of course, the food. We haven't booked, so we sit at the bar with two Bellinis in hand while the spectacular sushi arrives at the table. Their combinations are flavor bombs ; it is mandatory to ask sashimi!
Views from the Mondrian London
The next day, we woke up in our comfortable suite and we had a warm tea on the terrace, under the sun. After a long breakfast at the hotel buffet, full of croissants and avocado toast , we start again. We have decided to do a tour with City Unscripted , which brings together locals with travelers in search of an original vision of the city. In fact, before booking the tour, which will be private, they ask you to you explain your interests ; in this way, the guide can design a perfect visit for you ! We have told them that, taking advantage of the fact that the pound is very well priced, we would like to know the most interesting shopping areas from the city.
We met with Gianluca , a nice Italian who is studying a master's degree in London, where he has lived for ten years; he walks with us the best shopping streets, explaining everything we need to know. Carnaby Street and Covent Garden they become one of my favorite areas: the life of the market and its alleys have an energy like from another planet.
When we arrive at Saville Row , the street where any self-respecting gentleman and lady has to dress, we cannot avoid stopping at Gormley & Gamble , a stately family tailoring that has been for generations and generations on the spot. There they show us the most exquisite silks, and such perfectly cut garments that we can't help but make some tailored shirts : Impossible to miss this opportunity!
Gianluca has left; This afternoon, we'll be spending **museums (free!)**, so to recharge our batteries, we stop for lunch at the Burberry store's cafe, **Thomas's Cafe**, on Burberry Regent Street. It is Pancake Day , and everything looks exquisite, so let's go for the pancakes!
Portobello Style
Our first stop is the Natural History Museum , whose hall is spectacular, but no more so than its collection of more than 70 million specimens . Later, we visited the famous Tate Britain , where the captivating works of David Hockney ; it is a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most popular British artists of the twentieth century.
After soaking up the best of British and international art, we headed to Notting Hill to dinner. we have a date with Pharmacy London , a beautiful restaurant that offers a great variety of plant-based dishes, with vegan and vegetarian options, and even without refined sugars, gluten, additives, or chemicals: a must for fans of healthy food, like the one here. It is our last meal in London before embarking on a roadtrip through the countryside of great britain , a trip that we really want.
This is how our roadtrip through the British countryside begins
HEADING TO THE COSTWOLDS
we drive to Bibury , one of the most charming villages in England. It is located about two hours from London, and believe me: the trip is worth it . When we arrive, the green that floods everything contrasts with the dark facades of the stone houses, and the set, combined with the flowers and the lake, it just makes you fall in love.
We do the tour of the area by climbing a very elegant vintage Jaguar Mk2 (is there anything more British than a Jaguar?), with which we visit the towns that make up The Cotswolds and its landscape of hills, mountains, fields, houses and castles (you have to stop at The Broadway Tower , a tiny but absolutely magical one). From stopping so much to take photos (it's impossible not to), we're getting late, and when we need to stop for something to eat, we can't think of a better place than ** The Slaughters Inn **, a country pub known for its tasty homemade food .
The rest of the afternoon was spent strolling through The Cotswolds, wandering among little flower shops and craft stalls, and for dinner, we chose our hotel, the magnificent Swan , located right at the foot of the Colon river. It is the perfect accommodation for a dream getaway , one in which to find pure peace and quiet.
The next morning we headed to Dorset. Two essential stops along the way: stonehenge (which is even more shocking than I expected) and UK Flames , a farm of these animals that is located in the park of 164 hectares ** Ham Hill ,** where you can still guess the traces of an Iron Age settlement. Guess what we're going to do now: Walk with them! They are so pretty, so docile, so calm, so elegant... And, furthermore, the landscape is unique, which completes a unrivaled experience.
The enchanting scenery of The Costwolds
GO FOR THE JURASSIC COAST
In Dorset we check in at the Bridge House , a small boutique hotel located in a building of the thirteenth century , full of details full of history. Reserve some food to make it here: your restaurant is a must!
The new day wakes us up with the sound of rain pattering on the window: how I like this feeling! Today we are heading to Lulworth, on the Dorset coast. Jim is waiting for us there to show us the impressive cliffs and wild beaches characteristics of the area, a show that leaves us speechless; We believe no photo will do justice to what we feel when we see these landscapes.
To eat we opted, of course, for the fresh lobster, Absolutely delicious around here. We enjoyed like two little girls! Our choice turns out to be perfect to fill us with energy before leaving for our next destination, bathroom , located about two and a half hours by car from here.
BATH, A PLACE TO COME BACK TO
In this thermal city we are lucky enough to stay in The Gainsborough , one of the best hotels in the world according to Conde Nast Traveler , the third best hotel in all of Great Britain by Tripadvisor, and, for us, a perennial favourite. The building was originally built around 1800, and therefore has facades of the architectural styles georgian and victorian . In fact, art has a lot to do with its construction, as the hotel takes its name from the great painter Sir Thomas Gainsborough. As if that were not enough, its location in Bath is privileged (we are just one street from the center), our suite is magnificent, and its high ceilings have me absolutely in love. And what about the deal…!
We visited the city of Bath, more than known for its roman baths And we can't help but think I wish we could stay more days . It is a beautiful place, with a lot of life, a lot of interesting shops, amazing facades, distinguished restaurants... definitely, we tell ourselves, we have to come back.
Once back at The Gainsborough, we find ourselves a massage with essential oils -which we have chosen in the aromatherapy area-, and we enjoy the thermal baths. After so many days of driving, this is definitely what we needed, and we came out like new.
So many emotions have left us hungry! We headed to the hotel restaurant, full of most original works of art, and we are surprised with its impressive wine cellar open to dining room . The cuisine is simply exquisite, perfectly combining typical British dishes with more exotic oriental flavors. To this day I still dream of that dish of curried tofu with lentils and vegetables...
Total relaxation at The Gainsborough
TIME TRAVEL IN WALES
An hour and twenty from Bath, we found Tintern Abbey , or rather, what remains of it. This former Cisterian monastery from the 18th century is most majestic, and it is impressive to enter it and being both inside and outside the spectacular landscape that surrounds it.
We leave behind this architectural wonder to head to Welsh, specifically, to Llyswen. Along the way, we border the ** Brecon Beacons National Park **, one of the most impressive settings in the countryside of Great Britain, which offers views that leave us stunned. Obviously, we stopped to take some photos!
We get back in the car to continue our roadtrip, and just half an hour from the Brecon Beacons, we arrive at our new hotel, or rather, at our castle. We feel like princesses just cross the gardens of Llangoed Hall , a Relais&Châteaux that maintains in its interior the decoration of a old palace.
Just the aura of the Llangoed already enchants us, but the place definitely wins the whole when we are served, in the main hall, the best afternoon tea we have ever tasted ; I think they are even impressed by the number of photos we take of them! However, in a second we are devouring the delicious passion fruit cupcakes , salmon sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, and of course, the exquisite English tea. When we're done, our pants barely button up: we had to try it all!
Later, we take a walk through the hotel gardens -that's how we digest the cupcakes-, and at nightfall, we are recommended to go to dinner at Felin Fach Griffin , located 15 minutes from the accommodation. This is the restaurant a small farmers inn that produce their own ingredients: the food, based on homemade dishes, is super appetizing, and that cozy feeling of feeling at home It makes us feel luxurious after so many days of travel.
In Wales we will find the architecture of a dream
EDINBURGH, A MAGICAL CITY
What amazes us most about our suite at the G&V Royal Mile Hotel , perfectly located in the center of the city, are its views: they give directly to the superb National Library , which we see through the wall of our room, because it is made of crystal !
Tonight we dine at The Devil's Advocate , a new gastropub that is part of the project of Stu McCluskey , the well-known entrepreneur behind the acclaimed pubs bon vivant . They prepare product cuisine, and while I eat the cream of seasonal vegetables and the fresh grilled fish, I'm already thinking that tomorrow we have to come back here... To end a perfect evening, we have a cocktail at their bar, the most stylish: without a doubt, the best corner of the city to see and be seen.
Daylight wakes us up the next day, and covers the profile of this beautiful city, which looks like something out of a fairy tale . We climb the hills of Arthur Seat and Carlton Hill, which offer wonderful views, and we take the opportunity to take some spectacular photos and enjoy the landscape. To continue the walk, which we would never want to end, we walk **from the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle**, in what we realize is a mandatory route to capture the magical essence of the place.
In Princess and George Street, the two most stylish and glamorous streets in the city , we do a bit of what they call window shopping here. We walk until night falls, getting lost in alleys and hidden corners full of color, to finally end up having dinner at The Dome , a majestic, elegant and, above all, very romantic restaurant.
Delicacies at The Devil's Advocate
ROADTRIP THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL HIGHLANDS
This morning, a Jeep Range Rover 4x4 waiting for us to tour The Highlands : I've been told so many times about this part of Scotland that I can't wait to get there! On our way, we passed by The Cairngorms National Park and through the little town of Pitlochry , which are among the most beautiful landscapes in the region of Highland Perthshire . In addition, they have many specimens of what we consider one of the highlights of the area: The famous Highland Coos, the nicest long-haired cows in the world !
Finally, we come to Fort-Williams , a charming little fishing village. There, we stayed in the Lime Tree , a cozy hotel that has one of the most outstanding restaurants in the city. However, today we let ourselves be carried away by the idyllic crannog , an attractive little restaurant located in a house by a lake : his kitchen surprises us, and the fish is surprisingly well cooked. It melts in your mouth!
The next day dawn our last full day in britain , and we feel that there is no way we want to leave here. However, time is running out, so it is best to take advantage of all that we have left by traveling to loch lomond , an unforgettable landscape.
Along the way, we stop at Glenfinnan to see the most famous Glenfinnan Viaduct . What do you not know? What if I told you that the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies? Its architecture is dazzling !
Route through the Highlands
We continue with our route, and we stop at the glencoe valley , a moving landscape that was chosen to shoot Skyfall, the James Bond movie. The next stop is in the little town of Luss; we talked about the restaurant The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel , whose menu reflects the nature of the Scottish Highlands with its seasonal fruit, its vegetables and, above all, with the scent of the aromatic herb that grows in its own garden, which makes our minds cloud.
Finally, we arrived at **our second princess castle, the Cameron House**. Once again, we stayed in one of the best hotels in Great Britain, a five-star hotel on the banks of the Lomond whose restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star. The views from our terrace are indescribable; the pure air that is breathed is even different to us. This is the true calm.
We relax and do a bit of exercise in their complete gym before going to try out that Michelin star, an experience that leaves us speechless. Eating at the Cameron House restaurant is delight in pleasure with each of the senses , is the perfect end of party for an ideal trip. Yes, tomorrow we go home and leave behind our spectacular holidays in Great Britain, but we do it happy, with renewed energy and, above all, with very much want to return.