London Calling

History, High Tea & City Charm

Day 1 in London, England

First Glimpses, Golden Clock Faces & Classic Icons:

Big Ben - He stopped me in my tracks... and it wasn't even because of the time.

There’s something surreal about seeing a place in person after years of only knowing it from textbooks, movies, or Instagram. Day one in London felt like walking straight into a postcard, and checking off every landmark I’d ever associated with the city.

We kicked things off at Parliament Square, surrounded by the historic heart of London. From there, we made our way past Tower Bridge and stopped to see Big Ben, which, thanks to a recent cleaning, was looking shinier than ever. I always assumed the gold frame around the clock face was just painted wood or something darker, but nope! It’s actually gold. Shoutout to whoever decided it was time for a deep clean. I got to see it sparkle the way it was meant to.

Next up: a ride on the London Eye with sweeping views of the city, followed by a visit to the Tower of London and the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral. I’d seen photos of the dome, but standing beneath it in real life was something else entirely.

We also made our way to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, where the details in the stonework left me staring up like a total tourist (no shame).

One of the biggest highlights of the day was watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It’s one of those traditions that you hear about so often, but seeing it live, with the music, the uniforms, and the precision of it all, gave me a whole new appreciation for the pageantry.

It was a day filled with royal views, history overload, and a little gold sparkle from Big Ben to top it all off.

Parliament Square - Kicking off my London adventure where history meet hustle.

London Eye - Up above the Thames with skyline views and a heart full of wonder!

St. Paul's Cathedral - 528 steps, one unforgettable view. Sometimes the climb really is the best part.

Day 2 in London, England

Towers, Bridges & a Spritz Break in Covent Garden:

The Tower of London - Crown jewels, Ghost stories, and centuries of royal drama? Yes, please!

We kicked off our second day in London with a proper dive into royal history, starting with a visit to the Tower of London. Exploring the grounds, hearing the darker stories behind its walls, and getting a glimpse of the Crown Jewels made it feel like stepping into a dramatic period film (minus the corsets). The Yeoman Warders, the medieval towers, the ravens… it’s iconic for a reason.

Afterward, we walked over to Tower Bridge, and even though we’d seen it from a distance the day before, standing right on it gave a whole new perspective. It’s one of those landmarks that just feels like London, especially with the Thames glinting below and the city buzzing on either side.

After all the sightseeing, we were ready for something cozy and delicious, so we wandered over to Côte Covent Garden for lunch. Tucked into a cute little spot in one of London’s liveliest neighborhoods, it was the perfect place to take a break. The food was amazing (hello, truffle fries), but the spritz drinks definitely stole the show. Light, refreshing, and a little bit fancy. It was exactly what we needed after a morning of walking.

Sippin' spritzes in Covent Garden, because sightseeing is better with bubbles.

Found love in a hopeless place... and by that I mean the bottom of a fry basket!

Day 3 in London, England

Tea on the Thames:

For our final day in London, we decided to slow things down a bit, and what better way to do that than with a proper afternoon tea on the river?

We boarded a beautiful boat and set off for a scenic cruise along the Thames, taking in iconic London views from the water while being served a full spread of teas, biscuits, and pastries. It was one of those moments where everything just felt right. Quiet conversation, clinking china, and the city passing by outside the window.

The pastries and biscuits were incredible, delicate and buttery in all the right ways. It was a lovely pause from the fast-paced sightseeing of the days before, and such a perfect way to wrap up our time in London.

Tea, views, and a whole lot of gratitude. Honestly? The perfect sendoff.