London

I currently reside here.

discovering london

London is not only the capital and most vibrant city of the United Kingdom, it is also one of the most important cities in Europe, with businesses booming and cultural activities everywhere.It is a very international city, where many languages are spoken. It is famous for it's nightlife, which includes great pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs and musicals. It is home to the world famous Big Ben, Buckingham palace, London Eye and Hyde Park, among other incredible things to see. If you are planning to visit London, you will have both an exciting and cultural trip.

keep in mind

> Even though the UK is {still} part of the European Union, they use Pounds, not Euros.

> Getting around London is pretty easy. Download an app called City Mapper, and get all the information about how to best get to places, the optimal time to leave home and directions. It will also give you an estimate on the cost of the journey and the amount of calories you will burn it you walk.

> Public transportation works very well here. If you are spending a few days it might be worth getting an Oyster Card. You can get one at the tube station and put the amount of money that you want, so you don't have to get a ticket every time. You can top up as you need, and before you leave you can return your Oyster card and they will give you back £5. You will need it for the bus as well, and they don't sell it at the bus, so make sure you have it before walking in. If your credit card is contactless, or if you have Apple Pay, you can just use that instead.

> Black Cabs are very good here and drivers are very knowledgeable. It is the one city in the world where I prefer taking a cab than an Uber. They all take credit cards. You can download an app called MyTaxi to order one, and if you want you can save your credit card information on the app, so that you pay automatically. You can schedule journeys too.

> As you might have heard, it does rain quite a bit in London - in all honesty, not as much as people make it sound, we also have very pretty sunny days. Check the weather before leaving home, and if you see it will rain, take a light umbrella with you.

> If you are thinking of when it is best to come: London is great year round. End of November - December is nice to see the beautiful Christmas decorations. February gets very cold, and they remove the decorations.. the sun sets very early as well. I'd recommend avoiding late January and February. Every other time should be great. Summer is also very nice here, and it can get very hot.

where to stay

Fancy and Great

Mandarin Oriental: Beautifully located in front of Hyde Park, staying at Mandarin is truly a joy. It lives up to it's name, offering great service and accommodation.

Berkeley Hotel: located in between Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, it is a 5 star luxury hotel. If you choose to stay there, check out their afternoon tea which is very nice.

WHERE TO EAT

note: London restaurants usually require reservations, especially on weekends. Those can be done online, through Open Table app, email or phone.

Chinese, Japanese and Fusion

Zuma: My favorite Asian fusion. It's located in Knightsbridge, right near Harrods. Must make a reservation well in advance as they are very often fully booked. The food is definitely worth it, must order: salmon and tuna tartar and the black cod. ££££

Mr. Chow: The Chinese restaurant is small in London as not modern like the one in Miami, but the food is as amazing. Must try the noodles and the pecking duck. Make a reservation. ££££

Hakkasan: Trendy world-class Cantonese restaurant, in a modern designed restaurant. It won't seize to amaze you with great taste and fine ingredients. Make a reservation. ££££

Street XO: Asian-European food, served in small plates for sharing. It is absolutely delicious. The environment is very fun and imaginative, with the presence of decorative food trucks. Order their drinks too, as they are served in pretty cool manners. ££££

Nobu Park Lane: Nobu is one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world, and it has three locations in London. As you might have noticed, their menu changes, so I recommend the one in Park Lane simply for the best menu. Personally I think it is by far the best Nobu I've been and one of the best Japanese I've tried. Order the Hot Miso Chips and the Crispy Rice with Spicy Salmon. Make a reservation.££££

Sexy Fish: One of the most trendy Japanese restaurants in London. Make sure to reserve and be patient if they make you wait. The food is worth it! Menu highlights: Black Truffle Wagyu Gyoza, the King Crab Roll with Caviar, Seabass Tiradito and Chilean Seabass marinated in Miso.££££

Chotto Matte: A great Asian Peruvian Fusion restaurant in Soho. The food is very special and the atmosphere is trendy. ££££

Roka: Great Asian fusion from the same owner as Zuma. ££££

Duck and Rice: Located in Soho, it's a Chinese restaurant from the same owner of Hakkasan, although cheaper. It is definitely one of my favorites. If you like sweets try their sticky toffee pudding and the duck fried rice is a must. £££

Sticks n' Sushi: Available in various central London locations, very good sushi. £££

Dozo: A cheaper yet still delicious alternative for people seeking to have sushi in a more laidback environment. ££

Italian

Novikov: One of my favorite Italian restaurants in London. Love the ambiance and love the food. They have one of those cheese wheel pasta, which is absolutely amazing. ££££

Frescobaldi: A charming Italian restaurant in Mayfair, right near Regent Street. The ceiling is full of cute lights which also makes it a romantic spot. The food is delicious and the staff is very nice. The menu is great and I recommend trying their creme-brulee for dessert. ££££

Babbo: A vibrant Italian restaurant located in Mayfair. It has great food and ambiance. The staff is also very nice. We all ordered pasta, and all the dishes were very good. For appetizer get the Arancini al Tartufo and the crab and cod croquettes. ££££

Daphne's: Very good Italian restaurant in Chelsea. I love their pineapple carpaccio desert and truffle pasta. From the same owners as the Ivy, Brasserie of Light and Sexy Fish.

French

Colbert: Located in Sloane Square, it is an informal, great French restaurant inspired by Parisian cafés. The food is great, starting with the warm baguettes they bring when you sit at the table. £££

Balthazar: Famous French restaurant, with locations such as New York, it is as great as usual. The Brasserie is located in the heart of Covent Garden and it is open all day. £££

Frenchie: Very tasty french restaurant in Covent Garden. A must go for the bacon scones. £££

La Petite Maison: French Mediterranean fine dining, that provides excellent food and service, in the trendy neighborhood Mayfair. ££££

Brasserie of Light: With a pegasus Swarovski statue coming from the wall and a glass wall giving a fabulous view of the city, it is a restaurant you won't want to miss. It is a good choice for all meals, including brunch. £££

British

The Ivy Chelsea Garden: The Ivy is one of the most famous restaurants in London and it has many locations. My favourite is the one in Kings Road, Chelsea. The food is very good, serving a modern British cuisine, and so is the ambiance (specially during summer when they open the garden). £££

Spanish

Cambio de Tercio: Nadal's favorite restaurant in London. Hands down one of the best Spanish restaurants I have been in London. The service is great and the food is delicious. In case this one is full, in front of it there is another Spanish by the same owner. ££££

Ibérica: A chill Spanish restaurant in various locations, I usually go to the one in Victoria. The paella is amazing. £££

Peruvian

Pachamama: High-quality Peruvian food in a stylish ambiance £££

Greek

Meraki: From the group of Zuma and Rocka, it is a fine-dining contemporary greek restaurant. Their lobster orzo pasta is to die for. Located in Fitzrovia, it is sharing style and reservations are recommended. ££££

Estiatorio Milos: The world sensational Greek restaurant Milos, has a prime location in London - just a few steps away from Picadilly Circus. The food is excellent, as well as the service. ££££

Opso: If you are looking for a more casual greek that still offers delicious food, head to Opso in Marylebone. It tends to get busy so definitely make a reservation. Obs: their feta saganaki is super good. £££

THINGS TO DO

If being outdoors is your thing

Richmond Park: Spend the day at Richmond Park, spot some dears and have lunch by the river at Gaucho Steakhouse.

Saint James Park: Go for a walk in Saint James Park and look at the view from the middle of the small bridge. You will see a beautiful view of the London Eye.

Hyde Park: Go for a walk in the world-famous Hyde Park, the largest royal park in Central London.

Walk around Camden Town & Notting Hill: Both neighborhoods have a lot of charm and personality. Camden is definitely more alternative while Notting Hill is more hippie. Both have great places to eat as well. Camden also has a nice river where you can do kayaking.

If shopping is your thing

Shop while walking around: The great thing about London is that you can shop in the open air. With many nice neighborhoods and streets full of shops, you will surely not be disappointed. The two biggest shopping streets are Oxford Street and Regent Street. You should also pass by Convent Garden Plaza and explore.

Westfield Mall: If the weather is bad or you just don't feel like being outdoors, head to Westfield Mall. The closest one to Central London is the Sheperd's Bush one. There you will find a variety of stores, all the way from Primark to Gucci. They also have restaurants and a movie theatre.

Bicester Village: Just 40 minutes from Marylebone train station, it is a luxury retail outlet with amazing deals, good restaurants, and a great vibe. It is open-air, so avoid going on a rainy day. Also, on weekends it gets very crowded so if you can, it is better to go during the week preferably in the morning.

Harrods: A designer clothes and luxury department shop in Knightsbridge. There you can find all of the best things: from food to clothes, to decor, to technology and everything you can imagine.

Selfridges: a highend luxurious department store, with restaurants, clothes, decor, pharmacy, and market. It is similar to Harrods but does have some less luxurious brands as well as part of their catalog.

If Sightseeing is your thing

Tower of London: Castle and World Heritage site, where you can see the crown jewels.

London Eye: If you want to have a good birds-eye view of the city of London and like Farris wheel, the Coca Cola London Eye is a good place to go. Buy the fast track ticket if you would like to skip the line.

St Paul's Cathedral: A beautiful cathedral that is more 1,400 years old. It is also the cathedral where Princess Diana and Prince Charles got married on 29 July 1981.

Westminster Abbey: A world heritage site, it has been the coronation site since 1066. It is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married in April 2011. Queen Elizabeth II also married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten there.

Picadilly Circus: The heart of central London and an iconic image of London. It connects Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Leceister Square. It is surrounded by musicals as well as big shops, such as the m&m shop, Lego Shop, Twinnings, and a big Boots pharmacy.

Borough Market: London's oldest food market. It is both a place to buy produced goods as well as a place to sit down for a meal.

Tower Bridge: an iconic London bridge, over 125 years old. Visitors can access the interior of the bridge and learn about the history or simply look at it from outside and take a few pictures.

Buckingham Palace: The Queen's residence in London. Even though the palace only opens for visitation during the summer when Her Majesty the Queen goes to Windsor Palace, visitors can still pass in front of the palace to take pictures and watch the change of guard.

Trafalgar Square: a public square with fountains and lion sculptures, in front of the National Gallery.

If museum are your thing

Tate: a modern and contemporary art museum.

Victoria and Albert Museum: A leading museum of art and design, with various best selling exhibitions.

The National Gallery: Art museum in Trafalgar Square, with collections dating from mid-13th century to 1900.

The British Museum: A history, art and culture museum.

The Design Museum: One of the newest museums in London, with modern design collection and exhibitions.

Saatchi Gallery: Located in Chelsea, it hosts various exhibitions that are worth checking out.

Science Museum: As the name implies, it is London's museum of science and it offers many interactive experiences which are great for children.

Natural History Museum: Shows pieces from human and universe history and it's located next to the science museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. The entry is free.