THINGS TO DO – Page 14

July 16, 2015 by: Sunny London

A Test to Tour the Tower of London?

Would you skip the chance to Tour the Tower of London? I sure wouldn’t if I were you, especially if you travelled from a great distance just to go to the attraction.

Years ago when I first lived in London, my mom came to visit me. Our trip together to the Tower of London was one of the most memorable activities we shared, and we took the tour.

Recently, when I went back for a second visit, I thought about skipping the tour. I am sure glad I didn’t.

For two hours I wandered around the Tower buildings taking pictures of well, just about everything. It was a beautiful day. Finally, I decided to join one of the tours lead by a Yeoman Warder that leaves every half hour. On my own, I just wasn’t learning enough.

Rather than write a creative interpretation of all the interesting facts I gathered, I decided to help you decide if a tour is for you.

See if you know the answers to these questions…

Tour the Tower of London Test:

– What King was crowned at the Tower on Christmas Day?

– When did the Crown Jewels begin their ‘residence’ at the Tower of London?

– Whose royal sons were secretly stabbed in the Tower leading to their mysterious disappearance and a change in the heir to the throne?

– What three Queens were actually executed at the Tower in the area below?

– Why is the Tower considered the most famous prison in the world?

– Why was Water Gate changed to the name ‘Traitors Gate’?

– What is predicted to happen when ravens no longer inhabit the Tower of London?

– Why are these animals placed around the Tower of London?

– How many years of service must one do for Her Majesty in order to become a Yeoman Warder?

– Are Yeoman allowed to smile for pictures?

– Why are Yeoman also known as Beefeaters?

– Does a Yeoman Warder have a sense of humor?

(Hint: When I asked this Yeoman to smile for the picture, he said, ‘The last time I smiled for a picture, I got married.) 😉

How did you do on the quiz to see if you should take a tour of the Tower of London?

What? You’re not sure?

Well, I’m certainly not going to give you the answers and deprive you of the fun experience. Because, yes, it really is quite fun.

This is because the Yeoman Warders have a damn fine sense of humour. This is how I know…

When our tour started, our charismatic Yeoman guide asked how many Americans were in the crowd. After making a few jokes about how Americans lack the ability to ‘comprehend history because of our country’s youth compared to England’ he moved on to play with another population- Australians. He asked the Aussies in the crowd to raise their hands and then inquired if they were back in England on holiday or parole.

Nice.

Next, our Yeoman of the hour explained the ginormous worth of the English dynasty we were visiting. He jested, ‘See, Americans. If you hadn’t dumped our tea in the Harbour and just paid your taxes, you could’ve had all this!’

Throughout the time, I learned the answers to nearly all the questions above plus loads more. During the tour of the Tower of London, I was very entertained by the presentation.

Should you join a tour of the Tower of London?

I’ll leave that for you to decide. Oh, and if you’d like some answers to the questions above, leave a comment or send me a tweet!

I visited The Tower of London during a day I used my complimentary London Pass and received fast track entry. Also that day I found where to take the best picture of London at Tower Bridge and almost needed a paramedic at The Monument London: ‘A Tower of Terror?‘

If you’re making a trip to London soon, you can always spend some time learning about my favourite city and London life with the Guide to London I created to help you.

Oh, and one final question. I actually really don’t know the answer to this one, but I noticed this scene on my way in to the Tower of London…

What is going on here outside? What are these people doing?

July 3, 2015 by: Sunny London

The Monument London, a Tower of Terror?

Have you ever been physically trapped somewhere? Suffer from claustrophobia? Afraid of heights? Have depth perception issues?

If you raised your hand during any of these questions, you might want to skip a trip to The Monument London, which is built in recognition of the Great Fire of London 1666.

The Monument is the tallest isolated stone column in the world. It was built in 1677 and is located at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill. This is approximately 200 feet from where the Great Fire of 1666 started.

There it is. The Monument London. What you see is what you get. I wish I had thought about this.

It’s quite simple really. Straight up and straight down. Maybe I figured there would be an elevator? Or maybe I just didn’t think because I was on a quest to hit an attraction trifecta that day?

When I published Where to Get High in London: The 5 Best Views, many people recommended including The Monument London. I hadn’t written about it because I had not been there.

Sadly, I still can’t include it because the experience of visiting is a terrifying blur to me.

This is my near tragic story…

I received a London Pass to use at my discretion and decided it would be most efficient to combine several London attractions together in a one day itinerary. The order I visited them is:

– The Tower of London (coming soon on the blog)
– The Tower Bridge Exhibition (How to Take the Best Picture of London at Tower Bridge)
– The Monument London

It was a hot, sunny day and I had already spent three hours at the Tower of London and more time at the Tower Bridge Exhibition. I had been carrying a handbag, camera, two phones and a tripod on my shoulders. I was pretty tired before going to The Monument, so I pounded a quick latte at Costa and headed to the attraction.

I pounced up to the entrance, hoping they wouldn’t have an issue with my tripod, as I had read that they don’t let you in with large bags. They swiped my London Pass, and I quickly asked, ‘How long to the top?’

‘You’re fit. About 4 minutes,’ said the friendly man at the door.

Little did he know.

I hit the spiral staircase and started to the top. After about 30 steps, an angry queue began forming behind me. I suffer from depth perception issues and never go up or down stairs without at least one hand on a railing. European steps are narrow. The combination of all this in one giant rod straight up in to the sky was slow and nearly lethal.

Since I had just had a latte caffeine, my heart was really pounding. There was no way to turn around. Soon I started realising that I would have to come back down. Terror overcame me. The confined space didn’t help.

The spiral is so tight that it’s very difficult when people descend against you. I insisted on putting both hands on hand railing, so I even further infuriated other guests.

I asked every single person descending how many stairs were left for me, as I swirled and twirled upward.

When I finally made it to the top, I damn near had a heart attack.

It’s a small ledge where tons of people try to pack in to take pictures of the view. At least, that’s how I remember it.

I had planned on getting some air at the top and preparing for the descent. Being greeted with a simpled fence separating me from 202 feet below didn’t bode well. My panic attack continued.

I couldn’t even think straight to take pictures.

Feeling my heart pace increase even more, I knew there was no way out of this one. I spent about two minutes trying to take deep breaths and poking my camera through some fence holes to have something to show for the experience. There’s no video. I couldn’t stand still long enough.

The descent was worse for me. Not being able to judge distance on the steps, trying to calm my pounding heart and fearing tightly closed spaces almost killed me. In the dizzying swirl down 311 steps, I thought I would either slip on a step or an angry tourist in the queue behind me would cause my demise.

When I finally hit the bottom, I ran as fast as I could. Well, not that far. Luckily, this pub is just feet away from the entrance/exit.

I wish I had seen this before I entered. A nice stiff shot of booze may have helped prior to my journey. I think they should name this place 666, to somewhat honour the year the fire took place. And other cheeky reasons, of course.

Disclaimer: This blog feature is in no way meant to disrespect the great history of London or the people who work at the attraction. It’s my own stupid fault for not thinking through the experience prior to attempting to visit.

I wrote the post as an honest review to let people know that if they suffer from any of the above mentioned ‘conditions’ it may just be best to take a virtual tour of The Monument. I feel bad about ruining the experience for other people that day but couldn’t help it.

However, if you visit the Incident section of The Monument website, you’ll see it has quite a history of people experiencing tragedy there. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Sunny friends.

Oh, and I did receive this certificate for surviving the experience. In some ways I am more proud of it than my two Master of Science degrees. 😉

Be sure to stay tuned to the Sunny YouTube channel for the Day on the London Pass Adventure!

I would love your thoughts on the view from The Monument London. What did I miss during my panic attack? Have you ever got on a ride or went to an attraction and realised it too late that it wasn’t for you?

March 19, 2015 by: Sunny London

City Cruises Review- The Top Things to See in London

Would you be interested in a two hour trip that features all the top things to see in London? If you’re not sure, you should stop reading the blog now.

Why?

Because, the pictures that you will see below are just stunning.

This isn’t because I’m a blogger photographer extraordinaire. It’s because on a sunny day in London, taking a cruise on the River Thames on City Cruises is a fantastic way to capture all the best things to see in London.

Let me show you…

Mr. Sunny’s father won two tickets on City Cruises and graciously gave them to us. I was beside myself with excitement. I’ve seen great views of London from various attractions, but this one truly has a winning combination for a Florida girl now living in London.

We arrived at Westminster Pier and were a little nervous about the long lines on a beautiful, sunny Saturday in London.

However, we were able to easily board our boat and skip the queue because of our passes. The boarding process was simple, and it took about 5-7 minutes.

Since we weren’t the first people to board, we weren’t able to get an outside seat on the upper deck. I didn’t let this intimidate me and decided I would stand in order to get great pictures.

Once we were all boarded, our Captain gave a quick safety announcement and we departed.

We made a quick stop on the south side of the River Thames to pick up a few passengers near the London Eye.

As we made our journey east, the Captain provided truly amusing commentary.

He indicated that none of the City Cruises feature trained tour guides. In summary, Captains do their best to keep people informed and entertained, but there is no set script for the journey. This made me a bit nervous, but I figured since our tickets were free and it was a fabulous sunny day in London, that it would still be worth it.

As we moved on the River Thames, our Captain proved to be quite charismatic. He beautifully balanced pointing out London’s landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre with empty ‘air space’ that allowed us to enjoy a peaceful cruise around the top things to see in London.

Oh, and then he made sure to show us the occasional ship on the top of a building and a real pirate ship. See if you can spot them in the two pictures below.

We even had a chance to see the office of the Mayor of London!

After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the Tower Millenium Pier, which is where you can visit the Tower of London. Mr. Sunny and I decided to stay on the boat because we were really enjoying the trip. Many people left to visit the Tower of London area, so we switched seats so I could be on the outside of a row. However, as you can see from my the pictures above, it was easy for me to get clear shots from an inside seat.

We weren’t at the pier for long and started our boat cruise again. The next stop was in 30 minutes in Greenwich.

Captain Paul Markley continued with his funny, entertaining insight. Aside from showing us all the popular London landmarks, he also gave information about the not so famous buildings. I was particularly interested in the prices of real estate he conveyed. Coming from Florida, I know that a view of the water, especially from many stories high, is highly sought after. London views of the River Thames fall in to this pricey category.

In the building above, every property has its own balcony with an unobstructed view of the River Thames. Cha ching!

Mr. Sunny, however, had his attention peak each time the Captain pointed out a pub on our path. I guess great beer minds think alike. 😉

Here’s The Angel, The Mayflower and The Salt Quay.

We passed the fantastic skyline of Canary Wharf and docked at Greenwich. As we left the boat, I made sure to have Mr. Sunny take a picture of me and the super funny Captain Paul Markley.

On the return trip, I decided only to take a few pictures and to enjoy the sunshine as we travelled on the River Thames. It sure was bright as it reflected from buildings.

Sitting back and just taking in the top things to see in London made this a fun, relaxing return journey. I actually was very disappointed when the trip ended.

Why City Cruises is best for the top things to see in London:

– Within just a few hours, we were able to see many of London’s top landmarks.
– Both of our Captains provided interesting information about London as we travelled on the River Thames.
– They have an all day sightseeing hop-on and hop-off for families and up to three kids travel for free!
– “The boat has a bar!’ ~ Wisdom from Mr. Sunny

Other great ways to check out things to see in London:

– City Cruises doesn’t just operate sighseeing cruises. They have a wide range of fun activities like a speedboat ride on the Thames (ThamesJet), sightseeing cruise along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset or fine dine on-board our dinner boats or Restaurant Ship Hispaniola.

Don’t forget to check the Things to Do section of the blog for other fabulous, fun events and attractions in London, Sunny friends!

January 21, 2015 by: Sunny London

Where to Get HIGH- The 5 Best Views in London

Looking for the best views in London? I’ve put together a list that covers the best ones for you!

But first, I want to make sure everyone knows this post is totally legal and there’s nothing dodgy that’s going to be featured. However, in all honesty, I can’t wait to see what kind of referrals surface on in my stats because of the cheeky headline above 😉

Whether you are visiting London or live here, there’s some places you simply must visit. The reason is because they offer the best views in London. The five featured on this list aren’t rank ordered against one another. In fact, they each have their own special qualification that makes them worthy of recognition. So, here they are:

Best Views in London- ArcelorMittal Orbit

If you travel 80 metres up a lift, you can see views stretching nearly 20 miles around London at the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit. This Stratford attraction receives the ‘Edgiest View’ recognition from Sunny in London. It’s Britain’s largest piece of public art and was designed for the 2012 London Olympics.

From it, you can see five football grounds, The Shard, BT Tower, the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, the O2 Arena and Emirates Airline. Since it’s located at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, I enjoyed the view of the Aquatics Centre the most while at the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Mr. Sunny enjoyed this inverted view of me. He took a sneaky picture of me while I was exploring. It’s from a mirror that reverses images in the top viewing platform.

You can also get a workout at the ArcelorMittal Orbit too. Instead of leaving via the lift, try taking the 455 stairs down to the ground.

For more information on tickets and opening times visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit website.

Best Views in London- Primrose Hill

If you’re looking for something free to do on a gorgeous, sunny day in London, Primrose Hill is fantastic. Aside from having a good chance of seeing celebrities in the area, walking to the top will give you a nice form of exercise. It’s a hill that’s 78 metres high and at the northern part of Regent’s Park.

Once you ‘hike’ to the top, you can see the Shard, the London Eye and other buildings that make up the London skyline. For this reason, Primrose Hill receives the best ‘Free View’ in London.

Best Views in London- Emirates Airline

This attraction makes the list not only because it’s fairly cheap, but also because it doubles for transportation. Now that’s what I am talking about!

The views from the Emirates Airline totally rock. Pun intended. The cable cars are a little shaky and run between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks. The trip lasts about 10 minutes.

If it’s a fairly normal day, you’ll probably ride in a cable car with other people. However, it’s still a fun experience. You’ll see great views of the O2 Arena and Canary Wharf. Most likely you’ll get a few good shots of airplanes flying to City Airport also.

I’ve taken the Emirates Airline twice and loved it both times! We’ll label this one the best ‘View that Rocks.’

Best Views in London- The London Eye

This view is wheely fun. I love The London Eye experience because in just a short time (less than 20 years) this attraction has become an iconic part of London’s skyline. For this reason, I award it the ‘Hottest Roundabout View’

There are so many ways you can take a trip around it. I’ve detailed them on a separate feature on The London Eye. Champagne tastings, wedding ceremonies, the list of options is extensive. I had the chance to visit on Halloween.

I’d really love to go back and check out this attraction at night. Many people say the evening views of London on a clear night are spectacular from The London Eye.

Best Views in London- Shard

Finally, the winner of the ‘Best Place to Get High in Europe’ award goes to The View from the Shard. Without a doubt, this should be on everyone’s must do list in London. It’s the highest vantage point in Europe, measuring at 244 metres.

And it’s the perfect place to end a sunny day in London.

What great views can you recommend in London? Have you visited these 5 attractions and locations? Are there any views in other cities that you feel are unmissable?

February 9, 2014 by: Sunny London

Dale Chihuly: Beyond the Object

Taking a wander through the Dale Chihuly: Beyond the Object exhibition is a fantastic spoonful of sunshine, my friends! This American artist’s talent with glass sculpture is a breathtaking explosion of color and is featured at the Halcyon Gallery (144-146 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2PF, Green Park tube station) from February 8-April 5.

As you approach the contemporary art gallery, you’ll see two giant chandeliers in the front windows.

This one is the Citron Chandelier with Lime Green Fiori and is valued at £525,000.

Once inside the gallery, you walk under Chihuly’s Persian Pergola Ceiling.

There are three floors displaying the artist’s work.

I don’t have a deep understanding of art or art history, so I won’t try to fake it here, Sunny friends. My background in this subject is thin. This Florida girl missed the boat on that training. However, I have always loved the sleekness and mystique of blown glass. How could you not…

Insignia Red Macchia with Onyx Lip Wrap, Orange Madder Macchia with AquaLip Wrap, Mineral Yellow Macchia with Carmine Lip Wrap

Something I also don’t have is £32,500 for each of those pieces, but I sure wish I did.

Here’s a few more of these flickering beauties…

The Ruby Persian Set with Lapis Lip Wrap is also valued at £32,500, and the Blue Chill Seaform Set with Marigold Lip Wraps is slightly more for £49,500.

Check out these swervy little numbers…

This is the Pearl White Persian Installation, which glittered for miles. It’s a rockin’ £170,000.

Because of its vibrant sunny appeal, my favorite piece is the Paris Yellow Persian Set with Red Lip Wraps, a slightly more affordable £30,000. 😉

So, sunshines, whether you’re an art critic, lover or just looking to take in some spectacular, creative rays of delight, visit the The Dale Chihuly: Beyond the Object exhibition. It’s a free activity in London and truly will warm your soul.

* Dale Chihuly’s Grand Chandelier is also featured currently at the V&A.

March 24, 2014 by: Sunny London

London Cru Wine Tour- A Crushing Good Time!

Roses are red, Violets are blue, I’ve toured London Cru …
Have YOU?On Saturday I had an exclusive opportunity with Selena from Oh, the Places We’ll Go to tour Central London’s first winery, so I’m excited to share the juicy details with you, Sunny friends.

Our wine guide for the day, Gavin Monery, began our tour with showing us the steps to beautifully transform a bunch of grapes in to a silky smooth glass of wine.

So, I bet the first question you probably have is- WHEEEEEEEERE’s the GRAPES???

Not here. They’re imported. And this is how it works…

The London Cru wine making process:

First, it begins in August in France and Italy. Grapes are chilled within two hours of being cut in a cooling truck that’s arrived the previous night. They’re stored and shipped in very small containers, and it takes about 36 hours for them to arrive in the UK.

Next, they are carefully sifted through and non-desirable elements are removed. Once passing inspection, they travel down this vibrating table. The grapes move up through a machine and are then squished in to large storage containers for 5-20 days, depending on temperature. After that, they’re moved to smaller tanks within the winery. Here’s a visual:

The wine is then stored in barrels so it can soak some oak and continue maturing.

But, sadly, not all of the wine makes it to the bottle. There’s about a 10% evaporation rate that is referred to as the “Angel’s share.”

I promise… it wasn’t me… 😉

We were lucky enough to sample some of the wines they’ll bottle in June, including Syrah, Barbera, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This vino lover can tell you that so far London Cru has a flavor intensity that absolutely reflects the care and consideration they give to each grape as its aged. SALUTE!

This hot new business venture plans on producing about 13,000 bottles of wine this year. GULP! They’re marketing first to London restaurants and aspire to increase production to approximately 30,000 bottles. DOUBLE GULP!

The two owners (ages 27 and 72), set up the winery deal over a handshake, and there’s no doubt they’re well prepared to take London’s beverage scene to infinity and beyond in just a few months.

If you love wine and want to be in the know about the next hot bit of liquid sunshine pouring over London, visit the London Cru website , read about the winery and sign up for a tour. They’re located at 21/27 Seagrave Rd, London SW6 1RP.

While I was fully prepared to rip off my boots and do some grape stompin’, this was the best I could manage to be involved…

You’ll have to let me know if they trust you to do more on your tour, Sunny friends!

*My tour of London Cru was complimentary. All opinions and pictures are my own and reflect my honest thoughts about the experience.