THINGS TO DO – Page 15

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…