TRAVEL

July 21, 2019 by: Sunny London

Florida Places to Visit for Sun and Fun

What are the best Florida places to visit for a long itinerary? The Sunshine State is huge! Most people just think of the theme park capital of the world, Orlando, for a Florida holiday but there are quite a few other options for travellers who also want to experience the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

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If you just visit Orlando, you’ll see pools and hopefully sunshine in Orlando. (Keep reading for why I said- ‘hopefully’) But, it is in the area we call Central Florida and looking at a map you will see it’s not on either coast. So, if you want to sit in natural sand (not a theme park’s man-made version) the first thing you need to know is this will require extra time, a car and interest in seeing other Floridian cities.

Florida Places to Visit- Why You Need a Car

Unlike Europe, public transportation and train travel is not popular in the US. The land is flat and most of what’s not near a coastline is swamp land in Florida. Unless you want to see gators, snakes and jaguars, you won’t need to spend much time too far inland. Mickey Mouse is the obvious exception to ‘wild life’. Know that Floridians gravitate to the water.

In fact, if you search ‘Alligator Alley’ you will find it is one of the few main highways that can take you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast.

When I was a child, Alligator Alley was what you envision in films. No gas stations and somewhere you don’t want to be stranded. The more popular highway by far is I-4.

The memes about Florida roads are comical because there is truth to them. Traffic on I-4 barely moves because anyone commuting to Orlando for work uses it. Tourists have to use it too. It also connects three cities that I feel would make a perfect trip to Florida. Renting a car is the only economical way to travel among them.

Florida Places to Visit- Orlando

Most people’s magical impressions of Florida are because they generally just spend time in Orlando, isolated at a theme park and hotel. While I have visited the Disney theme parks countless times, I am partial to Universal’s attractions. This is mostly because I worked there for a few years.

Let’s face it, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a dream come true at Islands of Adventure. And they just opened a new roller coaster! For those that have been to London’s Warner Bros Studio Tour, be sure to read my Harry Potter London vs Orlando comparison.

Universal is definitely the more adult oriented theme park, if there really is such a thing. The rides are designed for thrill seekers and are some of the best in the world. The ‘mouse park’ down the street tends to have rides that you really just sit in little cars and travel through different sets and sound stages to see dancing dolls and other mechanical puppets.

Ahhh, I don’t seem very impartial here, do I?

Either way, these Universal and Disney with their parks and night life venues like CityWalk could keep you busy 24 hours a day.

However, Orlando offers excellent shopping opportunities too. The Mall at Millenia is exquisite. It’s high end shops like Kate Spade New York, Neiman Marcus and Prada could be appealing to British tourists because I generally find items are cheaper in the US. This is especially true when the dollar is low against the pound. Orlando’s International Premium Outlets will give you a great chance to score cool deals too.

And if it is basketball season, catching an Orlando Magic basketball game would be a big win. But you must book those tickets early!

Florida Places to Visit- St Pete/Clearwater

The Gulf Coast of Florida doesn’t get the international fame it deserves. But the Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater area is pristine and trendy. You’ll find many American restaurant chains launch in this area. It also has gorgeous golf courses.

Sunken Gardens would be Florida’s equivalent to London’s Kew Gardens, with an obvious tropical vibe. And of course, with so much access to water and sea life, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or organised boat tours could be appealing to you too.

St Petersburg also offers something for art lovers to do, and that is visiting Dali Museum.

Florida Places to Visit- Daytona Beach

Of course, this Florida girl has to make a plug for her hometown for anyone who has time for a multi centre Florida holiday when planning places to visit in Florida.

Daytona Beach is best known for its flat, hard packed sand on which stock cars started racing. This beach car racing lead to the development of Nascar and made Daytona an iconic holiday destination for any race aficionado.

If you want a beach that is wide and spacious, go to my hometown. The most relaxing locations to be are Daytona Beach Shores and New Smyrna Beach. With a car, you could visit the lighthouse in Ponce Inlet. And, obviously race fans would want to see the track at the International Speedway and maybe even take a tour or ride in a race car.

See for yourself how cool the Daytona Beach can be and learn where I suggest you eat in this short video I made while visiting Daytona Beach last summer. I shot it not far from the Daytona Shore Resort and Spa, one of my favourite places to go for their Sunday breakfast when I lived there. It’s also had the best reputation for a hotel in the Daytona Beach Shores area for decades.

Taking I-95 south to Cape Canaveral offers the chance to see Kennedy Space Center, which is a favourite of all Floridians. And just an hour north you will find St Augustine, which lays claim to being the oldest city in the U.S. Their Christmas Nights of Lights doesn’t quite rival Regent Street during the holidays, but it does prove that Florida has the holiday spirit. Even if it means throwing lights on palm trees and surfing Santa images.

Florida Places to Visit- Learn More

What British Tourists Need to Know About Visiting Florida
Differences Between British and American Grocery Stores (YouTube)
Eating Gator at the Ocean Deck in Daytona Beach
What to Pack for Florida (if You’re British)
Racing’s North Turn– Back on Track!
Our Deck Down Under– Secret Daytona Hotspot

July 20, 2019 by: Sunny London

Different Styles of Cab from Around the World

Spend just a few moments in the centre of London, and you’ll become familiar with the sight of the iconic, Cab-Direct style black cab. They’re a part of the city’s global image, and it’s difficult to imagine the capital without them.

But London isn’t the only city in the world where people need to get from place to place in a hurry. And it isn’t the only city with a cab service that meets that demand. But in other parts of the world, taxicabs tend to take a radically different shape to the big black one to which Londoners are accustom.

New York Yellow

Of course, the New York cab is probably just as recognisable as the London one, thanks to the sheer volume of films and tv shows set in the city. The yellow style came to be at the turn of the twentieth century, so that would-be customers could spot them from afar.

different-styles-of-cab-around-the-world-nyc

different-styles-of-cab-around-the-world-nyc-taxi

Auto Rickshaws

If you head to a large Indian city, you’ll find that the most practical and affordable way to travel is in the back of a tiny little automated rickshaw, commonly called a ‘tuk-tuk’. You won’t be able to cram quite as much luggage (or people) into one of these things, but for the most authentic Delhi experience, they are are hard to beat.

Chinese Sanlunche

This is another kind of Rickshaw, whose front end is actually that of a bicycle. This design has been around since the middle of last century, and has, almost everywhere, replaced the traditional human-powered rickshaw. You’ll find similarly-designed pedal-powered rickshaws in Mexico city and Paris – they’re environmentally friendly, and lots of fun, too!

Munich White

The taximeter was actually invented in Berlin, but these days it’s Munich that retains the most recognisable style of cream-white taxicab. Most of the city’s taxis come from high-end German manufacturers like Mercedes and Audi.

Venetian Gondola

If your city is mostly water, like Venice, then it makes sense for the taxi service to come in boat form. Part of the gondola’s appeal is its leisurely pace – you’re not going to be going anywhere in a hurry. Gondolas take around two months to make, from a combination of half-a-dozen different woods. As such, they’re several times the price of most taxis.

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Viennese Fiaker

In any city with a historical heritage to preserve, you’re likely to find horse-drawn carriages. In Vienna, these cabs, called Fiakers, have been around since the turn of the 18^th century, and featured heavily in the operas of Johann and Richard Strauss. There’s no better way to see the cobbled streets of Vienna!

July 18, 2019 by: Sunny London

Why Villas Make the Perfect Holiday Home

If you’re planning to venture abroad this summer, join the club! Very often, it’s easier to relax when we are far away from home. Before you book your accommodation, though, have you considered a villa holiday? Many people feel this kind of lodging tends to top all others.

Let’s think about some of the reasons why.

A Home from Home

Do you seek holiday lodgings that still keep some sacred items and conveniences you have at home? If so, you’re probably not alone. After all, isn’t the whole point of a vacation to feel as comfortable and as relaxed as possible? If you choose to stay in a villa, you’ll be able to relax in your own space, at a pace that suits you.

My sister frequently travels with her husband and a small group of other couples and rents a villa to share among them. They have never had a bad experience. One of the secrets she says is to choose people in which you have many travel and budget similarities.

While in a hotel, you’re typically confined to one room, villas offer a more spacious, airy feel to guests. You feel more free to roam the house at your leisure, and you’ll be more likely to settle in than you would be at a hotel or inn.

A villa can guarantee a home-from-home experience for travellers, especially those who don’t mind doing some cooking or grilling while they are away on holiday. My sister and her friends frequently go diving or do water sports during the day on a vacation and then return to a villa and relax with a BBQ for the evening while sipping on their island themed cocktails. By all of them chipping in together for booze and food, it makes the holiday experience a little cheaper and more fun for them.

Constant Privacy

When it is your holiday, you will likely want to unwind in your own space. Though hotels provide this benefit to some extent, villas can offer ultimate peace and seclusion.

If you seek somewhere to relax after a big day of adventures in your travel destination, or you just want to lounge around your lodgings, a villa could be the best type of accommodation for you. That way, you and your group can enjoy your holiday to the full without interference from anyone else. How many times have you been in a hotel and suffered the experience of hearing someone’s wedding party blast through the corridors at 2am like the festivities haven’t ended? Or woken up in the morning and faced a cold shower because it seems everyone in the hotel hit their bathroom at the same time?

While Mr Sunny and I love sunning ourselves by a ginormous pool at a luxury hotel, we also don’t enjoy getting splashed by every dad playing ‘here comes the canon ball’ with his kids while everyone else dodge’s the oblivious mom on her oversized inflatable unicorn on the other side.

With a villa that is close to your chosen amenities and places of interest, you will also be able to secure easy travel as well privacy during your trip.

Sounds like being a celebrity or dare I say… a royal?!

Personal Touches

Let’s face it, as pleasant as hotels can be, they typically offer little opportunity to personalise your room. In fact, many don’t allow any kinds of unique touches to be made – and if you’re going on a special holiday, this could really dampen your mood.

A villa, on the other hand, provides a nice, private space that – for the duration of your trip – is entirely yours. Wouldn’t it be nice at the end of a long day of excursions to lay on a couch and watch television or a film in a space that didn’t double as your bed? Or one of those stiff chairs that is probably holding half your luggage too?

In particular, this makes villas an ideal place to stay if you aim to throw parties or events while you’re away – as the house is temporarily yours, you can decorate it as much as you like. Even better, you’ll be able to tidy up afterwards in your own time, too.

A villa vacation seems to offer everything to the person who wants a customisable trip.

Many of us dream of peaceful holidays – and with a villa holiday, you probably have the chance to achieve just that.

How many of you have tried a villa holiday? What was your experience? What tips do you have for someone planning their first villa holiday?

July 12, 2019 by: Sunny London

Taking the Stress Out of Holiday Travel

There is nothing quite like setting off on holiday, yet travel can be a highly stressful experience and you will want everything to go smoothly and according to plan. Therefore, it is helpful to know a few tips which should help you to reduce stress and get your holiday off to a smooth start.

Research What You Need to Take

It is always helpful to research your destination for a few different reasons. One of which is that it will give you a good idea of what you need to take – you could even find an easy checklist to follow. You would be surprised how many different destinations require items that you wouldn’t need for others. For example, when we visited Malta, I really wish I had packed water shoes. But, obviously that’s not something I would suggest for someone visiting London. However, there are certain passes, tickets and apps you shouldn’t go without!

Or, better yet, there may be really popular activities that you may need to book ahead. For London, I have a huge list of experiences that you should book in advance for your trip. And, the video from the Sunny News below shares even more tips, if you have five minutes.

Find Out Airline Restrictions

Every airline is different when it comes to what you can and cannot take on the plane and how large your carry-on luggage can be. Make sure that you find out this information well in advance so that you will have a smooth experience and not have to pay any additional charges. Sunny in London email subscribers receive a free, downloadable Guide to London Airports as part of a subscribing bonus. More on that later! If you can’t wait to receive that, we’ve created a Travel Tips for London Airports article that goes through London’s six airport options and the airlines that use them.

Practice Pack Beforehand

You won’t want to be rushed when you are packing as this can cause stress. You may not be able to get everything in and you could create a mess. Instead, it is a good idea to do a practice pack a few days before so that you can work out the best way to arrange your possessions. I did a practice pack before I flew to London from New York back when Mr Sunny and I first started our long distance relationship. I also made charts for all of my outfits, shoes and accessories. How many of you have done that before? Too OCD?

Next, you should then pack your suitcase the night before or in the morning if you have time. Layering tissue paper in between your clothes keeps them from wrinkling too much. And, if you haven’t discovered packing cubes yet, you are really missing out!

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If you’d like a list of how I pack for short and long trips with success, let me know in the comments. It would include explaining why I have all that string in the mesh pocket of my suitcase. Or did you guess what this is for already?

Pre-book Travel to the Airport

With so much focus on the flight, it is easy to forget about getting to the airport. The train is often the best way but you should always pre-book your tickets to save time and reduce stress on the day – you can book online at places like Southern Railway.

For a guide to London airports and which is the best for you, I made this video to help your decision process, because there are many different travel situations.

Pre-Book Travel to the Airport

On the day of your flight, you will not want to be rushed and you will want to give yourself plenty of time to get through the airport. If possible, you should check-in online and arrive at the airport at least an hour before your scheduled departure time. However, Mr Sunny and I always make it at least three so he can relax in the airport’s pub while I hit duty free!

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

These tips should help you to take the stress out of travel and get your trip off to a smooth start. A vacation should always be a fun and relaxing experience but the travel side can cause a great deal of stress if you are not well-prepared. Keep the above in mind in the run-up to your trip for a fun, relaxing and stress-free vacation.

Holiday Travel- Final Thoughts

What packing and travel tips can you include, Sunny friends? Have you considered booking train travel in advance to save time and money? Has an airlines’ extra baggage fees ever determined which one you choose?

Want a Freebie for Your Trip to London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

July 11, 2019 by: Sunny London

A Brit’s Guide to Vegas

In 2018, Las Vegas welcomed 42 million tourists to its glamorous strip. Of this impressive number of visitors, around one million came from the UK – more than any other country. This proves that Sin City is still a hit with Brits.

And why wouldn’t it be? This place has a distinct identity, owing to its unique history and charms. Vegas was where casinos first sprung up in the 1950s, ushering in an era with more glitz and glam than any before or since. There’s even a great online casino which have themed their branding on the Vegas heyday – with the chequered flooring and Wurlitzer soundtrack to boot. In fact, this exceptional casino is a good starting point for getting your head around what Vegas is all about.

If you haven’t partied in Las Vegas yet, what are you waiting for? Below is a guide to this one-of-a-kind city, from an American girl living in London who has been to Vegas a few times! Here’s a photo from last visit, which was pre-Instagram days!

A Brit’s Guide to Vegas: Getting There

A direct flight to Las Vegas from any London airport will take around 10 and a half hours and be quite expensive. Finnair and British Airways are the two major airlines offering direct flights to Sin City. A return trip in economy, planned a year in advance will cost around £800.

If that sounds like too much money to spend on flights, you’ll have to consider choosing a flight with one or more stops. Flights from Belfast International can be purchased for as little as £518. You can avail of cheap Ryanair flights to Belfast from London for as little as £9.99.

If you’d like to save yourself a huge amount of money you could even embark on this convoluted journey:

London Heathrow => Belfast International £9.99 Ryanair
Belfast International => New York Stewart £64.99 Norwegian Airlines
New York Stewart => Las Vegas £265 Interjet

Although be warned, an eight-hour flight on a budget airline is not something to take lightly. My guide to The Best London Airport to Choose features information about London’s six airports if you want more information about flying internationally from London. Or, you can watch this Sunny News YouTube video.

There are several different options available to the discerning traveller when it comes to accommodation in Las Vegas. Unsurprisingly, most of the city’s hotels cater for tourists with above average budgets, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cheaper options available.

Shoestring Budget Style– If you don’t care too much about where you stay and are only heading to Las Vegas for the experience, then take a look at Sin City Hostel. Situated just two kilometres away from the main strip, this hostel would work for the solo traveller. Dorms are available for as little as £23 a night with breakfast included. Sin City Hostel also offers guests exclusive access to some of the best tours and guides in the city.

Mid Budget Style– Las Vegas is all about excess, but you wouldn’t expect to get a slice of that excess for just £60 a night. In the quirkily named Circus Circus Hotel, you can experience what Vegas is all about for a great price. When my family visited Las Vegas, my little sister fell in love with Circus Circus. It’s always been a top pick for families. The hotel is home to an indoor theme park, an outdoor waterpark, a casino and two hot tubs. As you can imagine it’s somewhere kids can relax and enjoy themselves all within a five minute drive of the main strip.

Luxury and Celebrity Style– For the price of £280 per night, you can stay in a suite at the world-famous Bellagio Hotel and Casino. This price gets you 1,020 square feet of luxury space. Their suite comes with a living room bedecked with soft furnishings and a 42 inch plasma screen TV. There are two rooms in the suite – his and hers, both kitted out with en-suite bathrooms with whirlpools and a king size cashmere bed. And, you will have front row views to those famous fountains that have been featured in countless films!

A Brit’s Guide to Vegas: What about Gambling?

No tourism guide to Las Vegas is complete without a look at what makes the city famous: gambling. In fact, it’s intentionally impossible to get anywhere in a Vegas hotel without walking through a casino. And here’s the one casino in Vegas that you absolutely have to visit.

The Venetian is a great casino, thanks to the enormous selection of gaming tables, slot machines and tournaments. However, many tourists feel the main appeal of the casino is the recreation of Venice’s waterways, it really is just like being in the Italian city. Well, as a Florida girl who has stayed at The Venetian, I would say it feels more like a Walt Disney World version of an Italian city!

Compared to Europe, the US is fairly short on history and identity. In the Venetian, the casino moguls of Vegas have sought to bridge this gap is through imitation – which, after all, is the greatest form of flattery, right paisonos?

A Brit’s Guide to Vegas: Eating There

Tao- Not only is the Venetian hotel iconic for all those reasons, but it’s also the location for an award-winning nightclub, beachclub and restaurant. You know that’s the same place that Kim Kardashian celebrated her 30^th birthday, right? Actually, she has had several birthday bashes at this legendary nightclub. The restaurant is the infamous location where Scott Disick tried to shove money down a waiter’s mouth. My experience at the restaurant and club when I was in Vegas was phenomenal! The meal was exquisite and the VIP lounge at Tao was incredible. Aside from possible celebrity sightings, Tao is definitely worth your time while in Vegas.

This opulent three Michelin star restaurant is just off from the MGM Grand Casino floor, and you may have had to win big in order to afford the food here. The French cuisine comes as 12 decadent courses that will leave your taste buds tingling. If you’ve already committed to staying in a luxury suite at one of the hotels above, you may as well stretch the budget a little farther for this sumptuous restaurant. Having eaten at the Bellagio before, I can say that there is no room for second class. Everything, including my experience at The Bank Nightclub, is first class and fab!

Wahlburgers– If you haven’t had a chance to visit the recently opened Wahlburgers in Covent Garden, then you can grab a ‘gourmet’ fast food burger at their Las Vegas location. Seriously, if you’re in Sin City and want to have a great American burger, Mac ‘n cheese or onion rings, this celebrity owned spot is the place to be seen. However, be prepared for those glitzy and glam prices when you’re acting like a high roller here.

A Brit’s Guide to Vegas: Summary

There are a million and one ways to enjoy this magical city, which is filled with crazy stories from across the decades. Ultimately, this place is what you make of it. However you get there, remember to live it to the max, because whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Actually, the truth is whatever happens in Vegas immediately goes on social media, so how about this…

Take a gamble on Las Vegas because- no one wants to suffer from FOMO!

June 22, 2019 by: Sunny London

Do Photos of Cornwall Cause Overtourism?

How many times have you stood in front of something so majestic, took a picture to share the view with people and felt crushed when the camera capture didn’t do it justice? That’s how I feel about my photos of Cornwall.

On a five day holiday Mr Sunny and I went to Boscastle, Tintagel, St Ives, Port Isaac and Padstow. The array of sights in just this small area, even on days when it rained, makes it a great destination for tourists. In fact, it’s starting to be too great.

When I first posted photos of Cornwall with Mr Sunny on Instagram, my Florida friends were in disbelief. On many levels I was too. Living in London for six years has taught me to keep my distance from the making physical contact with the River Thames. It’s murky and filthy. But, to be fair, ocean water in Daytona Beach, (my hometown) isn’t very transparent either! The water in Cornwall is such a beautiful shade of blue.

Let’s see what you think.

And in terms of rugged coastlines and beaches, Cornwall scores high on the wow factor too.

It’s no wonder that Cornwall is experiencing overtourism. It is certainly the most beautiful place I have been in England. However, I haven’t made it to the Lake District yet, and I hear that is insanely gorgeous. What do you think Sunny friends, have any of you been to both? If so, how do they compare?

So, this brings us to the idea of overtourism. Like Dubrovnik and many areas, Cornwall is suffering the backlash of an abundance of social media photos publicizing its beauty combined with popular television shows filming on location. These two factors bring tourists to the area in droves.

While that might drive the area’s economy up initially, it also has negative effects. One of the big concerns is people actually causing erosion of the locations. Some cities have imposed additional taxes for tourists to compensate for the destruction caused.

What do you think is the answer for this? With London’s tourist population expected to grow 30% by 2025, what will happen to London? Will promoting less popular neighborhoods in London help balance the traffic? Will the tourism boards follow the lead of the Netherlands and stop promoting London internationally?

Mr Sunny and I tend to pick less popular places to travel because we really like to avoid crowds.Will overtourism affect your travel plans? Could it stop you from choosing a holiday destination?

June 16, 2019 by: Sunny London

What is the Best London Airport to Choose?

Choosing which London airport for your trip can be complicated if you aren’t familiar with their differences and locations. After living in London for 6 years, I have had the chance to explore and learn about what makes one better than the other. If there was an easy answer for everyone, you probably wouldn’t be reading this! However, with the information below you will be able to make a decision on what is the best London airport for you.

The array of choices you have for airports near London can be confusing. To judge by name, you would find 6 options identified as a London airport. From largest to smallest they are: Heathrow Airport (LHR), Gatwick Airport (LGW), London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LLA), London City Airport (LCY) and London Southend Airport (SEN).

However, bigger isn’t always better. For international travel, bigger airports usually mean more time for checking in, going through security, boarding your flight, going through Border Control and waiting in baggage claim.

When deciding what is the best London airport to choose, you need to consider distance because only one airport is really located close to Central London. This area of London is the most popular place for travellers to choose a hotel during a visit. In order of closest distance to greatest, the options are:

London City Airport, 14 km (9 miles)
Heathrow, 26 km (16 miles)
Gatwick, 45 km (28 miles)
Luton, 55km (34 miles)
Stansted, 63 km (39 miles)
Southend, 64 km (40 miles)

What is the Best London Airport to Choose- Most Popular

Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport are the popular options for first time travellers to London. To be honest, they are the two my husband (who has lived his entire life in London) and I choose most. We prefer to pay more for convenience and nearly always book flights on British Airways due to their loyalty programme. I recently cashed in Avios for Business Class tickets to Cyprus, which will be a 4 1/2 hour direct flight for us from Heathrow!

If we book really early flights, we stay at a hotel near the airport, which we book through Expedia. For transportation, we use Heathrow Express, Uber, London Underground or Gatwick Express. Arriving early gives me plenty of time to hit World Duty Free.

If cheap ticket prices are your top concern, you will likely find the best deals through the other London airports. When I say cheap, I mean like £30 each way or less to European destinations! However, these discount airlines tend to charge to choose a seat, bring a carry on, check in a bag, and basically breath on the plane- in our opinion. The seats also offer very, very little legroom.

If you want to play safe and go with the most popular London airports, watch the 4 minute YouTube video below. I compare transportation options to Central London from Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport, assuming flight prices are equal.

You can download my free guide with all the prices and train options I mention in the YouTube video, by subscribing to the weekly email. Immediately you get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London‘ which is the ultimate free travel accessory for a London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning (like the airport guide), plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Let’s take a look at other options to consider for what is the best London airport to choose. These options would appeal to people travelling between London and other UK or European destinations.

London Stansted Airport

The newest London airport, London Stansted gives access to 200 destinations across Europe, Middle East and Africa. It has one main passenger terminal.

With regard to transportation, Stansted Airport Railway station is in the terminal building. Stansted Express goes to and from Liverpool Street in central London every 15 minutes when trains are running. If you book tickets online in advance and you can pay from £9.45 one way between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport. This offer is only online and allows you a fully flexible ticket. You can travel on any train on the outbound date you book and can return anytime within a month. This option is available up to 6 months in advance. Keep in mind there is limited availability, so you would want to book early.

The journey usually takes roughly 45-53 minutes. The busiest routes from Stansted Airport are: Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast International, Rome-Ciampino and Malaga. The most popular airlines are:

Austrian Airlines
British Airways
easyjet
Emirates
Jet2.com
Pegasus Airlines
Ryanair
Scandinavian Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines
TUI Airways

London Luton Airport

Luton is 28 miles north of Central London. It is the 5th busiest airport in the UK and has 1 terminal and a single runway. Luton Airport is the base and head office location for easyjet. Most of its routes are through Europe. Generally, you would fly on the airlines below at really great ticket prices:

easyjet
Ryanair
TUI Airways
Vueling

The fastest train between St Pancras station in Central London and Luton Airport Parkway railway station takes 22 minutes, but they average 40 minutes. There is a 10-minute shuttle bus between the railway station and the airport terminal. You can check National Rail for details, but a Super Off-Peak ticket Single is £13.10.

London City Airport

This airport opened officially in 1987 and is quite small compared to other London airports. It has a single, two story passenger terminal building. They claim you can get ‘From front door to gate in 30 minutes’.

The British Airways business (Club World) London City Service claims to be the smartest way to reach New York City. The exclusively business-class service is the closest a commercial flight gets to a private jet. You are also able to clear immigration en-route so you can skip the queues at JFK.

If you read through the comments on the YouTube video, you’ll learn that that landing at London City Airport is a nail-biter. The airport is busiest during winter months. And, the most popular destinations are: Zurich, Geneva and Milan for winter sports fans. Airlines flying in and out of London City Airport are:

Aer Lingus
Alitalia
British Airways
Flybe
KLM
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Luxair
Swiss International Air Lines
TAP Air Portugal

The most popular transportation option (and the cheapest) would be Docklands Light Railway. You can use an Oyster card on it, and easily connect to the London Underground and London Overground. There are currently no plans for a station to London City Airport when the Elizabeth Line opens, but it will come very close.

London Southend Airport

As the furthest airport, you would choose this one if you plan a holiday on the east coast of England and are renting a car. However, as of 10th June 2019, Greater Anglia began running an extra service to London’s Liverpool Station. The airport has up to five services an hour during peak times and can get you to the City in under an hour.

You can purchase tickets at the station from the ticket office and ticket vending machines. Off-peak single fares start at £16.70 to Liverpool street. They give discounts for railcards, travelcards and groups.

What is the Best London Airport to Choose? Final Thoughts

I wish it was one simple answer for everyone. If you are travelling solo to London on business and plan to be mostly in the City or Canary Wharf area, then London City Airport is the best for you. A family on holiday might consider Heathrow Airport and then an Uber in to Central London to a hotel. A budget traveller with some extra time would also consider Heathrow Airport, but then use an Oyster card and jump on the London Underground. A couple seeking an easy route with train travel to the heart of London and then a cab to a hotel would likely pick Gatwick Airport.

For those who have visited London or live in London, what is the best airport to choose for your circumstances? Do you prefer one consistently over another? Does an airline loyalty programme make a big difference? Is it time, budget and/or convenience?

May 5, 2019 by: Sunny London

SSSS Boarding Pass- Can’t Check You in Because Government Regulations

When ‘We can’t check you in because government regulations require that you check in at the airport’ displayed on my computer screen as I tried to check in to my LHR-ATL flight in August, I thought I had hit the wrong key. So, I tried again.

And again. And again. And again.

After nearly six attempts to check in to the flight (Delta 31 to Atlanta) I have been on tons of times, I gave up. Next, I did what any logical person at a computer would do… I googled it.

After reading a few forums and random websites, it appeared I had been part of some random security ‘check’ done on Americans.

Not placing tons of faith in people who have the ability to post whatever on the internet (myself included 😉) I decided to go straight to the source.

Finding a phone number for Delta’s Customer Service in the UK took longer than I expected.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Delta Airlines’ Response

The Delta representative, whose English I barely understood, indicated that I should anticipate nothing additional at the airport. I clarified this with my OCD level of interrogation several times and then let it go. I slept normally that night and did not let pre-travel anxiety get the best of me.

Well, not really. I still planned to be at Heathrow Airport 30 minutes prior to when I normally arrive for this flight. And just for reference, I have flown Delta round trip from LHR to America minimally 3 times a year for the past 7 years.

Aside from waiting to check-in for 45 minutes in the long queue, my check-in went normally. And, I did inquire again if anything additional would happen.

As a side note, before Delta merged its desks with Virgin Atlantic a few years ago, I never had to wait longer than 10 minutes to check my luggage in the terminal at Heathrow Airport.

All went as normal through the security line. However, I only had 15 minutes until my gate number was displayed. When it did, I darted off quickly to Gate 20.

SSSS Boarding Pass: What Really Happens

Upon entering, my boarding pass was seized and I was escorted to a small table on the side of the boarding area waiting room. The ‘agent’ said he needed to test every electronic item I had.

AYFKM?!?!? I probably said that out loud. Twice. Really loud. In fact, that is why it has taken so long to publish this blog post. I was irate and didn’t respond in the most favourable way when I realised this was definitely happening to ME.

‘I am a travel blogger. I have 3 cameras, 3 external hard drives, a laptop, iPad, multiple phones and more,’ I said with a total edge.

He not only cared less, but also the clipboard lady next to him wouldn’t even make room for me to open my carefully packed carry on.

And one by one I had to remove everything from my carry on luggage, and anyone who wanted to could watch. Undergarments, make up, charge cords, and one electronic device after another, the pile mounted.

I was running out of room and no one cared. My stuff started falling to the floor, but they insisted I keep going.

And with little notice, after what seemed like an eternity, they said I could stop and called the next person over to the desk.

WTF? I don’t even get time to repack. I am actually not sure if that thought was expressed aloud because I was upset. Really upset.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Advice for You

This is a completely unsponsored blog post. I am genuinely writing it because I have a high population of American readers and YouTube viewers who travel to and from London either to visit London or live here as American expats like me. And they (probably YOU) are a target for this additional random security screening.

– Arriving early for me did not make a difference. The best you can do is make sure you go to the gate immediately when it shows on the screens at Heathrow Airport.

– Pack your electronics in compartments on the top. The next time I flew I took everything in a camera backpack as my handbag. Mr Sunny was responsible for the carry on suitcase. I wasn’t flagged again, but this was a flight was London Gatwick to Nice, France on British Airways so it isn’t a fair comparison because it didn’t go through American airspace.

Nothing was unusual on my return flight from Atlanta to Heathrow in terms of being subjected to an additional security check.

However I also have started travelling with packing cubes and they have made a huge difference on how fast I can pack and unpack when Mr Sunny and I arrive to a destination.

– Be absent minded. I think I offered way too much. It seemed they were just casually going through my stuff because they had too. I think if I hadn’t mentioned all the devices I had, they probably would have barely checked anything.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Final Thoughts

I tweeted both Heathrow Airport and Delta Airlines and neither indicated it was triggered or handled on their end. After further research, I learned why they really had nothing to do with it.

In the YouTube video below I share what I have learned since the experience about how the US TSA chooses people. I also give advice about what not to put in your carry on luggage that might be a surprise to you.

Have you ever had a security dilemma at the airport? What happened and can you offer any advice to others to help them if they are in a similar situation?

May 4, 2019 by: Sunny London

Best Places to Visit in South of France- 20 Photos to Inspire Your Trip Planning

Are you thinking of planning a trip to South of France? The French Riviera, AKA Cote d’Azur, was one of the first modern resort areas in the world. It has always been number one on my travel bucket list.

After a four night trip there with Mr Sunny, I can honestly say it is my top sunny destination to recommend to people who want a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and sunny views. We spent time in Nice, Monaco and Cannes, and I consider those three locations the best places to visit in South of France.

Rather than give you a list of things to do in this Mediterranean playground, I will show you the sights through 20 photos I took on our foodie holiday in the French Riviera.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Street Scenes

We stayed in Nice, the largest city in the south of France. Our hotel was in a perfect location because it provided easy access to everything we wanted to do and had an amazing view from our room. We booked the whole trip through British Airways. For other guests’ feedback, you can read reviews on TripAdvisor. Or, you can read my review.

The Promenade de Anglais is just one of the many streets that offers endless photo opportunities. That is the famous street you see in the image above. Whether you are going for a jog, strolling casually, or venturing around on a bike, I think it’s easy to agree that the views are exquisite.

However, even the small streets away from the sea in Nice offer inspiration. The flowers and beautiful colour palettes of the buildings popping against the azure sky are such a contrast from London’s city sights.

It seemed like to matter where we wondered and looked, there was a hidden gem that led us to another adventure full of candy for our eyes. For example, take a look at the waterfall in the top centre of the photo below. We spotted this from a street market and took the short hike to visit this area called the Parc Forestier du Mont-Boron.

While walking around we saw plush trees and waterfalls, and the views of Nice were majestic.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Views

I would suggest planning to spend a half a day in this area, especially if you enjoy photography. The shots you can capture to make your followers even more Insta-envious are endless. And, if you enjoy boating there are some drool worthy sights for you here too.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Boats

The Monaco Boat show is billed as the World’s Greatest Superyacht Event. It takes place in the end of September. Even though we visited in South of France in the middle of October, there was no shortage of boat and yacht images available. These shots are from Nice and our day trips to Monaco and Cannes.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Coastal Views

We took a train to Monaco and Cannes for our daytrips. For more on how to do that, I give Travel Tips and Advice for the South of France in the YouTube video below. It includes a quick hotel room tour as well.

Along the way for both of these train trips we were privy to more coastal views. And, through just wandering around Monaco and Cannes we were able to grab even more shots of the azure Mediterranean Sea.

Places to Visit in South of France- Beaches

The beach in Nice and Cannes had sun bathers and wasn’t too crowded, but I would imagine if you visited in the late Spring or Summer, you would find it much more crowded.

And just to see if you’re paying attention, I want you to look at the two planes above. Which one do you think is the real plane in the photo? Sunny friends, I added one of the planes in Adobe Photoshop.

Something that really bothers me is when people do so much editing to their pictures that they create false expectations about the location. We hear of many places experiencing ‘overtourism’ now. I think one of the contributors could to this is social media influencers and bloggers misrepresenting how ‘ideal’ the location can be.

DISCLAIMER: Aside from the extra plane above for humour, I have only enhanced the colours in all of my photos from my foodie holiday in South of France. So, truly, what you see is what you get in the French Riviera. It is THAT stunning.

There are so many places in the South of France that offer endless beach and blue sea views. FOR. REAL.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Final Thoughts

I hope to return to the South of France because our short trip did not allow us to get to Saint-Tropez or many other seaside resorts. If you have explored these areas or are from the French Riviera, please leave suggestions in the comments. We are relaxed foodie travellers. Ideas about hotels, restaurants and casual things to do in the during a visit in the South of France would be great!

Since my blog is called Sunny in London, I rarely publish photos of locations at night. However, just to show you that South of France is equally as stunning in the evening, I have this image for you.

And it wouldn’t be a true blog post if we didn’t hear a word from Mr Sunny, my London born husband with a very English sense of humor. Here is a photo he wanted me to include on his behalf. He calls it ‘Pardon My French’

December 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel- Where to Stay Near Windsor Castle at Christmas

If you really want to treat yourself when visiting Windsor, you need to know a great location for where to stay near Windsor Castle. Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is beneath the castle and is inches from tons of restaurants, shops and of course- pubs!

Mr Sunny and I love Windsor because it is such a short trip from London and has such a lovely atmosphere. Recently, we made a trip to Windsor just to enjoy all the Christmas decorations. While I think London is breathtaking during the holidays, there are so many things to do in Windsor at Christmas too. That is why having a hotel in a great location matters a lot.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Check-in

We arrived at the Windsor and Eton Central Railway Station at around 5.30pm. The hotel is about a 7 minute walk away, I think. You see I am not exactly sure because as soon as you leave the station you are dazzled with numerous shops like Molton Brown, Neal’s Yard Remedies and L’Occitane. If the allure of shopping does not misguide you, you still might face another obstacle with Windsor Castle.

Its awe will strike you just as you leave the station heading toward the High Street. I think I stood in front of it for 10 minutes filming the light projection display when we arrived. But, you will have to watch my “Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video to see what I mean.

You literally just wrap around the High Street and Windsor Castle to find the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa.

Staff greeted us quickly and swiftly took us to our room, which was in a building across the road from the main building. They were clear that they wanted our stay to be relaxing and were eager to help with anything.

Our room was exactly what we needed for the quick stay- clean, quiet and comfortable. We quickly freshened up and headed to the high street to explore Christmas in Windsor at night.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Next Time

Unfortunately, with a tight timeline for a press trip, we weren’t able to enjoy more of what the hotel had to offer. Sadly, we just got to sleep and have breakfast. In fact, the images of the spa look gorgeous on the website. Mr Sunny was quite disappointed when he learned the hotel has a whirlpool, because we did not pack his bathing costume for our trip. However, with so many Christmas activities happening in the town, I can’t imagine this would have been the highlight!

The afternoon tea at Sir Christopher Wren is offered in either the Drawing Room or Brasserie. Both seem ideal for a relaxing and indulging in this British tradition.

They had a great offer for January stays while we were there, so Mr Sunny and I are going to continue to follow the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa on Instagram so we don’t miss the chance to skip off to Windsor the next weekend we are free. It is such an easy escape from London in terms of day trips that offer English culture and history.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Christmas Season

While the hotel is absolutely dreamy for a wedding and is where celebrities stay when in Windsor for a royal wedding, it is also a popular hotel for local residents to book their Christmas parties.

In terms of festivities, there is not a corner of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa that isn’t sparkling with Christmas joy. I lost count of all the Christmas trees I saw. Holiday decorations are tastefully everywhere.

This further added to the warmth and lovely atmosphere of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa. If you seek a winter getaway that is easy from London or have some extra time to enjoy the English country atmosphere, book a stay here early. It is quite a popular place to go.

Our stay was part of a press trip to the area, but if you want to see all the other great reviews and stars from people who agree, you can visit TripAdvisor to how highly Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is ranked.

Have you been to Windsor? Aside from Windsor Castle, what other activities do you suggest? Do you have any questions for me about a trip? Stay tuned for the Sunny News YouTube video about ‘Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video. You can subscribe to the Sunny News emails to make sure you don’t miss any promotions or updates too.

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London and day trips from London. This includes tips for how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.