TRAVEL

April 11, 2022 by: Sunny London

Benagil Cave Tour- Review Taruga Benagil Tours

What trip to Algarve, Portugal would be complete without a Benagil Cave Tour? If you enjoy water activities and sports, seeing the most popular of all the maritime caves in Portugal should be at the top of your things to do list on this trip.

However, choosing the best way to go about seeing the Benagil Caves can be overwhelming. While walking in the streets of Lagoa you will see countless stands that advertise boat tours. It’s tough to walk several feet without a stand representative giving you a verbal invitation.

My husband and I chose to book our boat tour through our hotel concierge so we didn’t have to make an impulsive, pressured decision in the street. This proved to be a good choice, since we had a fantastic experience with the recommended company- Taruga Benagil Tours.

If you are planning to do to a Benagil Cave Tour, there are important things you should know before you go.

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Benagil Cave Tour Review- How and When to Book

We visited the Algarve the second week of April. From my experience, European countries aren’t ever too hot during that time. The weather we had was in the mid 60’s each day (Fahrenheit), which is fairly mild compared to what registers in the summer months.

Apparently, our trip was just before peak season starts in the Algarve, so it was not too crowded. We were advised by one person at our hotel that since boat tours leave every hour, we didn’t need to book in advance. But on the first day we wanted to go, I decided to check before we drove to Praia de Benagil. On that morning we learned through a phone call to Taruga Benagil Tours that the only available time left was at 3.30 pm. This was too late for us, given we had other places we wanted to see. So, we officially booked a tour for 11.45am the next day.

This time worked perfectly for several reasons. Foremost, it was not too hot by the time we went out to sea on the boat. The sky was slightly overcast, but the sun’s strength was still high. I wish my husband and I had brought sunscreen because we both developed a little red tint the next day from our Benagil Cave Tour experience.

If you are planning to book your tour experience prior to arriving in the Algarve, know that sea conditions can dictate a lot too. It would help to be flexible with your plans. There was a ‘coastal event’ several days prior to our arrival and Benagil Cave Tours were cancelled on those days due to water conditions.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- What to Bring and Wear

This is where we made our biggest mistake. Because we anticipated chilly to mild temperatures when we checked the forecast prior to our flights, we packed mostly jeans and long sleeve shirts. Luckily, each of us threw a pair of rugged shorts and a t-shirt in to our suitcase as a last minute ‘fingers crossed’ effort in packing. That’s what we wore on the tour.

You should plan to wear clothes that could get wet and have water shoes too. You will need to step in to the water to get on and off the boat. If you are lucky enough to stop on a beach in a cave during your tour, you will be on and off the boat more than once.

I didn’t have a backpack so I threw my important stuff in a tote bag I had received from a blogging event. I left my Michael Kors handbag in the car boot during the ride. We didn’t encounter any big splashes, but I wish I had brought something more practical for an outdoor water activity. Luckily I had a plastic shopping bag that I put within the tote bag to use as a liner in the event we got hit with a big splash.

All the photos featured in this blog article were taken with my iPhone 13 Pro. But it’s important to note that I have a case with a ring on the back. Without it, I probably would’ve lost my phone at some point. Taruga Benagil Tours warns you to use your electronic devices at your own risk, for good reason.

Additionally, I used my GoPro Hero to take video during the boat tour. I wish I had brought a monopod stick with it with a wrist band, because it was really risky just to hold it in my hands.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- The Experience

Taruga Benagil Tours required us to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of our tour. At the time we visited, the free parking at Praia de Benagil was easy to locate. The entire car park was nearly empty when we arrived at 11.00am. It was full when we left just after our tour around 1.15pm.

If you arrive early, you can wait on the small beach like we did. There are toilets available too. At the time I visited they didn’t have any hand soap so I was really grateful for the sanitiser wipes that I keep in my handbag for emergencies. We checked in at the ticket booth, paid for our tickets and received paper stubs to use at our tour time.

At exactly 11.45am we were divided in to two groups on the beach with the others who were waiting. Even though our boat could’ve fit 10 tour guests, ours had only 8.

For the promised 75 minutes we rode in the boat along the Algarve coast. Our Captain was very knowledgable in history and geology. As he drove the boat inside various caves he pointed out large rocks that did or didn’t allow boats to pass through depending on the tide. Additionally, he showed us cracks above us and how they were formed.

That was a bit terrifying for me because I have a big imagination. Some of the cracks had developed less than 100 years ago. And some of the rocks had landed around that time too.

If you are at all intimidated by choppy water or being inside dimly lit caves with low ceilings, this experience might not be for you. The ride itself was smooth and the Captain was an excellent navigator through the water.

There were tons of tour boats and other boaters on the sea that day. As indicated previously, they will cancel if the weather conditions prohibit a safe voyage.

When we disembarked the boat to visit the small beach inside a cave I created a Benagil Cave Tour TikTok to show you a little of what your trip with Taruga Benagil Tours could involve.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- Taruga Benagil Tours- Final Thoughts

I would highly recommend Taruga Benagil Tours to anyone visiting Algarve Portugal. They have been operational for 14 years and are very organised. Our tours were €30 each and were for the Traditional Visit, if you are researching options on their website. Please ask me any questions you have about the experience in the comments, and I will do my best to answer them.

You can see regular London tips and travel to places from London adventures on my social media. There are usually several on TikTok a day and a weekly YouTube video is published on Sundays. To make sure you never miss any Sunny News about London, it would be best to subscribe to the email list.

March 26, 2022 by: Sunny London

Advice for Visiting Hawaii for the First Time

Where is your dream holiday? Most Americans and British people choose Hawaii as a top destination. As an American living in London who has been to Hawaii several times, I am frequently asked for travel advice to my British friends who are visiting Hawaii for the first time.

Therefore, I always convey the things I found most surprising on my first trip to Hawaii.

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Advice for Visiting Hawaii- Cost

I anticipated that flights and hotels would be the largest expense. However, once I was actually on the islands I was surprised at everyday items that seemed to be priced higher than what I paid on the mainland of America.

Growing up in Florida, I am keenly aware of the ‘theme park price markup’ that you experience at places like Disney World or Universal Studios. When you consider basic geography, you can start understanding why the entire state of Hawaii can feel like you are paying ‘Disney’ prices everywhere.

So much needs to be imported to Hawaii. And as you can imagine- this is not an easy process. This accounts for an overall feeling of inflation. Don’t let this surprise you when you arrive. It’s a necessity due to the state’s distant location from the US mainland.

One strategy to offset this is buying discounted passes to multiple attractions. You should take advantage of Hawaii travel passes to alleviate costs of activities that are non-negotiable on your holiday. I mean- why would you travel all that distance and not visit the top attractions?

Touring Pearl Harbour was one of the most moving experiences at a historic site I have had in my life. I literally can’t imagine visiting Oahu and not going to this location where the world’s history changed in 1941.

Additionally, if you are planning a trip to Hawaii, you can’t miss the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s the #1 thing to do in Oahu- for good reason. It’s the best place to attend a luau and enjoy Polynesian food. You do want to at least try poi, right?

Also, research accommodation in vacation rental houses and apartments rather than staying in hotels. They’re usually cheaper and offer larger space. You can also save a lot on food and hotel parking, because it’s very likely you’ll rent a car while you’re on the islands. It’s much easier to get to attractions and sites if you have your own transportation. Plus, although the islands might be small, the distance between the many things you’ll want to do could be significant. Figuring out and taking public transportation could cost you a lot of time on your trip.

Advice for Visiting Hawaii- Geography

Another surprise to planning and visiting Hawaii is that you will need to take ‘Inter island flights’ if you want to see more than one island. And, if you are going to take a long haul flight to the state, you should make the most of the trip by visiting as many islands as you can during your holiday.

There are 6 main islands you could visit. If you plan to go to several, I suggest this order: Maui, Hawaii (‘The Big Island’) and Oahu.

My rationale is that Maui is the most laid back of the options. You will most likely be very jet lagged when you arrive to Hawaii. Therefore, an island with a slower pace pairs well with the adjustment.

While it’s obvious that a tropical and casual atmosphere embodies Hawaiian life, Honolulu is very much a bustling and big city. It has the best nightlife of all the options in Hawaii. It has to best nightlife of all the options in Hawaii. This is why I emphasise that visitors make it their last destination while island hopping. It’s a place that you will want to approach with all the energy you have.

Advice for Visiting Hawaii- Beaches

While the beaches of Hawaii are some of the most famous in the world, they were the most surprising to me. Growing up in Daytona Beach, I was used to a beach that was very deep and featured sand packed so hard that we drive cars on it.

Waikiki Beach is dazzling against a backdrop of Diamond Head and skyscrapers. However, Waikiki is actually quite small and narrow. It’s not the type of place where you would experience those cliche ‘long walks on the beach.’ It’s also really, really crowded so space is limited.

Don’t be surprised if many of Hawaii’s beaches look like this…

Advice for Visiting Hawaii- Local Cohesiveness

Finally, there is a strong sense of a regional bond and ‘locals only’ community. Growing up in a very transient atmosphere in a beach town that catered to the hospitality industry, I understand what this is. When you live in an area that has so many people coming and going for a short amount of time, you form a tighter bond with those who share your every day experiences.

You need to rely on locals so much for your livelihood. Therefore, your social life is built around places you go to escape traditional tourist spots.

Hawaii has a strong sense of local connectivity. If you can reach out to and identify with the locals, you will gain insights quickly on the best places to be and see. They can point you to local treasures that aren’t over saturated on the internet.

Advice for Visiting Hawaii- Final Thoughts

The allure of Hawaii appeals to so many types of travellers. It offers cultural experiences, exotic sightseeing opportunities, relaxation activities. Those who love sports and adventure travel can also enjoy things like helicopter rides over volcanoes, gorgeous golf courses and a day watching surfers on the North Shore.

Hopefully, this advice for visiting Hawaii for the first time will help you start your trip planning. Please include your questions or ideas if you have been to Hawaii in the comments.

March 6, 2014 by: Sunny London

Kensington Suite- London’s Largest Luxury

Last night I attended the launch party for the Kensington Suite at the Kensington Hotel. The evening was simply smashing!

The staff greeted party guests immediately and serenaded us with champagne cocktails and beautiful canapés. Then after a bit of mingling, we received a first-class tour of the Kensington Suite.

This is one of two living spaces featured in this apartment style accommodation:

Photo courtesy of Relish Content

The second space can also be recreated in to a dining room, should a guest have that preference.

Breath taking, don’t you think?

Spanning 180 square metres of space, the Kensington Suite offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It will be London’s largest town house suite that offers flexible living and sleeping space. In fact, it can be reserved as either one, two or three bedrooms.

Photo courtesy of Relish Content

The classic 19th-century Parisian apartment-style accommodation is inches away from some of London’s best museums and equally as close to Knightsbridge, a prime spot for London’s fashionistas.

Who would ever want to leave?

As I toured each room, I lost track of how many flatscreen LCD TV’s were on the walls.

Aside from all amenities (a private balcony with city views, Bose/iPad/iPone docking stations, walk-in showers and whirlpool baths, private decanter bar and Nespresso coffee machines) my favorite spot was this bedroom…

I imagined myself waking up from a solid night of sleep in the silky soft sheets, sliding off this bed, sifting my feet across the heated bathroom floors…

and basking in this for hours…

With so many spots to relax with a bit of bubbly…

It’s clear why this will be the HOTTEST suite available in London for inner sunshine, my Sunny friends. However, what goes beyond the images is the impressive service offered in this privately owned hotel.

I had the fortune of spending several minutes with the CEO, Pat King as he walked up to me and introduced himself. We chatted for several minutes about the luxury hotel group’s numerous locations (London, Bristol, Dublin, Cork and Washington DC). Mr. King also wasn’t shy about recognizing the evening’s second biggest star (after the suite of course), Alessandro, the hotel’s ~~mixologist~~ magician.

If this stunning suite isn’t part of your current budget, I have two suggestions for you:

– Visit the hotel to meet Alessandro. While the hotel’s accommodations, ambiance and attentive staff prove why it’s at the forefront of boutique luxury, Alessandro is their secret gem.

I hear the recipe for his specially created mix of champagne, gin, lemon juice, and lavender will be posted on the Kensington Hotel’s Facebook page soon. Sunny friends, its smooth balance of bubbles and flowers exudes sophistication. Quite simply, it’s like drinking money.

I give a big round of applause to Denis Looby of Sheehan and Barry Architects, whose designs are featured in the Kensington Suite. And finally, thank you to the Kensington Hotel for a really suite evening.

October 1, 2014 by: Sunny London

Eurostar from London to Brussels in 1 minute

Yeah that’s right. The headline said, ‘Eurostar from London to Brussels in 1 minute.’ I’m not lying or being deceitful. Today’s post is a guide that will show you in one minute how to get from London to Brussels on Eurostar.

‘Ok, now what’s tricky Ms. Sunny in London up to?’ I can hear you saying through your screen. Unless you’re Harry Potter, I mean really Harry Potter, you know it’s not physically possible. But…

It’s simple. I put together a little video showing you the bare basics of what the trip from London to Brussels is like.
And just to be a wee bit sneaky, it actually does show travel through hyperspace, but you will have to watch it to see how. Before you get too click happy, there’s a disclaimer.

This is my first experience on YouTube, so don’t judge too hard. Give me a few points for trying and check it out. After the video, I’ll share a little guide I put together on the Eurostar experience. Economy style, of course 😉

Phew! Glad my YouTube premiere is finally over. I know I need some work on this video thing, so thanks for not being too critical 😉

Now here’s the guide if you have more than a minute to continue:

Eurostar from London to Brussels- in London:

– Arrive to the international area of King’s Cross at least 45 minutes before your train is supposed to leave.
– Print your tickets at a kiosk set up in the station.
– Do not buy coffee before you go through security. I made this mistake and nearly spilled it everywhere.
– Have champagne at Searcy’s or somewhere in the station before you go through Eurostar security if you’re travelling in economy. They don’t have it on the other side. (Build extra time in for this based on your consumption levels!)
– Go through security. The whole process is very thorough but crowd control is crucial when travelling on trains. You don’t need to separate liquids, take off your shoes, or do anything with electronic devices. Just have your ticket and passport ready. As an American living in London, I asked for a stamp. It’s all about the stamp. 😉
– Visit the small food and beverage restaurant within the ‘terminal.’ You can purchase beer there too, even at 9am.
– Charge your phone at the separate bar for mobile devices.
– Board your train about 20 minutes prior to when it’s supposed to leave.

Eurostar from London to Brussels- on the Train:

– Expect to be surrounded by muggles. Yes, it’s true. Harry Potter is only a fantasy. I had fully believed that if I got on a train to a foreign country, I’d be guaranteed a Potter sighting.
– Load your luggage on the racks at the front of your individual coach. The overhead ‘compartments’ really aren’t that big.
– Put your luggage on the top rack if possible so you can see it as you travel. There will be 2-3 stops along the way. Other passengers will be boarding and leaving, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your stuff.
– Don’t expect much room in your seats. There also isn’t a place to charge your electronic devices.
– Expect a bit of ‘turbulence’ most of the way. Consider that before buying red wine at the bar.
– Consider turbulence before you use the loo. Just sayin’.
– Anticipate learning some foreign languages. Every message delivered over the PA system will occur in 3 different languages.
– Be prepared to stop in a few other cities before arriving in Brussels.
– Check-in on all your social networks. Suprisingly, you’ll have mobile signal (no free wifi) almost until you get to France. I checked in on Facebook at ‘Eurostar Under the Sea’ and tweeted this:

1st time on @Eurostar & I can't believe I'm getting 3G 'Under the Sea'. This ROCKS!
— Sunny in London☀️ (@Sunny_in_London) September 14, 2014

– Make sure you tag Eurostar too. They’ll likely retweet you and/or respond.

@Sunny_in_London Looks like it's going to be sunny in Brussels too today! Have a great trip!
— Eurostar (@Eurostar) September 14, 2014

Eurostar from London to Brussels- The Return

– Be prepared to spend more time at Border Control. It only took Mr Sunny and I about 5-7 minutes for the Border Control process to leave London. Leaving Brussels for London took about 30 minutes. EU Passport holders have a much faster line. I was in the Non-EU line. It was long.
– See above details. Everything else is pretty much the same.

Eurostar from London to Brussels- Final Thoughts:

Make sure you stay tuned on Sunny in London for my upcoming ‘Sunny in Brussels’ features. There’s a the hotel review ‘How Stella went on my Mini-Moon at Hotel Metrolopole Brussels’. And on the way will be posts showing tons of beer, chocolate, waffles!

If you’ve had the Eurostar experience, please share your feedback below. And of course, if there’s any questions I can answer about my trip, I’m happy to do so!

November 19, 2014 by: Sunny London

Rosewood London, Cabaret and a Sexy Video!

Rosewood.

That word kicks off one of the most acclaimed films of all time, Citizen Kane. Prior to this bursting dialogue, the audience sees a castle set far back from the road, encased in shadows and darkness. Orson Welles says the mysterious word, a snow globe falls from his hand and the mystery begins. From there, the viewer pieces together the puzzle. The puzzle ironically fits together through a blazing fire.

Ok. Before you go immediately scrolling down to the blog comments to correct me, I know the movie begins with ‘RoseBUD’ not Rosewood. But I couldn’t help but think of the beginning of this epic film as I approached the Rosewood London on a recent Sunday night. I was invited for Cabaret at Scarfes Bar. And it was epic.

Now, I’ve never been to a Cabaret. But, I have taught drama and acting courses, directed a few musicals and worked at a film studio.

I didn’t know exactly what to expect as I headed to Holborn, where the Rosewood London made its mark just over a year ago. However, knowing the edgy, yet luxurious reputation of the hotel which sits back in the shadows of the street High Holborn, I knew I would be dazzled.

I’ll describe the Cabaret at Scarfes Bar as ‘Explosively Sexy and Fun!’ I highly recommend it for a hot date night in a new romance.

Meet one of the powerhouse performers in the Cabaret at Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London. Prior to the show starting, cast members floated through the lounge in costume and character and mingled with the crowd. I asked her to pose for this picture just as the show started.

Normally I like a big barrier between a performer and myself. I quite enjoy a two dimensional suspension of disbelief. This is not the case at the Rosewood London Cabaret show.

The actors never made me uncomfortable as they sifted through the audience. Let’s attribute this to their outrageous wit and improv skills.

The show begins with Dusty Limits on the mic. He’s been on London’s forefront of the new cabaret scene since 1999. His vocal strength and magnetic presence make him clearly a commander of the stage.

Next, his co-star dazzles with sass and substance as she performs a solo song which stretches all through Scarfes Bar.

The banter among the cast members is fun, adult humored and engaging. As the night progresses, the sex appeal increases, and so does the amount of champagne poured for my table. I loved that the cast members sip some too.

This whirling beauty’s wings floated in the air, as her costume drifted off in to the night too. Yes, boys, I wasn’t kidding when I said this Cabaret is sexy.

The show is full of fun teasers and illusions. The night I attended there was a guest performer who captivated us all as he performed tricks on a chair.

And after one little intermission, our table really went topsy turvy with this tantalizing twist…

We even had another intermission filled with magic tricks and illusions at our table too.
For several hours, I sipped champagne, laughed and even wanted to jump on the bar and swing my groove thang. But, I kept to my better senses and left it to the professionals.
Every other Sunday at Rosewood London kicks off with the same dramatic fashion. Just follow the mysterious fire in to the hotel. Trust me, the story that awaits you at Cabaret in Scarfes Bar is a hell of a lot sexier than the one behind the doors of Xanadu in Citizen Kane.

I can tell you the show is every other Sunday and starts around 7:30pm. The show is for age 18+, and you need to book your tickets in advance. It also stars Lili La Scala, Valeriya Murzak, Sammy Dinneen, Vicky Butterfly and Laura London, as well as cabaret trio Tom Carradine, Tom Mansi and Jonathan Kitching.

If you want the scoop on where the best table is located, I can tell you that too. Just message me 😉 Or, if you need Rosewood Hotel reviews and rates, click here.

What I can’t tell you is just how edgy and sexy this show can be. But, maybe, if no one’s looking over your shoulder, you might click on this little video below that I made for my peeping Sunny friends. Go on then…. I won’t tell anyone.

April 20, 2015 by: Sunny London

Warren House Afternoon Tea and English Gardens

Do you like luxury, excellent food and serenity? Then you would love the Warren House Afternoon Tea, staycation and more.

With so many options for staycations and afternoon tea in London, it’s tough to choose where to go when you have limited amounts of time. Since I live in North London, travelling down to Surrey to visit Kingston Upon Thames isn’t the easiest trip. However, when I received an invitation to spend an evening at Warren House, enjoy their afternoon tea and tour Kingston Upon Thames, it was an easy decision because of how beautiful it appeared.

The trip was tough because it meant dragging an overnight bag on a bus, underground train, overground train and another bus. After travelling two and a half hours, I made it to Warren Road with my suitcase and felt a little lost. The exquisite service at Warren House started there, right on a curvy English road. Let me tell you how…

I only went twenty feet on to Warren Road and got frustrated looking for the hotel because my iPhone indicated I had passed it. Rather than take another step, I called Warren House. The gentleman that answered the phone indicated it would be faster if I just stayed standing right where I was, rather than receive directions.

He was right.

Seconds later, an energetic and eager man appeared from around a corner, took hold of my heavy suitcase and immediately guided me to historic Warren House. It was just a bit beyond where I was standing, actually, but the long journey had me weary.

I’d like to say it was like walking in to Oz, but honestly the whole road was a green path of fresh spring life. However, Warren House and its stunning Victorian beauty definitely took my breath away. The fact that they had prepared a crystal blue sky for my overnight staycation was even more impressive. 😉

Less than ten minutes after I made the anxious phone call in the road, I stood at my open window in Room #31 overlooking English gardens and fountains that seemed to stretch for miles. (Make sure you see the YouTube video for all these sights too!)

After a huge inhale of crisp Spring sunshine, I noticed that in the distance I could see The Shard and a few other of London’s tallest buildings resting on the bright blue horizon.

I could have stayed in that very spot for hours. But, my afternoon tea was set to begin in just a few moments.

It was tempting not to have my food outside in the warm sunshine, but I opted for a table inside because I could sit next to an outlet and recharge my lifeless iPhone.

The gardens and tables were filled with elegant ladies and men sipping champagne and soaking up all the Spring rays in Surrey. I ordered an English Breakfast Tea and tried to be posh as I ate my sandwiches.

But that didn’t last long because I was starving and they were so delicious. I ate each one in two big bites! Naturally, the scones and clotted cream disappeared fast too because they’re my favourites in this feast. Most impressive in this meal are the cakes and sweet treats.

Warren House Afternoon Tea:

– Green Apple Mousse
– Bellini Jelly
– Poppy Seed Cake
– Milk Chocolate and Earl Grey Tea Mousse
– Hazelnut Chocolate Tart Coco Nib Tuille

Aside from the melt in the mouth textures and flavours, I loved this sweet menu because each piece is dainty. Leaving an afternoon tea without feeling like a carb bomb with a thick creamy centre exploded in my stomach made for a nice change.

This also allowed me to take a nice stroll outside through the colourful, quiet English gardens that surround Warren House.

During my leisurely walk, I found a hidden little grotto, blossoming trees, soothing water fountains and tons of blooming flowers.

Once I gathered tons pictures for you, I stopped by the front desk for information about getting in to the city area of Kingston Upon Thames so I could explore a bit on my own. Again, their eagerness to help me was impressive.

After an easy bus ride, I was in the heart of Kingston Upon Thames, taking pictures of the sights leading up to and around the River Thames.

I made my way to the top of the Kingston Bridge and once again took a deep breath in order to absorb the stunning stretch of the river.

In the early evening I made my way back to Warren House and treated myself to a tasty sandwich and glass of champagne near the bar area.

Warren House, Afternoon Tea and more:

I can’t recommend this experience enough to Londoners and visitors. I slept like a princess in my room and awoke to birds singing outside and a glorious sunrise over London’s horizon. The hotel’s staff continuously looked after me and provided superior service in every capacity.

With rooms that start at £98 a night (including breakfast) during April, a stay at Warren House is a way to escape city life and transcend to total tranquility for a very good price. Also, if you are planning a wedding, special occasion, or conference/meeting events, then Warren House should be at the top of your location list.

And, if you would like to see the excellent reviews so many others have left for the Warren House Afternoon Tea, hotel stay and more, find them here on TripAdvisor.

Have you been to this area of Greater London? When you plan your trip, be sure to read my walking tour review. It’s the best way to see the city and should be high on your list of things to do in Kingston Upon Thames!

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

April 28, 2015 by: Sunny London

Mr Sunny’s Trip to Florida- Theme Parks or Beaches?

With the abundance of Spring sunshine this year in London, I’ve really been thinking about my next trip to Florida, my home state. I made it there a few times in 2014, and my last trip was this past January.

What would really mean the most to me is having Mr. Sunny join me next time. He has never made a trip to Florida. He did spend a year living in California in his early twenties, but ironically ‘Mr Sunny’ has yet to step foot in the sunshine state.

To say that I was shocked is a massive understatement. Many people that I know who live in California have made the trip to Florida at one point or another, so I just find it odd as to why ‘Mr Sunny’ hasn’t done the same.

Even though I am super excited to show him the state I call home, I am also anxious because it’s a lot of pressure!

How do I create the perfect itinerary for his first trip to Florida?

Of course we will definitely spend time at my mother’s new house in Daytona Beach. Not only would we spend quality time visiting her in her new home, but also Mr. Sunny could meet many of my friends from elementary, middle and high school.

Aside from having a stronger understanding of my life before London, he could also see what a great town Daytona Beach is. In fact, one of the first blog posts I ever wrote was 5 Reasons to Visit Daytona, the World’s Most Famous Beach.

However, I am thinking about spending some time in Orlando showing Mr. Sunny around the theme park town that’s central to everything in the state. With so many cheap flights to the United States, this trip to Florida is now even more enticing.

I would really like to surprise Mr. Sunny with the ticket and itinerary, so I need your help.

These are the ideas I have so far:

Trip to Florida #1:

– Arrive to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and take a shuttle to a hotel that is part of a theme park resort.
– Stay three days in Orlando.
– Spend two of those days at theme parks.
– Spend one day shopping in the malls and outlet malls so Mr. Sunny can stock up on cheap trainers and jeans.
– Rent a car and drive the short trip 60 miles to Daytona Beach.
– Stay on the beach for a week and then return to London via Orlando.

What do you think of this, Sunny friends? Is two days enough time at Orlando theme parks? If you are from London and have never made a trip to Florida, would you be excited about this itinerary?

Even though I never feature pictures of Mr. Sunny, you know from reading the blog that he loves beer. In fact, that’s pretty much his favourite thing ever. I really think that he would just love chillin’ at beach bars and sipping cold beer while enjoying the Atlantic Ocean breeze. But, he also loves rides and roller coasters, like me.

I am really torn about how to make his first trip to Florida extra special!

Another option would be for us to rent a car in Orlando and drive to the Sarasota area. I’ve always told Mr. Sunny that my plans are for us to retire and live on Siesta Key. It’s continuously voted one of the best beaches in America, and anyone who has been there to see its silky, white sand knows why.

Trip to Florida #2:

– Arrive to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and stay the evening in O-town.
– Spend one day shopping and then travel to the Gulf Coast.
– Stay two days in Siesta Key.
– Drive three hours to Daytona Beach.
– Stay on the beach for a week and return to London via Orlando.

So, should we skip theme parks and just hit a beach on each coast? If you had a personal tour guide for your first trip to Florida, what would you hope is planned for you?

I’m really looking forward to your help so please leave your experiences and suggestions below in the comments.

And, as always, thank you for reading!

June 8, 2014 by: Sunny London

The Bloomsbury Hotel- Where Smart People Stay

My evening at The Bloomsbury Hotel was a fantastic trip literally down memory lane. When I received the invite to attend the Poet in the City event, I did a double take at the address, 16-22 Great Russell Street.

It is my old address.

Well…. nearly.

If you read my About page, you learn that I lived on Great Russell Street when I did an internship with NBC News in Central London through Florida State University. So, how could I have passed this hotel several times a day and never have seen it?

Easy. It wasn’t there.

The Bloomsbury Hotel- The History

The building was designed in 1928 by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was originally commissioned as a YWCA Central Club.

Now that I remember!

No, silly, not 1928. I remember the ‘Y’ across the street from my flat, way back when I lived there in 1995.

The YWCA was started because there was no provision for club life in London. It was to ‘serve as a meeting ground for women of different nationalities and occupations’. Since the Royal Family was fond of the Central Club, several rooms were named after royalty.

It was also used extensively from 1939-1945 for War efforts. The YWCA housed service men and women. Its cafeteria produced thousands of meals. There’s still evidence of bombings in some of the Hall windows.

While it was once a flourishing location in London, the YWCA was deeply hit by the recession in the 90’s. It’s final years were during the time I arrived in London to intern.

In June 1998 the entire building sold to the Jury Doyle Hotel Group. Jurys Doyle retained and restored the entrance area, Queen Mary Hall, the Chapel and the Library.

Seamus Heaney Library

After the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group split in 2007, the hotel was relaunched and refurbished. That’s when it became known as The Bloomsbury Hotel.

The Bloomsbury Hotel- Take a Tour

When you enter the gorgeous lobby, you’re greeted with the aroma of orange and sandalwood.

If you close your eyes, you might mistake yourself for being in Florida. 😉

The lobby features replicas of the ‘Lutyens’ furniture, including Spiderback chairs and console tables.

There are 153 fabulous bedrooms and several larger studio suites.

Both the George V Hall and Queen Mary Hall feature hand blown Waterford crystal chandeliers.

And, of course, there’s an outside terrace for you to enjoy on a sunny in London day.

The Bloomsbury Hotel- The Literary Tradition

But it’s really the hotel’s deep appreciation for its literary roots that make it such a worthy place to stay. Bloomsbury is known for its community of authors and poets. It’s an area of London where Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf and T.S. Eliot lived for many years.

Therefore, The Bloomsbury Hotel has established its unique identity by developing a strong relationship with Poet in the City.

The Bloomsbury Hotel- Library and Events

The Library is dedicated to Irish poet, playwright, lecturer and former resident of the hotel, Seamus Heaney. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995. And Sunny friends, that’s the year I completed my internship in London. 😉

On May 1, an event was held to celebrate The Bloomsbury Hotel’s latest contribution to its literary community. It was a collaborative project between Poet in the City and fine art studios, Lavender Hill.

Poet in the City selected 10 leading poets. Artists from Lavender Hill painted portraits of the poets.
The portraits on display are Wendy Cope by Scott Pohlschmidt, Gwyneth Lewis by Ann Witheridge, Jo Shapcott by Jill Hooper, David Harsent by Nick Bashall, Patience Agbabi by Rosalie Watkins, Leontia Flynn by Phoebe Dickinson, Gerdur Kristny by India Amos, David Constantine by Joni Duarte, Imtiaz Darkhar by Archie Wardlaw, Andrew Motion by Scott Pohlschmidt and Seamus Heaney by Ann Witheridge.

They are anticipated to sell at a high profile auction in 2015.

The evening featured a special poetry reading from Leontia Flynn. She’s a Northern Irish poet and is the new Seamus Heaney Poet-in-Residence.

If you’re looking for a smart hotel to make your stay in London extraordinary, I highly suggest The Bloomsbury Hotel. It’s inches away from the British Museum. Also, you can easily walk to the Charles Dickens Museum and take a tour. And, hey, if you stick your head out the window, you get a peak of my ol’ university flat. For reviews and rates, read more here about The Bloomsbury Hotel.

Special thanks to:
Relish Content
Michael Neve, The Bloomsbury Hotel General Manager
Daniel Healey, The Bloomsbury Hotel Deputy General Manager

Facts regarding the hotel and its history were obtained from A History of The Bloomsbury Hotel, Volume 1

So, Sunny friends, what interesting hotels can you recommend for a visitor’s stay in London?

May 25, 2015 by: Sunny London

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea and Tour

Who turns down the chance to have the Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea?

Not me.

If you’re wondering why, then you need a little insight on the London scene. Luckily, I can help you with that.

You see, the Covent Garden Hotel is one of six Firmdale Hotels in Central London. If you aren’t familiar with this extraordinary hotel group, grab a chair and get ready for mind-blowing visuals.

As of this blog feature, I have visited and enjoyed food at three of the eight Firmdale Hotels. Since I have always felt the Charlotte Street Hotel Afternoon Tea is where to have the best afternoon tea in London for the price you pay, I felt certain the Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea would be top-tier as well.

These are the reasons why I feel the Covent Garden Hotel also wins this ‘Afternoon Tea Trifecta.’

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Quality

When my friend Nicole and I arrived for our Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea experience, we each anticipated ordering the Covent Garden Tea. However, our exceptional server, Emilien, told us that for a limited weekend, the hotel was serving a special edition afternoon tea to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

We both decided to honor the floral occasion and selected the seeds of celebration for our food. Here’s a side view of what arrived at our table:

After Emilien gave us an extensive tutorial on the food before us, we toasted our glasses of champagne and hit the sandwiches.

Chilli prawn and avocado mini bagel
Coronation chicken and mayonnaise in soft roll
Montgomery cheddar cheese and pickle on brown
Rare roast beef, foccacia, crispy onions

The coronation chicken was outstanding, but all of them reflect the infamous Firmdale Hotels quality.

The scone flavours plain and strawberry, and are baked perfectly sized and baked. They are of course, served warm. The dessert this Chelsea Tea includes are:

Lemon tart, candied peel
Strawberry and custard tart
Chelsea bun soaked in elderflower
Chocolate and cherry panna cotta
Blueberry Opera Cake

Along with all those delicious bites, we sipped on Jasmine Pearls and White Jasmine tea after our champagne.

The Chelsea Tea was only available for the weekend in honor of the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. The food was simply dazzling, and I find the price even more impressive. At just £28 per person, you can’t beat it. You can read the blog for tons of afternoon tea reviews at London’s luxury hotels which range anywhere from £45-£90. The Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea is undeniably the best valued tea in town.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Service

However, beautiful quality and combined ingredients is just the beginning. Our server Emilien even further magnified this fantastic experience. He is fairly fresh in London from Bordeaux and is is named after an equally gorgeous red wine.

His knowledge of the food and genuine enthusiasm for his role easily hits my ‘top service experiences in London’ category. I encourage you to ask for him when you go to dine at the hotel. His personality, charm and wit will surely add positively to your overall experience.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Atmosphere

It’s no wonder that Emilien is so pleased to be at work. The atmosphere at the hotel is one of its most alluring features. This is standard for Firmdale Hotels. The owners are responsible for the interior design of the properties. For this reason, after our Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea, I requested a private tour of the hotel for me and my friend.

First, we walked through the Drawing Room and Library.

There’s also an ‘Honest Bar’ on this floor that allows people to enter, retrieve what they need, and honestly write it down what they take so the hotel is aware of what is gone.

Next, we visited a guest room. Each room is decorated differently. Materials used are often displayed outside the room.

While Firmdale Hotels is known for its vibrant use of colour in the interior design, you can see the colours beautifully balance together to create a warm and inviting ambience. Even better is the fact that while in the room, I couldn’t hear one sound from the bustling area outside.

Here’s the second room we toured…

Again, the cheerful fabrics dance together around the room to create an atmosphere of tranquility.

Our hotel representative explained to my friend Nicole and I that 60% of their guests are frequent visitors. Easily, you can see why. I didn’t want to leave either.

However, if you aren’t in need of an overnight stay in London, the hotel also has other amenities for you.

That’s a conference room that people can book. I bet if you were scheduled for a meeting or work seminar in that space that you would actually be excited!

Or perhaps you would like to host a film screening?

We learned that this space is used for celebrities and executives to preview films, as well as hold press launches and corporate presentations. Further, it’s utilised for the hotel’s Film Club activities. Here’s a link to their film series events that you can attend.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea: Final Thoughts

My friend and I arrived for our afternoon tea booking fully prepared to savor their regularly offered ‘Covent Garden Tea.’ However, the surprise of the special Chelsea Tea offer made our evening. We arrived at 4pm on Saturday, and the restaurant was bustling. Brasserie Max appeared fully booked by the time we left, so I strongly recommend booking a table in advance.

If you agree with me that all of this sounds like the Covent Garden Hotel is a fantastic place to stay, you can visit their website, email the hotel to learn more about rooms, or follow them on social media. They also have hotels in New York City.

Finally, if you aren’t in London or near the hotel, you can find Kit Kemp’s book ‘A Living Space’ on Amazon. It features the owner’s secrets on how to ‘leave behind design rules to create truly beautiful, original interiors.’ I highly recommend it for yourself or as a gift for someone who appreciates cheerful, exquisite designs.

Our Covent Garden Hotel afternoon tea experience was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This in no way influenced my opinions expressed above. I regularly tell people the Firmdale Hotels offer the best value for food in London. Make sure you ask me when you see me!

The Covent Garden Hotel is located at 10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, UK WC2H 9HB

So, Sunny friends, what do you think of all these images of food and fun in one of London’s most unique hotels? Fancy a meal or stay at this location? If so, I’ll happily meet you there 😉