London Calling; A New Holiday Tradition?
Please welcome Guest, Emma Bell, as she shares with us reasons why London would be a great holiday for travelers this year, a follow up to our recent post, Thanksgiving Travel Alternatives: Break Tradition. This is Emma’s 1st post with Abundant Journeys and we hope to read more from her soon. Enjoy!
Courtesy Images of the World
The holiday season means different things to different people, and no matter what your beliefs most people view it as a special time to get together with loved ones. Long-held traditions play a big part in how things unfold. And specific family dynamics foretell the unexpected events that will happen each year, too. Maybe Aunt Sally doesn’t get out much and this is her one chance to shine with a little too much eggnog and off-key show tunes. Or maybe brother Joe doesn’t show up at all. With that said, the holidays can sometimes be bittersweet; maybe you’ll find certain traditions just don’t serve you any longer, while others mean more to you than ever.
But how about completely mixing it up this year? Instead of spending all the time, energy and money on Christmas at home, why not pool your resources and take a family trip to London instead? In addition getting to see a city that really goes all out during the holidays you’ll have the advantage of going when fewer tourists go.
Courtesy Go London
The world-famous department store Harrods is known for spectacular holiday decorations and elaborate window displays. You can also see a popular theatre performance in the West End in an elaborately lavish theatre. Of course you’ll want to see all the traditional sights such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey but you can also take a cruise down the Thames and also the lesser known canals of Little Venice.
And in addition to world-class shopping and entertainments London is also home to some of the finest art galleries and museums in the world. Think the kids won’t be interested in such a thing? Take them to the Science Museum or Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and try to get them back out again.
As for dining in London it can be as casual or lavish as you choose and in a variety of cuisines. First-time visitors should experience fish and chips and a pint of ale, and a jacket potato (the Brits’ version of a baked potato but loaded with a variety or options from beans to chicken curry). And if at all possible High Tea is a lovely way to spend part of your afternoon as well.
If taking the kids to London it would also be fun to get out of the city to see Ashdown Forest, where the Winnie-the-Pooh stories were based. In addition to seeing the lovely village of Hartfield and its Winnie-the-Pooh shop you will also find many of the neighboring hiking trails look exactly as the stories describe.
And if you think a London holiday trip isn’t affordable really take a look at how much you spend staying home doing the same thing you do every year; you may well find that the gift of a London holiday may be just as affordable, for memories that you and your family will never forget.
Author Emma Bell writes for Coupon Croc. Ready to fly to London? Have a look at these deals with British Airways.
This post was featured in the Carnival of Cities.
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ahhhhhh – I love this idea! Me and my kids typically travel during the Thanksgiving holiday and spend Christmas with family, but I like this idea much better. Christmas 2012 in London! Who’s coming?!
Take the whole family.
@2girlsbikini
Love the new profile pic. @2girlsbikini
@AbundantJourney, thanks! I took that pic in Tulum when I was there in October. I am seriously considering London for the holiday next year! Only problem is that my vaca time is quickly burning up. I was already planning a Carribean escape in July. This job thing is really cramping my style! LOL
Weekend getaways to London are just as fun. Take a Friday off work for a 4 day trip. @2girlsbikini
@AbundantJourney, really?! I’m going to email you.
Oh yes, really. It is pretty much the only way we get to visit London these days. I look forward to your email. @2girlsbikini
ahhhhhh – I love this idea! Me and my kids typically travel during the Thanksgiving holiday and spend Christmas with family, but I like this idea much better. Christmas 2012 in London! Who’s coming?!
Nice post – I find it gives a fresh perspective of the holidays and presents the idea that doing something different can be great. London during the holidays sounds like a lot of fun – I’m on the “different kind of holiday” band wagon.
Much agreed. It’s time we broaden our horizons a bit. @CassiettaJefferson