London

When I was at school and first started learning English (Swedish is, after all, my native language), we read about Big Ben, Tower Bridge and many other famous sights. But it wasn’t until 2010 that I finally visited London for the first time. After that, another ten years passed before I returned.

The first time was mainly for sightseeing. The next few visits were work-related, and the visit before last was in connection with my husband getting the opportunity to fly a Spitfire. And this time, in May, it was to celebrate my birthday.

So, what did we do this time?

We stayed at the iconic Landmark London hotel in Marylebone. It’s a slightly quieter area compared to, for example, the hustle and bustle around Piccadilly Circus. The hotel is also very conveniently located close to Marylebone Station — just about a one-minute walk away.

On our first evening, we wandered around the neighbourhood to get a feel for the atmosphere and the area. We needed to find somewhere to eat, but we also wanted to see what else was open. A few days later, when we were back in the area and strolling around again, we happened to come across a food market. Apparently, it is one of the largest food markets in London, featuring locally produced food.

We continued exploring the neighbourhood and eventually came across the famous Daunt Books Marylebone. As a complete bookworm, I absolutely loved stepping inside!

So, what else did we do in London?

This time, we didn’t want to make any real plans. Instead, we decided to simply take each day as it came. We enjoyed delicious food at various restaurants, tried Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason, had sushi at The Londoner, and much more. One evening, we simply stayed at the hotel and watched the BAFTA Awards on TV.

One day, we made our way to the 64-metre-high Primrose Hill, just north of Regent’s Park. From there, you get a wonderful panoramic view of London’s skyline. It was lovely just sitting there and taking it easy — together with the other 100 people who had had exactly the same idea. We then continued walking through the park and eventually made our way back to the hotel. It was a great day out!

There were two things, though, that I regretted not doing. One was a book signing that was taking place while we were there. That’s definitely something I’m planning to do next time. And there was also an Usher concert at the O2 Arena, which we didn’t go to either. But you can’t do everything.

London has become my favourite capital city, and I love discovering new parts of the city every time I return. There is just so much to explore. The energy, the people, and the contrast with what you have back home.

We’ll be back again soon!