A
mother-daughter visit to London
by
Phyllis Steinberg
This was
my third trip to London, but by far my most enjoyable because I took my
daughter along with me. The vacation was a break for my daughter from her
daily routine of caring for her husband and two small children. For me, it
was a chance to spend some quality time with her.
Our
travels began in Miami, where we boarded British Airways and treated
ourselves to business class which was delightful with fold down chairs,
private television monitors, cozy blankets and pillows, attentive service,
delicious food and wine—something we’ve both not experienced in coach, with
overcrowded seats and barely anything to eat. For the long overseas flight,
nearly nine hours, business was the best way to arrive relaxed and ready for
a great adventure in busy London town.
Upon
arrival we boarded the Heathrow express train, the fastest way to central
London from Heathrow Airport. In just 15 minutes we were at the center of
London for less money than a taxi and in less time. We hailed a cab from
Paddington Station to The Rubens at the Palace, the closest hotel to
Buckingham Palace.
 The Rubens is a delightful
place to stay in London, with an attentive staff, spacious comfortable rooms
and excellent dining facilities. We also explored 41 Buckingham Gate, a
sophisticated hotel next door to The Rubens. “41” has unique rooms. No two
rooms are alike and one of the suites has a retractable roof so you can see
the stars. We enjoyed afternoon tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens
overlooking the Royal Mews, where
the royal family maintains their horses and carriages. As the gates sprung
open before our eyes, we searched for a glimpse of dignitaries. We also
enjoyed watching the pedestrians strolling down the street.
 Buckingham Palace was a
just a short stroll from The Rubens and the Changing of the Guard was a must
on the list of attractions to enjoy with my daughter. There, along with a
crowd of what seemed like thousands, we watched the spectacle.
We also
had the opportunity to tour Buckingham Palace, the official home of
Britain’s sovereigns since 1837. There are 19 lavishly furnished state rooms
that are open to visitors at certain times during the year. The Royal Tour,
a special exhibit at the palace, included gowns that the queen has worn for
special occasions throughout her reign. There was also a separate tour of
the Royal Mews.
 This mother daughter trip
also included shopping. We chose to stay at The Draycott Hotel near Chelsea
and Knightsbridge because it was walking distance to Harrods, London’s
famous department store and a myriad of other shops.
 This charming Edwardian
townhouse has 35 rooms and suites. Each room at the hotel has a different
theme. The Draycott is more like a private residence than a hotel with
attentive, excellent service. It was like a home away from home. We had a
two room suite with a fireplace and roomy closet with plenty of storage
space. In the mornings, we enjoyed a made-to-order breakfast at the charming
breakfast room facing the quiet street. In the afternoon, tea was offered by
the Draycott in the living room facing its lovely gardens.
Oxford
Street is the famous shopping street in London and we also enjoyed perusing
the stores along the avenue.
 Many prefer The Ritz
London for its fabulous afternoon tea, but we opted to shop and enjoyed
dinner at The Ritz in its French provincial dining room with elegant
furnishings. As a musician played the piano in the background and we were
served one gourmet course followed by another, we thought we were in a scene
from a movie. We especially enjoyed the lobster bisque broth.
Sightseeing is a must and following our day of shopping, we took The
Original Tour, the famous red double-decker bus tour that takes you on a
two-hour tour around London. This is a good way to see the city and you can
hop on and off at places of interest for no additional charge.
 The most popular tourist
attraction in London is the London Eye, so we had to attempt it. From our
capsule we took a 30-minute flight on the Eye and experienced a panoramic
view of the city. The icon was built to mark the millennium and people have
been flocking to it ever since. The capsule moves very slowly, so you don’t
have to worry about getting dizzy.
 No visit to London would
be complete without seeing a play at one of the fabulous productions in the
theater district. We selected the musical, Sister Act, at the London
Palladium and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Whoppi Goldberg, one
of the producers of the show appeared in the movie of the same name and the
play was even more enjoyable than the movie. The sets were magnificent and
the singing talents of Patina Miller, earned a standing ovation from the
audience.
London
also has many famous museums including: the British Museum, Science Museum,
Tate Modern, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert, National Maritime Museum
and more. We didn’t have a chance to visit them this trip. Nor did we have
time to see the Tower of London. Oh, well, one trip is never enough to
London. It’s a city that you want to return to and one that offers many
attractions for multi-generational vacations.
For more
information on London, log on to: visitlondon.com
The
Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London,
www.rubenshotel.com
Buckingham Palace Tour,
www.royalcollection.org.uk
Changing
of the Guard, Horse Guards Parade,
www.householdcavalry.co.uk
The
Draycott, Hotel, 26 Cadogan Gardens, London,
www.draycotthotel.com or
info@draycotthotelcom
Harrods,
Brompton Road, www.harrods.com.uk
The
Original Tour,
www.theoriginaltour.com
The
London Eye, www.londoneye.com
London
Palladium,
www.sisteractthemusical.com
The Ritz
Hotel, www.theritzlondon.com
by Phyllis Steinberg
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