London & Paris
London, for me, is the place I think of every time I hear that trending audio on IG right now that goes “Don’t say it.. You say it every time, don’t say it.. I could actually live here though…” I love it so much I really think I could live there. So, this London trip was one of two I took in 2023. I paired this one with a visit to Paris as well (flying in and out of London with a train to Paris in between) and it was probably one of my best vacations ever.
I hate when travel bloggers write 100 paragraphs and embed their recommendations in a lengthy (albeit lovely!) article. So, I thought I’d share my itinerary exactly as I wrote it for myself while planning the trip. You’ll find my post-trip addendums and thoughts in italics.
Ok, let’s get to the good stuff:
DAY 1 | Saturday, 5/20/23
Arrive, drop bags at hotel, London Marriott Regents Park
9:00am breakfast reservations at The Ivy St. Johns Wood
Walk to Panzer’s Deli for a coffee
Walk to Primrose Hill
Check-in & rest at hotel
Explore Marylebone - Chiltern street
Drinks and dinner at Chiltern Firehouse
DAY 2 | Sunday, 5/21/23
Walk to Panzer’s Deli for a croissant and a coffee
(That sounds so dainty - I admit I also bought a loaf of challah bread… for myself).Drink coffee while strolling through St. Johns Wood neighborhood
(Pictured myself living here several times. It was a nice life…)Take the overground to Columbia Road Flower Market
12:15pm lunch reservations at Dishoom Kings Cross
(Now known as a touristy restaurant but do NOT be shamed! It’s amazing.)Walk & shop at Kings Cross
Shopping at Oxford Street
4:30pm afternoon tea reservations at Jean-Georges at the Connaught
Walk around Mayfair
Dinner in Chinatown (Gerrard’s Corner or Little Four Seasons)
(I got too tired to actually venture to Chinatown but I think it sounds fun so I recommend you do it and tell me where you found the best dumplings!)Watch the sunset at Primrose Hill
DAY 3 | Monday, 5/22/23
Train to Paris 9:24am (this was a lovely experience – way better than flying!)
Drop bags at the Veryste Hotel
(I loved staying in the 9th arrondissement! This hotel was very cute, very clean, and the staff were lovely.)Walk to Union Boulangerie for a jambon-beurre and a coffee, wander the neighborhood, sit on a park bench and people-watch at the Square Montholon
Check-in to the hotel, rest, get changed
Walk to the Jardin des Tuileries (about a 30 minute walk)
Get a drink drink at the Ritz Bar Hemingway
(I had to wait about an hour to get in since it’s so small, but it was totally worth it. Get a martini. Knosh on the bar snacks. It’s divine).Dinner at Pizzeria Popolare, Pink Mamma, or Gigi
(You’ll need to make reservations at these places ahead of time. I actually ended up just getting a couple of the mini hot dogs at Bar Hemingway and Ubering back to the hotel.)Gelato!
(I walked to Rue Dancourt where there are a few really great Gelato spots. I ended up eating my two scoops while strolling home as the sun set - at 9:50pm btw!! - and it was magical*)
*I just realized I’m using terms like “divine” and “magical” a lot. These words are not in my usual vernacular but that’s what Paris does to a person!
DAY 4 | Tuesday, 5/23/23
Grab breakfast (pain au chocolat, obviously) at Babka Zana
Walk through the 18th to Sacre Coeur
Climb to the top of the Sacre Coeur dome
(I really challenged my claustrophobia here. Be warned, the staircase is very narrow… like, VERY narrow. But the views were incredible and it was almost worth the anxiety!)Explore Place du Terte
Lunch at Le Poulbot
(I got the duck and a glass of red wine because... well... Paris)Walk down Rue de l'Abreuvoir
(As seen in Emily in Paris!)Grab a coffee and afternoon croissant
(I wandered into Copains but Pain Pain just around the corner looked amazing as well)Rest at hotel
Take the metro to Le Marche des Enfants Rouges market
(By the time I got there, most of the vendors and stalls were closed. I’d recommend timing it better!)Drinks outside before meeting Betsy
(I did the London bits of this trip solo but met my friend Betsy in Paris for a couple days! It was so special. I randomly chose a spot near Le Marché des Enfants Rouge - Le café de la Mairie, while waiting for her to arrive. It was great and there are also lots of other bistros and cafes on that street to choose from!)Meet up with Betsy and grab dinner
(We chose a spot near her hotel in the 3rd arrondissement, Le Marais.)
DAY 5 | Wednesday, 5/24/23
Morning croissant and coffee at Le Pain Retrouve
Meet up with Betsy and explore
(I didn’t realize until that morning that Betsy hadn’t been to Paris before so we saw all the major things there are to see in Paris!)Walk to Les Jardin Tuileries
Continue on to the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe
Walk back along the seine
(We crossed over to the 7th arrondissement at the Alexander III Bridge)Lunch!
(We wandered into Le Solferino, the roast chicken was amazing.)Le Louvre
Afternoon Gelato at Pozzetto
Lunch at Pizzeria Populare
(We didn’t make dinner reservations in time - rookie mistake. So ended up going to the bistro next door. It was honestly great. Much more rustic but all we wanted was a bottle of wine and a cheeseburger while watching the sun set).Post dinner drinks at Bar Hemingway
Eiffel Tower for the last light show
DAY 6 | Thursday, 5/25/23
Coffee at a random cafe around the corner from the hotel (there are plenty to choose from!)
Chocolate Babka from Babka Zana
Walk around the 9th Arr.
2:10p flight to London
Check in to the hotel, Hilton London Kensington
I’d say this hotel was just okay. I wouldn’t tell you not to stay here - it’s in a great location and it was very affordable. But it did feel a bit outdated. It’s clean but no frills.Dinner 5:30p Sessions Art Club
(My flight was delayed so much that I missed my reservation here. I was so sad! Please someone go and tell me how amazing it is. I ended up walking through Holland Park instead- lovely! - and grabbing dinner at a random Indian restaurant that was honestly also “just okay” so I won’t recommend it here. I should have stuck with old faithful, Dishoom!!)
DAY 7 | Friday, 5/26/23
Coffee from the Pret near the hotel and a quick walk before leaving for the airport
