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London: The Unexpected Approaches To Public Transport

Tubes, buses and black cabs are all perfect choices for getting from A to B, but transport doesn’t always have to be about practicality. It can also be luxurious, nostalgic and even awe-inspiring. Read on to discover some innovative and unexpected approaches to London transport.

Fine dining on a luxury steam-hauled Pullman Train

For an unforgettable train travel and fine dining experience dripping with 1920s luxury, take a round-trip journey aboard the Belmond British Pullman. Over the course of the five-hour trip through delightful Kentish countryside, indulge in a silver-service five-course lunch of sumptuous seasonal dishes, all in the most exquisite art deco carriages.

The Pullman departs from London Victoria station, a short distance from our Ebury and Cliveden Place residences.

Attend a gourmet supper club in an old London Underground carriage

A 1967 decommissioned tube carriage has been given a second lease of life in Walthamstow, where it forms a unique setting for gourmet supper club events hosted by Basement Galley. Choose between social seating (the ‘Luggage Rack Special’) or a private VIP booth for two at any of the club events. At present these include:

The Underground Supper Club Spring/Summer Edition: a three-course Brasserie/Grillhouse style dinner, which runs weekly from June 2017
The Underground Brunch Club: fine dining brunch, which runs three times per month

Take in stunning aerial views of London on a helicopter tour

Perhaps the most exhilarating and unique way to acquaint yourself with a new city is from the air. Take to the skies high above London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace and admire spectacular views across the Thames and beyond.

There are a few companies that run helicopter tours of London, but The London Helicopter are the only ones operating from a heliport in the city. Based in Battersea, the company offer three different routes at varying durations, and you can join a shared flight or pay more for private use (max. 6 people). They also offer discounts for holders of the London Pass.

Relax on the water with a canal or river cruise

If gliding across the water is more your style, escape the crowds with a river or canal tour. There are a whole host of companies and styles to choose from including:

A full dining experience with live band entertainment aboard one of Bateaux London’s Thames cruises (choose from a Dinner Cruise or Sunday Lunch Jazz)
Taking in Tudor history and Turner landscapes alike on a historic Turks boat a little outside of central London, from Hampton Court to Richmond
Exploring London’s charming canals on a long boat between Little Venice and Camden (the Jenny Wren departs from Camden for a round trip, while The London Waterbus Company and Jason’s depart from Little Venice. Note that Jason’s is included in the London Pass, if you’re planning to buy one.)

Europea’s Maida Vale or Notting Hill residences are both wonderful choices if you’d like to stay near the Little Venice area.

Visit a charming vintage underground-themed bar

Blending nostalgia for the London Underground with the revelry of a 1940s speakeasy, Cahoots bar in Soho really is one of a kind. Following a greeting (and a ticket) from a train guard at the door, you descend via a subway-tiled escalator to the bar itself. From there, grab a cocktail, marvel at the fabulously detailed vintage tube carriage décor and tap your toes to the jazz and swing music. The bar is popular, so book to avoid disappointment.

Top 10 Tips On What To Do When Visiting Barcelona

Barcelona is much more than La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and other sights that you see through a simple Google search. It is always better to try to see the city from the locals’ point of view. There is so much you can do and see off the beaten track

1. Must-see sights

Still, if you have never been to Barcelona before, don’t leave without visiting La Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and La Pedrera, the three most famous landmarks of the city and the main sites of Gaudi’s architecture. Better to book the tickets for entry in advance if you want to avoid long queues (sometimes queues can be as long as two hours!).

2. Barcelona is not only the centre

The city is well-known for some of its iconic sights like Las Ramblas, La Sagrada Familia or La Pedrera, which are all located in the centre of town. Outside the city centre, there are other places worth visiting like Montjuïc mountain and its castle and the Turó de la Rovira and its breathtaking view of Barcelona.

3. Visit the markets of the city

Barcelona is a city of markets, where you can enjoy sampling fresh foods and the atmosphere of older times and often forget that you are in a vibrant 21^st century city. Visit La Boqueria, the most popular, central and the oldest market of the city, but also go to the other markets like Santa Caterina or Sant Antoni.

4. Eat tapas

You need to try tapas at least once in the local bars. It is one of the most famous types of Spanish food. Tapas are small plates with shrimp, jamón, some meat, sea food, croquettes, patatas bravas or fish. You can choose one or a few at the same time

5. Be aware of local eating times

If you are in the touristic places it should not be a problem, but if you are off the tourist track, be aware that locals eat at specific time. Don’t expect to have lunch before 1pm (usually, the Spanish eat between 2 pm and 4 pm) and don’t go for dinner before 8.30 pm (locals eat between 9 pm and 11 pm). Some restaurants could be closed at other hours or just serve drinks.

6. Leave tips

There is no written rule, but Spanish people usually leave tips after meals. No one knows how much you have to leave, but think around the 5% to 10% mark of your meal’s bill.

7. Barcelona is a walkable city

One of the best things to do in Barcelona is to walk. Distances are not as long as in the other main European cities. Walking also allows you to discover the city as a local and enjoy its splendid architecture in some districts like Ciutat Vella or Eixample. The Mediterranean climate makes the walks enjoyable all year long.

8. Take the metro to go further

If you don’t have enough time to walk around the city, take the metro. The fast and convenient subway gets to every place of the city (starting this year, it also goes to the airport). The opening times are also very convenient, from Sunday to Thursday from 5 am to 12 am, on Friday from 5 am to 2am, and Saturday, it is open 24 hours!

9. Local fiestas

If you are lucky enough to be in the city when a local fiesta is taking place, don’t hesitate and just go along like the locals do. Some of the main festivities of Barcelona are: ‘Festes de Gràcia’ and ‘Festes de Sants’, both held in August, when both districts Gràcia and Sants decorate their streets following a set theme. There is also the ‘Festes de la Mercè’ in September, when all of Barcelona is full of music and activities of different kinds. Another favourite is ‘Diada de Sant Jordi’, when the city turns red because due to the small stands selling roses and books. This happens on the 23^rd of April.

10. Football, football and more football

If you are a football fan, this is your city. If you are lucky and have got tickets, go to the Camp Nou to see Messi and his teammates playing. If you cannot get a ticket, go to a neighbourhood bar to see a game, the fun is also guaranteed. And if you are extremely lucky and Barça wins an important title, you will see the city transforming into craziness, so just out on the streets and celebrate it.

Milan: The Latest Things To Do

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Milan at first glance

While the city’s metropolitan area stretches far and wide, Milan’s centre is quite compact and can be crossed quickly. The public transportation network is efficient, whereas the traffic is usually intense, but well-regulated. Walking all the way across the centre could take less than an hour, but it is worth taking more time to have a look around.
Piazza Duomo, the wide square where the city’s cathedral stands, is unquestionably the most famous Milanese spot worldwide. The golden statue of the Virgin Mary, locally known as Madunina, has become the city’s de facto symbol, “overlooking Milan”, as a popular song goes. Incidentally, the stunning view from the Duomo top is not to be missed.

Just like any Italian city, Milan is dotted with beautiful churches, some of which are very ancient. Sant’Ambrogio, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, or Santa Maria delle Grazie, hosting Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper, are just the most famous examples.
However, secular architecture is by no means less interesting. Piazza Duomo is also the main access point to the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th century architectural masterpiece recalling the Parisian passages, connecting the square to Teatro La Scala. A 10 minute walk from Piazza Duomo will take you to Castello Sforzesco, another major Milanese landmark. Formerly the residence of the Sforza family, this vast citadel now hosts several museums and borders Parco Sempione, the largest park in central Milan and the perfect nature spot to relax.

The northern side of the city hosts modern skyscrapers (the 231-metre-tall Unicredit Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Italy), whereas the southern part of the centre offers a glimpse of popular architecture along the banks of the city’s canals, known as Navigli, to date one of the city’s most vibrant areas.

Bottom line: what makes Milan so fascinating is the frequently elusive character of its beauty. It takes, indeed, a good deal of curiosity and attention to the smallest details to fully appreciate the city. Many delightful gardens, buildings, churches or museums often go unnoticed, unless you find out about them.

No time to get bored

Milan and its residents are often depicted as hectic, restless, always on the move. For sure, the city offers as much entertainment as you could hope for, both during the day and at nighttime.
One of the world fashion capitals alongside Paris and New York, Milan hosts many of the most important ateliers in Italy. Twice per year, the Fashion Week event anticipates the upcoming season’s trends and calls many celebrities to the city. Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga are home to the most luxurious boutiques, whereas cheaper brands can be found in corso Buenos Aires, Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Torino.

Those who prefer museums to binge shopping will be spoilt for choice, as well. Piazza Duomo and its immediate surroundings, just like Castello Sforzesco, host an incredible variety of artistic and historical collections, some of which are private, and/or need to be booked in advance. Make sure you do not miss out on the Pinacoteca di Brera in the arty namesake district. Science lovers, on the other hand, can head to the Natural History or Technology museums.

Last but not least, the Milanese nightlife has nothing to envy from other big cities worldwide. No matter if you are more of a clubber or an opera connoisseur, or if you would rather opt for live music, you will find the perfect event to fit your expectations. However, Milan is just unbeatable in Italy when it comes to the theatre scene, be it opera, ballet, or prose.