I just realized I never blogged about this trip! How silly of me. You just never know how your brain is going to go on the fritz until it does! LOL
Anyway, the December 2024 trip was pretty well unplanned until the last minute. Reason? I didn’t know I was going! One day, I showed up in a travel group and said how sad I was going to be missing Christmastime in London when a friend of mine jumped in and said, “Let’s Go!” Wow! How awesome! And so, it became a thing.
I was the trip planner, so my schedule was nice and tidy before we began booking. First things first (you can quote me) “the trip isn’t real until you’ve booked your flight!” So, I popped in my United rewards and got a return flight for around $200. Not too shabby. 🙂
Then, reserved the hotel (which, for me, is always the Premier Inn Earls Court). You won’t find this hotel on any of the booking sites. You have to book on the hotel’s portal. If you don’t see availability, call the front desk direct. I’ve never NOT gotten a room.
Well, then comes what to do. And this is where I clap my hands gleefully and admit – I loved what we planned! Here are the days lined out:
London
Friday/Day 1 – Arrive, pick up train tickets for York at the station. Check in.
Saturday/Day 2 – Roommate arrives. While she made her way to the hotel for a rest, I went to Portabello Market. We met up with a friend I’d made on my wait for my airline departure in Houston. We all decided to see the panto, “Aladin” at the Lyric Hammersmith (didn’t enjoy it a lot, sadly).
Sunday/Day 3 – Met up with same friend for a Sunday roast lunch a the Old Shades pub (sadly, not impressed). Stopped by Fortnum and Mason as well as the Buckingham Palace gift shop. Then on to Covent Garden. Went looking at Christmas lights on Oxford/Regent streets that night. Spectacular!
Monday/Day 4 – Took the train to York and went sightseeing around the city. Toured the Shambles, had afternoon tea at Betty’s, and wandered around the York Christmas Market. Lovely!
Tuesday/Day 5 – Took a Black Taxi tour with Matt Dawson. Got to see tons of interesting things! Lots of Beatles stuff and some historical bits as well as the tallest red telephone box in London. 🙂
Wednesday, Day 6 – Took a train to Bath and toured the Christmas Market there (lovely!). Met my friend, Eddy, who took us to the MOST amazing afternoon tea at the Manor House in the Cotswolds. Could not have been more magical!
The Manor House | Luxury Hotel in Wiltshire
Thursday/Day 7 – We split off and I went to Spitalfields Antique Market while my roommate went to Hammersmith to shop. I also dropped in on Marks and Spencers for tea and met a brand new friend on the tube! We ended up having tea together. She now lives in Australia (good reason to visit Australia!). On leaving M&S, I came across Liberty’s of London and HAD to have a look round. Bought myself a shopping bag and Christmas ornament (because that’s all I could afford). 😀
Friday/Day 8 – Departure
As the plane pulled out onto the tarmac and began it’s trip to the take off point, we passed by one of the actual Concorde planes! How very very magical this trip had been.
What did I learn this trip?
- Even if you like the person, get a separate room. Snoring and differing sleep/awake schedules can cause issues.
- Choose your pubs and pantos wisely. I thought I had, but probably should have gotten recommendations from Trip Advisor forums.
- Get more rest. I was on the go the whole time, but gosh – what a time!
I will be back in the Spring of 2026. Not announcing dates until closer to the departure time, but I hope I will make this next trip even more memorable!
To see the video of my Christmas 2024 trip, visit here:
Seeya later, travelgators!
P.S. Was rushing the video and said “London Bridge” rather than “Tower Bridge” which is what I meant. Sorry! 🙁