Travel Talk – The Royal Wedding Special Edition

The highly anticipated royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is just two days away, taking place Saturday, May 19th. With much drama surrounding Meghan’s family members recently, plus the usual hubbub leading up to any wedding ceremony, it has become difficult to keep up with these two soon-to-be-newlyweds! We break down the latest news and details on the upcoming big day, below.

Meghan Markle issues a statement that her father will not be attending her wedding.

Meghan Markle made this statement just days after a report came out that Thomas Markle would not be walking her down the aisle as planned. This information surfaced amid reports that Mr. Markle suffered a heart attack earlier this week, in addition to the staged photo scandal he was involved in. The staged photos depicted Mr. Markle looking at various photos of his daughter and Prince Harry online, flipping through books on the United Kingdom, etc.  Markle’s mother Doria is still expected to attend the royal wedding, where she will meet the royal family and the Queen for the very first time. Get the full details here.

Source: http://time.com/5278568/thomas-markle-wedding/

 

Who will design Meghan Markle’s wedding dress?

Find out which designer Hayley Paige, Ines Di Santo, Justin Alexander, and Eve of Milady predict Meghan will be wearing down the aisle this Saturday! Rumors have been circulating about the chosen designer since Prince Harry popped the question. Nothing is certain and royal fans most likely won’t find out until the big moment when Meghan enters St George’s Chapel on May 19.

Source: https://www.brides.com/gallery/meghan-markle-wedding-dress-predictions

 

Who is and isn’t invited to the Royal Wedding

One thing we know: there won’t be as many wedding guests as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 ceremony. The wedding invitation went out to 600 people earlier this spring. Rumors have it that many members of Meghan’s family did not receive an invite, but nothing is certain. Read everything else we know here.

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5220384/royal-wedding-guest-list-invited-meghan-markle-prince-harry/

 

How to watch the Royal Wedding

You can tune into the Royal Wedding this Saturday at noon London time (6 AM Central). Join the tens of millions of Americans expected to wake up early for the spectacle! Most major American network and cable news channels will be broadcasting the ceremony live, and you can also stream it through many websites, including the New York Times. Read all of the details here.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/watching/royal-wedding-how-to-watch.html

 

How much does a Royal Wedding cost, and who foots the bill?

CNN Money predicts that the Royal Wedding could easily cost over $1.4 million, not including the security costs. In addition, the costs for a ceremonial escort and procession by the British Armed Forces will also raise the bill. It’s a sensitive issue regarding who foots the bill, because taxpayers in the UK will ultimately bear most of the cost, specifically for these extra security costs. Read on here.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/17/pf/royal-wedding-cost-who-pays-queen-prince-charles/index.html

 

Still can’t get enough of the royals? Check out this E! News article that breaks down the royal wedding from A-Z, and don’t miss the royal wedding live tomorrow morning 6 AM Central time.

 

Call us today to book your London getaway with one of our Europe specialists! 402-281-3022.

With the Royal wedding fast approaching, we can’t help but long for some of our favorite London eats. Our list of the best 7 London restaurants goes way beyond your basic fish and chips. Read on to learn more!

1. Bao – $

Bao buns are trendy and the obviously named ‘Bao’ is a testament to that trend among London restaurants. This eatery is known for fiery food that you can eat with your hands. Famous menu items include the fried chicken as well as the confit pork bao bun. For something a bit more British, try the pig’s blood cake or the trotter nuggets.

2. Ceviche Soho – $$

Ceviche Soho is known for delicious Latin eats, some of the best you will find among London restaurants. The seafood items are all delicious, and of course the ceviche is the highlight here. Try the Don Ceviche with sea bass chunks in citrus with red chili and diced sweet potatoes.

3. Counter Culture – $$

This eatery is known as the ‘naughty little brother’ of Clapham’s acclaimed restaurant, Dairy, because of its grungy music,  and eclectic clientele. With a hip and enthusiastic wait staff as well as a contemporary European menu, Counter Culture should not be missed.

4. Kiln – $$

Kiln is a Thai barbecue restaurant that serves quality, Brit-sourced meat, in addition to creative char-grilled seafood dishes. Thai-style, with spicy Thai sauces. The best spot is up at the counter where you can watch the chefs in action.

5. Som Saa – $$$

Soma Saa is a restaurant in a stylish and exotic former garment factory within walking distance to Liverpool Street tube station. Try the whole deep-fried sea bass off of the fiery Thai street food menu.

6. Barrafina – $$$

Barrafina serves Barcelona-style tapas in the lovely Covent Garden neighborhood. This restaurant serves classic tapas featuring tortillas, croquetas and jamon, as well as their signature market-fresh seafood dishes.

7. Social Eating House – $$$$

At Social Eating House, the setting is just as amazing as the dishes. With gorgeous mirrored ceilings and modern artwork, it feels cool and casual. The menu offers dishes that are creative and sophisticated, yet somehow remain un-fussy.

 

Visit London for yourself! Call us at 402-281-3022 to plan your own trip. 

 

With the Royal wedding quickly approaching (Prince Harry is set to marry Meghan Markle this Saturday, May 19th), I have been dreaming about a trip to London! If you’re feeling the same, start planning your visit by perusing this list of our favorite London hotels.

 

Budget-Friendly Options

Bayswater Inn Hotel is a budget-friendly 3-star option on this list of the best London hotels. Location is key in this property’s appeal, which you’ll notice with most options on this list! We love this hotel because it is within walking distance to Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Notting Hill, and Bayswater tube station.

Tavistock is another 3-star hotel that won’t break the bank. Located on Tavistock Square Gardens, it is just 1 minute away from Russell Square, and 15 minutes from Oxford Street.

 

Mid-Range Options

President Hotel London is located in the neighborhood of Bloomsbury in the heart of city. This no-frills 3-star option makes the list because of it’s great location close to Russell Square and the tube station.

St. Giles London is also located in Bloomsbury, within a short walking distance to Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street, as well as the tube station. This 3.5-star option has an onsite health club and restaurant.

Caesar Hotel London is located in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood which is just north of Hyde Park. Bayswater tube station is within walking distance to this 3.5-star hotel, which is housed in a grand Victorian townhouse on a a garden-filled street.

Park International Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel in the posh neighborhood of Kensington. Kensington is one of London’s most affluent areas with beautiful homes and parks. This hotel is within walking distance to Hyde Park, the Natural History Museum, and the shops of Knightsbridge.

 

Higher Budget Options

Finally. if you want to splurge on something a bit more posh, choose from one of these three higher budget hotel options:

Queen’s Gate Hotel London is a luxury hotel in the Kensington neighborhood. This hotel is memorably because it comprises four Victorian townhouses with a grand white exterior. This hotel definitely has that “wow” factor, in addition to a great location!

Melia White House is one of the best luxury hotels in London. Located in the Regent’s Park neighborhood, this hotel resides in a grand mid-rise building dating back to 1936. Melia White House is near Madame Tussauds, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, the London Zoo, as well as the Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Lastly. Hotel Indigo London is our third higher-end choice, nestled in a bustling part of the Paddington neighborhood. With modern interior design and bold colors that reflect the eclectic neighborhood, this is another “wow factor” hotel option. This is a very busy property because London Street Brasserie international breakfast is housed inside. This is a very popular restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

 

To start planning your London getaway, call us at 402-281-3022!