London, England
Here in the summertime or on a clear day?
Check out the video and jump into the Indie and alternative scene of London!
My personal favorite place to spend an afternoon shopping or evening munching on international street food is just a quick walk from Euston Square. Camden Market offers a plethora of stalls but also events including things from DJs to gin school, Oktoberfest to comedy tours, or yoga with your chai latte.
If you're more on the hunt for some vintage items, you should head east toward Brick Lane to see the warehouses full of smaller vendors peddling their fabulous fashions. But that's not all you'll find here in this East End flea market; wander around and check out the stands for antiques, clothes, bric-a-brac, or even fruit and vegetables at bargain prices.
Not far from Brick Lane is even a fantastic option for a rainy day (of which London boasts many). Spitalfields is a covered market with a colorful collection of vendors and food stalls, many of which are run by small business owners and artists who come to showcase their skills. While Brick Lane is often great for used or vintage items, Spitalfields offers primarily newer wares.
All three of these make for a fantastic stroll with London vibes.
If you're not up for walking around to check out the scene, then perhaps grab an Über like we did in the video and throw a dance party with strangers. London is full of surprises!
Here in the wintertime or in crappy weather?
January in London doesn't just mean chilly days with history sprawling around you. At night, the city comes alive with sparkle and magic. With displays around the the central parts of the city, London hosted an intriguing light festival. Some of these installments could be found around Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street, but you'd have to do some good, old fashioned exploring to find the others.
Come check it out at the next Lumiere London.
Another great winter or bad weather option is the classic West End theatre district where you can catch any number of long-running, or new-to-the-scene shows. My personal favorite since the soundtrack was released in 2003 is the fan-fiction prequel to the Wizard of Oz called Wicked, with powerful lyrics and a stellar storyline. However, there are several wonderful shows I've caught and recommend after a long day of workshops and trainings in town. Jersey Boys, a show about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons ran for 9 years in London and has just closed its stage to go on tour. Sunny Afternoon is a delightful story about English rock band The Kinks. Then of course there's the play version of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that will dazzle kids and grownups alike apparently, because we loved it. And if you haven't had the pleasure to see the brilliant costumes and choreography, you'll definitely want to book tickets to see The Lion King on stage.
Looking for more tips and a tool to take with you?
Rick Steve's Pocket London is a great little thing to carry around and is totally affordable. You can find it on Amazon here. Use this to map out a basic structure for your visit; once you find a district and a vibe that fits your style, be open-minded to let the history and modern-day magic of the place enrapture you. If every second of your day is planned, then when will adventure find you?
