The true meaning of the word charming would be London. Well in my experience anyway. This place is what you expect it to be but so much more. It has the standard fun stereotypes, the cabs, the cold, the tea but it’s the cute little niche places in the alleys and behind the century-old buildings that truly make this city shine. This is why I have decided to break it up over more than one part. In this part is what I like to call London by day. From the second I stepped off the plane the bustling city was alive, even if it was in the cold chilled -3 degree air. The way the air hits your skin is almost comforting in a way, it encapsulates you and really makes your warm body feel alive. It is oddly similar to Melbourne except older. This brings me to the history, like many places in Europe the history is almost alive in the city with the towering buildings, old streets, quirky old shopfronts and sometimes those questionable smells. Places like Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Harrods show you how much character the city really has. It caters to all that come and includes you like one of its own.

The place we stayed was on The Strand in the famous West End. The thing I loved about this area was its uniqueness to the rest of the world. Here you will find incredible theaters behind unlikely facades and delicious restaurants behind old brick walls.Then just around the way is Covent Garden. The most interesting place to be, especially in the Winter. It is alive with culture whether it be the street performers, the towering Christmas tree or the cute little indoor/outdoor eateries. That is of course all aside to the cozy marketplace decked with little stalls, enthusiastic shopkeeps and the giant Christmas balls dangling from the roof.

Then it becomes night and the atmosphere changes…