Issue #4
London Mini Guide, the World's Best Bar revealed, and the most durable suitcase ever built.
Welcome to Next Vacay issue #4! On the heels of a recent visit to London, we’ve got a mini guide for you plus a roundup of industry news and bookmarks. Grab a cup of tea and read on…
Mini Guide: London, England
Perfect for: Just about anyone
London is a great place to explore no matter the occasion or who you’re traveling with. From arts and cultural institutions to its vast history and architectural sites, this city has a lot to offer for all ages.
It’s also a great destination for sports fans and known for some of the best hospitality in the biz with award-winning hotels, bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Best Time to Visit: May through September
Spring and fall usually have lovely weather to enjoy the outdoors with the changing of the seasons. This can also be a good option to avoid the crowds of summer, plus you’ll get better rates in these shoulder seasons.
Summer is warm and enjoyable as the city buzzes with energy. Locals and visitors alike appreciate the longer, warmer days. There are also quite a few summer music festivals.
Holiday season is supposed to be pretty magical as well with the festive lights, decor, and cozy Sunday roasts. Basically, just avoid January to March.
Budget Meter: $$$ = fairly affordable, with options for high/low
As mentioned, London has some award-winning hotels and restaurants, luxury designer shops and posh neighborhoods. If you want the royal treatment, you’ll have to pay for it.
Outside of that, there are plenty of affordable options that range the spectrum, with the prices of goods and services comparable to the States.
Sustainability Meter: Very Green.
The city is actually a leader in sustainable mass transit (known for their city buses and the underground tube), which includes the fact that many of the public transportation options are electric or hybrid now.
It’s also one of Europe’s greenest cities, with 47% of the city being made up of green spaces (according to visitlondon). The parks are well kept and a great way to enjoy some time in nature for a walk, picnic, or hang.
Getting There:
Easy - you can usually fly direct to London Heathrow (LHR) from any major international airport, as it’s one of the largest hubs to connect people throughout the UK and Europe. Depending on when your flight arrives, the Uber ride into central London can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half if you hit weekday rush hour traffic. You can also easily take the tube.
LHR Tips: There’s a Harrod’s at LHR which makes for great souvenirs in case you don’t get a chance to visit the main store during your trip. They have plenty of gifts and edible treats to bring back. The shopping in general at LHR is some of the best of any airport with tons of luxury designer stores.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for your travel day, as there is a good amount of walking to get to/from the terminal to your gate (and off the plane to baggage claim). It was welcomed after an 8 hour flight, but definitely felt like a bit of a hike.
Avoid London Gatwick (LGW) if you can. It’s farther away from central London, meaning the rides to/from the airport will take much longer (and over an hour is already a pretty long commitment). If it’s inevitable, just factor in plenty of extra time on top of how early you’ll need to arrive before your flight.
If this sounds like your next vacay, we’ve got you sorted with where to stay, eat, and drink in the Full Guide to London that will land in your inbox next Sunday.
Making Headlines
American Airlines tests new 'shaming tools' to deter boarding frauds (SFGate): AA is testing a new boarding technology that audibly alerts gate agents when passengers attempt to board outside their assigned group. It’s currently being piloted at three U.S. airports, but good luck implementing this in Miami.
The World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2024 was announced in Madrid (The World’s 50 Best): Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City earned the top spot this year — the first time a Mexican bar has led the list. Featuring a global mix of venues, this year’s list highlights cocktail creativity across every continent except Africa and Antarctica. The cities of London and New York had the most bars in the top 50, while newcomers include Lady Bee in Lima and Martiny's in New York.
Lonely Planet has revealed its hotlist of travel destinations to visit in 2025 (TimeOut): Leading the 2025 list in the city category is Toulouse, France; the best country category is Cameroon; and the best region category is South Carolina’s lowcountry and coastal Georgia.
This Samsonite Suitcase Fell 130,000 Feet From Space With Zero Damage (T+L): Samsonite put its Proxis Global Carry-on Spinner through an extreme test, dropping it 130k feet from space to show its durability. Despite exposure to intense atmospheric conditions and a crash landing on a mountainside, the suitcase emerged unscathed. Your move Rimowa…
On Our Radar
Here are some places we’re filing under ‘want to go’…
Whitsunday Islands, Australia: A series of private islands off the southern coast of Australia - Hayman Island is actually open to the public and looks stunning with unspoiled beaches.
Mendoza, Argentina: Argentinian wine country is always a great idea, and Mendoza is the best known in the region. Insert us into this Fall scene with a glass of Malbec, gracias.
Until next time, stay curious.
If you enjoyed this newsletter and want to share it with a friend, we would appreciate your support in growing our community!