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Savile Row is known for its bespoke tailors |
Before heading to the Best of Britain & Ireland expo, Travel Agent spent three days in London at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, a brand-new property that opened just off the iconic bridge, with views of the Parliament and Big Ben. The hotel had only been open for two weeks, and was still partially under construction. We hear, however, that the entire property should be up and running by mid-June. Agents should contact Anna Hanson, who heads the leisure sales department at the hotel ([email protected]).
What to Do
London has numerous museums and galleries. Tucked away in the greenery of Kensington Gardens, the intimate Serpentine Gallery focuses on modern and contemporary art, while the iconic British Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum encompass almost everything. The V&A has a permanent collection of more than 4.5 million objects. A current special exhibit displays 250 pieces of artwork collected by Horace Walpole, including paintings by Van Dyck, and antique armor. Another focuses on Princess Grace Kelly and her impact on fashion and style. Just off of Buckingham Palace, The Queen’s Gallery has a stunning exhibit on artwork collected by Victoria and Albert during their 21-year marriage.
Taking the tube to Oxford Circus, shopaholics can tour some of London’s best shopping districts: Mayfair and Soho. From chain stores (Regent Street) to bespoke tailors (Savile Row), these districts have just about everything. While many of the stores could be found on Fifth Avenue in New York, some of the most intriguing and unique shops are in “arcades”: narrow covered streets that look like something from a P.G. Wodehouse story.