We were rushing out of the house at 3am. Bags packed and trunk full. I don't know why we always rush around when we're ALWAYS early but it always seems to be the case!
Welp... On to the next Team Lugo adventure!
The fog was insane but we managed to find our way to the airport parking shuttle in plenty of time. Frankfurt Hahn is a really cool airport! It's an old nuclear military base, the shuttle driver told Antonio all about it as we drove in. It's small and super easy to check in and clear security. It reminded me of Okinawa. No taking off your shoes here! But you may get a quick full body feel for further inspection if you're like me, unfortunately.
The flight in total was a little over an hour. Quick and painless unless a child is crying the entire time! (Don't forgot your headphones people!)
Once we landed in London we grabbed a train to the city center. *TIP: Do NOT stress or research too much about transportation to your hotel or destination once you arrive!*
There is bus and train options right outside of the arrival gate in the airport. Bus is cheaper. We thought the train would be funner though!
Followed a few signs down a couple levels and there stood an information both awaiting travelers. The man told us which train station to get off at and sold us tickets. Liverpool was the main connecting station for our change to the tube. Another information booth helped us get tube information to our final destination, it was really simple! Prior research wasn't used at all and hindered our travel and heightened my stress more than it helped. Getting there was easy w the information guys assistance!
So we got a London Pass (https://www.londonpass.com) it is a simplified way to get a tube pass and entrance to attractions all in one. It allows you to skip some lines also. They discount the pass randomly online. Overall we spent the entire balance on our Oyster Card and got our money's worth by visiting just a couple attractions or sights a day. (Like Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, The London Bridge Experience, Beefeater Gin Distillery.) Before considering the London Pass though, you have to decide what you want to do in London!
There is a lot of free museums and sites so if visiting some of the aforementioned attractions is not in the plan don't waste your money.
Our hotel was a few tube stops outside of the center of the city but still in the heart of London right next to Chelsea FC stadium. The Hotel Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Chelsea FC Stadium. I got a deal on booking.com and overall the hotel was nice and we enjoyed it. I'd prefer to stay there if we were attending a match but there wasn't one during our stay. If we go back we would stay closer to Covent Garden or Earl's Court. Just a couple stops closer to the main tube lines.
Day 1 we spent exploring the tube station and just enjoying the city. After we dropped our bags at the hotel we headed towards Westminster Underground. Big Ben and Westminster Abbey were right there. Big Ben is HUGE!
Our London Pass had the Abbey on the list so we started there. The history and sights inside the church is truly a humbling and remarkable experience! Antonio & I had no idea it would be such a powerful place. Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are two of the notable figures buried there that we were really intrigued seeing first hand. The audio guides you all around the place and the staff is very friendly and knowledgable. We learned so much and enjoyed all the time we spent inside. No photographs are allowed but there is a nice gift shop at the end where I grabbed some post cards.
We had some lunch at The Garrick Arms Pub (Leicester Square). It was a large pub on a busy street lined with theaters. The food was typical pub grub. We tried the sliders &'they were tasty. The service was solid and the pints delivered.
On our trek to just stay busy we headed to the Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour. Another London Pass attraction feature. It was a really cool place to visit. There was a museum and a ton of history on the prohibition, gin through the years, and the making of Gin. The visitor center opened last year but the location has been their distillery for decades.
Before our scheduled tour start we had time to kill and the lady at the Distillery recommended the Local Pub across the way. It was a large open pub with a real cool bartender. She made us feel welcome although the place was just a few locals playing pool and just hanging out. She hooked Antonio up with a mean Gin & Tonic after he challenged her saying the distillery sent him here but claimed their Gin & Tonic was better!
The Beefeater distillery was only a couple blocks from the tube station. The walk was easy and it is a real hidden gem. It was really interesting to learn about Gin and London's rich history in it.
Day 1 was long, awesome and exhausting!! We crashed hard to get ready for another day adventuring!
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