So you’ve booked the flights, found a hotel and sorted out a cheap travel insurance deal. What are the best things for a sophisticated kinda guy like you to check out in London?
Dress to impress Kit yourself out like the finest English gentleman with a visit to Savile Row, the “golden mile of tailoring” and home to some of the world’s best bespoke tailors. Find the ideal suit, jacket, shoes and accessories to perfect that stylish and elegant James Bond look.
Among the best of British tailors you’ll find there are Ozwald Boateng, a favourite with Keanu Reeves and Jude Law, Henry Poole & Co, the “founders of Savile Row” and designers of the original dinner suite, and Beale & Inman, whose famous clients include Pierce Brosnan and notorious mobster John Gotti.
Eat out in style London is home to some of the world’s finest restaurants and there’s no excuse not to sample some first class cuisine during your vacation. It’s best to book in advance if you want to experience The Ivy, but if you’re lucky enough to get a table you might end up rubbing shoulders with celebs like Tom Cruise, the Beckhams or Elton John. Hell’s Kitchen star Gordon Ramsey is one of only three UK chefs to hold the prestigious three Michelin Star rating, and his restaurant on Royal Hospital Road offers some of the finest French food you can find. And no trip to London would be complete without experiencing a pie and a pint of beer at a traditional English pub. See if the locals can teach you some cockney rhyming slag to impress (or confuse) your friends when you return back in the United States.
Make for the markets For a real taste of London life, spend a day or two bargain hunting around some of the city’s world famous markets. Ideal for grabbing that perfect gift, searching for second-hand antiques, or finding those retro fashions from the swinging 60s, the 90 plus street markets are a perfect way to experience the sights and sounds of the city.
Head for Camden Market if you are after quirky and quaint fashions, art and antiques. Seek out Spitalfields to check out some of London’s best up and coming designers. And if you’ve worked up an appetite, Borough Market is best for fresh food, drinks and other local delicacies.
Go to a game Like most of England, London is full of football (or soccer) fanatics. And being the capital city, it is home to 13 professional teams, including the current Premier League champions Chelsea and the world famous Arsenal. Why not check out a match and experience the passion, atmosphere and excitement that 90 minutes of English soccer can offer?
Or take a guided tour of the recently rebuilt Wembley Stadium, the acknowledged “home of world football”, with a capacity of 90,000 and a sliding roof to keep out the typically wet English weather. It’s also the venue for the annual NFL International Series matchup and is an iconic music venue that hosted Live Aid back in 1985 and since reopening in 2007 has seen performances from Bon Jovi, U2, Foo Fighters and Madonna.
By Chris Owens from the travel insurance team at moneysupermarket.com
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine on Gear, Grooming, Girls, Gadgets
