Kimberley Yun 6/19/24 Kimberley Yun 6/19/24

London Fog - day 1

It all begins with an idea.

Recently, Kim and I cruised on the Celebrity Apex out of Southampton, but not before making mushy peas out of London. We came, we ate, we conquered, then we ate some more.

This is Day 1, don’t forget to check out Day 2.

If you’re coming in for the day from the port in Southampton, after a short walk to Southampton Central, you’re going to board the Southwestern Railway to London Waterloo Station, a bustling hub of activity and a gateway to the heart of the city. There are 59 trains each day that travel the 70 miles (112 km) from Southampton to London. The journey, which takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours, costs approx. £60.

If you’re staying in London > Start at St. Paul’s Cathedral

If you’re taking the tube (the underground), the nearest station to St. Paul’s Cathedral is Bank.

This is how we did it

10:00am - 12:00pm St. Paul’s Cathedral

10:45am - 10:50am Whispering Gallery

11:00am - 11:15am Stone Gallery

11:30am - 11:45am Golden Gallery

12:00pm - 12:15pm Millennium Bridge

12:30pm - 1:30pm Borough Market

2:00pm - 4:00pm Tower of London

2:50pm Changing of the Word

3:15pm Crown Jewels

4:30pm - 5:30pm Tower Bridge

St. Paul’s Cathedral
**10am - 12pm**

We start our day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren, renowned for its magnificent dome, one of the largest in the world, and its role as a symbol of resilience, having survived the Blitz during World War II. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of London and a vibrant center for both religious and cultural events.
A few things to consider:
There are a total of 566 steps all the way up. Though the views are wonderful from the Stone Gallery, it’s the Golden Gallery you want to reach. This is where the view is completely unobstructed.
When going up and down the stairs, try to stay on your left, unless you want dirty looks.
Selfie sticks are not allowed anywhere in the cathedral, so tuck ‘em away.
**Did you know?**
London has a "Whispering Gallery" in St. Paul's Cathedral — a dome where whispers travel along the walls.
Stand on one side, share a secret, and your friend on the opposite side hears it.

Millennium Bridge
**12:00pm - 12:15pm**

A short walk away, we stumble on The Millennium Bridge, a modern steel suspension bridge, which connects St. Paul's Cathedral to Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre, and offers stunning panoramic views of the River Thames and city skyline.

Bourough Market
**12:30pm - 1:30pm**

Established in 1756, Borough Market is a historic and bustling food market known for its diverse range of fresh produce, artisanal foods, and international cuisine.
Following an already busy morning of trekking through that beautiful London weather, we tucked ourselves into the Borough Market, a warm meal at Joli, and a tasty treat at Humble Crumble.
So good you’ll keep coming back.
First taste: Joli, Malaysian cuisine.
We returned to the Borough Market again later in the trip, and over the course of 2 hours, devoured mussels, oysters and fish & chips.
And we did it in style. Stay tuned for more!

Tower of London
**2:00pm-4:00pm**

We'll explore the historic streets of London, over the London Bridge, across the Monument to the Great Fire of London, worth a quick stop, as we make our way to the imposing Tower of London.
Here we'll uncover the secrets of England's royal past within its ancient walls and storied towers.
Unbeknown to us, we were fortunate enough to catch the Changing of the Word ceremony at 2:45pm.
Though you can spend upwards of 3 hours here, be sure to give yourself time for the Crown Jewels, the reason we visit Tower of London. These pieces of history will blow your mind,

Tower Bridge
**4:30pm - 5:30pm**
Not to be confused with London Bridge, Tower Bridge is London’s most famous bridge, and surely the one you associate with London.

**Tickets only scan 10min before scheduled time.**
And since we were really early, we used this opportunity to grab a light snack. While wandering the back streets around Tower Bridge, we stumbled on this little Lebanese shop called Sami. If you’re hungry and have minimal concern for service, this is the place to hide from the rain.
Once you’re time comes up, it’s time to explore Tower Bridge.
Time permitting, take a moment to listen to the short audio/visual presentation about the bridge. This will not only give you a bit of history, but it will also introduce the venue and key areas to visit, so you don’t miss anything.
**The key things to know**
There’s a glass floor you can walk on, observing the traffic below.
There is another glass floor after you turn the corner, this one with a ceiling mirror, which makes for some fun photos and videos.
Engine Room can be found where the Gift Shop is located, at the opposite end of the Bridge, which is where the toilets can be found.

GO≈ Explore London

Kimberley Yun 6/19/24 Kimberley Yun 6/19/24

London Fog - day 2

It all begins with an idea.

Recently, Kim and I cruised on the Celebrity Apex out of Southampton, but not before making mushy peas out of London. We came, we ate, we conquered, then we ate some more.

This is Day 2, don’t forget to check out Day 1.

If you’re staying in London > Start at Buckingham Palace

This is how we do it

10:00am - 11:30am Buckingham Palace

10:45am Changing of the Guard

12:00pm - 2:00pm Westminster Abbey

1:00pm - 1:45pm Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery
1:45pm - 2:00pm Crypt

2:00pm - 2:30pm Big Ben

3:00pm - 3:30pm Bridge Arch Photo

4:00pm - 5:00pm London Eye

Buckingham Palace **10am - 11am**

We begin at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Enjoy a tour, catch the changing of the guard, or simply snap some quick pics from the gates. Changing of the guard happens at 10:45am, weather permitting. Get there early to secure a good spot by the gates.
Things to consider:
It gets extremely crowded very early, so be prepared.
London weather doesn’t always cooperate, so expect rain 90% of the time, all the time.
If it does rain, the Changing of the Guard will be cancelled, as we learned this last time.
Have a Plan B in motion, just in case.

Westminster Abbey
**12pm - 2pm**
Next, the towering spires of Westminster Abbey await, offering a glimpse into centuries of royal ceremonies and historic events. We got here a bit earlier, but again had to seek shelter from the rain in a nearby coffee shop as tickets scan 15 minutes before timed entry.

**Be sure to visit the Queens Diamond Jubilee Gallery.**
It costs £5 extra, and there is no pictures/video allowed, but it’s totally worth it. Here you’ll get to see really old manuscripts (from the 1300’s), replicas of crowns, swords, plus a great view of inside the abbey from one of the Juliet balconies.
The diagonal wooden beams were added in 1699 by Christopher Ren. You can thank him when you smack your head on one of them.

Big Ben
**3pm - 3:30pm**
Nearby, we arrive at Big Ben, whose chimes resonate through the streets of Westminster.

Written under the clock are the latin words DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, meaning "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First".
In order to visit Big Ben, it must be done with an organized tour.
Unless you manage to book one, time permitting, it’s nice to walk simply walk around Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, giving you different vantage points, making for a diverse range of pictures.

Bridge Arch Photo
**4pm - 4:30pm**
Crossing Westmister Bridge, we’re greeted by the iconic Bridge Arch Photo, where we capture Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament through the arches of Westminster Bridge.

This spot, located at the bridge's southern end near the London Eye, is a favorite among photographers for its unique and iconic perspective of the city's skyline. As a result, you may come across professional shoots while trying to snap a pic or two, so be prepared to exercise your patience.

London Eye
**4:30pm - 5pm**
Opening in 2000 to celebrate the millennium, the London Eye is one of the world's tallest observation wheels.

At 135 meters, experience stunning panoramic views of iconic landmarks like Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral from one of it's 32 glass capsules.
**Did you know?**
Each capsule represents a London borough.
Having already visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, with High Tea reservations at the Oblix (at the Shard) on the last day, our panoramic views quota was achieved, so we opted not to go for a ride this time.

GO≈ Explore London

Kimberley Yun 6/18/24 Kimberley Yun 6/18/24

In Bruges

It all begins with an idea.

Recently, we cruised on the Celebrity Apex out of Southampton, with stops in Amsterdam and Bruges.

The walking tours, meticulously planned by yours truly, with tickets and timed entry courtesy of GetYourGuide. When it came time to walk the walk, we did, and the ride could not have gone smoother.

One bit of advice, and this goes for your entire time in Bruges…we used to say this on our bike rides, “head on a swivel.” In Bruges, like to Amsterdam, traffic moves quickly with lots of cyclists and here you can also add horse and carriages to the mix.

Now, pay attention to this first part, especially if you want your day to get off on the right foot. Since Bruges, although close, is not within walking distance of the port of Zeebrugge, you can either take a taxi or a shuttle.

GetYourGuide offers a round trip voucher for approx. USD $25pp. Important pay attention to the shuttle schedule do not try to catch the last one back to the ship. Everyone has the same idea, so imagine the lineup.

This is how we did it

8:30am Shuttle bus from Port to Centrum

9:00am - 9:30am Castillo de La Faille

9:30am - 10:00am Beguinage

10:00am - 10:50am Saint John’s Hospital

11:00am - 12:00pm Belfry of Bruges

12:00pm - 12:15pm Market Square

12:30pm - 1:00pm Arlecchino by John Opdurp

1:00pm - 1:30pm De Burg

1:30pm - 2:00pm Basilica of the Holy Blood

2:15pm - 2:30pm Rosary Quay

3:15pm Shuttle bus from Centrum to Port

Castillo de La Faille
**9:00am - 9:30am**

Once you get the first part sorted, your journey through time and beauty begins at the intriguing Castillo de La Faille, a historical gem that sets the stage for an exploration into the heart of Bruges, a city frozen in medieval splendor.
**Important** distance from shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off to Castillo de La Faille = 1.7 km | 1 mi (25min walk)

Beguinage
**9:30am - 9:45am**

After leaving from the castle, your first stop will be the serene Beguinage "Ten Wijngaerde," a tranquil haven that once housed a community of lay religious women. Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay 2€ to visit the small museum onsite (1,50€ for visitors over 65, 1€ for children under 12 and students).

Saint John’s Hospital
**10:00am - 10:50am**

**Included in the Musea Brugge Card (all museums in 72 hours).**
**As you continue, you'll encounter the historic** **Saint John’s Hospital, one of Europe’s oldest surviving hospital buildings, which now serves as a fascinating museum showcasing works by Hans Memling.**
Don’t forget to leave time for a quick visit to the old pharmacy.
10 minutes should do.

Church of our Lady
**11:00am-12:00pm**

Next, marvel at the stunning architecture of the Church of Our Lady, famous for its towering spire and the Michelangelo sculpture housed within.
**Included in the Musea Brugge Card (all museums in 72 hours).**

Belfry of Bruges
**12:00pm - 1:00pm**
As you make your way to the heart of the city, the iconic Belfry of Bruges awaits. Climb the 366 steps for the views but consider your physical health, beforehand.

Admission fee is only payable by debit or credit and it is recommended you have a time booked in advance as only 49 guests are allowed in the tower at once.
**Included in the Musea Brugge Card (all museums in 72 hours).**
Be sure to secure a time on the website and plan to arrive early, since they’re very strict bout entries.
**Did you know?**
Due to the tower being 800 years old, only 50 people are allowed in the tower at a time. This includes 49 visitors plus 1 staff member.

Market Square
**1:00pm - 1:30pm**
Nearby, surrounded by historic guild houses, Market Square bustles with activity, offering a vibrant glimpse into local life.

This is the perfect spot to take a few moments to soak it all in, while we get a glimpse of daily life.

Arlecchino Waffles
**12:30pm - 1:00pm**
This is also where we can find the famous waffle truck, Arlecchino by John Van Opdurp. Surely you can get good waffles just about anywhere in Bruges, but this is where you should.

Having been to Bruges three times, these are the best waffles hands down. Our favorite, the traditional Liege with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and strawberries.

De Burg
**1:00pm - 1:15pm**
Your path then leads you to De Burg, another picturesque square that is home to the former city hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a chapel containing a revered relic.

If you visit the Crown Plaza Hotel located in the square, you will find the ruins of the Church of Siint Donnas. Prior to the pandemic, the lovely hotel staff would just point you down the stairs and you could explore on your own. As we learned recently, this area can only be visited on an organized tour.

Basilica of the Holy Blood
**1:30pm - 2:00pm**
Located in De Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a stunning medieval church renowned for housing a revered relic said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ.

The basilica blends Romanesque and Gothic architecture, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike with its spiritual significance and ornate beauty. Though admission is free, lineups can be quite lengthy, so…we skipped it this time.

Rosary Quay
**2:15pm - 2:30pm**
Lastly, a stroll along the charming Rosary Quay provides a peaceful conclusion to your tour, capturing the essence of Bruges' romantic canals.

**Important** distance from Rosary Quay to shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off = 2.6 km | 1.6mi (35 min walk)

GO≈ Explore Bruges

Kimberley Yun 5/28/19 Kimberley Yun 5/28/19

Amster-damn!

It all begins with an idea.

Recently, we cruised on the Celebrity Apex out of Southampton, with stops in Amsterdam and Bruges.

The walking tours we planned, were meticulously curated, with tickets and timed entry courtesy of GetYourGuide. Often, our estimates and those of how the actual day unfolded were close, whereas in others, we made adjustments to make your experience even more efficient.

One word of advice, and this goes for your entire time in Amsterdam, we used to say this on our bike rides… “head on a swivel,” meaning don’t just look both ways, look in a 360-degree manner.

In Amsterdam, traffic moves fast, and not just cars, but bikes, lots of bikes…trams, other pedestrians, ones with dogs, long leashes…Let’s be honest, when we travel, we often get caught up “tourist’ing,” at times blatantly ignorant to our surroundings and others. In most cases, we get away with it, but in this case it could cost you a serious accident. We had a few close calls ourselves.