Must see - markets, double-decker, Westminster Abby

Double-decker

This is a real symbol of London transport. The red buses remind me some hungry crawling beasts, chasing tails of each other and moving damn fast in narrow streets. They always surprised me on my uncovered back (on my right side as there is the left-handed lane - opposite to Continental Europe). We got on one just for fun and enjoyed the view from top. The best place is just above a driver!

Markets

We visited the Borough market on Saturday morning, sipping the great coffee from Monmouth coffee shop.  The market is big enough not to be tired from walking around. There is a bit from all - vegetables, meat (pork, beef, venison, rabbits, pheasants,etc), salami, spices, cheeses, yogurts, etc. Many places with hot snacks and real meal. Lovely place.

Westminster Abby - Dean's Yard

If you access the Westminster Abby from Dean's Yard, you can find an ancient building, a quite place, forbidden.  I was astonished. There are gardens, long corridors enlightened with lanterns. I spent some time reading names and stories on aged gravestones and listened to chorus from the chapel. The spiritual experience.

Food - snacks and dinning

Lunch

We love burgers - the juicy meat, veggies, egg, melted cheddar cheese and we discovered a chain  of restaurants Gourmet Burger Kitchen . The high quality burger for a price of 7 to 8 pounds. Worth to try!

London is famous for exotic kitchen as well and there are plenty of opportunities. We tried Nan, a Vietnamese small buffet with few places to sit. But its noddle soup gave us the right energy to continue in our London adventure.

Dinning

There is an interesting restaurant with an old traditional English food on menu - St John Bread & Wine. It is worth to make a reservation online as the restaurant seems to be very popular. For the first time in my life, I tasted wild duck (mallard). Or try crispy pig's skin, chicory and mustard. The restaurant is little bit noisy, so it is not the good place for tete-a-tete rendez-vous. 

The other restaurant we tried was completely opposite. Modern, chic and trendy feeling is Bread Street Kitchen  located in City.  The quality of food was promising as the place is part of Gordon Ramsey chain of restaurants. And we just can confirm. Prepare a bill of 100 pounds for two.

Coffee & Brunch

I am addicted to good coffee. And for such gourmets, there are many places in London (I am not talking about Starbucks!). One of the best coffee in London, and we can confirm the quality, is served in a coffee shop Monmouth Coffee. A smell of freshly grounded coffee is all around, people chatting and happy - I wish to open one in Prague. Go and see yourself.

On Sunday, we got early in the morning to get a place in Lantana coffee famous for its brunch. The quality of food and service is high, and the place is very popular. At 10:30 the staff had a real hell.

Transport and accommodation

Flights

Me and my love arrived to London Gatwick from Prague with EasyJet. The time of flights is great for euro-weekend:

• Departure on Friday at 10:00 and return on Sunday at 18:10

• Tips for booking to profit the lowest rate: 
1. book in advance to get the lowest rate
2. think twice if you need insurance proposed by EasyJet 
3. same for luggage to check-in: you pay extra for each peace
4. try to use Visa Electron - the lowest charged fee

• = 110 Euro  return

Transport from Gatwick to London

The fastest way is Gatwick Express, an express train from South Terminal of Gatwick to Victoria Station in the center of London. Trains leave every 15 minutes and reach Victoria in 30 minutes (compare with shuttle / 1 hour). A good idea is to book in advance and online - special offers are available (I got return double for 66 Euros.)

Accommodation

We selected APEX City of London - in City, in proximity of Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
The nearest station of Underground is Tower Hill. Check the site of London transport.
Price - 213 Euros for 2 days (no breakfast)

Great weekend in London - how to

Great weekend in London

Folks - if you plan a trip to London, here you will find my schedule and activities, including dinner tips