London through the Looking Glass

The accommodations were outstanding and upon checking in, I received a complimentary facial or massage; I opted for both. Being that this trip is the birthday gift, it was time to reward myself for some hard work completed over the previous year.

The room overlooked the meadow where the Magna Carta was signed. Being a history buff, this was quite exciting to me. The park that the meadow is in is across from Clarence House, the home of the Queen Mum.

The concierge was very helpful in getting reservations and fulfilling my crazy American requests with total patience. Mayfair is also the former childhood home to Queen Elizabeth II.

This particular trip to London coincided with Thanksgiving, which I spent having dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe down the street.

I highly recommend this hotel, as I am a fan of the boutique type of hotels. It afforded me a chance to actually meet the management, whereas in large hotels, that would not happen.

This place is truly for the lover of modern art and an afternoon well spent. DO NOT MISS IT! This is a place worth visiting each trip to London.

Edgy Shoes/Boots has an Old World feel and you get the attention of being fitted for that next pair of shoes you will never take off your feet. Check out the website for more information.

I spent many hours on this trip to London taking walks all over Green Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington. It was an opportunity to experience how London moves about during a normal day. This was the point at which we were still looking at moving to the U.K. While on these walks, I went to see many shops not otherwise found, pubs not otherwise visited, and random people to talk to. It was a chance to see what we would be getting ourselves into if the move had occurred.

This was one of the more interesting of places for me since I had read so much about the Tudor family. This offers you a chance to see what armor looks like. Only those with money could afford such luxuries. Only a family of great wealth would spend the money to have a suit of armor made for a small boy of 5 to 7 years of age.

This also is the place to see the Book of Doom. It’s within a case in a low light room. You will get to pass by it single file.

It’s fun to see where Henry VIII ordered Anne Boleyn's to death. The area where many lost their heads is now a grassy knoll across from the chapel on the tower grounds. Another famous person buried within the confines of the chapel is Lady Jane Grey, who was queen of England for nine days until her cabinet deserted her and chose to back her cousin, the soon-to-be Queen Mary. King Edward, son of Henry VIII, left the throne to Lady Jane because of her Protestant piety (and because he was unable to leave it to his sister, who was a Catholic). This, in turn, benefited John Dudley, who wanted to remain in power after the death of King Edward. This is such a soap opera and there was no TV to muck it up. How many 15-year-olds are in charge of a country?

The other reason to visit the Tower it is to see the Queen's jewels. Again, everything is behind glass and very well protected by security. While in the area, I do recommend visiting the room that houses the old crowns not used anymore -- all gems have been removed. Interesting. . .