I successfully renewed my Portuguese temporary residency, and I now have a new card in hand good for three years. However, even though we submitted our applications and documents on the same day, Emi’s application has sat in review for almost two months. While we don’t fear deportation, the delay makes us hesitate to leave the country; we worry a destination country might deny her entry, or Portugal might block her return. Feeling a bit stuck, we decided to head outside the EU (Schengen Zone). This lowered the risk since we didn’t have to worry about the 90-out-of-180-day stay limit. Destination: London.

Pints and Parks

After dropping our bags at the hotel, our first stop was a pub for fish and chips. It was delicious, though the beer selection disappointed us. Despite London’s famous pub culture, every spot we visited offered the same lineup: a traditional ale, a lager, and Guinness. If we were lucky, we found a single pale ale or IPA. Most taps featured cask beer, which we found flat and served far too warm for our taste.

 

We love city parks, and Hyde Park and St. James Park truly impressed us. Strolling through the greenery offered a perfect escape from the city hustle. Inside Hyde Park, we found Kensington Gardens and the Palace, including a beautiful memorial garden for Princess Diana. A peaceful pond, a vine-covered walkway, and statues of Diana with young Princes William and Harry anchor the space.

At the edge of St. James Park stands Buckingham Palace. King Charles’s standard (flag) flew above the roof, signaling his presence. Standing at the gates, I couldn’t help but picture scenes from The Crown where the royal family appears on the balcony for momentous events like weddings or the Queen’s Jubilee.

Museums and Icons

We squeezed in plenty of sightseeing and museum visits, including the Natural History and British Museums. Both are free, provided you reserve a time slot. Since seeing everything is impossible, we prioritized the exhibits that interested us most. The architecture itself is a work of art, particularly the Reading Room and Hintze Hall.

We explored central London’s heavy hitters: Big Ben, Parliament, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. I love seeing iconic architecture in person because photos rarely capture the true scale. I especially loved how the classic design of Tower Bridge contrasted with modern skyscrapers like The Gherkin.

Books and Bites

No holiday is complete for us without a bookstore visit, and London boasts some of the best. We browsed Foyles and Waterstones. I read fantasy and sci-fi almost exclusively, and these shops offered extensive selections in those genres. At Waterstones, the section was so overwhelming I could hardly finish perusing it! We easily spent hours lost in the stacks.

 

The markets in London are incredible—food, Christmas, artisan, you name it. At the Covent Garden Christmas Market, we sipped a nice mulled wine. As we walked, the spectacular treats in the EL&N Deli & Bakery window tempted us into stopping for honey cake and a goat cheese focaccia. The Leicester Square Christmas Market leaned into a German theme with pretzels, grilled brats, and an ice rink.

At Camden Market, the sheer variety of artisan and food vendors made it hard to choose. We finally entered food heaven with an Indian Kati roll from Kolkati and a “Yorkshire pudding burrito” from Yorkshire Burrito. Afterward, we walked through Camden to burn off the calories.

 

Another day, another food market! Borough Market is the epitome of a foodie paradise, but the insane crowds make it difficult to enjoy. We did manage to snag some incredible fish and chips and the best donuts we’ve ever tasted. Coming from Portland—where donuts are king—that is high praise. The brioche crème brûlée was my favorite; we even went back on our final day for a second round.

Final Thoughts

This holiday centered entirely on the eats. We truly ate our way through London and loved every bite. Yes, London is expensive, but it is worth the price of admission. While the popular spots can feel overwhelming, I have two tips: hit Borough Market right at 10:00 am, and avoid the Tube during rush hour.

 

Next up: Florida and the Caribbean in January. Bye for now!