London Calling in Summer 2018

With royal wedding bells about to ring and a summer jam-packed with activities, London is sure to be one of the most popular travel destinations this spring and summer.

While London is a perennial favorite, the wedding of Prince Harry and American Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018—at Windsor Castle—has the city in the world’s spotlight and it's pulling out all the stops to celebrate.

The 411 on 5/19

Many hotels are offering special royal wedding themed offers for travelers. For clients that want a place that exudes the traditional feeling of royalty, the four-star Rubens on the Palace is the place. The hotel is across the street from The Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, and rooms are decorated in rich colors with wallpaper, heavy textiles and ornate chandeliers.

The Royal Collection Package, available to book through November, includes a sumptuous room, a royal cocktail and afternoon tea, and tickets to the Queens Gallery and The Royal Mews. The afternoon tea is a traditional service with some modern twists like chocolate chip scones and desserts like the gin & tonic cheesecake because the Queen finishes her day with a Dubonnet and Gin cocktail.

For clients that enjoy a more modern aesthetic, the five-star One Aldwych has the weekend Royal Wedding Celebration package, which includes bed and breakfast and fruit and flowers delivered to your room daily, or the ongoing Bring the Kids For Free offer.

The hotel’s gourmet Indigo restaurant serves an impressive menu where every dish is both gluten and dairy free. Clients should make sure to visit the lobby bar to try the special Royal Cup Cocktail, made with elderflower, gin and Perrier-Jouet, and topped with gold leaf.

To get the royal fever going, clients will want to visit some of the iconic palaces in the city, including Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s home, and Kensington Palace, where Prince Harry grew up. A trip to Windsor Castle is a must, and it’s even possible to visit St. George’s Chapel for free by queuing at 5:15 pm for the daily (except Wednesday) service. You’ll be seated in the stalls of the Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter, where the royal family will likely sit during the wedding.

On the big day, watch the wedding at The Water Poet, which is hosting a wedding themed brunch. Screens around the pub will show the ceremony. The Skylight—the rooftop at Tobacco Dock—will be showing the ceremony on the big screen. Or, attend the pop-up Royal Wedding Party at ONE Marylebone church where you can not only watch the vows, but partake in traditional British games, and other wedding-themed activities.

Summer in the City

The saying goes, “When a man is tired of London, he’s tired of life,” so even if you miss the big day, there is plenty to see this summer in London.

Clients who still want a royal fix can experience the Trooping the Colour to celebrate the Queen’s birthday on June 9. The ceremony is filled with pomp and pageantry. Visit her home when Buckingham Palace opens the State Rooms to the public from July 21-Sept. 30. Afternoon tea is a must try British tradition and Ting at the Shangri-La hotel in The Strand, the tallest building in the European Union, serves up scones along with skyline views.

For a different kind of tradition, grab your top hat or summer frock and mingle with the elite at Royal Ascot from June 19-23 or Wimbledon, the most recognizable tennis tournament in the world, from July 2-15.

London is known for the quantity and quality of its free museums and this summer is filled with special exhibitions. The Tate Modern features The EY Exhibition Picasso 1932 until Sept. 8. It is considered one of the most significant shows the museum has ever staged.

The V&A Museum offers The Future Starts Here, which explores the power of design to shape tomorrow, and Frida Kahlo’s Wardrobe, the first showing outside of Mexico of the artist’s clothing. Both shows run until Nov. 4. The Royal Academy of the Arts stages its Summer Exhibition from June 12-Aug. 19.

For theater lovers, London’s West End can only be rivaled by Broadway, and this summer sees the opening of several big shows including The King and I, Othello, King Lear and Company—starring icon Patti LuPone. The BBC Proms, two-months of affordable classical summer concerts, take place at Royal Albert Hall from July 13-Sept. 8.

London has gone from the butt of culinary jokes to one of the top foodie cities in the world. Enjoy both the good food and the good weather on the Midsummer Terrace at Sea Containers on the Thames. The restaurant partnered with Champagne Laurent-Perrier to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Cuvée Rosé with a menu designed to pair perfectly with the bubbles. The terrace is adorned in pink wildflowers and at night illuminated with candlelight.

For one of the most innovative menus in town, Chicama (Chelsea) delights with its small plate, Peruvian seafood focus. Do not miss the tapioca marshmallow starter!