Flight QF1 from Dubai (DXB) to London Heathrow (LHR) Departure: 2.25 am Arrival: 6.55 am Flight Duration: 7 hours (approx) Check-in We arrived at the terminal at 11.30pm in the evening, with a good 3 hours to spare before our flight. We made our way to the premium side of the terminal and found the check-in desks dedicated exclusively for this flight. I wasn’t sure if we were to use Emirates’ check-in, but that was not the case. We did not see a single person by the time we entered this terminal – we checked in alone in about 3 minutes and we made our way to security. Security At this time of the night (and surprisingly, to be very honest), we did not see a single person except airport staff. Security took a minute each and was no trouble at all. We walked a fair bit to the train stop which we had to board to get to the departures area. The shuttle took a good 10 minutes to arrive but we saw other passengers at last as everyone gets the same shuttle, … [Read more...] about My Flight: a review of Qantas First Class A380 from Dubai to London
London
My Flight: American Airlines Business Class review from London to Miami B777-300
I have recently travelled to Mexico and chose to fly with American Airlines from London Heathrow to Miami as it offered the best connection times, good value and I was keen to try its long haul business class product (having been quite impressed with its ‘transcontinental’ service between New York and San Francisco a couple of years ago). Here is how my flight went. Check-in Check in area at London Heathrow, Terminal 3. The flight departed from Heathrow Terminal 3 (and interestingly, there was never a mention of the terminal on American’s pre-flight emails). I had seen this ‘flagship check-in’ area a few times and knew where to go. On arrival, there were 3 passengers waiting to be checked in and 3 agents on duty. I waited a good 10 minutes before my turn came and had what could be described as the most bizarre check in ever. Instead of what would be a normal ‘Hello, where you are flying to today? How many bags? Can I have your passport?’, I was … [Read more...] about My Flight: American Airlines Business Class review from London to Miami B777-300
The 20 Most Romantic Places in London
London has some of the most alluring spots that you could hope to find, from cosy wine bars to secret gardens and quaint streets. There is tough competition for the 20 most romantic places in London, yet we’ve whittled it down to our absolute favourites that we hope you’ll enjoy reading about and visiting. The 20 Most Romantic Places in London by Area Central Eros Statue, Piccadilly If you’re looking to capture the heart of that special someone, look no further than the Eros Statue on Piccadilly. It’s been a popular meeting point since it was first unveiled in 1893. After viewing the statue, why not take your loved one for a romantic picnic in the park nearby. Gordons Wine Bar The scene of many a first date, Gordon’s Wine Bar on Villiers Street has been popular with Londoners since it opened in 1890. It’s considered to be the oldest wine bar in London and has a very relaxed vibe. Take a walk in the adjacent Victoria Embankment Gardens … [Read more...] about The 20 Most Romantic Places in London
2 Days in London: An Aggressive Sightseeing Itinerary
London is a large city with museums, history, and pubs. I’ve had a few friends visit and I keep going back to similar things to do or see. Below are good self-walking routes in order to see the most of the iconic London sights in roughly two to three days. Are you a fast and efficient traveler? These are ambitious schedules. If you answer yes to some of the below questions, consider the below itineraries. Can you walk briskly for miles dodging tourists and locals? Can you walk 4 to 6 miles and be on your feet all day? Can you navigate Underground or metro systems with ease? Getting Around: Oyster Cards You don’t have to walk everywhere. An Oyster card can be used on buses and the Underground. What airport do you fly into? – Flying into London Heathrow, the Underground takes you straight into the city. If you’re flying into one of the other five airports, consider taking a train to an Underground station. Where are you staying? – Staying a little outside … [Read more...] about 2 Days in London: An Aggressive Sightseeing Itinerary
London’s Mail Rail Ride at The Postal Museum
It was way ahead of its time, a solution to transport mail more efficiently away from the horses and the street traffic. Opening in 1927 and running for 75 years, the Mail Rail was six miles long and an electric, driverless train system navigating an average of 70 feet below some of the most iconic London landmarks. The trains ran every four minutes every day for 22 hours. The tunnels were dug by hand and were used to distribute mail until 2003. It was a system of tunnels and chutes to deliver mail bags. First named the Post Office Underground Railway, it was rebranded to the Mail Rail on the 60th anniversary of operations in 1987. In September 2017, London’s Postal Museum opened the Mail Rail exhibit to the public. Tickets are already selling out months in advance, and I was lucky to snatch one up before the trains would start running again; this time to transport humans, not mail. The Mail Rail Ride and Exhibition The ride lasts all but 15 minutes and has riders squeezed into … [Read more...] about London’s Mail Rail Ride at The Postal Museum