Hello again, Reader,
Now that we’ve gotten to know each other a little better, I feel it’s time for me to share my most controversial study abroad opinion: There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist when you’re in another country. If you want to do a bus tour of the city, do it. If you want to ride round the London Eye or visit Madame Tussaud’s or buy something overpriced from Harrod’s, do it! Land is marked for a reason; the sights are there to be seen! Enjoy yourself because who knows when you’ll be back.
That being said, it is always valuable to know what the locals recommend. Consequently, I have rounded up a wide range of interviewees (the five members of my family…) and asked them for their top picks in a few categories.
| Favourite Museum/Gallery | Favourite Restaurant | Favourite Area | Favourite Performance Space | Favourite Pub/Bar | Bonus Spot | |
| Mum | Victoria & Albert Museum | Flesh & Buns | Blackheath/ Greenwich | Royal Albert Hall | Southbank | Kew Gardens |
| Dad | Tate Modern | Lobos Tapas | Camden | Roundhouse | The Pelt Trader | Sadler’s Wells |
| Brother | Science Museum | Dirty Bones | Borough | Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) | The Trinity | Meltdown |
| Me | National Gallery | Polpo | Soho | Theatre Royal Drury Lane | Flight Club* | Vinegar Yard |
| Sister | Jewish Museum London | Farmacy | Chelsea | O2 Brixton | Blame Gloria | Forza Wine |
*I don’t drink so instead have decided to add something fun. You can of course go to pubs/bars as they always have soft drinks, mocktails etc. but I didn’t feel confident recommending a place where I hadn’t sampled all the goods!
As always, let me know if you try any of my suggestions. Oh! And if you go out exploring and find somewhere great, let me know too!
Noemie
