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Christmas in London

Christmas Markets in London

Christmas in London | London

Christmas Markets in London 2026: 15 Best Markets, Dates & Locations

Read More Christmas Markets in London 2026: 15 Best Markets, Dates & Locations

Best Christmas Shops in London

Christmas in London | London

Best Christmas Shops in London 2026: Where to Go Christmas Shopping in the City

Read More Best Christmas Shops in London 2026: Where to Go Christmas Shopping in the City

Christmas at Kew London

Christmas in London | London | Travel

Christmas at Kew London 2026: Tickets, Dates, Lights & Is It Worth It

Read More Christmas at Kew London 2026: Tickets, Dates, Lights & Is It Worth It

Christmas Day in London

Christmas in London | London

Christmas Day in London 2026: What’s Open & Things to Do

Read More Christmas Day in London 2026: What’s Open & Things to Do

Christmas in London Itinerary

Christmas in London | London | London Travel Tips and Inspiration

Christmas in London Itinerary: How to Spend the Perfect Holiday Day in London

Read More Christmas in London Itinerary: How to Spend the Perfect Holiday Day in London

The best Christmas Hotels in London

Christmas in London | London

Best Christmas Hotels in London 2026: Where to Stay for a Festive Trip

Read More Best Christmas Hotels in London 2026: Where to Stay for a Festive Trip

Best Christmas Light Tours in London

Christmas in London | London | London Tours & Experiences

Best Christmas Light Tours in London 2026: Bus, Walking & Festive Tours

Read More Best Christmas Light Tours in London 2026: Bus, Walking & Festive Tours

Christmas in London

Christmas in London | London | London Travel Tips and Inspiration

Christmas in London: The Best Things to Do (2026) from a Londoner

Read More Christmas in London: The Best Things to Do (2026) from a Londoner

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candaceabroad

I always end up in Lisbon and always for a differe

I always end up in Lisbon and always for a different reason. First for a girls’ trip when I was 19, freshly moved to the UK, then for a digital detox from burnout after a whirlwind year of full-time travel writing, blogging and content creation (upon which, ironically, I instantly regretted not taking any content 😅) and back again just this month!

No matter how many times I visit, there’s always something new to discover about the city, and I’d love to share all my finds with you 🇵🇹

If you’re planning your own trip, I’ve put together my full 3-day Lisbon itinerary, including where to stay, lots of restaurant recommendations, the best tours & fado nights, day trip ideas and all the little bits worth knowing before you go:

🚋 Comment TRAM and I’ll send you the full guide!

Have you been to Lisbon?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary, Lisbon Travel Guide, Where to Stay in Lisbon, Lisbon Restaurant Recommendations, Best Day Trips from Lisbon, Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal Travel Tips

#LisbonPortugal #LisbonItinerary #VisitLisbon #PortugalTravel #LisbonTravelGuide

I love a London night out as much as the next 🍸but

I love a London night out as much as the next 🍸but for some reason there’s always so much talk about what to do in London during the day. What about the evenings?

Here’s a little itinerary I’d send straight to a friend:

🛍️ Potter around Marylebone High Street (@marylebonevillage): a lovely neighbourhood worth a browse along the high street and independent shops before closing time.

🍸 Stop by Coppa Club (@coppaclub.marylebone) for pre-dinner cocktails and the occasional DJ set.

🍽️ Have dinner at Mour (@mourlondon) for Mediterranean-inspired dining in a cosy Georgian townhouse (order the Picanha steak, some of the best I’ve had in London!).

🚶🏽‍♀️ Walk Oxford Street (@oxfordstreetw1) & experience the newly pedestrianised section for yourself! It truly is fantastic.

🎷 & end with live music at 21Soho (@21soho.sq): either @thesecretsaxparty or another event they have on that evening!

Save this for your next night out in London and share it with someone you’d love to go with! 📌

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
London Night Out Itinerary, Things to Do in London at Night, Marylebone Restaurants and Bars, Soho Nightlife, London Date Night Ideas, Oxford Street Pedestrianisation, London Evening Activities

#LondonNightOut #ThingsToDoInLondon #LondonItinerary #Marylebone SohoLondon

How to spend a perfect day in Florence 🇮🇹 Florenc

How to spend a perfect day in Florence 🇮🇹

Florence is one of those cities where you can spend hours admiring Renaissance masterpieces, only to get completely distracted by a lovely little shop, a plate of pasta or the promise of yet another gelato (no complaints here…).

By the way, if you’re spending a little longer in Florence, comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my full two-day itinerary, with even more restaurants, things to do, shopping spots, hotel recommendations and tips for planning your trip!

A few places to save 📌

⛪️ Florence Duomo & Piazza della Signoria: must-sees in the historic centre.

🥪 Lo SchiacciaVino: for a proper Tuscan sandwich.

🍦 Perché no!: One of my favourite gelato stops from my trip.

🌉 Ponte Vecchio: Florence’s famous jewellery-lined bridge.

🛍️ Affix: A lovely vintage shop where I found my new favourite coat!

🌹 Giardino delle Rose: For gorgeous views across Florence.

🍝 Osteria del Porcellino: A lovely Tuscan dinner spot.

🍸 View on Art: Rooftop cocktails with a Duomo view.

🎷 Florence Jazz Club: For a lovely live music live

P.S. – A special thank you to the lovely Lucy Lopardo, who showed me around some of these Florence spots during my trip! If you’re looking for a wonderful local guide while you’re in Florence, I couldn’t recommend her enough. You can find her at @lucytourguide ❤️

Have you been to Florence?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—

Florence Italy travel guide, one day in Florence, Florence itinerary, things to do in Florence, Florence restaurants, Florence hidden gems, Florence vintage shopping, Florence travel tips, 2 days in Florence

#FlorenceItaly #FlorenceTravel #FlorenceItinerary #VisitFlorence ThingsToDoInFlorence

Would you visit this town? (Or a better question,

Would you visit this town? (Or a better question, could you pronounce it…).

Welcome to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, or Llanfair PG, as it’s affectionately known, the longest place name in Europe and a lovely short stop if you’re on a North Wales road trip. Here’s some bits for your trip!

📍 Where: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Isle of Anglesey, North Wales

A few places to stop while you’re here:

🚉 Llanfairpwll Railway Station: For the famous 58-letter station sign.

🛍️ James Pringle Weavers: A large souvenir and shopping centre beside the station, with Welsh gifts and a café (get your postcard stamped here!)

🎨 Naughty Gull: A little art and design shop opposite the station, with Welsh-made gifts, prints and postcards.

🍺 Penrhos Arms: A lovely village pub on Holyhead Road.

🚗 Where to combine it with on your North Wales road trip:

Plas Newydd House & Gardens: A beautiful National Trust estate overlooking the Menai Strait.

Menai Bridge: For a waterfront wander, independent cafés and lush views of the suspension bridge.

Beaumaris: A seaside town with a medieval castle, independent shops and boat trips.

Conwy: For magnificent medieval castle, town walls and Britain’s smallest house (and boat rides to puffin spotting)

Llandudno: For a fab Victorian seafront and the historic Great Orme Tramway.

Personally, I’d treat Llanfair PG as a fun little stop rather than a destination for the whole day.

But if you’ve managed to pronounce the full name, let me know 😅

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, longest place name in Europe, how to pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, things to do in Anglesey, North Wales road trip, places to visit in North Wales

#NorthWales #VisitWales #Anglesey #WalesTravel #candaceabroad

Would you go visit Britain’s smallest house? 🏠 On

Would you go visit Britain’s smallest house? 🏠

One of the more unusual discoveries from my North Wales road trip! And while it’s only a few minutes to look around, there’s plenty more to see in the beautiful medieval town of Conwy.

A little history: the house was saved from demolition in the early 1900s after a local newspaper editor helped establish its claim to being Great Britain’s smallest home. It’s been welcoming curious visitors ever since!

📍 Where: The Smallest House in Great Britain, Lower Gate Street, Conwy, LL32 8BE

🎟️ Tickets: Around £1.50 for adults and £1 for children. Pay at the entrance.

🏠 Inside: It’s a very quick visit! (of course it is) You can explore the tiny ground-floor living space and peek towards the upstairs bedroom

🕰️ When to visit: Opening is seasonal, generally spring to autumn, so check ahead before making a special trip.

📌 While you’re in Conwy: Don’t miss Conwy Castle, a walk along the medieval town walls, and some time exploring the harbour and independent shops.

Would you squeeze in for a look?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—

Smallest House in Great Britain, Conwy Wales, things to do in Conwy, North Wales attractions, Conwy Castle, North Wales road trip

#Conwy #NorthWales #VisitWales #WalesTravel #CandaceAbroad

Have you ever been to Wales? Reminiscing on a ra

Have you ever been to Wales?

Reminiscing on a rather spontaneous road trip to North Wales, from the medieval streets and harbour of Conwy to the sweeping coastal views from the Great Orme in Llandudno, a village with one of the longest place names in Europe and Britain’s smallest house (more on those tomorrow…).

Worth your list! 📌

Happy travels,
Candace x
—
North Wales travel, things to do in North Wales, North Wales road trip, places to visit in Wales, Conwy Wales, Llandudno, Great Orme, Wales travel inspiration #NorthWales #VisitWales #WalesTravel #ExploreWales #CandaceAbroad

Comment STAY and I’ll send you my full, honest rev

Comment STAY and I’ll send you my full, honest review of Middlethorpe Hall—including prices, what I loved and who I’d recommend it to (and who I wouldn’t!).

England has no shortage of grand historic houses, once home to aristocrats and wealthy families. Keeping them going over the centuries, however, has been another matter entirely.

As family fortunes changed, some found a new lease of life as hotels, including Middlethorpe Hall in York, dating back to 1699 and originally built for a wealthy master cutler who fancied life as a country gentleman.

📍 @ntmiddlethorpe_hall | York, England

Have you ever stayed at a National Trust property?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
York hotels | Historic House Hotels | National Trust hotels | York weekend breaks | English country house hotels

#MiddlethorpeHall #VisitYork #BritishHistory #HistoricHouses #EnglishCountryHouses UKTravel CandaceAbroad

🫶🏽 📍If you’re American abroad don’t forget to vot

🫶🏽

📍If you’re American abroad don’t forget to vote for the midterms before Nov 3rd! x @centerforusvotersabroad
🌿 St John’s Churchyard, Waterloo
🍪 @konditorcakes
💻 @southbankcentre
🍷 @le_garrick

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#londonvlog #londonlife #londonblogger
London Life, London Blogger, London Vlog, American in London

SAVE this for Thanksgiving in London 🦃🇬🇧 If you’r

SAVE this for Thanksgiving in London 🦃🇬🇧

If you’re an American spending Thanksgiving in London this year, I’ve got you! This will actually be my tenth Thanksgiving here (where does the time go?!), and thankfully there’s plenty of lovely places to celebrate without having to cook an entire turkey yourself.

Whether you’re after a traditional American feast, a beautiful hotel dinner or something a little more relaxed, here’s a few places to look into for Thursday, 26th November!

🦃 @ridinghousecafes — Fitzrovia | For a proper family-style Thanksgiving feast with turkey, cornbread stuffing, mac and cheese and pumpkin pie.

✨ @browns_hotel — Mayfair | For Thanksgiving lunch or dinner in one of London’s loveliest historic hotels.

🍽️ @onealdwychhotel, Covent Garden | For a special Thanksgiving lunch or dinner at Indigo.

🚂 @bookingoffice, St Pancras | For a four-course Thanksgiving feast inside the beautiful former ticket hall.

🏨 @kimptonfitzroy, Bloomsbury | For Thanksgiving dining and a hotel stay at the gorgeous Kimpton Fitzroy.

🥂 @theoystershed, City of London | For a Thanksgiving supper club overlooking the Thames.

🍂 @bluebirdrestaurants, Chelsea | For a four-course Thanksgiving celebration on King’s Road.

And keep an eye on @fowlrestaurant and @samsrestaurants too🍴

(& my biggest tip? Book early!)

Are you celebrating Thanksgiving in London this year?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Thanksgiving in London | Thanksgiving dinner London 2026 | American Thanksgiving in London | London restaurants

#thanksgivinginlondon #londonrestaurants #americaninlondon #londonfoodguide londonthanksgiving

SAVE this for your next autumn weekend escape 📌🍂 F

SAVE this for your next autumn weekend escape 📌🍂 From climbing Jacob’s Ladder and exploring limestone caves to tasting proper Cheddar in Cheddar, picking up Somerset cider and stopping for a cream tea, there’s so much to get up to in Cheddar Gorge (and not hard to see how it’s become one of my favourite UK autumn escapes…).

Comment CHEESE and I’ll send you my full Cheddar Gorge guide on the blog, with the best walks, caves and attractions, cheese and cider stops, ticket and parking information, where to eat, where to stay and practical tips for planning your day. There’s a handy map in the guide too. 🗺️

Have you been to Cheddar Gorge yet? 🧀

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge Walk, Cheddar Gorge Caves, Things to Do in Somerset

#cheddargorge #somerset #mendiphills #englandtravel #uktravels

When your weekly shop in England suddenly includes

When your weekly shop in England suddenly includes a torch and five tins of baked beans… 😅🇬🇧🛒

If you’ve been following the news in the UK lately, you might have seen the Prime Minister’s advice to keep at least three days’ worth of emergency supplies + food at home, so naturally it was time for a shop!

A sad disclaimer that I am a London & travel writer, so alas, not a doomsday expert…but here’s the checklist I made for the shop if you fancy doing the same:

3-DAY EMERGENCY SHOP 🛒

💧 Bottled water (9L per person for three days)

🥫 Tinned food (fish, vegetables, beans & fruit)

🍪 Crackers / oatcakes

🥜 Peanut butter

🥣 Cereal / breakfast bars

🍇 Mixed nuts & dried fruit

🍫 Chocolate / favourite snacks

🔦 Torch + batteries

🔋 Power bank

📻 Battery / wind-up radio

🩹 First aid kit

🧼 Hand sanitiser & wet wipes

🧻 Toilet roll & toiletries

💊 Essential medication

🥫 Tin opener

💷 Cash (small notes & coins)

🧣 Warm blanket

📞 Emergency contacts written on paper

Of course, you don’t need to rush out and buy everything at once (or suddenly develop a love for baked beans), but it’s more about having a few essentials tucked away should you ever need them.

Have you stocked up (and what’s on your list?), or is this the first you’re hearing about it? I’m curious!

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
London Life, England Life, UK Life, British Life, American in UK

#LifeInTheUK #LivingInEngland #UKShopping #Sainsburys #britishlife

Ever wondered what Princess Diana smelled like?

Ever wondered what Princess Diana smelled like?

Did a little Saturday wander around London today with friends and decided to find out!

We popped into Fortnum & Mason to try Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant, the floral perfume Diana reportedly wore on her wedding day in 1981.

And here’s a little piece of royal history for you: according to accounts of the day, Diana accidentally spilled some on her wedding dress just before the ceremony and had to carefully hide the stain!

The perfume itself dates back to 1912, and it’s pretty incredible that you can still experience a fragrance with such a connection to royal history today (you can find it on the second floor in the fragrance department x)

Very powdery, very vintage!

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#PrincessDiana #FortnumAndMason #LondonHiddenGems #LondonTravel #CandaceAbroad

Princess Diana, London Blogger, Candace Abroad

SAVE this for your next autumn day out (and 20k st

SAVE this for your next autumn day out (and 20k steps!)📌 As an ex-Hampstead local, I couldn’t let the season pass without sharing one of my favourite walks—from village streets and old pubs to the Hill Garden & Pergola, Kenwood House and the view from Parliament Hill.

Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my full Hampstead autumn walking guide on the blog, with step-by-step directions, timings, coffee and food stops (including where to get a proper New York-style bagel!), toilets along the way and practical tips. There’s an optional downloadable walking map in the guide too. 🗺️

Have you done your London walk this season? 🍂

Happy Londoning,

Candace x

—

Hampstead Autumn Walk, Hampstead Heath, London Walks, North London, Autumn in London

#hampstead #hampsteadheath #londonwalks #autumninlondon

📌SAVE this Muswell Hill Itinerary 🍂 Ever been to

📌SAVE this Muswell Hill Itinerary 🍂

Ever been to a London neighbourhood that made you want to move there instantly? (Alas, there’s no train or Tube station here, but dare I say that’s part of the appeal…)

Once a rural retreat filled with grand houses and estates, Muswell Hill began transforming into the lovely Edwardian neighbourhood we know today from 1895. And it’s firmly been one of my favourite North London discoveries ever since I moved to England.

Here’s a few bits to get up to:

🛍️ Go charity shopping along Muswell Hill Broadway

🐊 Have a browse at Crocodile Antiques @crocodilegiftslondon

🧀 Pop into the Muswell Hill Cheese Shop @cheeseshopmuswellhill

📚 Pick up a mystery book at House of Books @houseofbooksmhb

🥐 Treat yourself to something from The Bakers of Muswell Hill

🌇 Take in the incredible London views from Alexandra Palace @yourallypally

🍂 Enjoy an autumn walk around Alexandra Park

🍝 Finish with lunch at Rossella @eatrossella (don’t miss the tiramisu!)

📌 SAVE for your next Muswell Hill day out! Bonus points if you visit in autumn to catch the leaves at Ally Pally Park 🍂

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Muswell Hill, North London Neighbourhoods, London Blogger, London Content Creator

#muswellhill #northlondon #londonblogger

Get in you! We’re doing Halloween in London 🎃 Hal

Get in you! We’re doing Halloween in London 🎃

Halloween is one of my favourite excuses to dress up and explore the city, especially when it comes to Halloween at Kew...

Once it gets dark, Kew Gardens turns into an after-hours Halloween trail with glowing pumpkins, eerie woodland displays, light installations and just enough spookiness to feel seasonal without being genuinely terrifying (promise) 📌 SAVE for the season!

Practical bits:

🎃 Where: Halloween at Kew, Kew Gardens

📆 16 October – 1 November 2026

🎟️ I’d book ahead, especially for weekends and the dates closest to Halloween, it’s an evening experience with timed slots

🚇 Nearest station: Kew Gardens

P.S. - Comment BOO and I’ll send you my full Halloween in London guide all my favourite spooky things to do in London (+ dates & booking links etc.) 👻

Are you spending Halloween in London?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Halloween at Kew, Halloween in London, London Halloween 2026, things to do in London in October, Kew Gardens Halloween, autumn in London

#HalloweenAtKew #HalloweenInLondon #KewGardens

Planning a trip to India? 🇮🇳 Of course, there’s th

Planning a trip to India? 🇮🇳 Of course, there’s the Taj Mahal, Mumbai and all the big hitters. But I’d make a little room for Kolkata too…

Formerly Calcutta, Kolkata was the capital of British India until 1911, and its history is fascinating. There’s grand architecture, a centuries-old literary culture, INCREDIBLE
food (I genuinely didn’t have a bad meal here), extraordinary flower markets and so much art & culture.

It’s a city with enormous contrasts, and certainly not the easiest place you’ll travel, but it’s well worth the visit.

🇮🇳 Comment LINK for my full Kolkata itinerary, or read it at candaceabroad.com/kolkata-3-day-itinerary/

Have you been to or heard of Kolkata?

Happy travels,
Candace x
—
Kolkata, Kolkata Travel, India Travel, Calcutta
#Kolkata #IndiaTravel #VisitKolkata #KolkataTravel

There’s a rumour that the Indian food in London is

There’s a rumour that the Indian food in London is pretty much the best you can find outside of India (and after my trip to India this year, I think they’re right!) 🇮🇳✨

Here’s 3 incredible ones to add to your list:

🍽️ @trishnalondon // Marylebone

Tried & tested recommendations: Koliwada squid & shrimps, Nandu Varuval soft-shell crab and the Prawn Kodampuli Curry. If you love seafood, this is the one I’d bookmark 📌

🍽️ @baburrestaurant // Forest Hill

Tried & tested recommendations: Go for the tasting menu! The slow-cooked tiger prawns in green coconut, the clove-smoked rump of lamb with Rajasthani masala and the chocolate malpua to finish. A dream…

🍽️ @choasiarestaurant // Putney

Tried & tested recommendations: chilli garlic prawns, Bang Bang cauliflower, and the prawn Manchurian (and absolutely save room for the coconut jaggery rice pudding!) + the wine

Save this for your next dinner out 📌

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Indian Restaurants London, London Recommendations
#londonrestaurants #indianfoodlondon #londonfoodguide #londonfoodie londoneats

Is The Phantom of the Opera in London actually wor

Is The Phantom of the Opera in London actually worth seeing? 🎭

After nearly 40 years on the West End, I finally went to see it at His Majesty’s Theatre (from the second row, no less!) and let’s just say I have thoughts…

I’ve written up my full review on candaceabroad.com from the incredible stage design and music to ticket prices, where to sit and where to eat before the show.

Comment LINK and I’ll send you the full review straight to your DMs! And be sure to follow the site for more London theatre recommendations✨

Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera before?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
The Phantom of the Opera London, West End Theatre, London Theatre Review, Things to Do in London
#westendtheatre #phantomoftheopera #londontheatre

Whether you live in London or you’re visiting, one

Whether you live in London or you’re visiting, one of my favourite London addictions is going to the West End as often as I can 🎭 (Phantom of the Opera tonight!).

But over time I’ve realised I nearly always go in with a bit of a game plan when it comes to theatre in London…so here’s how I’d plan the perfect West End night:

🍽️ Keep dinner within a 15–20 minute walk of your theatre.

For a 7:30pm show, I normally book for around 5–5:30pm, and never too far away that I’d have to take the Tube.

Tonight we went to @kinkally.restaurant on Charlotte Street for Georgian-influenced food (the dumplings are gorgeous). If you’d rather stay right in Theatreland, @le_garrick in Covent Garden is another favourite of mine for French food.

👠 You don’t need to dress up.

There’s no formal West End dress code, but I personally love using it as an excuse to make a bit more of an occasion of the night.

🏛️ And arrive early enough to explore the theatre, not just find your seat! I always like having a bit of time for a drink and a look around before the show starts.

So many West End theatres are historic buildings in their own right, and there’s usually something worth noticing. For Phantom, it’s His Majesty’s Theatre, which opened in 1897 (fun fact here is the name actually changes depending on the monarch. It was Her Majesty’s Theatre under Queen Elizabeth II and became His Majesty’s again after King Charles III took the throne).

Then, of course enjoy the show ✨

What’s the last West End show you saw in London and what’s on your list next?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
West End Theatre, London Theatre, Things to Do in London, London Theatre Tips, Phantom of the Opera, London West End, London Travel

#londontheatre #westendtheatre #thingstodoinlondon #londontravel #phantomoftheopera

And no it’s not Spain or the French countryside, i

And no it’s not Spain or the French countryside, it’s the UK!

Took a ferry from mainland Scotland to the Isle of Arran this month and these were some of the views from the drive 😍 (of course, the camera could never do it full justice…).

It’s such a gem in Scotland that I don’t hear about often…add it to your list 📌 and be sure to make a drive down the A841 when you do…

Have you heard of the Isle of Arran before?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
UK Travel, Scotland Travel, Hidden Scotland, Isle of Arran, UK Travel Blogger
#uktravel #scotlandtravel #isleofarran

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