Sky Garden travel tips

It’s no secret that the people of London love to queue—for non-UK folks, that means waiting in line. We are known for our obsession with order; a compulsive need to systemize everything into neat and tidy sections. So when throngs of travelers flock to the capital, some (read: many) Londoners can begin to malfunction as things get disorderly. You’ll notice an involuntary eye twitch if you stand on the wrong side of the escalator, a reflexive eye roll if you pose for a photo in a phone box, or even an audible gasp if you step into the road while looking the wrong way for oncoming traffic.

History feels very much alive in the art, architecture and crackling atmosphere of the UK’s capital. From the Tower of London and contemporary Sky Garden to tales of the Houses of Parliament’s Gunpowder Plot and Harry Potter filming locations — there are enough famous, infamous and fantastical attractions in London to keep kids entertained for weeks. And many of the city’s most celebrated names can be explored through a raft of innovative tours and experiences aimed squarely at families.

At home, I lead a fairly down-to-earth lifestyle. Like most people, my days are typically grounded, filled with the normal routine of taking care of commitments and ticking to-do lists. But get me on a trip, and it's a whole different story. Without fail, when I'm in a new city, I get as high as I possibly can .... so I can take in the sweet views.The very first thing I did on my first day in Stockholm last month was to take a stroll on the Monteliusvägen walking path, where I was greeted with unbelievable views of the Swedish capital's Old Town and surrounding waterscape. It made things official: I was in Stockholm. 

Although the mythical “Grand Budapest Hotel” isn’t an option when deciding where to stay in Budapest, there are countless hotels in Hungary’s vibrant capital that earn the Gustave H. stamp of approval. Widely considered one of the coolest cities in Europe, days in Budapest are spent encountering landmarks, meandering along the riverside, and curing all ailments by “taking the waters” at a thermal bathhouse. Evenings start with rooftop sundowners and end in buzzing ruin bars. Fusing golden-age hospitality with bohemian charm, these luxury Budapest hotels give you the grandest experience.

On those precious sunny London days, there’s no better feeling than sitting outside with a drink. Pub gardens have their time and place, but in a city growing taller by the day, there are more and more places where you can get up high. Here’s our pick of the best rooftop bars in London.