Chelsea Flower Show – London in Bloom
Trip Over to London
It was a magnificent sunny, warm day for my visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. I couldn’t have planned it any better, especially as it was booked so far in advance. The Show is held over five days in May every year. I believe they are now planning on holding the show over six days to allow more people to visit, but less people on each day.
Getting there was a simple ride on the Tube to Sloane Square on the District or Circle Line. Then on exiting the station there are volunteers to answer any questions you have, and maps are on display to show you the short walk to the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, where the magnificent floral exhibition that is the Chelsea Flower Show takes over. Or, if you follow the crowd, you will get there very easily. As soon as you enter you will be surrounded by the colour and vibrancy of everything from the flowers, to the garden ornaments and sculptures, not to mention the exhibitors.
Pick a direction to head off and begin exploring. Wind your way around the outdoor sections, into the Great Pavilion when you need a break from the sun, just make sure you don’t miss a thing. Every little bit is worth seeing.
I am not a gardener, completely bereft of green thumbs! It was amazing to see all the displays, the flowers are all absolutely beautiful. The sculptures and outdoor ornaments are stunning, and there are stalls selling garden related things. I did buy a beautiful crushable, packable sun hat, and a raincoat, knowing the weather could change any day, which of course it did!
At Chelsea Flower Show time of year the whole of London seems to come to life with flowers, particularly on Sloane St and Kings Rd. But all over London, shops, hotels, restaurants and private homes all get involved in their own floral displays, so it is certainly worth walking all over London to see what you can find. Often you see crowds gathered admiring an amazing display they have come across in the streets.
There are a number of bars and eateries at the Chelsea Flower Show, and I noticed that Pimm’s is the drink of choice, so I joined in on that ritual while I had a very light lunch as I had pre-booked afternoon tea at the Drawing Room as a special treat. It was lovely drinking Champagne, eating beautiful tasty morsels and listening to harp music – a nice bunch of flowers on the glass table next to the harp player wouldn’t have gone astray! One for the Suggestion Box maybe? I followed up with a nice cup of tea before continuing to explore the exhibits. I also found that even with a booking at the Drawing Room there are no bathroom privileges, pick your timing, the global problem of queues for the Ladies exists here too!
After visiting the Chelsea Flower Show, if only I had a garden……….so inspiring!
Tickets and information are available from The Royal Horticultural Society website, where you can also become a member of the RHS. Depending on your gardening interest, there are various benefits in becoming a member, like special member only days. If you feel like treating yourself to afternoon Tea, or a Champagne Breakfast, make sure you book in to get everything on the day and time you book to go to the show. Of course, the earlier you buy your tickets, the more choices you have about the time to take tea.
While in London you might like to visit the beautiful Kew Gardens, take a walk from Camden Town along Regent’s Canal, or be part of London’s amazing history at the Tower of London or take a long walk around the East End and end up in a 800 year old pub. For a leisurely day out, catch a boat up the Thames to Hampton Court
Read the PostCards I wrote on my recent Trip Over to London, shorter stories and pictures of places I visited.
Itinerary for my Trip Over to London
Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.
Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.
Picked up at Heathrow by Naz from Black Lane Limos.
Travelled around London using a Visitor Oyster Card.
After visiting Monreale Cathedral and marveling at all the gold✨️ I enjoyed a serene walk around town. With most people still attending the service, I had the place almost to myself.
#monreale #monrealecathedral #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring
It was a lovely sunny London day to walk through Kensington Gardens from South Kensington to Baystwater Rd. Kensington Palace was all locked up for the Christmas break.
#kensingtonpalace #kensingtongardenslondon #london #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme
The crowds were out in force in London on a gloomy Boxing Day so just a quick visit to Trafalgar Square, then back to Piccadilly area, through Princes Arcade, which drew me in with the tailoring/sewing/fashion decorations and up past Fortnums.
#trafalgarsquare #princesarcadepiccadilly #fortnums #londonatchristmastime #londoncalling
Popped into Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly yesterday evening ✨️ mainly to have a look at the new double helix staircase built up the middle of the store. Disappointed that they had no feature decorations hanging down the centre of it!!
The lower floors were absolutely packed with people, if one person moved, they all had to. I took a few pics and made a run for it!!
#fortnums #shoppinginlondon #doublehelixstaicase #londonlife #solotravel
On a day trip to Agrigento from Palermo, I had about 2 hours or more to wander around the ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of Temples ✨️Is it just me, or do you love walking around places knowing that others have been walking there for more than 2000 years too?
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo #sicily
Exploring Trapani Salt Pans on the west coast of Sicily with a day trip tour from Palermo - what a quirky spot! Windmills, old boats, and epic views. The last shot shows the hilltop medieval city of Erice, which I featured in my previous posts. The solo adventure continues.....
#trapani #trapanisaltpans #sicily #solotravelinsicily
Way up at the top of the hill behind Taormina is the town of Castelmola, some interesting ruins from the middle ages, and a lovely place for lunch with amazing views✨️
I spent 2 hours up there as one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off bus trip.
Click on the link to my website to read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily.🥂
#castelmola #Taormina #Sicily #medievalSicily #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #soloadventure
Perched atop a hill in western Sicily lies the medieval city of Erice ✨️. Most of the current structures, including churches, castles, and the main entrance, date back to the 1100s. And yes, the ice cream is a more modern delight, made fresh that very day!!
#ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily #sicilianicecream
Sunrise on my last day in London, after a few very cold, cloudy days, today we are going with a freezing 2 degrees, and sunshine ❄️❄️❄️
#sunriseinlondon #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #londonlife #coldmornings❄️ #solotrip
Yesterday evenings stroll to walk off my enormous Christmas lunch ✨️ past Fortnum & Mason, up Bond St, past the Royal Arcade, then past all the fashion shops dressed up to the nines. Chanel was my favourite 💖 Then Oxford St and back down Regent St to Piccadilly. Londin really knows how to do Christmas lights 🥂✨️💖
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #streetsoflondon #bondstreetlondon #regentstreetlondon
Delicious Christmas lunch🎄 @royaloverseaslondon ✨️
We started with a few glasses of bubbles, and a variety of finger foods 🥂while making new friends.
Then moved on to a celeric and truffle foam amuse bouche (that I forgot to photograph!!). Follwed by smoked salmon, roast turkey and Christmas pudding.
I won`t need to eat for a week 💖
#christmaslunch🎄 #christmastimeinlondon #perfectday❤️ #londonlife #londoneats
The Spring Flower Show 💐every year at David Jones city store, not sure that this one is my favourite 🤔 what do you think?
#davidjonesflowershow #sydneycbd #sydney #flowerseverywhere #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Just opened my curtains to see this beautiful sunrise ✨️over Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Beautiful colours to start the day, I was just in time to catch it, those peach colours are no longer there!
#londonsunrise #bigben #westminsterabbey #londoneye #housesofparliament
Quattro Canti, or Piazza Vigliena, is a stunning Baroque square at the heart of Palermo`s historic centre. Located where Via Maqueda meets Corso Vittorio Emanuele, each corner symbolises one of the city`s ancient districts, built in 1620. Via Maqueda is now a pedestrian zone, bustling with restaurants, ranging from great spots to tourist traps, and it`s the perfect place to stroll around in the evenings.
#palermo #quattrocantipalermo #viamaquedapalermo #solotravelinsicily
Sicily`s hidden gem! Strolling through Cefalu`s ancient rock arches, where the Mediterranean waves crash against the rocks on one side and calm awaits for a swim on the other.
#cefalu #cefalú #cefalubeach #cefalusicily #Sicily #sicilylife #historicsicily #soloadventure #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #exploretheworld
The views from Erice stretch endlessly in every direction ✨️ No wonder they built their medieval stronghold here - a strategic spot to survey the land. The view here spans the salt pans and Trapani on Sicily`s west coast, with Isola Lavanzo and Isola di Favignana dotting the Mediterranean, and Isola di Marittimo on the horizon.
#ericesicily #solotravelinsicily #mysoloadventure
Getting out for a walk after sitting on a plane for 24 hours✨️ I did a lap of Piccadilly and St James`s to see the Christmas lights. All rugged up in a coat, scarf, hat and gloves, I was loving the bracing 3 degree temperature❄️❄️❄️ Then back to @royaloverseaslondon for mulled wine and mince pies💖🎄☃️
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #piccadillyarcade #burlingtonarcade #jermynstreet
Cefalu`s Duomo, a masterpiece that took 100 years to build and opened its doors in 1240 ✨️. The exterior belies the intricate interior design, with delicate carvings and stunning mosaics everywhere.
#Sicily #cefalù #cefalusicily #duomodicefalù #cefalucathedral #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventureinsicily #traveltheworldworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicsicily
Just a short hop from Palermo, the markets in Monreale were getting ready for the day, filled with traditional Sicilian Moor`s Heads, or Testa di Moro.
#moorsheads #testadimoro #monreale #solotravelinsicily
St Paul`s Cathedral dome as seen from the top of 1 New Change, the shopping centre across the road. I walked down Ludgate Hill, Fleet St and The Strand, coming across the Royal Exchange, Australia House, the dragon marking the boundary of London City. Every building along this street has incredible history.
#stpaulscathedral #royalexchange #australiahouse #londondragon #historiclondon
Beautiful Taormina on Sicily`s east coast. Little streets and stepped lanes there just for exploring.✨️
Who doesn`t need a Dolce & Gabbana Vespa??? Perfect 💖🥂
#taormina #taorminasicily #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure @dolcegabbana #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #flowerseverywhere
Panoramic views from the medieval city of Erice, gazing out towards Palermo, far away and over the hills, across the north coast of Sicily. ✨️ My thoughts are with those in Sicily, Malta, and southern Italy who have lost so much due to Cyclone Harry.
#ericesicily #solotravelinsicily #viewfromthetop #medievalsicily
From its lofty position in the hills behind Palermo, Sicily, Monreale boasts stunning views of the Mediterranean. I loved having the town to myself as everyone was at the cathedral service ✨️💖
#monreale #viewfromthetop #blueskyandsunshine #solotravelinsicily #palermo
I had a wonderful stay @hotel_isabella_taormina on my recent solo adventure through Malta and Sicily.✨️
📍click the link in the bio to read my reviews of the hotels I stayed in (not sponsored, just honest reviews)
#hotelisabellataormina #taormina #taorminasicily #corsoumbertotaormina #soloadventure #solotravelinsicily #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #siicily
Went to the Gianni Versace exhibition over at The Arches, near London Bridge ✨️ Not many people there, so a lovely break from the crowds.
#gianniversace #thearches #londonbridge #highfashiom #londonlife
Discovering Segesta`s Doric Temple, built in 420BC ✨️, and the adjacent Greek Theatre on a hillside. On this Palermo daytrip, we covered Segesta, Trapani, and Erice (previous posts have more). Apparently, some believe the temple remained unfinished, evident from the unfluted columns and remaining construction blocks.
#segestatemple #daytripfrompalermo #sicily #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory
A day trip from Palermo to Sicily`s south coast took me to Agrigento, to visit the Valley of the Temples, an ancient Greek archeological park ✨️The Temple of Concordia is the most complete of these ancient ruins, with it`s very own Fallen Angel!!
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #templeofconcordia #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo
My stroll through the tranquil Palermo Botanic Gardens, where I came to a lovely glass house, ponds full of lily pads and this man known as the Genius of Palermo (at least they have one!!), the protector of the city, with this enormous snake chomping into his chest.
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #geniusofpalermo #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling ##seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #glasshouse #lilyponds
Visited the Titanic Exhibition and lived to tell the tale ✨️ but honestly, the harbour views and the walk around Walsh Bay and The Rocks stole the show!!
#sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #walshbaysydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein
In search of somewhere to have lunch, I walked down from Piazza del Duomo in the heart of Cefalu, there were many restaurants to choose from. I settled into a lovely place with a deck surrounded by the waves crashing over the rocks and a delicious meal, before continuing to explore the lovely town of Cefalu.
#cefalu #cefalucathedral #cefalusicily #piazzadelduomo #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #tableforone #visitcefalu #crashingwaves #exploretheworld #solotravelinsicily #SoloTravelMagic
Palermo here I come... and what better welcome than Teatro Politeama on my doorstep✨️
#solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #palermo #palermo
A short train trip from Syracuse to explore Noto✨️ It was completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693. After a short walk up the hill from Noto Station, you find yourself walking through the city gates into a Sicilian Baroque paradise 🥂
#noto #daytripfromsyracuse #soloadventure ##solotravelinsicily #notocitygates #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme
I woke up in Palermo and decided that today was the day for a spontaneous adventure to Cefalu ✨️ After breakfast, I booked my train ticket, rushed across town on the 101 bus to Palermo Station, and made my train just in the nick of time - next stop, the beautiful coastal town of Cefalu, here I come! 🌞This is the street I walked down from Cefalu Station into the town, so pretty, and quiet at 10am! I realised on the train that I had forgotten to pick up my hat and sunscreen in my rush to get going, fortunately the shops soon started opening so I could sort this out 👒
#cefalù
#cefalusicily #prettytown #siciliantown #soloadventureinsicily #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind #traveladdict #sicilylife
The streets of Valletta, Malta. Endless hours of exploring this amazing place. A wonderful place for solo travellers, easy to get around and very safe. Something for everyone, especially for history buffs!!
#solotrip #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #solotravelinmalta
Exploring Erice ✨️ a medieval city perched high on a hill in western Sicily. It`s a beautiful spot to wander around for a few hours. The city has roots in the pre-Roman era, but most of the structures standing today date back to the Normans in 1148.
I was going to make my own way there on the train from Palermo to Trapani, then up to Erice on the cable car, but I found a small group tour that went to Erice, Trapani Salt Pans and Segesta so joined that instead. It meant I missed spending time in Trapani town centre, but I wouldn`t have been able to get to the Temple of Segesta by myself. You win some, you lose some!!
That just means one day I`ll have to go back to Sicily again 💖🥂!!
#erice #ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily
Inside Government House in Sydney, where Princess Anne is staying this weekend✨️ not sure what you do to get to stay there, but clearly she`s doing it....and I`m not!!
Open most weekends to walk through, definitily worth it, a magnificent historic buildingoverlooking the harbour, in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
#governmenthousesydney #princessanne #historicsydney #royalbotanicgardens #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #myhometown
After visiting Isola Bella, I had lunch at one of the beach clubs, ✨️before walking up all the steps back up to the road. Then down the hill to Mazzaro to catch the bus up to Taormina......because the cable car was closed for maintenance 😒
For info about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.
#isolabellataormina #islandparadise #isolabella #pizzabythesea #aperolspritz #solotravelinsicily #taorminasicily #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
Isola Bella, the little island paradise on the beach below Taormina✨️You have to walk through knee deep water to get there. I had my water shoes and small travel towel - ready for anything😂🥂
Read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure in Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.
#isolabellataormina #isolabella #taorminasicily #taormina #islandparadise #downbythesea #soloadventure #sicily
Below the buildings on the south side of Corso Umberto, this 2nd Century Naumachie is the foundation of places like @hotel_isabella_taormina ✨️(in the first photo), where I stayed!!💖
#taormina #taorminasicily #hotelisabella #naumachietaormina #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme
Teatro Antico, the ancient theatre in Taormina, built in the 3rd Century, still showing productions today.✨️
#teatroanticotaormina #taorminasicily #taormina #Sicily #sicilytravel #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #ancientruins
In Erice, I stumbled upon Sicily`s ultimate pastry haven, but what should I try??? The struggle to resist buying it all was very real😋 I was not disappointed with my choice!!
#ericesicily #grammaticomaria #solotravelinsicily
Wandering through Palermo in search of the bus to Monreale in the hills, I stumbled upon Porta Nuova, the ancient gate to Palermo. Which was a good find as it was the land mark I needed to make sure I was heading in the right direction.
#palermo #portanuovapalermo #solotravelinsicily #sicilytravel
After more exploring Noto on my day trip from Syracuse, in Sicily ✨️I indulged my passion for a bit of fried seafood, then followed that with a Sicilian gelato 😋
#noto #sicily #frittomisto #gelato #exploringsicily #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme ##seeeverythingdoeverything
Isola Bella, the beautiful little island where Lady Florence Trevelyan made her home after being exiled from England, meanwhile, her lover wasn`t exiled, he became King Edward Vll 👑
Hmmm 🤔
📍Walk down from Toarmina for some great views, the cable car was closed for maintenance when I was there, I caught the bus back up to Porto Messina!! ✨️
#isolabellataormina #taormina #taorminasicily #visitsicily
#solotravelinsicily #ladyflorencetrevelyan #soloadventureinsicily #exploretheworld
#seeeverythingdoeverything
Parco Trevelyan, public gardens in Taormina created by Lady Florence Trevelyan, who was exiled from England after an affair with the Prince who would become King Edward Vll.
She made her home on Isola Bella, and then married the Mayor of Taormina.
Click the link to my website in the bio to read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily.
#parcotrevelyan #parcotrevelyantaormina #taormina #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #walkinthepark #solotravel #exploretheworld #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Home sweet home in London, arriving @royaloverseaslondon ✨ lights on and ready for Santa🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#londonatchristmastime #royaloverseasleague #christmaslights #christmastree #traveltheworldwithme
Looking for a place to stay in Sicily or Malta? Click the link in the bio to read my reviews of the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure.
#sicily #Syracuse #palermo #piccolocasamia #hotelpoliteamapalermo #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #whereistayed
Discover the serene Botanic Gardens, just a short stroll down Via Lincoln from Palermo Centrale Station.✨️ A perfect haven from the city`s hustle and bustle. And check out this fashionista lizard! 🦎 While reptiles aren`t my thing, and green isn`t my colour, he pulls it off nicely! While you might be thinking I was brave to get this close, the camera zoom made the magic happen 😜!!
For more on my solo Malta and Sicily adventures, visit my website - link in bio.
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #sicilianreptile #greenreptile #welldressedlizard #walkinthepark #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
Syracuse is more than just Ortigia Island. Taking a walk up the coast to the north with fantastic views of the rocky coastline.
I walked as far as the Monument to the Italians who died in the Ethiopian war in the 1930s.
#syracuse #sicily #rockycoastline #warmonument #soloadventure #solotrip #solotravel #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
Beautiful day in Syracuse, Sicily 🌞 Perfect for walking around Ortigia and out to Castello Maniace.
#ortigia #Syracuse #sicily #castellomaniace #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
