13. Elegant England — NIYA'S VIEW

London is where I grew up and probably where I will retire. It’s one of those places where you can find something or someone from every corner of the world.

British Airways is my go to airline to fly me across the pond often for British hospitality and culture. London leads as one of the most historical global cities offering a wealth of art, fashion, film, fine dining and fun adventures.

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Explore the Tate Britain which has been open since 1897. Currently works by British sculptor, Barbara Hepworth are showing art admirers the relationships of abstract forms, various colours, textures and figures at the exhibition, Sculpture for a Modern World. After take a stroll along Millbank and enjoy the scenery of the River Thames. Soon you will find The National Gallery which displays collections of prominent paintings and the learn about important historical figures in British history at the National Portrait Gallery. The information and images often take you to a different place.

Who knows you may even find yourself among fashion magazine editors, makeup stylists and models strutting around the city for London Fashion Week. Today’s scheduled runway shows include notable contemporary and luxury brands: Mary Katrantzou, Topshop Unique, Vivienne Westwood, Belstaff, Mulberry, Paul Smith and Alexander McQueen. Once caught up in the excitement, visit the high end department store, Selfridges to snag yourself a black and ivory silk skull scarf. Congratulations, this is your entrance to the fashion world.

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By now it’s time for lunch and while in the Marylebone district, venture through the areas of Soho, Leceister Square, Covent Garden for moderately priced cuisine: Busaba (Thai), Polpo (Italian), Dishoom (Indian), La Bodega Negra (Mexican) or Spice Market (Fusion). Then there are fine dining restaurants in Mayfair and Belgravia: Hakkasan (Chinese), Novikov (Italian), Nobu (Japanese), Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (French) and Marcus(British). Around all of these wonderful restaurants, you’re sure to recognize buildings and streets as most of them were in films you’ve seen such as Clockwork Orange, An Education, The King’s Speech, Legend and more. Keep an eye out to capture that perfect snap for Instagram.

Enjoying my favourite restaurant, Spice Market in London with my lads.

Continuing the English affair, make a reservation for afternoon tea at The Ritz London. Imagine champagne, cocktails, warm scones with cream and jam as well as diagonally cut sandwiches. Yum! Following the luxurious delight, walk along Piccadilly with sights of Green Park towards Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill which leads to Buckingham Palace.Then Knightsbridge is the place to be, experience the alluring upmarket department store, Harrods.

Expand your horizon by booking tickets for the humourous play, Nell Gwynn at Apollo Shaftesbury or spot Ralph Fiennes in an intriguing play, The Master Builder at the Old Vic Theatre. For a bit a of evening banter, pop into a pub and make merry with local residents. Dinner could take you to Hawksmoor (British), Bar Boulud (French), Toto’s (Italian), Zuma(Japanese) or Maroush (Lebanese). Ready to relax? There is music for everyone. Discover a new artist or band at gig close by. If you like classic hits, the bar scene is for you. Sip cocktails with friends at B@1 or Dirty Martini. Dare to dance the night away? I recommend the chic nightclub, DSTRKT for celebrating into the early hours.