Spring Break 2026 wasn’t supposed to be ambitious. Yet, somehow it turned into a whirlwind 48-hour introduction to London (en route to Paris, Madrid and Barcelona) that felt equal parts a little chaos and magical. In true Thomas style, this trip was stitched together with credit card points, flexible expectations, and a willingness to embrace the unpredictable. The boys and I had flights booked separately from Chris because we used points on separate platforms. This meant starting an international itinerary solo with kids—starting with a midnight layover in Toronto that tested everyone’s patience and snack reserves.
There’s something weirdly exciting about walking through an airport at midnight. Overtired kids, overtired parents clutching backpacks, roller bags and boarding passes while silently questioning your life choices. But as any seasoned traveling parent knows, these are where the memories of the trip start. And then you arrive somewhere iconic. And London? London delivers almost immediately.
Day 1: Get Your Walking Shoes Ready
We landed right around lunchtime, which felt like a small miracle considering the journey and leaving at 3pm mountain time. With zero time to waste (and no intention of giving in to jet lag), we dropped our bags and headed straight out into the city. Day one had a theme: walk, and then walk some more. London is a city best experienced on foot, where every turn feels like stepping into a postcard.
Naturally, we kicked things off with fish and chips—because if you’re going to do London for the first time, you lean all the way in. Crispy, salty, and exactly what we needed to reset our internal clocks. From there, it was a steady stream of bucket-list landmarks: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben standing tall in all its historic glory, and the kind of architecture that makes you stop mid-step just to take it in.
Timing worked in our favor, and we managed to catch the Changing of the Guard. Not at Buckingham Palace though, but rather at the King’s Life Guard —a moment that somehow feels both highly choreographed and deeply rooted in tradition. The boys were equal parts fascinated and confused, which honestly made it even better.
By late afternoon, we leaned into another very London tradition: tea time. There’s something about sitting down for a proper cup of tea after a full day of exploring. The boys were definitely more interested in the pastries and scones than the tea. Also a great excuse to stop becuase we probably had 20K steps in four hours of walking. It was the reset we didn’t know we needed before heading into the evening. We wandered through Trafalgar Square, letting the energy of the city carry us from one iconic sight to the next.
Then just another walk to Buckingham Palace. After watching so many Netflix dramas, it’s just one of those places that instantly felt surreal to see in person. Standing in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace, it hit me that this is an actual working royal residence—not just a TV show. There was something intriguing about watching the gates, half-expecting (hoping?) a royal sighting at any moment. Even for the kids, it carried that “wow, we’re really here” energy, especially paired with the pageantry of the guards and the sheer scale of the palace grounds.
Dinner took a flavorful turn with Indian food—because if you know, you know. London’s Indian cuisine scene is unmatched, and one of the most memorable meals of the trip. Rich, comforting, and a perfect contrast to the brisk spring air outside, it was the kind of meal that reminds you why food is such a central part of travel. The restaurant may have also been next door to our hotel. The convenience wasn’t lost on me – as the jetlag and rapid walking was starting to set in.
Day 2: Spectating from a Seat
Day two shifted gears just slightly. If day one was about covering ground, day two was about taking it all in from a different perspective. We started with a full English breakfast—hearty, indulgent, and absolutely necessary. Fueled up, we made our way to the London Eye, where the city unfolded beneath us in a slow, panoramic reveal. I would definitely recommend reading all directions for excursion bookings. I thought I booked a time for the London Eye. In reality I booked a time for a nice, scenic boat ride up the Thames that morning.
Since my feet were still breaking into walking in pretty cruddy, but more stylish shoes, the boat ride was a much-needed break while still soaking in the sights. Fun facts from our ‘cruise director’ was a quick lesson in British history. There’s something about seeing London from the water that adds a new layer to its story—bridges, buildings, and history all woven together in a way that feels both grand and intimate.
And then we’d still wait in the long line to ride that ferris wheel.
And then it was time for a completely different kind of London experience. A Fulham Football Club match against Burnley FC at Craven Cottage. And we really lucked out. I had ordered tickets that morning and they never ended up being delievered. A call to StubHub, and they fixed everything for us, and gave us better seats then I originally bought! Like really good seats. Sitting in the stands, surrounded by passionate fans, was a cultural experience all on its own. The energy, the chants (Come on, Fulham!), the shared excitement—it was unforgettable, even for those of us still learning the rules. Like the rule of no alcohol in the stands. The boys got to see a much younger version of Alyssa chugging beer to not waste it.
We wrapped up the night the only way that felt right: at a local pub called The Albert. Cozy, lively, and filled with that unmistakable London charm, it was the perfect ending to a packed two days. Good food, relaxed vibes, and a moment to finally sit back and reflect on everything we had just squeezed into 48 hours. And this time, I could enjoy a beer at normal drinking speed with some Scotch eggs and Meat Pie.
Onward and Forward to Paris:
And just like that, it was time to go. But not before one more adventure—because no itinerary I’ve ever made is just point A to point B. We boarded the Eurostar, gliding beneath the English Channel toward our next destination: Paris!! I had been to London once before after college and just didn’t remember this much excitement and buzz, and so glad we were able to enjoy it together. London may have been brief, but it left its mark—and proved that even (just under) 48 hours is enough to fall just a little bit in love with a city.
What We Saved for Next Time:
Even with a packed 48-hour itinerary, London made it very clear we’d only scratched the surface. A few things didn’t make the cut this time—but are already at the top of our list for round two.
- Jake’s wish: the Big Red Bus tour
Sometimes the most “touristy” things are exactly what kids remember most. The classic hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus is firmly on Jake’s London bucket list, and honestly, it’s a pretty great way to see the city from a new perspective without wearing everyone out. (We also missed an opportunity to take a pic with the classic phone booths!) - Borough Market
We were so close to making this happen, but ran out of time (and stomach space). I’ve never shied away from expressing my love of the market. From everything we’ve heard, it’s a food lover’s dream—local vendors, global flavors, and the kind of energy that defines London’s culinary scene. - Piccadilly Circus
Bright lights, big city vibes. It’s often compared to Times Square, and while we passed nearby, we didn’t fully experience it. Next time, we’ll carve out time to take it in—especially at night when it really comes alive.
Because that’s the thing about London—it doesn’t mind if you only have 48 hours. It gives you just enough to fall in love… and plenty of reasons to come back.
