SOUVENIRS
Travel Guide: England

The first time I left my tropical homeland in Brazil I was five years old. My parents moved to Oxford so my father could pursue his Masters degree. I learned to read and write in English, and became a proper little anglophile, falling in love with park picnics, green gardens, Medieval expeditions, tea houses, jam on buttered toast. I developed great fondness for the sense of humour, the music, the accent, and always dreamed of returning one day.

Many years later, while living in Barcelona, I inevitably fell head over heels for a tall, handsome, charming Englishman. We dated long distance for a while, and as I traveled to visit him, I fell in love with London, too, one of the world’s greatest capitals and its exhilarating offer of culture and experiences. As I reacquainted myself with the country of my childhood fantasies, I deepened my bond with the man who would become my husband. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Southern England.

*SOUVENIRS* is my limited edition art book inspired by travel, belonging, and food. Use the code SOUVENIRS10 to get 10% off.

*The view of St. Paul’s cathedral and Millennium Bridge over the river Thames, from the rooftop of the Tate Modern in London.*

London

EAT & DRINK
Polpo (Soho)
Café Boheme (Soho)
The Breakfast Club (Hoxton)
The Lexington (Angel)
The Victoria Inn (Peckham)
Báhn Báhn (Peckham)

DO
· Visit Hyde Park and the Serpentine Pavilion and galleries in the summer
· All the magnificent (and free) museums and art galleries: Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert. Have an aperitivo, or a meal, enjoying the stunning views of the city from the top floor of the Tate Modern
· Pre-theatre menu in Soho before catching a play in the West End
· A date (solo or otherwise) at Ronnie Scott’s
· Go dancing at the Bussey Building (Peckham) or the Soho Arts Theatre Club (it’s free)
· Enjoy a special programme at the Prince Charles cinema or the British Film Institute
· Stroll along the Southbank
· Rooftop action in the summer at Frank’s or Rooftop Cinema Club

STAY
Shoreditch
Peckham
Brixton
King’s Cross
Farringdon
Islington
or anywhere connected to the overground/underground
Cambridge

EAT & DRINK
Fort St. George
The Cambridge Blue
Las Iguanas
The Olive Tree
Loch Fyne
Brown’s
DO
· Kettle’s Yard (you can also draw in there!)
· Fitzwilliam Museum and its back gardens
· Botanical Gardens
· Stroll and/or picnic on Midsummer Common

STAY
The Varsity
around Midsummer Common
around Jesus Green
One of my favourite things about the UK is how most cultural activities are free! With most you can just arrive, but some require previous booking.