3 Weeks in Europe, Part 1: London

First some background on this trip.  Last year when our friends Chris and Rob left to live in Amsterdam for a year, we decided this would be a good year to get back to Europe.   We at least had the excuse of visiting them. At the same time American Airlines announced that it was increasing the miles needed to obtain free tickets, so we jumped on the chance to "buy" early and avoid the increase.  After hours and hours of spare time searching, for two freebie business class tickets with reasonable routings and timings,  I finally found us two business class tickets to Zurich through JFK.  Both flights were on AA's newly remodeled 767, with just a business class and coach.  By the way, the new business class seats were amazingly comfortable.  We both feel that this was the easiest ocean crossing we have ever made.

Over the following few months an itinerary developed.  We originally planned to go to Greece, including  the island of Santorini.  We wanted to include some island time with blue water and solitude, with a helping of ancient culture on the side.  Unfortunately the main ancient attraction on Santorini is currently closed - see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akrotiri_(

Santorini), and it was tricky to get flights that connected well with  the Zurich flights.  So we investigated Malta.  We had thought about visiting Malta some years ago and for various reasons it did not work out at that time.  This time it worked very well.  The low fare tickets to Malta are through London, so we grabbed round trip tickets through London.  My sister lives in the UK and she and her partner Simon were able to plan some  time to be with us.  So part 1 of this journey became London, staying at a flat in the center of London with Mary and Simon.  

The flat is located near Leicester Square, amazingly situated in the heart of the theater district and a stone's throw from many galleries and museums.  Our few days in London were jam packed with activity.  We attended an exhibit of work by Japanese woodcut master Kuniyoshi, the British Museum, a movie (independent - "Shifty"), the play "War Horse", a Picasso exhibit, and Tom took in the Design Center while Mary, Simon, and I did some walking.  Mary and Simon

 know where all of the best meals are to be had in London (and many other places in the world) and  so we had some pretty amazing food also.  Favorite for me was Ottolenghi,

 see http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/  .    You enter a small restaurant and are immediately surrounded by platters of gorgeous vegetables, meats, and sweets.  While you wait to be seated you size up the platters and start choosing your selection.   And oh yes, lots of great talking, cryptic crosswords, and outstanding coffee....