Europe Train Trip - Part 1 of 5 [London]

On Saturday, June 25, John, MJ, Jack, and Henry flew to Europe for our mega-European Train Trip, sans Joseph who would turn 24 the first day of our trip but who has just started his full-time job less than a month ago.  

Our first stop was London, where we landed after a long nine-hour plane ride, followed by a train ride in on the brand-new Elizabeth Line to Paddington Station where we stayed in the Hilton, just a few blocks from where we used to live twenty-two years ago. 

Activities in London included a boat trip along the Thames, a ride on the London Eye, a walking tour about the London Fire and the churches of Christopher Wren, an exploration of the Cabinet War Rooms, where Churchill ran WW2 from, a walk through St. James's Park, and a crossing of the Thames on both the Millenium Footbridge and the more dramatic Emirates Gondola. Our two dinners were at a pub near Paddington Station and a very nice Italian Restaurant near Buckingham Palace. A quick start to the trip and a lot packed in to less than 48-hours!

Leaving !

The London Eye

Tower Bridge with the current tallest building in Western Europe - nicknamed "the shard"

Walking tour near St. Paul's

In St. James's Park

Gondola Across the Thames