Drishti’s Enchanting Christmas Getaway to London with Thrillophilia
Ever since I was a little girl, Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year. I have always dreamt of celebrating Christmas like the ones I’d seen in movies— sparkling lights, cosy scarves, and snowy streets straight out of a fairytale. London, with its charm and grandeur, had always been the backdrop of this dream.
So when I gifted my husband his dream watch for Christmas, I teased him, saying, “Now, what’s my surprise?”
Little did I know, he was holding on to something magical. Just a week before Christmas, he handed me a pair of tickets— London, here we come!
It felt surreal— this Christmas, I was going to live my childhood fantasy with the man I loved most.
A Day of Gourmet Treats!
Our adventure began the moment we landed, the festive cheer of London wrapping around us like a warm blanket. We had requested Thrillophilia to add Borough Market (London’s largest and oldest food market) as our first stop— a Christmas wonderland for food lovers like us.
The market buzzed with energy, filled with the laughter of locals and the scent of mulled wine, cinnamon, and roasted chestnuts. It was like stepping into a Charles Dickens novel, only with more food stalls!
We decided to taste everything we could. From warm mince pies and Yorkshire puddings to freshly baked pastries and hot chocolate so rich it felt like a hug in a cup— we were in foodie heaven.
My husband kept sneaking bites from my plate, and I playfully scolded him, “Get your own!” but secretly, I loved every bit of it. We strolled through the market hand-in-hand, soaking in the festive vibes, listening to carol singers in the distance, and marvelling at the twinkling lights.
Twirl at Somerset!
The next day, my husband and I tried something we’d never done before— ice skating at Somerset House. At first, I flat-out refused- “You know I’ll fall flat on my face,” I argued, clinging to my hot coffee. But he, being the persuasive romantic that he is, convinced me to give it a shot.
The ice rink, surrounded by the stunning Georgian architecture of Somerset House, looked straight out of a snow globe. I hesitantly stepped onto the ice, wobbling like a baby deer. My husband held my hand, guiding me slowly, and before I knew it, we were gliding— well, almost.
To be honest, we did fell a few times, laughing so hard that people around us probably thought we were crazy. I remember one moment when we both tumbled and just lay there on the ice, staring up at the twinkling lights strung above us.
“This is a disaster,” I giggled. “No,” he said, smiling, “this is perfect.” And it was. By the end of it, I didn’t want to leave. Who knew ice skating could be so magical?
Gallery Hopping!
To balance the fun with a little sophistication, we spent the next day exploring London’s iconic art galleries.
First on our list was The King’s Gallery, where we admired royal masterpieces that felt like windows into history. The gallery was housed in a grand, regal building, with its high ceilings and ornate decor giving off an air of sophistication. We paused at one particularly striking portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, her commanding gaze almost making us feel like we were standing before royalty.
At the Guildhall Art Gallery, we marveled at the Roman amphitheater and stunning masterpieces. The ancient ruins of the building provided a stark contrast to the vivid Victorian paintings that adorned the walls. The paintings themselves were full of emotion, each one telling a unique story.
Next, we wandered through Tate Modern, an industrial marvel showcasing contemporary art. I stood mesmerized by one of the installations- a large, chaotic web of metallic threads suspended from the ceiling, creating a sense of entanglement and complexity. We also visited the Lightroom for its immersive displays and the Serpentine Galleries for their bold, modern exhibits.
The Night of Christmas!
The most magical day of all, the day I had been waiting for, was Christmas Eve. London transformed into a scene straight out of a holiday movie. The air was filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies and the faint sound of carols. Streets glimmered with festive lights, and shop windows sparkled like treasure chests.
We dressed in our best outfits, ready to celebrate in style. Our first stop was the London Christmas Market, where we shopped for souvenirs— little snow globes, handmade ornaments, and a scarf that my husband insisted looked “so London” on me.
We listened to live choirs singing Christmas carols and treated ourselves to warm, gooey desserts that melted in our mouths. At the heart of the market stood a massive Christmas tree, glowing brighter than anything I’d ever seen.
As the night grew colder, we made our way to the London Eye for the perfect finale. The city sparkled below us like a sea of diamonds, each light telling a story of joy and celebration.
As we reached the top, I looked out at the skyline— Big Ben glowing in the distance, the Thames reflecting the city lights, and the festive buzz all around. My husband wrapped his arm around me, and for a moment, everything felt still.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered.
I leaned my head on his shoulder, my heart full. It was the kind of moment you want to freeze forever— just us, the twinkling city below, and the overwhelming gratitude for everything we shared. And as I stood there on the London Eye, falling in love with the city and my husband all over again, I knew this was the best Christmas I’d ever had.
Thank you, Thrillophilia!
Read More: Thrillophilia London Reviews