I was so very lucky to recently meet Paula Gardner from
Soothed in the City. You know, there are so many people out there, who brag
about how many countries they have seen. I strongly believe it is all about what
one does on vacation and not about how many places one visits. We had a long
chat about this theory and Paula was so very lovely to agree to get
interviewed.
Paula lives in London where she runs her own PR Agency Scarlet Thinking and gives
advice on Social Media strategy. The world is full of beautiful and interesting
women, and today you are about to meet one of them.
THE
TOURISTIN: Three words that characterize London?
Paula Gardner: Exciting, tradition
and home.
THE
TOURISTIN: How do you best get around London?
Paula Gardner: I love the bus. Although I have to use the
Tube (metro) a lot, when I can I get a bus so that I can see the open sky, the
diverse buildings and of course, people watch! Tourists don't often use the bus
and it's a shame as you can see so much more and really understand how London
is laid out.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is the best-kept secret about London?
Paula Gardner: Its parks. Our royal
parks are beautiful and although they seem like just parks, they are all
different. St James is very much where the administrators of our country got to
have their lunch and full of men in suits; Hyde Park is like a big playground
and Regents Park is wonderful for open-air cultural concerts and plays.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is your favourite borough in London and why?
Paula Gardner: The City. It's old, full of history and yet
there is a feeling of excitement, or making money and making your way in the
world.
THE
TOURISTIN: The best place for a hot chocolate or coffee in London?
Paula Gardner: I like Sacred just off Carnaby Street. The
coffee is excellent and tea comes in lovely twee little pots. Downstairs is
very relaxing and a lovely place to spend the afternoon chatting with friends.
THE
TOURISTIN: What is one restaurant we have to try out in London?
Paula Gardner: Sarastros in Covent Garden. It's an opera-themed restaurant with a decor you'll either love or hate. The food is good and
very Mediterranean, but the atmosphere is wonderful. It's just around the
corner from Covent Garden so there are plenty of bars to move onto later. You
will probably need to book though.
THE
TOURISTIN: Where would we meet you on weekends?
Paula Gardner: Weekends are my chance to catch up with
what's going on. You might find me on a walking tour like the cupcake and
macaron tour I did recently, visiting an exhibition such as the Gothic Horror
exhibition which is on at the British Library or having afternoon tea with some
other travel bloggers.
Other
than that, I may be shopping around Oxford and Regents Street with my teenage
daughter or catching up with a film with my son, or just wandering around
Covent Garden. Last weekend I had the most wonderful mulled wine off a stall in
Covent Garden surrounding by loads of Christmas decorations. It felt very
festive.
THE
TOURISTIN: Do you have a favourite museum/gallery we all have to visit when in
London?
Paula Gardner: The Wallace Collection is just off Oxford
Street so a lovely place to stop when you're shopping. Here they have numerous
rooms where you can see collections of art, sculptures, jewellery. It's amazing
and a lovely, peaceful atmosphere. You can also take afternoon tea in the
courtyard restaurant when you need a break.
THE
TOURISTIN: What are some of your favourite places to shop for A) groceries and
B) clothes?
Paula Gardner: Groceries I am very boring with. I get all
mine delivered on a setup shopping list from one of the big supermarkets. But
I do like to wander around Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly for little treats
like cakes, biscuits and chocolates. They also always have beautiful window
displays.
Clothes
have to be one of the big department stores: Selfridges or House of Fraser
which you can find on Oxford Street. In fact there are four department stores
in a row: Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams and between
them they have all the brands and labels.
THE
TOURISTIN: What souvenir shall we bring back from London?
Paula Gardner: Gin is very popular
at the moment with lots of independent gin producers springing up. Prestat
chocolates from their shop in Princes Arcade in Piccadilly are very pretty and
traditional (they were the late Queen Mother's favourites) and, of course, at
the moment, a Paddington Bear. London has gone Paddington crazy!
THE
TOURISTIN: Thanks so very much for
your time Paula. I wish you all the best and safe travels.
If you are interested in working with Paula Gardner please visit Soothed in the City.
Meet more eyewitnesses from South Africa, USA and Europe here.
From Berlin with love