From Paris to London- Europe's trendy metropolises , Part II

Whether travelling for business, pleasure or simply passing through, London let´s never an explorer down. Representing multifaceted great British culture, London hosts culinary, tourist and retail attractions galore. The vibrant, multicultural city is steeped in history, making it a perfect destination for a city break, be it long or short. London based Exhibition and Display Designer Elizabeth Illing gave some sneaky insights into the secret spots around the city. If you´re looking for a bite to eat but aren´t quite sure what you want, she recommends you venture to Mercato Metropolitano, a surprisingly massive street food market hidden in a relatively uneventful area of South London. This little gem, says Illing “has amazing fresh pasta, burritos, gelato, pizza … the list goes on. There´s lots of different bars there including a really cosy wine bar and they host a bunch of different events and classes”. Next stop on the London adventure line is the Sky Garden; the classy rooftop bar and restaurant with breath-taking skyline views of the city. You´ll have to book well in advance, as it´s so popular, “but if you want to see something memorable, the view from Sky Garden across to the Shard should do it!”, Illing claims enthusiastically.

Our London insider also pointed to the lesser known areas, ones only a local would know about. The recently renovated Coal Drops Yard was used to power the city of London in the 1850´s during the industrial revolution and the vestiges of its rich history are still visible everywhere today. The sixty-acre site is now a location where art, retail and gastronomy come together to serve the community. The COS store also exhibits artists work around the store. All the stores seem like specially curated versions for the location. If you need a respite from the buzz of the events going on at Coal Drops Yard, you can check out FaceGym; a store you can visit for a high-intensity sports massage that is importantly, non-intrusive and holds the secret to staying young! FaceGym´s uniqueness was reflected in the concept design with floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the walls in combination with fitted turn bars, making it look like the inside of a gym. These reflect the brand´s motto: a “workout for the face”.