The next day, we woke up excited and ready for adventure. The sun was shining brightly, but with the weather being so unpredictable, we brought our rain jackets just in case. Our first stop was The Breakfast Club, just a quick 5-minute walk away.

The bright orange building with big glass doors was hard to miss. We were warmly greeted at the door, and thanks to our reservation, we were seated right away. Good thing, too, because the place was already bustling with people waiting outside.

The Breakfast Club

The restaurant was cramped, with tables and chairs set up snugly, leaving just one narrow path in and out. After settling in, we perused the menu. I opted for a latte, two fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and homestyle potatoes. Will went for the TBC breakfast burger, which included a bun, sausage patty, egg, cheese and bacon with a side of homestyle potatoes, and French toast dippers.

Our lattes arrived first, followed by our meals shortly after. The food looked amazing and tasted even better. The pancakes were light and airy, the bacon perfectly crispy, and the potatoes were seasoned just right. Will's burger was a delightful mix of savory flavors and the French toast dippers were a sweet treat.

We gave The Breakfast Club an 8/10. The space was tight, making it feel a bit cramped, but the service was excellent. Despite the small size and the wait for our lattes, the staff was professional and kind.

After breakfast, we headed to the Big Bus hop-on hop-off pick-up spot. We chose to start our tour at Covent Garden, stop 13, just a few minutes' walk away.

After a brief wait of about 5 minutes, the bus arrived. A crowd had gathered, but we were lucky to snag seats downstairs, which was perfect since it had started raining.

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour

We retraced our steps from the previous day on the Big Bus, passing through St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England Museum, and crossing London Bridge to marvel at The Shard, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market.

A slight detour due to road closures led us to Westminster Pier, showcasing the House of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. By then, the rain had stopped, the sun was out, and we moved to the top deck of the bus, enjoying the warm weather.

Continuing our journey, we passed Lambeth Palace and Abingdon Street, cruised down Tothill Street, and saw New Scotland Yard before hopping off at Buckingham Palace.

We strolled around the palace grounds, though the Changing of the Guard was canceled. After exploring the park, we rejoined the Big Bus at Green Park, the tour’s first stop, allowing us to start fresh.

We then headed towards Hyde Park, the Hard Rock Café, and Wellington Arch, passing through Park Lane, Marble Arch, and Regent Street, bustling with shops.

Piccadilly Circus was vibrant with restaurants and stores, and Leicester Square and Chinatown added to the excitement. We then went by Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, skipping a few stops due to street closures, and ended up at stop 11.

It was nearly time for our next adventure, The Shard, so we aimed for the London Bridge drop-off at stop 15. Relaxing on the bus, we soon found our way blocked by a concrete truck.

With the bus driver’s permission, we disembarked and walked to The Shard, following convenient signage through the London Bridge Station.

The Shard

We made it to The Shard just in time, presenting our pre-purchased tickets at the entrance. After a quick security check, we followed the guided path up one elevator to the 30th floor and another to the 64th floor. As the elevator doors opened, we were greeted by panoramic windows offering breathtaking views of London, from Big Ben to the London Bridge and beyond.

So why choose The Shard over the London Eye? Here's why: The view from The Shard is simply unbeatable. You can walk around at your own pace, taking in the sights from different angles and even ascend to a higher floor for an even more expansive view.