Aussies have been booking overseas trips at a frenzied pace, with the UK standing out as one of the most popular destinations for 2022.
Unsurprisingly, the UK capital of London will be hosting the lion’s share of visiting Australians in 2022, with flights to the city already fully booked across many major airlines in the coming months. If you’re an Aussie planning your dream trip to the Big Smoke, here are some destinations that you can’t miss in 2022.
Blockbuster exhibitions
If you’re a culture vulture looking to soak up all that London has to offer, you’ll be spoiled for choice this year. A huge number of blockbuster exhibitions will be in town, some of which have been years in the making.
There’s the mammoth “Surrealism Beyond Borders” at the Tate Modern, which features all of the heavy-hitters from the genre including Miro, Magritte, and Dali.
Meanwhile, the British Museum is hosting “The World of Stonehenge”, featuring the largest assemblage of stone age artefacts ever placed under one roof. At the V&A, you’ll find a sprawling exhibit on masculinity over the years, explored through the prism of men’s fashion from the 1700s to today. This list goes on.
White-hot dining
Before 2020, London was on the cusp of becoming the leading foodie city in the world. In 2022, it seems determined not to let this mantle slip through its fingers. Some of the most exciting culinary destinations on the planet are now taking bookings in London.
There’s KOL, the first Michelin-starred Mexican Restaurant in the UK, which serves up classic coastal hits with a twist. By far, though, the hottest destination of the year is undoubtedly Sessions Arts Club, a stunning dining space housed inside a 1700s courthouse in Clerkenwell.
Meanwhile, acclaimed Swedish chef Björn Frantzén, owner of a restaurant frequently voted one of the best in the world, has opened his first UK outpost inside Harrods Department Store (where else?).
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A revived West End
For travellers of all stripes, the West End has always been a major draw. From the unmissable plays to the buzz of Leicester Square, the West End is a truly unforgettable London night out. If you’re in town this year, you’ll notice a revived West End determined to make up for the lost time.
There’s the gorgeous 19th-century Hippodrome Casino, which reopened last year with a new rooftop bar and revamped menu, as well as no shortage of luxury poker, roulette, and baccarat tables. For a sneak peek of what to expect, you can head to the Hippodrome Casino website to play live casino games, broadcast directly from the casino floor.
If you’re looking to catch a play or two, make sure to catch the smash-hit “Six”, a musical about Henry VIII’s wives that is probably the most talked-about production of the year. For something more gritty, try getting tickets to “Prima Facie”, a hard-nosed legal drama starring Jodie Comer of “Killing Eve” fame.
No matter your reason for hitting up London in 2022, you’ll find a world of unforgettable experiences awaits. These should more than make up for the 20-hour flight.
