What Actually Works in London (Holiday Week w/ the Everyday Bucket List podcast!)

Planning a trip to London and wondering what's actually worth your time versus what's just tourist theater? Karen Cordaway from the Everyday Bucket List podcast and her husband Rich are guest hosting this episode to share what they've learned from their own London adventures. This originally aired as an episode of their podcast, in fact, Everyday Bucket List! 

Karen and Rich have done the research, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. They can tell you what lives up to the hype, what you can skip entirely, and the hidden spots most visitors never discover because they're too busy following the same crowded itinerary everyone else has...

From whether the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is worth the crowd crush to why Greenwich deserves way more time than most itineraries give it, they break down how to experience London without wasting days on disappointments.

Rich shares a unique tip most guidebooks miss entirely. Walking under the Thames River via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. It's free, it's fascinating, and it's the kind of experience that makes a trip memorable beyond just checking boxes on a landmark list. Karen adds practical advice about timing, transportation, and how to balance the iconic must-sees with the neighborhoods and experiences that give you a feel for the actual city.

Whether you're planning your first London adventure or returning to dig deeper, this episode gives you the kind of insider knowledge that transforms a good trip into a great one. Crystal and Joe set the stage with holiday updates and future episode teasers, then hand the mic over to Karen and Rich for a guest-hosted deep dive into one of the world's most visited cities.

What You'll Take With You:

• Karen and Rich's honest take on London's biggest tourist attractions and which ones deliver
• Why Greenwich is the hidden gem most visitors skip but absolutely shouldn't
• The Greenwich Foot Tunnel experience and why walking under the Thames beats another museum
• Practical timing and transportation tips that save you hours of frustration
• How to balance iconic landmarks with authentic London neighborhoods and experiences
• What's worth the crowds and what's better left to the Instagram tourists
• The insider perspective that only comes from people who actually know the city

This Episode Is For You If:

• You're planning a London trip and overwhelmed by conflicting advice online
• You want to experience London like someone who lives there, not just visit it
• You're tired of guidebook recommendations that waste your limited travel time
• You're wondering which famous London attractions actually live up to their reputation
• You believe the best travel advice comes from people who know a place deeply, not just visited once

Before You Hit Play, Think About This:

If you've been to London before, what's one thing you wish you'd known before your trip? And if you're planning to go, what's the one experience you're most excited (or most nervous) about? Drop your thoughts in the comments because Karen and Rich's perspective might completely change your itinerary.