I think most of us dream about winning a journey to a dream destination but could never imagine to actually have the opportunity to travel there. That is why my friend and I couldn’t believe our eyes that we won a journey to London. So first of all, I would like to thank the IBS, whom I’m incredibly grateful for, because these three days turned into an even more intense and unforgettable adventure than we'd expected.

We arrived with an ambitious list of places we wanted to see, but instead of planning every step, we let the city guide us. Somehow, that balance between a rough plan and spontaneity worked perfectly. From the very beginning, London impressed us, not just with its landmarks, but with its diversity, its vividness, and the way different areas and cultures merge there.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the classics. After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we started our journey by walking on the bankside of the Thames, until we reached the must-see London Eye, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.

We didn’t go into any famous building, but really, we didn’t need to. The cultural feeling we got from the places was absolutely enough to feel. After catching a glimpse at Downing Street and Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, we held an ‘English Park Day’, which meant visiting several parks like St James Park, Hyde Park, Regent's Park, with all their famous landmarks. It was astonishing to see how Londoners spend most of their free time in the parks.

In addition to observing British life, we mixed in a bit of pop culture too, stopping by the Sherlock Holmes Museum, finding Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station, and passing places we had only ever seen on screens before. Above all, experiences like walking along Oxford Street or ending the day in Chinatown, gave us a completely different perspective about London:livelier, louder, and full of color.

One of the most memorable experiences was simply exploring the contrasts of the city. Within a single day, we moved from the historic atmosphere of the Tower of London to the modern skyline around The Shard, crossing the Tower Bridge along the way. Visiting St Paul's Cathedral and walking past the Bank of England added another layer to the experience, showing how deeply history and modern life intertwine in London.

We also had moments where we slowed down and just enjoyed the atmosphere. Borough Market stood out as one of my favorite places, the energy, the smells, the variety of food, and of course the must-have fish and chips all made it unforgettable. And then there were the views: from places like Horizon 22 or even just walking across Waterloo Bridge at night, seeing the city lit up around us was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was seeing Hamilton live. It was the perfect way to end an already packed day, something completely different, but just as memorable as any landmark.

Toward the end of our stay, we explored Greenwich, which felt like a different world compared to the busy center. Walking through Greenwich Park, visiting the Old Royal Naval College, and standing at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich gave the trip a calmer, almost reflective ending.

Looking back, what made this experience truly special wasn’t just how much we saw, but how we experienced it. We walked for hours, got to know London so much that we didn’t need a map anymore, laughed constantly, and made the most out of every moment. London exceeded every expectation we had, it’s a city you can’t fully understand until you experience it yourself. Three days were enough to fall in love with it, but definitely not enough to see everything. One thing is certain: this won’t be our last time in London.