Time is the most Valuable thing a Man can Spend

Travelling the world is our shared passion – immersing ourselves in new cultures, finding unique hidden gems, sharing priceless experiences together and enriching our lives. By way of introduction, we are Christopher and Sarah-Louise of The Adventures of Us, a creative journal and personal travel guide, curated by us: partners in life and in love.

We have visited so many beautiful countries and intend on keeping the adventure rolling, but ultimately home is where the heart is. We’d like to share with you how we spend our time when we are at home in our capital city, London.

For the perfect staycation, our downtime is spent enjoying London’s newest and most exclusive hotel and members’ club, The Ned. Designed in the 1930s by architect Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens, the Grade I-listed building in the heart of the City of London was originally the global headquarters for Midland Bank. Lutyens wanted the building to ooze confidence and cut a flourish amid the mostly Victorian architecture.

The atmosphere at The Ned oozes style, sophistication and elegance; the 252 bedrooms channel the 1930s charm of a bygone era. The Da Vinci is in perfect harmony with such a setting. A piece of eternity, this luxury Swiss watch exudes high value, is fiercely unique and, like The Ned, is a piece to pass from generation to generation.

Both the building and the timepiece deliver the wow factor, preserving a rich history and unrivalled elegance.

We recommend eating London’s most Instagrammed rainbow poke bowls at Kaia and enjoying cocktails on the roof, looking out over St Paul’s and the city skyline at sunset.

They say the best way to experience a city is by foot. Awash with architectural wonders, London is a city with two faces. Modernist lines and mirrored glass surround historic wonders that sit waiting to be found. Tucked away behind modern buildings in the heart of the City of London, you’ll find The Walbrook Club, a 1952 Queen Anne-style townhouse converted into a beautiful private member’s club.

Keep going and you will stumble upon the iconic cultural institutions of the old East End. Small shabby buildings line cobbled streets steeped with history. It is as if time has stood still.

A city of seasons, Londoners are hardened to the elements, but never shy away from a good honest cup of tea. Sleepy Sundays find us holed up in the Typing Room located in East London’s Town Hall Hotel, cosying up with a hot cuppa and a good read.

There is no better place to escape the bustle of the city than Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. A two-minute walk from our home, the lush Palm House and tree-lined walkways are a tranquil reminder to slow down and take the time to waste a moment.

For vibrant colours and bold flavours, we love lunching at Chicama on King’s Road. Head chef, Tiago Duarte, formerly of Roka, Zuma and Chiltern Firehouse, serves up Peruvian-inspired delights on colourful plates teamed with zesty cocktails and a soulful summer soundtrack. Tastefully fitted out with salvaged wood and shell pink tiles, the pastel interior design perfectly complements the Da Vinci Automatic 36’s raspberry pink Santoni alligator leather strap.

To accompany your cocktails, try the popped corn monkfish cheeks with ají amarillo mayo and then move on to mouth-watering sea bream ceviche with grilled peach, radish and basil in leche de tigre with jalapeño.

Join us on our next adventure … where will we head to next?