Photo: Concierge.com

by Ondine Cohane

I'm just back from England, where I managed to fit in a short stopover in the capital. Much has been made of the city's revitalization over the last decade or so, from its Cool Britannia days under Tony Blair to its emergence as the world's new banking capital. I try to fit in at least two trips a year; for me, the excitement continues to be very palatable even with the economic doldrums plaguing everywhere. And despite the fact that it is very expensive (even with a somewhat weaker pound, I managed to spend $53 on a mini cab from Shoreditch to Marylebone on Saturday night), the draw of art, fashion, theater, and new restaurants and hotels always makes it worth a jaunt.

If you are planning a trip in the next weeks and months, here are some things to check out:

* This Saturday marks the opening of the London Design Festival, a huge showcase for known English talents as well as exhibits from just graduated students from places like the Royal Academy of Art and St. Martins. If you weren't aware of how much great contemporary furniture is being created in the UK, you will be after visiting some of the show's venues.

* I am also going to be sure to check out the "Cold War Modern" when I am next back in November. Opening at the Victoria & Albert Museum on September 25, it seems like it will be a fascinating look at the quirky design produced from 1945-1970. (It runs until January 11.)

* One of my favorite British artists, Francis Bacon, will be the subject of a retrospective at the Tate Britain starting on September 11, and I can't wait to see most of his major works in one place. His famous Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion is just one of the highlights; the subject matter really pushed the limits of what was socially acceptable in the mid-twentieth century.

* Meanwhile, one of my favorite hotels, The Franklin, will reopen in November after a big overhaul. I used to stay there about ten years ago and loved how the four Victorian townhouses and gardens made me feel like I was staying at the home of a fashionable friend rather than a hotel. The location in Knightsbridge was also incredibly convenient. It sounds like the property will be even more glam this time around with additions like an ESPA (one of my favorite spa groups) and a new restaurant. Time to start saving for the next London trip...

Further reading:
* Word of Mouth
* The London guide
* Check out our London Hot List video
* One of our favorite London restaurants, Hereford Road