“Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection.”
- Lawrence Durrell
With its moneyed elegance, it's hard to recall the raffish early days of Mayfair. A century ago, ladies of the night patrolled Shepherd Market and style icon Beau Brummel stalked Bond St. Now Old and New Bond St are lined with global brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany. Browse royally appointed tailors along Savile Row, art galleries along Cork St and boutiques in the 19th-century Royal and Burlington Arcades. On South Molton St, young designers make their names at cutting-edge fashion boutique, Browns. Break for afternoon tea in the Art Deco bar of London's finest 5-star hotel, Claridges. Head north into the village of Marylebone to see the Wallace Collection's rococo paintings by Fragonard and nosh on gourmet provisions among fashionistas.