Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
From Mayfair luxury to coastal tradition, we tour InterContinental Park Lane and Royal Ascot before joining Luke Nguyen in Tokyo and Toba to meet Japan's famed Ama divers.
In London, host Edie Maguire checks into InterContinental Park Lane in Mayfair, prime real estate at number one Park Lane. Meet Pani, the top doorman who lives and breathes hospitality, then Director of Rooms James Hodgson shares the hotel's story and spaces: the Arch Bar and Wellington Lounge for light bites, Theo Randall's Italian restaurant, and the Club Lounge on the seventh floor. We see rooms from the Mayfair Cosy Collection to statement suites, including the Royal Suite honoring Queen Elizabeth II, the Apsley Suite facing Apsley House at number one London, and the Presidential Suite with Hyde Park views. The spa and gym mix wellness with luxury, and concierge Victor even secures a hard-to-get table.
For race day style, we head to Savile Row, recalling The Beatles' final rooftop performance at No. 3, then get measured at a storied tailor. Suit sorted, it is off to Royal Ascot, where Nick breaks down dress codes, the royal procession, bandstand singalong, fine wine and world-class racing that make this a bucket list summer day.
Dinner is in Soho at La Bodega Negra, a Mexican speakeasy vibe where you slip in, pass through the kitchen and land in a lively cellar. Georgie explains how the playful atmosphere pairs with seriously good food.
Chef Luke Nguyen takes over in Japan, starting in Asakusa at Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most visited, with omikuji fortunes, the jokoro incense burner and a purification fountain. A traditional tea ceremony with Mina highlights Zen mindfulness before a bespoke tour of Ginza with guide Yoshiko, including Ginza Kumaraya, Japan's oldest bakery and the birthplace of anpan. A cutting-edge coffee caps the city stroll.
Riding the Shinkansen past Mount Fuji at up to 320 km/h, we reach the Shima Peninsula for clear waters along the Isuzugawa (Isuzu) River, a stay at the secluded Nemu Resort and an elegant multi-course dinner. A chef prepares sublime Matsuzaka beef sukiyaki, then at the Mikimoto Pearl Museum in Toba we explore over 4,000 artifacts and watch Ama divers in action before grilling fresh scallops with them in a seaside hut.
SEO: Primary keyword: InterContinental Park Lane. Secondary keywords: Royal Ascot; Savile Row; Sensoji Temple; Ama divers; Shinkansen; Mikimoto pearls. Search intent: Discover a luxury London stay and a Japan itinerary that blend iconic sights and cultural food experiences, from Park Lane and Ascot to Tokyo, Toba and the Ama divers.
#LondonTravel #Mayfair #RoyalAscot #SavileRow #Tokyo #Shinkansen #Toba #AmaDivers
From Mayfair luxury to coastal tradition, we tour InterContinental Park Lane and Royal Ascot before joining Luke Nguyen in Tokyo and Toba to meet Japan's famed Ama divers.
In London, host Edie Maguire checks into InterContinental Park Lane in Mayfair, prime real estate at number one Park Lane. Meet Pani, the top doorman who lives and breathes hospitality, then Director of Rooms James Hodgson shares the hotel's story and spaces: the Arch Bar and Wellington Lounge for light bites, Theo Randall's Italian restaurant, and the Club Lounge on the seventh floor. We see rooms from the Mayfair Cosy Collection to statement suites, including the Royal Suite honoring Queen Elizabeth II, the Apsley Suite facing Apsley House at number one London, and the Presidential Suite with Hyde Park views. The spa and gym mix wellness with luxury, and concierge Victor even secures a hard-to-get table.
For race day style, we head to Savile Row, recalling The Beatles' final rooftop performance at No. 3, then get measured at a storied tailor. Suit sorted, it is off to Royal Ascot, where Nick breaks down dress codes, the royal procession, bandstand singalong, fine wine and world-class racing that make this a bucket list summer day.
Dinner is in Soho at La Bodega Negra, a Mexican speakeasy vibe where you slip in, pass through the kitchen and land in a lively cellar. Georgie explains how the playful atmosphere pairs with seriously good food.
Chef Luke Nguyen takes over in Japan, starting in Asakusa at Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most visited, with omikuji fortunes, the jokoro incense burner and a purification fountain. A traditional tea ceremony with Mina highlights Zen mindfulness before a bespoke tour of Ginza with guide Yoshiko, including Ginza Kumaraya, Japan's oldest bakery and the birthplace of anpan. A cutting-edge coffee caps the city stroll.
Riding the Shinkansen past Mount Fuji at up to 320 km/h, we reach the Shima Peninsula for clear waters along the Isuzugawa (Isuzu) River, a stay at the secluded Nemu Resort and an elegant multi-course dinner. A chef prepares sublime Matsuzaka beef sukiyaki, then at the Mikimoto Pearl Museum in Toba we explore over 4,000 artifacts and watch Ama divers in action before grilling fresh scallops with them in a seaside hut.
SEO: Primary keyword: InterContinental Park Lane. Secondary keywords: Royal Ascot; Savile Row; Sensoji Temple; Ama divers; Shinkansen; Mikimoto pearls. Search intent: Discover a luxury London stay and a Japan itinerary that blend iconic sights and cultural food experiences, from Park Lane and Ascot to Tokyo, Toba and the Ama divers.
#LondonTravel #Mayfair #RoyalAscot #SavileRow #Tokyo #Shinkansen #Toba #AmaDivers
