London is a diverse melting pot of cultures, foods, sights and sounds. And nothing brings that more into focus that the annual Notting Hill Carnival. It’s a time when around a million people descend upon the streets of West London in the largest street festival in Europe.

Decadent costumes, sizzling food and loud beats combine to make an unforgettable weekend in the capital, and as long as you have a Red Stripe in your hand and keep your eyes open to the dazzling sights and sounds surrounding you, you are bound to have a great time!

I’ve always said London is like a mercurial lover. One day she has you skipping down the street, a song in your heart as you sit enthralled in her beauty. Other days, she can be dark and moody and throw you to the curb. And that’s what I like about this city. It is mercurial and ever-changing, but it’s always a vibrant and colourful and creative place in which to live.

Brunch first. Eggs Benedict and coffee at Ozone Coffee in Shoreditch. Then a wander down to South Bank, to see what the galleries have to offer. The Hayward and Tate Modern are favourites! If it’s a sunny day then lying down on a patch of grass and watching the world go by is a must, then lunch and beer in an outside beer garden – such as the Crown and Shuttle in Shoreditch. Followed by cheap and cheerful Vietnamese food for dinner just up the road on Kingsland Road.

Knowing that at any time, and anywhere, you will have something to do. There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars in this town; as well as festivals and art events to keep your creative side happy.

Winter. It’s not the time when London shines the most.

That it’s not grey all the time. Really.

The bucket list is long. But Cappadocia, Iceland and India feature in there!

Pedro Almodóvar, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Stefan Sagmeister