Urbanologist and Polar explorer, Christina Franco, shares with U her favourite tips and hangouts, giving U an insight into her 'Perfect Day'...

How do you start your day?

My day starts really well when I am able to read or daydream for half an hour before having my cappuccino at 7:30.  I make this with raw milk from hurdlebrook farm that I buy as part of my weekly shop from the Notting Hill Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings and it is so rich and nutritious that it serves as my first Breakfast.

After I drop my son off at school I head to The Serpentine for a brisk swim.  As the days get colder I am really happy to have South Kensington Club so close by so that I can head straight for the steam room and thaw before my mid morning snack from the juice bar in the club.

Leisurely lunch go to? 

I am a woman of extremes. Just as I love to camp on the pack ice, I also love to sleep in a super soft 5-star hotel with a bed full of cushions.  So on for lunch, I equally love to hide in the tree house at Squirrel and eat a huge salad of kale avocado and chicken as much as walking through the huge doors of The Wolseley and sitting at a table low enough to show off a fabulous outfit while eating a hamburger with my knife and fork.

Favourite way to pass the time in London? 

The Voyager Programme at South Kensington Club has become such a great hub for exciting speakers, events and movie screenings that I am lucky in that most of what I want to experience in London comes to me. When I am not found in the in the Voyager Room, London caters perfectly to my other passions for Art, Theatre and great food.  Almost every museum now has a fabulous restaurant to restore you after a spin around the galleries and no theatre is very far from an equally theatrical dining experience.

Favourite London landmarks, and why?

I love things that you would not expect to find, so I love the Sky Garden in the Walkie Talkie. Although, the best landmark by far is always the Trellick Tower since it shines like a beacon for me on all my runs to signal the way home in the final stretch.

Tipple of choice and favourite cocktail hangout? 

A great whiskey sour really puts me in the best mood for an evening and the best is made by the bartender at The Zetter in Marylebone.  It is made with velvety crushed ice and I can never only have one...

Favourite dining destinations, and why? 

I am forever trying to marry all of the things that give me pleasure, so my favourite dinner of the year is always my annual “10 miles to dinner walk”.  A few good friends join me for a 10 mile walk on the longest day.  We meet at Richmond tube station and walk the 10 miles back along the themes to The River Café. You can walk in a lovely summer dress and then change into pumps before walking into reception and no one would be the wiser!!

Final stop for a nightcap, and why?

Walking back from the theatre I discovered Dandelyan on the Southbank.  A window seat and a glass of Grappa offers the most wonderful view over the river… and all the people who walk by and is the perfect place for the conversation to linger for just a few minutes longer.

Rest hangover remedy?

Because I train every day I don’t generally drink very much but on the odd occasion when I am tempted, then a large glass of cold Pellegrino and an Ibuprofen before bed usually ensures I have enough pep in me to run or swim in the morning.

Where next on your travels? 

My next big adventure will take me back up to the Arctic for a cold water swim, but that is not until next summer so I will get my fix of cold and snow in Verbier where Christmas will be a perfect combination of ski touring and gingerbread baking and in Sud Tirol in January where I captain a winter sports team as part of the Les Avants Bobsleigh and Tobogganing club… if anyone fancies some winter luging!

Christina is a Polar explorer (who has travelled to the North Pole), Motivational Speaker, and Director of the Voyager Programme at South Kensington Club. Check out our exclusive offer for the South Kensington Club. Image courtsey of Glenn Copus. 

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