Headed to London/Amsterdam for a month.....

Amsterdam is made for walking...get some comfy shoes, start at Leidseplein and walk in any direction.
Lots of museums and a great perfume/grooming shop called Parfumaria.

Amsterdam is made for walking...get some comfy shoes, start at Leidseplein and walk in any direction.
Lots of museums and a great perfume/grooming shop called Parfumaria.

The plan is to grab a few shaving products and a couple of fragrances as souvenirs for sure.

Amsterdam is made for walking...get some comfy shoes, start at Leidseplein and walk in any direction.
Lots of museums and a great perfume/grooming shop called Parfumaria.

Yes... And be careful of the bikes. Haha.
BIKES have the right of way, not pedestrians or vehicles.

Yup, as above. I did my MA there and quickly got into the local habit of shouting out on pedestrians in the ‘fietspad’ from my rusty old ladies’ bike. Wonderful city it is, and if you enjoy a good beer, there are a few specialist pubs to visit, incl De Wildeman, Belgique, Arendsnest. Similarly for Jenever, the local booze, which in its finely aged varieties can be quite tasteful.

Have a great time! No doubt whatever you do or wherever you folks go you'll enjoy it because it'll be different.

Where should I go?  I already have some ideas, but I'd love to hear other things to see shaving wise.  I have never been to either country so any general things to do would also be welcome.  Off the beaten path or totally touristy.  I'm fine with either.

Hi EFD: Don’t rush through London and get to Amsterdam.  Amsterdam is a pretty awesome place but your a shave person and London is all about Men’s Grooming.  And I would bring Gore-Tex shoes and a rain slicker.  If you haven’t experienced an English summer, that’s a treat.

I work for BP and if this is your first trip you’ll def want to check out the classics.
Here’s my picks for you:

Trumpers on Curzon, NOT Duke of York.  Curzon location is THE location.
TOBS on Jermyn is a must of any of the shaving shops
DR Harris on St James, legendary
Truefitt on St James right down the street from Harris, another brick of the shaving foundation

Do NOT get a shave at any of these brilliant shops, shop until you drop but don’t get a shave.

My picks to get a shave: 

Alfred Dunhill on Davies Street, your man there is Stelios
Avanzato on Duke Street, it’s underground FYI, your man there is the owner himself, Stefan

My picks to get a shave, haircut and other services:

Haks Oscar on Kings Road in Chelsea.  I don’t have the words to describe the services at this shop.  Get a haircut, shave, facial, the works.  Make sure you have either of the guys make you up a post shave tonic to go.  Nothing like you’ve ever splashed on your face.  Make sure you get the Sandalwood shave soap too.  Legends these two Gents.  I think they’re from Turkey, don’t hold me to that.   

Take your wife to Harrod’s and Selfridges in terms of the best Department Stores on the globe.  Also, Harrods has a wonderful shop downstairs with a focus on shaving.  You’ll see some amazing wares in the cases down there!

Penhaligon’s in Covent Garden on Wellington....specifically the Market Building location. The shop is exactly what you would imagine, it’s pure class, sophisticated but not uptight. 

Lol, Harrods, make sure you go to the CREED room and don’t be shy asking for samples. Also be sure to spray yourself down in £900 EDP tester displays on the counter, lololololol.

What else do you want to do in London?

Where should I go?  I already have some ideas, but I'd love to hear other things to see shaving wise.  I have never been to either country so any general things to do would also be welcome.  Off the beaten path or totally touristy.  I'm fine with either.

Hi EFD: Don’t rush through London and get to Amsterdam.  Amsterdam is a pretty awesome place but your a shave person and London is all about Men’s Grooming.  And I would bring Gore-Tex shoes and a rain slicker.  If you haven’t experienced an English summer, that’s a treat.

I work for BP and if this is your first trip you’ll def want to check out the classics.
Here’s my picks for you:

Trumpers on Curzon, NOT Duke of York.  Curzon location is THE location.
TOBS on Jermyn is a must of any of the shaving shops
DR Harris on St James, legendary
Truefitt on St James right down the street from Harris, another brick of the shaving foundation

Do NOT get a shave at any of these brilliant shops, shop until you drop but don’t get a shave.

My picks to get a shave: 

Alfred Dunhill on Davies Street, your man there is Stelios
Avanzato on Duke Street, it’s underground FYI, your man there is the owner himself, Stefan

My picks to get a shave, haircut and other services:

Haks Oscar on Kings Road in Chelsea.  I don’t have the words to describe the services at this shop.  Get a haircut, shave, facial, the works.  Make sure you have either of the guys make you up a post shave tonic to go.  Nothing like you’ve ever splashed on your face.  Make sure you get the Sandalwood shave soap too.  Legends these two Gents.  I think they’re from Turkey, don’t hold me to that.   

Take your wife to Harrod’s and Selfridges in terms of the best Department Stores on the globe.  Also, Harrods has a wonderful shop downstairs with a focus on shaving.  You’ll see some amazing wares in the cases down there!

Penhaligon’s in Covent Garden on Wellington....specifically the Market Building location. The shop is exactly what you would imagine, it’s pure class, sophisticated but not uptight. 

Lol, Harrods, make sure you go to the CREED room and don’t be shy asking for samples. Also be sure to spray yourself down in £900 EDP tester displays on the counter, lololololol.

What else do you want to do in London?

Thanks.  I'll be going in for the month of July.

Good advise by EP regarding London.

I'll add culinary advise:

in London be sure to get a full English breakfast as well as lots of Cornish pasties
in Amsterdam try some Frikandel and Frites spezial

Beer and cheese are good in both cities.

Shaving gear from London is nice, but it's more the experience, to actual stuff can be ordered anywhere in the world nowadays.

In Amsterdam you could try to find de vergulde Hand stuff. The make soap, stick, cream, after shave and even boar brushes. Not easily obtained via the web as the London stuff.

HTH
godek

Good advise by EP regarding London.

I'll add culinary advise:

in London be sure to get a full English breakfast as well as lots of Cornish pasties
in Amsterdam try some Frikandel and Frites spezial

Beer and cheese are good in both cities.

Shaving gear from London is nice, but it's more the experience, to actual stuff can be ordered anywhere in the world nowadays.

In Amsterdam you could try to find de vergulde Hand stuff. The make soap, stick, cream, after shave and even boar brushes. Not easily obtained via the web as the London stuff.

HTH
godek

You didn’t suggest Pie Mash? Are you even British? Lolol, cheers!

Are you even British? Lolol, cheers!

Not in the slightest. Got me :-)

br
godek