Visiting Fuller’s Griffin Brewery was truly an eye-opening experience. From learning about the history behind the brewery to understanding the beer-making process, it was an insightful experience. More importantly, we got to try their beers and cider! Now, I don’t particularly like beer—it ranks extremely low on my list of favorite alcoholic beverages. But their chocolate beer (which, hello? How is that a thing? Doesn’t matter, it’s awesome!) and their cherry cider sold me. I especially liked the cider; it tasted so good that I almost forgot it was cider.
They did a really good job of honoring tradition while also making it approachable and exciting for everyone, even people like me who don’t usually like beer. The history was still there; you could feel it in the space, the tools, and the storytelling, but the way they presented it was fun and engaging. Offering unique flavors like chocolate beer and cherry cider shows how they’re open to change and innovation, without letting go of what makes them authentic. That balance is key when you’re trying to reach people from different backgrounds.
Now, the Camden Market was okay. I found a nice shirt there that I’m very eager to wear, but aside from that, it looked like every vendor had a recycled version of the same stuff, which was a little disappointing. A friend and I concluded that they probably acquired it from the same Chinese companies because we saw no other explanation. At least I got a cute shirt out of it!
On my free day, I was unfortunately sick. I was so sick I could not physically get up from the bed. That caused me to miss the activities that my peers were doing that day. Nonetheless, I gathered all the strength I could and still went to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral ( because that was not on our itinerary); it’s something I really wanted to do. The cathedral was very nice, obviously, but I couldn’t stay long because I wanted to get back to the hotel. I ended up staying there just for a few minutes, but on the bright side, I found a very nice crucifix for my manager.
Out of all the places we visited, I believe that the Victoria and Albert Museum was my favorite. I love museums, I love learning about the past, hence why this visit was extremely meaningful and impactful for me. Not to mention that every art piece displayed there was absolutely mesmerizing—just so beautiful.
Additionally, I really enjoyed the time I spent with my peers; I met some awesome people during that trip. And with those I already knew, we got to build a stronger connection. I really value and cherish every moment and outing we had together, whether that was through the school program or on our own. They definitely made this experience much more special.
This whole day reminded me that delivering memorable, localized guest experiences doesn’t always mean going over the top. Sometimes, it’s the small moments like the unexpected drinks, the personal effort to go somewhere meaningful even when you’re not feeling your best, or the shared laughs and discoveries with people you care about. These are the kinds of experiences that stay with you. I want to create moments like that for others: thoughtful, personalized, and rooted in a sense of place.