Valentine’s evening on the iconic Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

Enjoy a romantic evening with fine dining and pink champagne on the transformed walkways of London’s Tower Bridge.  For £30 a couple you can enjoy the great views of London in a romantic setting decorated with flowers, lights and live music in the background.  Suspended nearly 140 feet above the Thames River it is definitely one of the most romantic settings in the city.  It is also a hot spot for marriage proposals. Last year there was a record 15 marriage proposals.

Champagne atop the London Eye

London Eye Valentine's Day

The London Eye has some of the best panoramic views in London and offers a variety of great packages for couples looking for a memorable experience.  The most intimate but expensive package is Valentine’s Cupid’s Capsule.  Included is a private capsule (usually 25 people/capsule) a bottle of Champagne (served by a host), a rose and a box of pink champagne truffles.

There are also less expensive alternatives such as the Red Rose Experience that costs £25 a person and includes a 30 minute ride, a red rose, and a box of chocolates.

A dinner cruise on the timeless Thames River

Cruise along the Thames River while soaking in the romantic scenery of London and enjoying a world-class three-course meal. The three-hour cruise includes a live violinist playing romantic melodies, a rose and a bottle of wine.  The dinner cruise costs £135 per person.

Floating down the Thames River in London

Alternatively if you are looking for a cruise to accompany a dinner or other plans there is a 40 minute circular Champagne Cruise which travels along the Thames and offers a complimentary glass of champagne.  There is a 10% discount if you book online or if you choose to pay on the day it costs £20 per person.

A romantic screening at the cinema

Breakfast at Tiffany's

If you are looking to go out and enjoy a romantic yet relaxing evening visit a cinema for a romantic screening.  At Riverside Studios they are screening the romantic classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s starring Audrey Hepburn. For £35 you can enjoy a three course meal along with the film or for £7.50-£8.50 for just the film.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is also screening at  while at BFI Southbank they will be screening the 1944 classic To Have and Have Not.

Valentine’s Masquerade Ball

Don't forget your mask

Dress up in your finest garb and grab a mask this Valentine’s Day to join in this Medieval Banquet.  Taking place at the historic banquet hall at St. Katharine Docks, the Valentine’s Masquerade Ball has everything you would want this Valentines day: a 4-course banquet, a bottle of sparkling wine, dancing, ballroom dance lessons and more. There is limited space and tickets cost £60 per person.

A Romantic Mini Cooper Tour of London

Tour the city in classic fashion

Enjoy the sights of London from what may be the most famous British automobile of all time: the original Mini Cooper. For £60 a couple you can bring your own bottle of bubbly and enjoy hand made chocolates while cozying up in the blankets provided.  The hour and a half long tour stops at the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral. It is the site of many marriage proposals and beautiful attractions such as The Globe Theatre.

Lastly, don’t forget to grab your mTrip London City Guide to help you get around London this Valentine’s Day!

There are, of course, plenty of reasons to visit London that have nothing to do with the monarchy – stunning collections in art galleries, spectacular cathedrals, top-notch theater offerings, countless pubs, and perhaps the world’s most famous clock, to name but a few – but a simple poll of Americans to find out how many of them got up pre-dawn to watch televised coverage of Prince William’s recent marriage (or, for that matter, his parents’ wedding) shows just how highly we still think of the British royal family.

When you’re planning a London itinerary, then, it’s likely to include plenty of royal attractions.

Travel Tip: No matter what your itinerary includes, don’t forget to plan your accommodation ahead of time – especially if you’re visiting during the summer high season. The hotels in London can book up well in advance during the city’s busiest months.

Buckingham Palace

There are the obvious ones that will probably be on your must-see list already. There’s Buckingham Palace, the royal residence, part of which you can visit when the royal family is on vacation. One of the Buckingham Palace attractions, however, is outside and year-round – the famous changing of the guard ceremony happens every day during the summer, and every other day during the rest of the year.

Tower of London

Then there’s the Tower of London, combining the monarchy with history. The Tower is an 11th century castle that’s most commonly known as a prison and the site of more than a few executions, but since many of the prisoners and those sentenced to death were members of the royal family it’s an historic site in London that’s impossible to visit without reflecting on royal history, too.

Beyond the obvious royal attractions, however, there are things like the Queen’s Walk – a lovely, tree-lined walking path along the South Bank of the Thames that was built for the Queen’s “Silver Jubilee” in 1977. Westminster Abbey has clear royal ties as the site of coronations as well as royal tombs, but don’t overlook St. Paul’s Cathedral’s royal relations – it’s the cathedral where Prince Charles married Lady Diana in 1981.

What’s your favorite royal attraction in London?

- by Jessica of BootsnAll

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photos by PhillipC, xeddix

Visiting just about anywhere in Europe for spring is sure to be a pleasant experience – the streets, bars and restaurants are filled with enthusiastic locals, the French are packed into their neighborhood bistros while the British are packed into their traditional pubs for lunch, the Dutch linger over strong coffee while the Italians gesture over tiny espressos and the Spanish fill the evening streets for their paseo and tapas.

Concert series are fully underway. Unique art collections are on display at museums, local castles and palaces and everywhere you go, you will find locals enjoying regional specialties and vino from nearby vineyards.

Residents truly cherish this time of year because it’s when they can enjoy their cities without being crammed into small spaces by the rush of travelers. This is also the time that seasoned travelers will want to take in the enjoyment of these same places.

Here are a few spring destinations to choose from for 2011.

Holland

An easy daytrip from Amsterdam, the gardens here are truly worth a visit. A riot of tulips and crocuses, spring in Holland is the most colorful time of year.

Springtime means the Dutch fields will be rainbow colored and the farmer’s markets will sell 50 tulips for less than 10 euros. In spring, the Keukenhoff gardens are truly at their very best.

Paris

Avoid hyped prices and wicked long lines by taking your travels to Paris in the spring instead of summer. Overbearing crowds really put a damper on a romantic visit to the Eiffel Tower and can really thwart all your efforts at a romantic experience. Take a visit to the Palais de Versailles to see the legendary gardens in bloom or take a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries to admire the well-maintained gardens surrounded by palaces and ponds. Often a spot for picnics, don’t miss out on a visit to Le Pont des Arts for some photogenic moments and people watching. Tip: if you are planning a visit to a popular museum, reserving online before arrival is worth it during springtime too. No matter what season, lines are bound to form and while a half-hour wait in spring is much better than a two-hour wait in summer, no line at all is even better.

London

While the winter months in London bring drab weather and heavy clouds, the spring is filled with warmth and sun. Pub terraces reopen, magnolia trees spring all over the city, contrasting against the drab grey buildings, and the weather shifts from blustery to balmy. One to check out is Edinboro Castle, which is located near Camden Town.

Download an mTrip Travel Guide for your spring travels

University of Oxford

So, where is Oxford University and how do you visit it? The answer is not as straightforward as you expect, and visitors expecting a unified complex of buildings in the city centre will be surprised. Unlike most modern universities, Oxford University is divided into departments, libraries and colleges, all scattered across the city. A wander around town will take you past many parts of the University, but a good starting point is the Bodleian Library on Catte Street. Situated in the heart of the city, this venerable reference library has been providing materials to students since 1602. Some of its quadrangles (courtyards) are open to the public free of charge, but to get inside the library itself, it’s worth taking the tour, which includes a visit to the University’s oldest examination and teaching room.

Christ Church

Now you’ve seen where they study, take a look at where the students live: the colleges. These buildings are more than mere halls of residence; each has its own teaching staff, social and sporting activities, and its own identity. For those seeking a glimpse of the picture-postcard image of Oxford, avoid 1960s-style St Catherine’s College and choose the grandeur of Christ Church or Magdalen – the former’s dining room might be familiar to you from the Harry Potter movies, while the latter has its own deer park. Some smaller (or less famous) colleges can be visited free of charge: details can be found here.

Modern Art Oxford Gallery

After lunch at one of Oxford’s many cafes (try the Covered Market or Vaults & Gardens in Radcliffe Square), bring yourself back up to date with a visit to Modern Art Oxford, a gallery focusing on modern and contemporary visual art. Like most of Oxford’s museums, admission is free. On a sunny day, it’s well worth heading down to the river: take a picnic to University Parks and position yourself by the river bank to chuckle at the antics of the students careering past in punts.

If you have time to spare before heading back to the big smoke, take a stroll around the city’s shops, particularly the chic boutiques such as Aspire Style on High Street, before rounding off your day with afternoon tea or an early cocktail at the Grand Cafe.

Trains from London Paddington to Oxford depart approximately every half an hour. The Oxford Espress and the Oxford Tube also operate a 24-hour bus service between central London and Oxford.

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Images: Kate Turner, Hugo Pardo Kuklinski at http://www.flickr.com/photos/18016623@N00/, and Omassey at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ModernArtOxford.jpg

If you’re looking for a low-key market which mixes culinary delights with flowers, crafts and vintage clothing, Hackney’s Broadway Market (station: London Fields) is the place to go. Held every Saturday on the street of the same name, this manageably-sized outdoor market has a neighbourhood feel, with plenty of well-heeled local families perusing the stalls and sipping on Merito Coffee lattes. There are plenty of places to grab lunch to go – make sure to same room for one of Violet’s inventively-flavoured cupcakes (including salted caramel and almond polenta).

The crowd-shy would do well to visit south London’s Borough Market (station: London Bridge) on a Thursday or Friday. On Saturday, London’s most famous food market is packed with Londoners and visitors alike, mingling in between the many international stalls. As well as artisanal goods to take home (fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meat, bread and more), there are also plenty of takeaway food options, including the perennially popular sausage stall. It’s a wise idea to visit with an appetite: stallholders often offer free samples of their wares to whet shoppers’ appetites.

My Generation: The Glory Years of British Rock – April 30– October 24, 2010

It was 1964 when BBC began filming the famous TV show, Top of the Pops and it was photographer Harry Goodwin who was capturing legendary rock stars in the in the most striking and unforgettable moments. From the Rolling Stones, to Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, Goodwin had a way of capturing the mood, the essence and the musical influence on an era that couldn’t be forgotten. The exhibition celebrates Goodwin’s most striking photographs including both musicians held in memory and those who are still part of the music scene to date.

Grace Kelly: Style Icon – April 17-September 26, 2010

As a tribute to style icon Grace Kelly, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum will feature the actresses magnificent wardrobe beginning next Saturday. Spanning 50 years of one of Holywood’s most famous actresses, visitors will get a peak at her ensembles from her films, her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier, couture gowns by Dior, Yves St Laurent, Balenciaga, Givenchy and more.

Modern Masters: Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol – May 1- June 23, 2010

The 20^th century represents one of the most unique artistic periods in the history of western art. In celebration of this, the V&A will be showcasing four of the greatest artists from this time period – Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. There will be a focus on print mediums with both popular and unfamiliar prints showcased.

Admission to the V&A is free but prices may vary on some exhibits and events.

V&A Address

Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 2000

More about Victoria & Albert Museum

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Image source: Elsa Dorfman at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ginsberg-dylan.jpg

About METRIC
METRIC is a Canadian Indie Rock band. Although the band has been based in various North American cities, they were originally formed in Toronto, Ontario. The band is comprised of its lead vocalist, Emily Haines, guitarist James Shaw, bassist Josh Winstead and drummer Joules Scott-Key. The bands first full-length album, Old World Underground was launched in 2003, followed by Live it Out in 2005, and Grow Up and Blow Away in 2007. Among many other notable awards, METRIC received recognition as Canadian album of the year from the Polaris Music Prize in 2009 for the current album they are touring with, Fantasies.

Click here for more information on ticket prices.

More on the band.

Listen to METRIC.

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From £25 to £69 – Varying on location

Address: 10 Norfolk Place, 
Paddington
, London
 W2 1QL

07951 440134

For more locations click here

HUTTONS is also in a prime location, only a five minute walk from Victoria station. The hotel has a lot of repeat guests due to the enjoyable experience and friendly service provided. All rooms have en-suite facilities, making this a good choice for individuals, families and small groups visiting for business or pleasure.

From $124

Address: 53-57 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 2BB

+44 20 7834 3726

For more information click here.

UMI LONDON is a pleasant, clean and well-maintained hotel for its class. The inexpensive rates make Umi an ideal choice for those traveling on a budget. The location is central, situated in Leinster Square in the heart of Bayswater. Nearby you will find Bayswater and Queensway underground stations. Nearby attractions include Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Portobello road Antiques Market and Kensington Palace.

From $119

Address: 16 Leinster Square, London W2 4PR
+44 20 7221 9131‎

For more information click here

TRAVELODGE offers extremely low rates if you book early enough. There are over 15 hotel locations and each room has a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, color TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

From £45, varying on location and time of booking

Address: Langdon Court, Flat 23, City Road, London, EC1V 1LH

0871 984 8484‎

For more locations click here.

TAVISTOCK HOTEL has an art deco entrance and 343 rooms. The location is great, free Internet is available in the lobby, there’s a bar on ground floor and some rooms overlook beautiful private gardens.

From £61
Address: Tavistock square, London WC1H 9EU
+44 20 7636 8383

For more information click here.

THE RIDGEMOUNT HOTEL is family-run, situated in Central London near the Bloomsbury area. All rooms have central heating, color television, and hair dryers. The hotel prides itself on good service and return guests year after year.

Shared facilities from £43, En-suite from £55

Address: 65-67 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HJ

+44 20 7636 1141‎

For more information click here.

PREMIER INN has over 20 branches in London and is the UK’s biggest hotel chain. The hotel has standard, clean rooms, each with a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, TV and almost all have WiFi.

From £50

Address: 11 Knaresborough Place, 
London, SW5 0TJ

0870 238 3304

For more locations click here.

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Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abelcheung