Above: Inside The RItz

London is one of the most romantic cities in the world. And these five places are some of the best in the city when it comes to romance.

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

1) The Ritz

You and you’re loved one should take an afternoon tea at the Ritz (pictured above) - a beautifully sophisticated place that serves some of the world’s finest foods. The place is very private and yet service tends to every possible need. It is located at 150 Piccadilly. Booking should be made at least 4 weeks before prior. Proper dress code is a must.

2) Thames Boat Tour

The tour during the day is already spectacular - but at night, it’s one of the best in the world. The calmness of the river and the serenity of the surroundings both add up to the dreamy atmosphere of this activity. Some evening cruises even offer candle lit dinner upon request. Imagine good food and a tranquil cruise through Thames River and you’ve got the ideal London date.

3) Primrose Hill

The scenic view atop this hill is simply breathtaking – especially during sunset. It will definitely leave you awestruck. Primrose Hill is one of the highest points in the city. Even artists and writers visit here often to find inspiration. And the best part is it isn’t as crowded. Located north of Regent’s Park, the place is accessible via tube or bus.

4) The London Eye

The Eye is one of the top tourist attractions in London. This observation wheel is the 3^rd tallest in the world – the tallest in Europe. Indeed, the best view of the city of London can only be experienced at the topmost of the Eye. You can rent an entire capsule for a date - making both of you feel on the top of the world!

5) Waterloo Bridge

This foot traffic bridge is probably the most scenic in the world. Crossing the River Thames in this historic place allows couples to simply reminisce good times while having a great view of the city – together with Westminster, the Canary Wharf and the London Eye.

These last five places are perfect for a date. But most couples actually make them more memorable by having their proposals here, while others visit for their honeymoon. No matter what your plan is, these places surely won’t disappoint!

PLANNING TIPS:

To help you plan the perfect getaway, here are some very useful tips to follow.

First things first: Look for a good London vacation deal online. These deals will greatly advance your London trip. Just make sure you browse multiple travel sites to help you determine the different price range of packages. And from time to time, return to the same sites as rates going to London change frequently. Take note of this: the code for the Heathrow Airport in London England is LHR.

Tip when searching: Always remember that it is advisable to have midweek vacation departures rather than weekend ones as they are way cheaper. Once you start browsing different travel agents, you’ll notice that not all of them return the same flight options - however they do provide a great idea of the available ones.

Study the London Maps: London is not a totally complex place but it can confuse first time travelers. Before you go, try to check the maps of London online to familiarize yourself with a couple of areas – especially those where the main attractions are situated. Again, do not dare to go around the city without a map. We know it’s fun to be adventurous at times, but to maximize your time and effort it’s best to know first where to go.

Tip: Don’t waste too much time trying to find a good London map or guide – find out if your hotel provides free ones as most of them do. If not, you can drop by the Britain Visitors Centre at 1 Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus to pick up a free map. Plus, you can also get valuable tourist information there.

Tip: One of the best ways to make sure you don’t get lost in London is by getting a cab. They know every nook and every shortcut to get to you to your destination. Plus, they could also recommend places frequented by other tourists. But if you are short of cash, you can always use the world famous London Tube or one of those double-decker buses that go around the city.

Choose the Right Hotel: Choosing the right hotel simply means choosing the right area. Of course you would need to consider the travel time and the main tourist attractions you plan to go to.

If you are fascinated with the parliament system, tradition, and monarchy of England then you should select those in Westminster – which is close to the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of the Parliament.

If you are the type that enjoys a romantic theater showing then it would be great to find a hotel that is close to Covent Garden.

If you are one of those fashionable shoppers then it would be great to stay in a Kensington or Knightsbridge hotel that is nearby Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Harvey Nichols - so you can turn your vacation into a fabulous shopping spree.

Join a Scenic Tour: The best way to go around London is to ride one of those double-decker tour buses. These open air buses are made for sight seeing. There are two competing tour bus companies in London: The Original Tour and The Big Bus Company. These tour companies both have stops all over the city. One ticket is good for a 24-hour trip that has unlimited stops in and out of the bus.

If you are into a more relaxed and romantic tour then ask for their River Thames cruises.

Tip: Bear into mind that these tour buses only operate one direction. So if you’re only using them for transportation, take note that it will take around two to three hours before you get to an attraction located on the other side of the city.

Go to the London Museums: London boasts of some of the finest museums in the world. Even if you’re in a romantic vacation trip, taking a walk inside some of the museums is a must and can be just as romantic. The best part is most of the best and biggest museums in London have free admission. The museums that should be on the top of your list are The Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum and National Gallery.

Tip: If you’re looking for gifts and presents, the London Museum gift shops are the best place to find souvenirs. Or you can buy a “mummy” case from the British Museum; a bone china at the Buckingham Palace; or some jewelry and art books from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Get great deals for London Theater Tickets: Most people are unaware that they can actually score London theater tickets for half the price. There is a wide selection of West End shows on the day of performance at the Leicester Square TKTS ticket booth. In TKTS you can expect to pay half the price – with only an additional 2.5 pound fee.

Tip: You can buy a copy of Time Out London to know what’s going on during your vacation. They feature events and a complete list of theaters and shows. Also, keep in mind that most theaters are closed on Sundays.

Have your own vacation plan: This is the most important thing to remember out of all the things that you need for your vacation - make your own itinerary! Once you get your hands on maps to the attractions that you want to go to start planning the best route – all the time making sure that you get to visit the most places and using the most scenic routes.

Tip: Research on time allotted for travel from one place to another, so you won’t have to rush your vacation and end up not enjoying the places you visit.