Romance
Special moments are easy to come by in England's cities, thanks to an abundance of romantic hideaways, fine restaurants, special cultural events and historical associations.
Hire a chauffeured punt on the riverbank in Cambridge, and pretend you're in Venice. Your surrogate gondolier will pole you gently along the sleepy waters of the Cam, brushing up against the willow branches and, if need be, providing commentary on the beautiful colleges and sights of Cambridge.
Rose gardens and fountains
London has its own equivalent – rowing boats on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Alternatively grab a blanket, pack some goodies and head for the heights of Primrose Hill for a romantic picnic with views across the city skyline. Or wander the rose gardens and fountains of Regent's Park, then make for the stunning gardens of Kenwood House, which hosts a programme of outdoor music concerts through the summer months.
Round off the day in style at one of the city's world-class restaurants – you won't go far wrong with a table for two at Chez Bruce, which boasts a Michelin star and specialises in classical French cuisine. Spoil yourselves with a night at the Halkin in Belgravia, London's original design hotel. Luxuriate in your chic surroundings – sublime Milanese design with hints of Asia – and enjoy the gorgeous Shambhala smellies in your bathroom.
Balloons and fine wines
Adventure and romance go hand in hand, and one perfect way to combine the two is on a Champagne balloon flight above the sights of Bristol and Bath. Bristol is home to one of the world's top ballooning extravaganzas, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, when the skies above the city bloom with colour.
From Bristol, cut north into Gloucestershire for a very special "taste break" at Three Choirs Vineyard, England's leading single-estate vineyard. Dine on modern English cuisine prepared by a team of expert chefs, enjoy top quality wine tastings and gaze on glorious views across the vines.
Lanterns, jewellery and laughter
Try something out of the ordinary and thoroughly romantic: visit Birmingham during Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali is the most important date in the Hindu and Sikh calendars, and the event attracts thousands to the streets of Birmingham. Enjoy the festivities – the carnival of Indian dances, the wonderful street food, the soft glow of a thousand lanterns, and the concluding firework display.
Next morning, head for Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter: a third of all jewellery made in Britain comes from these streets, so the range is unsurpassed. And how about a weekend course at the award-winning School of Jewellery on Vittoria Street? Learn the secrets of the trade and create your own bespoke piece.
There is something undeniably romantic about ice skating – flushed faces, laughter, holding hands as you glide and tumble. There are ice rinks right across our cities, but nothing can quite match the vast outdoor space of the Ice Cube, which transforms Millennium Square in Leeds each winter. It's the largest open-air ice rink in Europe, measuring 1200 square metres – the equivalent of five million ice cubes!
