The world's largest occupied castle, Windsor is 'the Queen's favorite weekend home' and sits along the River Thames just west of London. The 900-year-old stronghold is an easy daytrip from the city—one hour by train from Waterloo or Paddington.  

The Tower of London is a riverside fortress where Yeoman Warders—Beefeaters—lead memorable tours in bombastic fashion through some of England's bloodiest history. But although two of Henry VIII's wives met their end here, tender hearts can inquire about Lady Jane Gray's story, and be sure to stop by the Crown Jewels, a horde that sets a high bar for anyone popping the question!  

Portobello Road is one of London's most inviting shopping streets. Shops like Alice's are crammed with antiques and enticing bric-a-brac, but on Fridays and Saturdays a sidewalk market blossoms and reveals a festive street fair atmosphere.  

London's desirable Belgravia neighborhood, bordering Chelsea, is a quieter part of the city filled with white-stucco homes and a minimum of shops and entertainment options. Land here for the night and you'll be sleeping amid some of England's most famous names in politics, fashion, and theater.  

A crowd gathers each morning for the free pomp and spectacle offered by the Queen's Changing of the Guards, outside Buckingham Palace.  

A far cry from its old reputation for boiled veggies and dingy settings, today's dining scene in London is one of the most exciting in the world, especially for those interested in trying the rich panoply of Middle Eastern and Asian venues. And at restaurants like Ubon by Nobu, the famed chef serves Japanese fusion alongside splendid River Thames views.  

A romantic sojourn in London is an invitation to wade through the spoils of history. At the British Museum—the world's oldest museum and perhaps its finest—explore a collection with more than six million items, ranging from the Rosetta Stone to mummified cats to the Parthenon sculptures. The museum's Great Court, seen here, was beautifully re-imagined in 2000 by architect Sir Norman Foster.  

A trip around the London Eye takes a leisurely 30 minutes, but you'll be in no hurry for it to end. Built in 1999 for the millennial celebrations, on a clear day this 443-foot-high observation wheel—the world's tallest—offers London's finest view. It's also a spellbinding setting in which to pop the question (bubbly on request).  

One of London's iconic sights, Tower Bridge is a gaudy but beloved symbol of England that once served as the principal gateway to the city.