You're planning a weekend away with your partner. You want somewhere with great shopping, he wants somewhere with beautiful architecture, he wants somewhere with great nightlife while you want somewhere with amazing restaurants. So what do you do? Go your separate ways and catch up after the weekend? Or go to the city that has it all, London.

England's capital city is a wash with luxury hotels and while London really does have a million reasons to visit here are the top ten.

Eating out
Whatever your tastes you will find the perfect restaurant in London. Highlights include the super classy Hakkasan serving Chinese cuisine, the ultra trendy restaurant The Ivy and the chic sushi restaurant Nobu but with so much variety you're sure to find something to suit.

Theatre
London's West End is world famous and a trip to London is not complete without a visit to the theatre. Whether it's a fun and rowdy night out you're after or an evening of culture there are shows to suit everyone.

History
London is steeped in history and there are attractions to prove it. The London Dungeons and The Jack the Ripper tour are just a couple of the attractions on offer.

Shopping
From Oxford Street and Regent Street to the world famous Harrods store London is a shopper's paradise!

The Thames
The most famous river in the UK offers a host of attractions. Take a boat along the Thames or walk along its banks and stop off at one of the pubs and bars along the way. Or, if you have a head for heights, take a ride on the London Eye and see the city in all its glory.

Star Spotting
If you're the type of person who gets excited when you spot someone off the TV on the street, London is the place for you. With so many celebs choosing to live in the capital you are sure to spot someone famous.

Music
London has some of the best music venues in the country. From the huge stadiums such as Wembley to the quirky pubs and smaller venues like Koko in Camden, if it's a gig you're looking for you're spoilt for choice.

Architecture
From St Paul's cathedral to the Houses of Parliament to the Royal Albert Hall London is host to some of the UK's most beautiful buildings.

Nightlife
London's nightlife is second to none. From the glitz of the West End to Camden, the ultimate in retro cool, those seeking a big night out will not be disappointed.

Buckingham Palace
Of course, a visit to London is not complete without a trip to Buckingham Palace, the home of the Royals and probably the most popular tourist attraction in the UK. 

About the Author
Russ Pooley

Among the most refreshing things to do in London this summer is a visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.  Located in west London, the Kew Gardens, as it is commonly referred to, offers you the opportunity to neutralize the heat of the season by cooling off in a vast green environment.

The Kew Gardens is primarily a botanical research center and a training ground for professional gardeners. There are tens of thousands of  different collection of orchids, ferns, cacti, mountain plants, tropical lilies and other plants. Since its establishment, it has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world, making it one of the most popular things to see and do in London. The 326-acre site consists of greenhouses, walks, pavilions, lakes, museums, tropical lilies, a forest and some of the architectural crafts of Sir William Chambers. The newly-constructed XStrata Treetop Walkway makes a visit to the Kew Gardens even better. With no additional charge to the gardens' entrance fee of $25.50, (children 16 and under enter for free with every accompanying adult), visitors now have the chance to experience the trees and wildlife at 18 meters high. The walkway also allows you to have a bird's eye view of the entire Kew Gardens as well as the London skyline.

The best thing about the Kew Gardens is that it has its very own London Underground Tube station making it easily accessible for everyone who wishes to visit the arboretum and all the other attractions and activities within the area. If you wish to catch live musical performances, you can check out either Carling Apollo Hammersmith or the Sheperds Bush Empire just about three miles from the Kew Gardens. The two serve as concert venues for both local and international artists, and over the years have hosted some of the world's finest musical acts like the Beatles, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, Incubus, the Black Eyed Peas and more. The Museum of Rugby is also located near the Kew Gardens. In the museum, you will find a huge collection of books, balls and programs related to the sport and its history. Displays of shirts, photographs of former Rugby legends are spread throughout the museum.

There are a lot of restaurants, bars and pubs near the Kew Gardens. You might even find it difficult to choose where to go for a meal or a drink. The Pizza Express serves authentic Italian dishes at a very reasonable cost. The Travelodge Kew London is just around the corner to take care of your accommodation needs while you enjoy your Kew Gardens visit and all the other things to do in London during your summer vacation.

About the Author
To learn of all the things to do in London, please use our road trip planner. It leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and enjoyable.