We're into a new decade, a new direction and for many people this means new aspirations, lifestyle changes, career progression and perhaps even a new romance.
Busy and demanding lifestyles and career commitments nowadays tend to overtake romance and many people don't have time for a social life and relationships so they rely on dating websites, social networking sites or speed dating events in the hope they will meet their match. It would be very interesting to know how many relationships are formed or how many people actually get married as a result of people trying to find a partner using these methods.
Some women's views are that men's behaviour towards them has changed and that chivalrous gentlemen are becoming a rare species. On the other hand men say that their attitude towards women has changed because women want to be treated as equals so sometimes, it's a no win situation! We're living in an age where it's more acceptable for women to approach men and even in some cases for women to pay for their meal on a dinner date however, many people still appreciate traditional values such as mutual respect, loyalty, trust, sensitivity, thoughtful gestures, imagination and enthusiasm which are important aspects in a loving relationship and in some cases people could pick up a few tips on the concept of classic romance and respect from our older generations.
Expressing an interest or love for someone and the art of conversation has been replaced with modern technology which has made communication more dynamic but in some ways can make people's love lives more complicated as this is where misunderstandings can occur as too much time is spent talking via machines and gadgets which can end up breaking down as can the romance in a relationship!
Scroll down for our hand-picked special selection of Pukka Valentine's Day outings and ideas for both Singles & Couples:
Valentine's Masquerade Ball & Medieval Banquet at St Katherine's Docks 14 February
http://www.medievalbanquet.com/forthcoming-events.html
Voix DeVille: Cabaret and Burlesque Valentines Day Special at Proud Cabaret 14 February
http://www.proudcabaret.com/whats-on/
Make-A-Wish Valentines Ball at Dorchester Hotel 12 February
http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/news-and-events/events/valentine-s-ball/
Valentine's Gala Concert Featuring Taro Hakase at Cadogan Hall 14 February
http://www.cadoganhall.com/montheventsresults.php?month=2
Valentines at Late at Museum of London's 14 February
"Experience Valentine's Day with a difference as the Museum of London hosts Latin dance classes, Valentine paper-cutting workshops, x-rated objects from the Museum's storerooms, poetry readings by Polari London and aphrodisiac potions by jellymongers extraordinaire, Bompas & Parr. Come to the Museum of London for our spectacular annual Valentine late."
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Events/
Valentines Black Tie Ball at The Rembrandt Hotel 12 February http://www.contactsingles.co.uk/
Valentines Moulin Rouge Party Adam Street Private Members Club http://www.electclub.co.uk/events.php?eventref=67
"A glamorous night of seduction, where you can sip champagne and meet other gorgoeus like-minded people at one of the most prestigious private members clubs in central London."
HeyJo Valentines Weekend 12-14 February
http://www.heyjoclub.co.uk/london_events/event_details/157/
"Yes you guessed it right, Valentines day is just around the corner. We can't wait to see HeyJo Club come alive with a Valentines decor of red hearts, balloons and ribbons. Valentines day is not just about gifts, it is also about making time to wine dine and dance with that special person in your life."
London Eye Valentine's Options - Red Rose Experience, Valentine's Champagne Experience, Cupid's Capsule, London Eye Valentine Cruise 11-14 February
http://www.londoneye.com/SpecialOccasions/valentines/Default.aspx?gclid=CIiLp_7h1qYCFQ8f4QodOTBuIA
Valentine's Afternoon Tea at Swissotel The Howard London 12-14 February
http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinations/United+Kingdom/
Swissotel+The+Howard/PROMOTIONS/gourmet/valentinesafternoon-tea.htm
For Valantine's dinner and hotel special offers and ideas try well known tested websites like Squaremeal.co.uk Toptable.co.uk or lastminute.com
Valentines Dinner on the Orient Express 12-14 February
http://www.orient-express.com/web/uktr/journeys/4_93900.jsp
Valentines Spa breaks
http://www.spabreaks.com/categories/valentines
Theatre choices: Dirty Dancing Alwych Theatre, Grease Piccadilly Theatre, Love Never Dies Adelphi Theatre, Phantom of The Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, Love Story Duchess Theatre, The Rivals Theatre Royal Haymarket, An Ideal Husband Vaudeville Theatre, When We Were Married Garrick Theatre, Twelth Night National Theatre South Bank.
And if you're planning on having a cosy night indoors then here's a choice of Pukka romantic films:
An Affair to Remember, Basic Instinct, Braveheart, Gone With The Wind, Casablanca, Cleopatra, Gilda, Intolerable Cruelty, Maid in Manhattan, Overboard, Pretty Woman, Pride & Prejudice, Romancing The Stone, Roman Holiday, Romeo & Juliet, Samson & Delilah, Sleepless in Seattle, Something's Gotta Give, The Barefoot Contessa, When Harry Met Sally, Zorro, 9 and 1/2 weeks.
Bollywood films: Devdas, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Jodhaa Akbar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Lagaan, Mughal-E-Azam, Umrao Jaan.
