February 4, 2004 -- Thanks to the mighty Gulf Stream duking it out with the North Atlantic Drift, England has a milder climate than its position would otherwise seemingly allow, even to the few healthy palm trees growing at the southwestern fringes of the country. As a result, it's still a wise move to exchange our colder clime for London's if you can get away over the next couple months. Here are a few harbingers of spring:

Theater buffs will be able to see two of Shakespeare's most ingratiating plays, with plenty of sass, action and spit -- The Taming of the Shrew and All's Well That Ends Well. The first will be performed at the Queen's Theatre until March 6. You'll find complete details at www.albemarle-london.com/rsc-taming.html. The second is on stage at the Gielgud Theatre from February 19 through April 24, with Dame Judi Dench as The Countess. More information is at at www.albemarle-london.com/rsc-allswell.html.

Equally stirring should be Simon Boccanegra, Verdi's potboiler of an opera, with assassination and more. Angela Gheorghiu stars as Amelia. Dates February 21 through March 11 at Covent Garden. For more details, check out info.royaloperahouse.org/Opera/index.cfm?ccs=425&cs=875.

If something more calming is to your taste, try The Sleeping Beauty ballet, also at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, in the first revival of last season's new Natalia Makarova production. The dates are February 26 through March 16. Details at info.royaloperahouse.org/ballet/index.cfm?ccs=426&cs=897.

For absolute peace and quiet, go to the museums and galleries. The first ever major exhibition of El Greco in the UK is at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square from February 11 through May 23. Details at www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/el_greco/default.htm. There's also the Queen Elizabeth II's Faberge egg collection which will be on display at her gallery through March 7 featuring over 300 works. Information is at www.royal.gov.uk/output/page622.asp.

Otherwise, you could opt for the Tenth Annual Orchid Festival at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew from February 14 to March 14. Information is online at www.rbgkew.org.uk/events/orchids2004/index.html or the Spring Show of Fine Art & Antiques at Olympia from February 25 to March 2. Information on that is at www.olympia-antiques.com/FAAF/Spring/FAAFSp.nsf/mainfsview/vhome.

Going and Staying

British Airways is having a doozy of a deal on roundtrip fares starting from $198, which we reported on earlier in this Newsletter. The booking deadline is tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, so don't dawdle. You can read our report here: www.frommers.com/book_a_trip/deal_airfare/deal.cfm?articleid=1690&destid=AIRFARE.

If you have your own transport and just want a hotel, go to the Octopus Travel website, where you can find many low-priced accommodations. One example: Lords, a one-star, tourist class spot in Bayswater, costs just $75 for a twin bedroom, with continental breakfast, offer valid from now through February 23. Go to http://www.octopustravel.com/us/. You should also check out http://www.laterooms.com/ for last-minute booking as well.

There are many packages from tour operators offering travel to London this winter. Gate 1 Travel has a five-day (three-night) plan, including airfare, for $349 or $359 out of New York on three dates in February, 2004. You stay at the Eden Park Hotel, with daily continental breakfast included. Of course, other departure cities are available. Airport taxes and fees not included. They have optional morning tours of London ($40), an afternoon tour ($54) and an evening Jack the Ripper Tour if you don't want to go to a theater or the opera ($29). Contact them at http://www.gate1travel.com/ or phone 800/682-3333.

Finally, Go-Today is offering a stunner of an air/hotel package for east coast departures on February 15th to London. From $299 you can get seven days and six nights in the city surrounding Presidents' Day weekend. Wow! For more details, see www.gotoday.com/UK_FGLQ.ASP.

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