Very few places offer as much scenic, historic, and cultural value for travelers as the United Kingdom. The rugged shores of this legendary place echo centuries of human-kind’s greatest endeavors, as well as today’s most civilized and edgy initiatives. Vibrant, yet somehow calm, exciting, and still, the these Islands are definitely a destination everyone should see at least once.
From the Scottish Highlands to London’s Olympic stadium, there’s probably more to see and do (foot for foot) in the United Kingdom, than anywhere. Outdoor pursuits, refined cultural activities, sports, shopping, plain old sightseeing wonder, you get the idea – this place is loaded with value.
London is at the center of all things British, as it should be, a beacon full of historic and current significance. The famed Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the tower, it’s all here just like you imagined, but more significantly in person. In London you can see the changing of the guard one minute, and imagine yourself on the movie set of “Notting Hill” the next. Paddington, Canary Wharf, the Globe Theater, even the list of names of famous places is too long, let alone trying to see them all at once.
Inseparable From the Land and the Sea
If every visitor to the United Kingdom could take a boat trip circumnavigating the British Isles, only then could the full scope of Britain be digested. Around the Cliffs of Dover, up to Scotland and Hadrian’s wall, over to Northern Ireland and Belfast, southern Ireland and county cork, back around to Wales, for sheer outdoor majesty and memorable photo ops, the misty shores of Britain are a marvel.
Wilderness and the sea, Highland tunes on bagpipes, trekking the moors, this is really the soul of the UK. Sure the great cities have their appeal, but tourists who notice will see easily that every city is inextricably ties to the land and sea about it. Just try and separate the country from the locals in a pub in Edinburgh, you cannot do it. Even their football is less important than the lore and land beneath their feet. When you’re done marveling at medieval castles and the royals, check out what’s outside.
Share a Pint and a Penny
The first time visitor to the United Kingdom will soon find out what the real treasure held within these sparkling Isles is. The people of the UK often seem stoic, dry in their humor, even calloused perhaps, but nothing could be farther from the reality. Just observe a Brit’s reaction when his team is cheated out of a goal, when principle is infringed, when there’s really something to laugh at. Therefore, it is, the nightlife and entertainment here is extraordinary.
Sure, you can take in incomparable performances across artistic genres; ballet, world renown opera, rock star concerts, the best there is in any artistic domain you can name. But, the best entertainment anywhere is sharing that pint, a penny’s worth of spirit, as so many talk about when they speak of UK pubs and taverns. And, there’s post resorts, rocky beaches, the Loch Ness monster, the UK adventure is endless, get it, e-n-d-l-e-s-s. We could go on and on about the UK’s attraction, but the best way to experience this place is in person. You’ll understand why we got tongue tied here.
Budget for one week: More than 1500 Euro
Taxes and gratuities: Gratuity is appreciated
Local currency: British Pound
Spoken language and/or official language: English
Area: 243,610 km2 (94,060 sq mi )
Population: 62,262,000
Sanitary requirements: You can drink tap water everywhere in the UK
Major cities: London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Edinburgh.
Main images courtesy: Anirudh Koul; Moyan Brenn and Steve-h
