An introduction to travel in the United Kingdom
The UK has a lot of history, varied cultures, beautiful landscapes, and thriving cities. You can travel the entire length of it in just one, albeit lengthy, day.
What you are about to discover is much more than your initial, very English, stereotype as you travel from north to south. Four distinct yet similar cultures are present in this kingdom, which consists of four separate countries.
Starting off the main island is Northern Ireland, a pocket of its own with a capital, Belfast, that is deserving of a trip on its own. It is characterized by rolling landscapes of beautiful countryside. Before you get to the mainland, you'll cross over to Scotland's islands, which are best traveled by boat to give you a taste of what's to come.
You'll be introduced to the romanticism of Scotland's spirits by its highlands, castles, and scattering of distilleries with names like Robbie Burns. Scotland's top cities are two very different stories, with Edinburgh luring visitors in with its historic streets and mellow bagpipe music playing in the background and Glasgow maintaining its industrial feel while sprinkling it with renowned artistic flair.
As you travel south, the scenery changes as you approach the Lake District, which is the mandatory stop for any UK travel tours if you're looking to be outdoors. When traveling between the most famous cities in north England, where football fans are in their prime, on the west coast, the scene is a little different.
Local markets, pleasant weather, and cider on a summer day are essential components of your time here, all of which are slowly brought into focus by the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. The south of England is in a league of its own, with warming climates, diverse cultures, and political pasts lingering in its towns and cities, and that's before you stop in remarkable Wales, of course.
London is "the Big Apple" of England, complete with all its downtown splendour. Everything you could possibly want is available in this enormous city. Setting the bar high for music, fashion, and of course the royal family, London is divided into districts, each of which has a distinct identity and reputation of its own. It never stops giving in London.
Southwest of London are one of the UK's biggest mysteries, Stonehenge is a eerie collection of standing stones thought to date from the Neolithic Age, some 5,000 years ago, totaling about 100 in a series of circles. The stones were built in three phases over a period of about 1,500 years, according to numerous researchers, and they served as burial sites. The biggest mystery is how the stones were put in place without the aid of technology, especially since some of them are from Wales, 200 miles away and weighing about 25 tonnes.
Further south west towards Lands End, visit Devon and Cornwall, a picturesque getaway that lines England's southern coast and is home to a number of stunning beaches. Cornwall, an ancient kingdom with its own culture and language, has added another patch to the fabric of the UK.
With the right introduction to travel in the United Kingdom you can discover a richly diverse nation with a long and fascinating history. Our travel guide will highlight some of the possibilities for trips to the UK.