|
Great Britain
 Great Britain includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Visitors to one country or region of Great Britain really need to extend their vacations to explore all of Great Britain.
Because Great Britain has a history of trading throughout the world, its food is often eclectic and fusion. However, there are areas where visitors can find traditional fish and chips, Cornish pasties, a full meal to be held in one hand, Yorkshire pudding, steak and kidney pie, and shepherds' pie. England produces excellent local beers and ales while Scotland wonderful whiskeys and single malts which are internationally famous. Scotland is famous for its haggis which some people like fried. Wales has some great cheeses.
England
England is the heart of Great Britain and is easily accessible by air through Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, ferries from Ireland, France, and Scandinavia, or train from France. Whenever the vacation in Great Britain is, vacationers should pack a passport, sweater, hiking shoes, binoculars, golf clubs, raingear, and umbrellas. However, in the summer visitors to the coasts and southern cities also should pack some sun screen.
Most visitors to England stay in London, and why not, there is a lot to do by day and night, but they also should explore the rest of the country. In London, visitors should visit Hyde Park, the Marble Arch, Kew Gardens, Covent Gardens, Tower of London, museums (art, science, natural history, maritime, and war), galleries, cathedrals, zoo, palaces, planetarium, and theatres. London has several distinct regions that require explorations including, Trafalgar Square, Paddington, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, Westminster, Holborn, and Mayfair, for example. Shopping in London is world famous so are the pubs, wine bars, and clubs. Visitors to London should take advantage of the many walking tours that are available throughout the city. Check at the hotels and tourist information stations for information on the walking tours which range from poet tours to Jack-the-Ripper tours. The Thames River cuts through London and visitors can see the British Parliament buildings as well as the historic clock, Big Ben, from the bridges and banks of the Thames.
London is a transportation hub. From London, visitors can find public transportation, primarily trains, to the major cities throughout England. Visitors to England cannot miss the Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury, southeast of London, or Brighton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. Historic Plymouth and Penzance near St. Michael's Mount are south west of London. West of London tourists can visit the Windsor Castle area, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Wales with the Cambrian Mountains perfect for mountain climbing. Liverpool, Chester, Manchester, and York are all north of London. Throughout the country, there is great golf, exciting soccer (football), hiking or trekking, bicycling, rowing, and birding.
Historians can follow the trails of the pre-historic druids who built Stonehenge or the Romans who were in the British Isle between 55-54 BC through 400 AD. There also historical monuments that mark specific battles and events that, not only represent England's history, but are important for the founding of democratic law and principles.
Wales
Wales, in addition to having the Cambrian Mountains (Snowdonia) for climbing, has a rugged coastline as well as castle ruins and fortresses that were used by the Anglo Norman conquerors like Caernarfon Castle. The Welsh residents of Wales are recognized for their poetry and song. Additionally, the terrain is a little on the wild side for visitors who want to experience adventure and see beautiful landscapes. The Welsh are proud individuals and do not view themselves as English.
Scotland
Scotland is famous for golfing, especially at St. Andrews which has a great college that draws students from all over the world. Additionally, Scotland has rugged highlands, low lands, and incredible islands-all waiting to be explored. Visitors should plan their trips to Scotland to include the entire country, not just one section.
Edinburgh, both the old and new cities, is a popular destination for tourists. Edinburgh has museums, galleries, parks, an observatory, monuments, palace, and parks. Edinburgh Castle, which dates back to the 12th Century, is built on a volcanic rock hill above the city. Its view is very dramatic. Visitors to Edinburgh should plan on taking walking tours during the day and enjoy the nightlife after dark. Dress codes include kilts, making the evenings in the pubs and clubs more fun.
Eco-tourist likes to explore the Isle of Skye where there are guided hikes, the Outer Hebrides (rugged islands of the northwest coast of Scotland), Orkney Islands, and Shetland Islands. Backpacking, camping, hiking, and sea kayaking along the coast or around the islands are challenging and popular.
Other cities and places to visit in Scotland are Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Glen Coe, and Inverness. Perhaps, visitors to Scotland would like to spend some time searching for the Loch Ness Monster while trekking through the country side.
Additional travel suggestions:
- Visit Ireland along with England, Scotland, and Wales;
- Take the train to France from London and continue the visit to Europe; and
- Try one of the ferries that cross the English Channel.
|
Travel Documents
Travel Warnings To save you planning time and searching, TravelEUOnline has done extensive research on travel opportunities throughout Europe.
Simply select your destination whether it is a country or a region and get inside information on the attractions, lodging, activities like skiing, golfing, and gaming, and resorts.
You also can find regional information with suggestions to expand the trips to connect to other countries as well as access information, including suggestions for flying, driving, bicycling, or taking a train into the countries.
|
