The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is made up of England Ireland Scotland and Wales and offers some of the most beautiful landscapes and cities in Europe.

England

England used to be generally thought of as a quaint place situated in the times of the 1930s; with the little villages with a pub, a post office and the local church where the community gets together every week. This is what it has been known as – until recently. Now it is better known for its vibrant cities with fabulous nightlife from great cocktail bars to nightclubs, and with attractions all over, contrasted against the pleasant countryside, that is, typically ‘English’.

Attractions such as Stonehenge and Tower Bridge never go amiss here; to visiting cities such as Oxford and Eton, England has a vast amount of iconic images that make it so individualistic. It has lost none of its past charm, you can go to see all of its ancient cathedrals and cities such as Lincoln, York, Salisbury, Durham and Winchester, and with these cities can also been seen the sheer physical beauty of the country. Wherever you are based in the country you are never far away from castles, majestic country houses, or a secluded chapel. Also to the country they still have their roots, in the southwest there are remnants of Celtic culture that has been eradicated in most other places by the Romans, and you can also find traces of prehistoric settlers, such as Stonehenge.

Ireland

After you have visited Ireland it is true that it is never forgotten. The Irish landscape ahs a mythic resonance, its people are friendly with an easy pace of life, which is what draws the majority of people to Ireland. The views are great, and few are disappointed with the amazing greenery of the coastlines; there is also an inspired talent for conversation with great music and language at the heart of the Irish culture.

There is a surprise to Ireland, for this very small land, it packs so much into its countryside. There are the limestone terraces of the stark, eerie Burren which are separated from the fertile farmlands of Tipperary by tens of miles of beautiful west coasts, with cliffs that look as if they belong in a total different country against the rolling plains of the central cattle-rearing countries.

What’s great about Ireland is the richness of the Irish culture. Not just through the sites and monuments that can bee seen all around, but through the strength and continuity of the island’s oral and musical traditions. Myth-making is the oldest form of entertainment of Irish people, full of extraordinary tales and ancient classics. Sites to also see in Ireland’s countryside is the lakes and rivers, making it an angler’s dream, it also has some of the most beautiful and highly demanded golf courses in the world. If you feel daring enough, Ireland’s residents usually go for the more extreme sports, such as horse racing, Gaelic football which shares elements of both soccer and rugby, and hurling which requires greatly delicate ball skills and strong bones.

Scotland

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is a handsome and ancient city. It is most famous for its magnificent castle and Palace of Holy Roodhouse, as well as for a world-acclaimed international arts festival and its excellent museums – not least the National Museum of Scotland.

Southern Scotland is unnecessary underrated; it has great features, home to gorgeous scenery such as the hills of the Trossachs and the Highlands with a mixture of mountains, sea cliffs, glens and lochs which covers the northern two-thirds of the country. Other great places to visit are Inverness, Forth William and Ben Nevis, which is Britain’s highest mountain.

Thrilling wilderness experiences can be had in Scotland, the most visited is the long rocky chain off the Atlantic coast, from Arran to Skye to the Western Isles, where the terrain harbors some of the last of the Gaelic language. The scenery of Scotland offers some of Britain’s finest bird watching and some great archeological remains.

Wales

Wales is the perfect picture of perfect scenery, from the rolling moorlands, its fabulous glaciated mountains, castles in all directions and old milling towns. You can take great walks and go cycling through all areas of the country, whether you are adventurous or not, Wales can take everyone’s breath away. There is also a vast amounts of water for water sports and fishing, and there is also available to you adventure sports and horse riding.

Castles are everywhere over Wales, from tiny little stone keeps of the early princes of Wales and the Carreg Cennen to the fortresses of Edward I such as Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech. There is also links to the pre-Roman era with great sites such as medieval monastic houses like Tintern Abbey; all of these sites enhanced by the beauty of the Welsh countryside. Such a fantastic site to see in Wales is the Cambrian Mountains, and the soaring peaks of Snowdonia National Park, great walks can be taken through the trails to explore the wonderful natural beauty of Wales. All of these glorious sites added to the exciting nightlife of Cardiff, you are sure to find something to suit everyone with a great destination at your fingertips.

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