UNITED KINGDOM

The UK has some of the world's most popular holiday destinations. The bustle of historic cities, the pleasures of the seaside, the tranquility of its wild natural places, ancient monuments, country houses, castles, fishing rivers, architecture, spectacular natural wonders.....the UK has something for everyone.

VISA The visa is to be obtained prior to arrival in the country

REGIONS IN BRIEF:

The UK is made up of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland.

England Capital: London

Main places are London, York, Blackpool, Manchester, Stratford, Cambridge, Winchester,

Salisbury, Stonehenge, Cornwall & Devon.

Scotland

Capital: Edinburgh

Main Places are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Iona & Skye

Wales

Capital: Cardiff,

Main Place to visit are Cardiff and Swansee

Northern Ireland

Capital: Belfast (Pls refer to the Ireland Travel Tips)

LANGUAGES:

The two official languages in Britain are English and Welsh, English being the most widely spoken. Scottish Gaelic is also spoken in some parts of Scotland.

TIME ZONE:

Summer: 4.5 hrs behind IST

Winter: 5.5 hrs behind IST

HOW TO GET THERE:

By Air: British Airways (BA), Air India (AI), Virgin Atlantic(VS), Jet Airways(9W) fly directly into London.

Most International Carriers like Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines etc fly into London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow etc.

CURRENCY:

Great Britain Pounds (GBP)

The pound sterling is valid across the country, but Scottish banks also issue their own banknotes. These are generally accepted in England, but if problems do arise, most banks will exchange Scottish currency for pound sterling hassle-free. Travellers' cheques are widely accepted in banks and you might as well buy them in pounds sterling to avoid changing currencies twice. Cash points (ATM’s) are very common in Britain: most are linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks.

CLIMATE:

Great Britain is subject to a temperate maritime climate, experiencing warm wet summers and cold wet winters. In the south-western regions it is sunnier than the north with less rainfall. Southwest England and the Channel Islands have the mildest climate. Rainfall is not unusual in every season; humidity is generally high, especially in winter.

Temperatures in winter range from 3 to 9 degrees sometimes colder, and in summer between 17 and 24 degrees.

CLOTHING:

Britain's weather is nothing if not unstable; therefore, a raincoat is necessary all year round. Medium weight clothing is advisable for most of the year. In the United Kingdom, informality is the rule, except in the good hotels and restaurants. Good sensible pair of shoes are also recommended. Woollen jumpers are also necessary, even though you would be advised to bring along some summer clothes in case of changes.

ELECTRICITY: The electrical current is 240 Volts, AC 50 Hz.

ENGLAND

England is a country of great contrast and diversity with incredibly diverse countryside, arresting cities and picturesque towns and villages. It is the largest and most peopled country of the United Kingdom. Housing an unrivalled legacy in the fields of theatre, literature and architecture, England has one of the richest traditions of theatre and literature in the world.
Stately homes and fine churches and cathedrals dot the country. Because of its colonial past, England is a veritable treasure trove of masterpieces from every age and every continent

The city is characterised by happening city life, old-fashioned customs and progressive culture, Mediterranean beaches and great mountains. England's largest city, London, is also the capital of the United Kingdom is also the political, cultural and economic capital of the city. London is an exciting capital city, famed for first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry, its world-class restaurants and theatre.

WHEN TO GO:

Anyone who spends any extended period in England will sympathise with the locals' obsession with the weather, although in relative terms the climate is mild and the rainfall is not spectacular. The least hospitable months for visitors are November to February - it's cold and the days are short. March and October are marginal - there is more daylight but it can still be very cold. April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly, when most sights are open, and when most people visit. July and August are the busiest months and best avoided if possible. The crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:

London is one of the most important air-transport hubs in the world and the centre for discounted long-haul airfares, so there are plenty of opportunities to find cheap flights.

By Air: Wide range of air services linking major cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh

British Airways (BA), Air India (AI), Virgin Atlantic(VS), Jet Airways(9W) fly directly into London, most international carriers fly into different airports in England.

By Rail: Two services operate through the Channel Tunnel: Eurostar is a high-speed passenger service between London, Paris and Brussels;

BritRail: Extensive privatised train network, covering most of the country, from Penzance to North Scotland.

Train services in Northern Ireland are operated by the state owned Translink

By Road: Eurotunnel has a shuttle service (Le Shuttle) for cars, motorbikes and buses between the English port of Folkestone and the French port of Calais.

By Bus: National Express and the new cut-price Megabus provide an alternative to train travel.

By Waterway: If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of a tunnel or want to get some fresh air in the English Channel, you can get a bus or train connection to mainland Europe with a short ferry or Seacat ride thrown in. The boat trip on the shortest routes (from Dover or Folkestone to Calais or Boulogne) takes about 90 minutes; the Seacat takes about 35 minutes.

Ferries link the mainland to the many offshore islands including the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Orkneys and Shetland islands.

Ferries go to France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia from a number of southern and eastern British ports; to Spain from Portsmouth; and to Ireland from a handful of western English ports.

GETTING AROUND:

Public transport in England is generally of a high standard, but can be expensive.

Buses or coaches are the cheapest but slowest way to get around. On longer journeys they are also the least scenic way to travel. National Express and the new cut-price Megabus provide an alternative to train travel.

England has an impressive rail network, which includes a couple of beautiful lines through sparsely populated country.

Fast Intercity trains make air travel unnecessary unless you're in a real hurry.

Car hire is worth considering if you want to explore some of the remoter towns and villages at your own pace.

EVENTS:

For the sporty, the traditional Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race is held in London on the River Thames in late March. The famous but gruelling Grand National steeplechase takes place at Aintree, Liverpool, on the first Saturday in April. The FA Cup final takes place in May. Lawn Tennis Championships, complete with strawberries & cream and tantrums by major players, take place at Wimbledon in late June. The champagne quaffing set head for the Henley Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames also in June, the Cowes Week yachting extravaganza pushes off on the Isle of Wight in late July.

Those uninterested in ball games and fast-moving animals should check out the Chelsea Flower Show at London's Royal Hospital in May. The Trooping of the Colour pageantry takes place on the Queen's birthday in London in mid-June, and the Bacchanalian Glastonbury Festival music extravaganza which swamps Glastonbury's paddocks in June; with the riotous (in the best possible sense) Caribbean carnival exploding in London's Notting Hill in late August.

ACTIVITIES:

England may be densely populated but it is also criss-crossed by footpaths and rights of way, which provide access to just about every nook and cranny of the country if you want to take a short stroll. The more energetic should tackle at least one long-distance walk. The best of the hikes include the south-west Coast Path around the dramatic shores of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset (up to 14 days); the picturesque Cotswold Way (five days); and the dramatic moorland and coastal scenery of the Cleveland Way (up to a week). Cycling is another great way to get off the beaten track and down some unexplored country lanes; the main roads are best avoided. The best beaches for swimming are in Devon and Cornwall; the best surf is on Cornwall's West Coast, notably at Newquay.

LONDON

CITY LAYOUT:

Central London - Underground’s Circle Line is a fair boundary.

The City (the financial district).

The West End

Upscale neighborhoods of Belgravia, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Paddington and   Bayswater, Earl’s Court,and Notting Hill.

London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First Worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. Unlike comparable European cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but that is part of its appeal. Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized Monopoly board clogged with traffic. Even though you probably will not know where you are exactly, the names will at least look reassuringly familiar. The city is so enormous; visitors will need to make maximum use of the underground train system.

CLIMATE:

London is a year-round tourist centre, with few of its attractions closing or significantly reducing their opening hours in winter. Your best chance of good weather is, of course, at the height of summer in July and August, but there is certainly no guarantee of sun even in those months - plus it's when you can expect the biggest crowds and highest prices.

April/May and September/October are good times to visit London: there is a better than average chance of good weather and the queues for popular attractions are hours shorter. During these periods, the cost of getting to London is cheaper and you might even find some decent accommodation. If you don't mind braving the cold and shorter daylight hours, the cheapest fares and hotel prices are available from November to March.

GETTING AROUND:

Airports: There are 5 airports in London. For transfers directly between London’s airports, the fastest way is the direct inter-airport service by National Express.

Heathrow airport is accessible by bus(National Express bus service (to Victoria Station, takes 40 mins to an hour), London Underground (Piccadilly line) and the Heathrow Express, which makes the journey from Paddington Station to Terminals 1-3 in 15 minutes and to Terminal 4 in 20mins. Hotelink (a mini-van shuttle service).

The Gatwick Express runs between Gatwick airport and Victoria station in 30 minutes

The Stansted Express will get you to Stansted airport from Liverpool Street station in 60 minutes

London City Airport

Luton Airport

Train: London is served by one international rail link, currently operating out of St. Pancras International – the Eurostar. There are no fewer than 12 main line terminal stations, forming a ring around Central London and each serving various parts of the country.

The mainline (National Rail) train stations are: London Paddington, London Marylebone, London Euston, London St Pancras, London King’s Cross, London Moorgate, London Liverpool Street, London Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, London Cannon Street, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, London Blackfriars, London Waterloo and London Victoria.

Tube: London Underground - also known popularly as “The Tube”. London's tube is legendary, but mainly because it's not that much fun to use. Although the tube network is immense, buses are more pleasant and interesting, as long as the traffic's not gridlocked. Travelcards can be used on all forms of transport. Several rail companies now run passenger trains in London, most of which interchange with the tube.

London’s iconic red buses are recognised the world over.

Cabs: London's famous black cabs are excellent but expensive. Minicabs are cheaper competitors, with freelance drivers, but you cannot flag these down on the street.

If you'd rather drive yourself, you're in for a parking nightmare - it's almost impossible to get a park in the city centre, and the punishments for parking illegally are cruel and unusual indeed.

MUST SEES:

Trafalgar Square:

It's the heart of visitors' London, beating with tour buses, cameras and flocks of persistent pigeons. On the square's northern edge is the National Gallery, which has one of the world’s most impressive art collections. Famous paintings include Cézanne's The Bathers and van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding. Entry to the gallery is free. Also in the vicinity are the National Portrait Gallery, a place to see lots of faces from the Middle Ages to modern times, and St Martin in the Fields, with an adjoining craft market and a brass-rubbing centre in the crypt.

Westminster Abbey:

The resting-place of the royals, Westminster Abbey is one of the most visited churches in the Christian world. It is a beautiful building, full of morose tombs and monuments, with an acoustic field that will send shivers down your spine when the choirboys clear their throats.  In September 1997, millions of people round the world saw the inside of the Abbey when TV crews covered Princess Diana's funeral service. Since then the number of visitors has increased by 300%, and the visit is now more restricted, with some areas cordoned off.

Houses of Parliament:

The awesome neo-Gothic brilliance of the Houses of Parliament has been restored. The building includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There's restricted access to the chambers when they're in session, but a visit around 6pm will avoid the worst of the crowds. Check the time on the most recognisable face in the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben. Nearby, 10,Downing St, the official residence of the prime minister and the chancellor of the exchequer (no 11), has been guarded by an imposing iron gate since the security forces realised that the lone iconic bobby outside Maggie's door was not sufficient to stop the IRA mortar bomb attack in 1989.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum:

It is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life sized models of celebrities like politicians, royal, stars, sportsmen and famous criminals as well!. Also at the site is the Tussaud’s Auditorium (Planetarium) on of the biggest in the world, ready to amaze the visitors with its views of the universe.

Tate Britain:

The Tate Britain is the keeper of an impressive historical archive of British art. Built in 1897, the Tate is currently undergoing an ambitious programme of expansion. When all is complete, there will be six new galleries for temporary exhibition and nine new or refurbished ones for the Tate's permanent collection of peerless Blakes, Reynolds, Gainsboroughs, Hogarths, Constables, Turners and Pre-Raphaelite beauties.

Its sister gallery, the brand-spanking new Tate Modern, is housed in the former Bankside Power Station. The Tate Modern displays the Tate's collection of international modern art, including major works by Bacon, Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, as well as work by more contemporary artists. The building is as exciting as the art: gorgeous industrial-strength red brick with a 325ft-high (99m-high) chimney. The former turbine hall, below street level and running the length of the vast building, now forms the awe-inspiring entrance to the gallery.

Buckingham Palace:

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837.
It evolved from a town house that was owned from the beginning of the eighteenth century by the Dukes of Buckingham. Today it is The Queen's official residence, with 775 rooms.

The State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors during the Annual Summer Opening in August and September. They are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.  

Not far off and definitely worth a stroll is St James's Park, which is the neatest and most royal of London's royal parks. Just near the park's northern edge is the Institute for Contemporary Art, a great place to relax, hang out and see some cutting-edge film, dance, photography, theatre and art.

Covent Garden:

Once a vegetable field, attached to Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden became the low-life haunt of Pepys, Fielding and Boswell, and then a major fruit and vegetable market, and is now a triumph of conservation and commerce. The car-free piazza is surrounded by designer gift and clothes shops, hip bars and restaurants. Stalls selling antiques and bric-a-brac share the arcaded piazza with street theatre, buskers and people-watchers.

British Museum:

The most trafficked attraction in Bloomsbury! It is the oldest, most august museum in the world, and has recently received a well-earned re-jig with Norman Fosters glass-roofed Great Court. Highlights include the Assyrian treasures and Egyptian mummies; the exquisite pre-Christian Portland Vase and the 2000-year-old corpse found in a Cheshire bog. With the removal of the British Library to St Pancras, the Reading Room is now open to the public.

Bloomsbury is a peculiar mix of the University of London, beautiful Georgian squares and architecture, literary history, traffic, office workers, students and tourists. Its focal point, Russell Square, is London's largest square.

St Paul's Cathedral:

Half the world saw the inside of St Paul's Cathedral when Charles and Diana tied the knot here in 1981. The venerable building was constructed by Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1710.Its famous dome, the biggest in the world after St Peter's in Rome, no longer dominates London as it did for centuries, but it's still quite a sight when viewed from the river. Visitors should talk low and sweetly near the whispering gallery, which reputedly carries words spoken close to its walls to the other side of the dome.

Cruise on River Thames:

London was built along the shores of the Thames 2,000 years ago – what better way to experience the city than to travel along its river on a Thames River Cruise!

You’ll get stunning uninterrupted views of the Gothic style Houses of Parliament, the London Eye perched high over the River, the South Bank Arts Complex built for the 1951 Festival of Britain and of course many of London’s famous bridges the way they were meant to be seen – passing under them!  A Thames Waterman will point out places of interest along the way.

The London Eye:

At 443ft tall the London eye is the most spectacular additional to London’s skyline. With incredible view of the most of the London’s major attractions, it is a must see for all the visitors.

Tower of London:

Jet black ravens guard this ancient fortress steeped in centuries of murder, treason and the untold secrets of the condemned...  Hear the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey - Queen for 9 days, and the story of the 2 young Princes who were never seen again, as well as other tales of royals and noblemen meeting their end within the cold cruel walls of the Tower.  A hallowed spot even before the fortress was ever built; it’s hardly any surprise the ghosts of the Tower linger long after you leave...  The splendidly dressed Beefeaters will tell you about the Tower’s history, and of course you must visit the Crown Jewels including the 6,000 year old Koh-I-Noor diamond worn by all the Queens of England since Victoria as well as the other regalia used during coronation ceremonies. 

Victoria & Albert Museum:

The Victoria & Albert Museum, on Cromwell Rd in South Kensington, has an eclectic mix of booty gathered together under its brief as a museum of decorative art and design. It sometimes feels like an enormous Victorian junk shop, with nearly four million artefacts on display. It's best to browse through the collection, checking out the Chinese ceramics, Japanese swords, cartoons by Raphael, sculpture by Rodin, the Frank Lloyd Wright study and the pair of Doc Martens.

Also on Cromwell Rd, the Natural History Museum is one of London's finest Gothic-revival buildings. Check out the mammal balcony, the Blue Whale exhibit and the spooky, moonlit rainforest in the ecology gallery.

Camden Markets:

The huge Camden Markets could be the closest England gets to free-form chaos outside the terraces of football stadiums. They stretch between Camden and Chalk Farm tube stations, incorporating Camden Lock on the Grand Union Canal. The markets include the Camden Canal Market (bric-a-brac, furniture and designer clothes), Camden Market (leather goods and army surplus gear) and the Electric Market (records and 1960s clothing).

After Camden Market, the colourful Portobello Market is London's most famous weekend street market and is best seen on a Saturday morning before the gridlock sets in. It's full of antiques, jewellery, ethnic knick-knacks, second-hand clothes and fruit and vegetable stalls. Starting near the Sun in Splendour pub in Notting Hill, it wends its way northwards to just past the Westway flyover.

Hyde Park:

The humongous Hyde Park used to be a royal hunting ground, was once a venue for duels, executions and horseracing, and even became a giant potato field during WWII. It is now a place of fresh air, spring colour, lazy sunbathers and boaters on the Serpentine. Features of the park include sculptures by Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore and the Serpentine Gallery, which holds temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

Near Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner started life in 1872 as a response to serious riots. Every Sunday anyone with a soapbox - or anything else to stand on - can ramble on about anything at all.

Kew Gardens:

Kew Gardens, in Richmond, Surrey, is both a beautiful park and an important botanical research centre. There's a vast expanse of lawn and formal gardens and two soaring Victorian conservatories - the Palm House and the Temperate House, which are home to exotic plant life. It's one of the most visited sights on the London tourist agenda, which means that it can get very crowded, especially in the summer.

Other sightseeings:

Kensington Palace, Dali Universe, Wimbledon, Greenwich, Notting Hill, Richmond, The West End, London Dungeon.

Excursions from London:

Brighton:

England’s most spectacular seaside resort town.

Canterbury:

The historical cathedral city of Canterbury, with its narrow streets and walkways, is best explored on foot. It is has been the ultimate destination for pilgrimages in England as described ion Chaucer’s Canterbury tales. Key sights are Canterbury Cathedral, ruins of the abbey of St Augustine.

Stonehenge:

Five-thousand-year-old Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric site in Europe, but it remains both a tantalising mystery. It consists of a ring of enormous stones topped by lintels, an inner horseshoe, an outer circle and a ditch. Although aligned to the movements of the celestial bodies, little is known about the site's purpose. It is estimated that it would take 600 people to drag one of these 50-ton monsters more than half an inch. The downside of Stonehenge is that it's fenced off like a compound; there are two main roads slicing past the site; entry is via an incongruous underpass; and clashes between new age hippies and police at summer solstice have become a regular feature of the British calendar. Each year New Age Druids celebrate the summer solstice, but closer access at other times is strictly limited.

Georgian Bath:

The jewel of the West Country and a City famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and greenery.  Enjoy a panoramic tour of Bath - you’ll be enchanted by its beautifully proportioned streetscapes and lovingly cultivated flowerbeds that are a feast to the eye at every turn. You'll see the 'lantern of the West' Bath Abbey, the often-photographed Pulteney Bridge, modelled on the Florentian Ponte Vecchio, and the marvellously symmetrical and perfectly proportioned Georgian Crescents that helped make Bath so famous. 

Other excursions:

Leed’s Castle, Windsor, Hampton Court Palace etc.

The Cotswolds:

This limestone escarpment, 18 miles northeast of Bristol, overlooking the Severn Vale, is an upland region of stunningly pretty, gilded stone villages and remarkable views. Unfortunately, the soft, mellow stone and the picturesque Agatha Christie charm have resulted in some villages being overrun by coach tourists and commercialism. Renowned villages include Bibury (claimed to be the most beautiful village in England); the chocolate-box town of Bourton-on-the-Water; and the breathtakingly pretty Chipping Camden. The best way to explore the Cotswolds is to walk; the 100-mile Cotswold Way is a gem of a hike, full of history and interesting terrain that make the abundance of quaintness easier to swallow.

Oxford:

Arguably the world's most famous university town; Oxford is graced by superb college architecture and oozes questing youthfulness, scholarships and bizarre high jinx. The views across the meadows to the city's golden spires are guaranteed to appear in three out of 10 English period dramas, but they manage to remain one of the most beautiful and inspiring of sights. Back in the real world, Oxford was a major car-manufacturing centre until the terminal decline of the British car industry and is now a thriving centre of service industries. The pick of the colleges are Christ Church, Merton and Magdalene, but nearly all the colleges are drenched in atmosphere, history, privilege and tradition.

Stratford-upon-Avon:

A market town at the edge of the Forest of Arden made famous for being the birthplace of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare.  Visit the Tudor-style birthplace of William Shakespeare, gaining a fascinating insight into his childhood with its typical parlour, bedrooms, kitchen, buttery and of course the glove-maker's workshop used by John, Shakespeare's father.

Then it's a short drive over to the medieval Warwick Castle, most of whose magnificent towers and ramparts are still intact.  Warwick Castle will take you back through its 1,000 year history as you enter over the footbridge to a bygone world of banquets, battles and ceremony.  Visit the Tussaud’s waxwork, or if you're feeling brave visit the spine-chilling dungeons where prisoners were tortured.  You might wish to stroll through the Castle's delightful and lovingly tended gardens set in the peaceful surroundings of England's finest medieval Castle. During the summer months, archery, falconry and jousting take place.

York:

This proud city attracts millions of visitors, but it's too old, too impressive and too convinced of its own importance to be overwhelmed by mere tourists. For nearly 2000 years it has been the capital of the north, and played a central role in British history under the Romans, Saxons and Vikings. Its spectacular Gothic cathedral, medieval city walls, tangle of historic streets and glut of teashops and pubs make it a great city for ambling around. York Minster is the largest cathedral in Europe, and right up there with the world's great buildings. The city's Museum Gardens are amongst the most beautiful in Britain and include a number of picturesque ruins and buildings.

Lake District:

The most green and pleasant corner, the landscapes of the Lake District are almost too perfect for their own good: 10 million visitors can't be wrong, but they can sure cause a few traffic jams. The area is a combination of luxuriant green dales, modest but precipitous mountains and multitudinous lakes. Each of the lakes has its own distinct character: wisdom holds that Ullswater, Grasmere and Windermere are the prettiest, but Wast Water, Crummock Water and Buttermere are equally spectacular and far less crowded. Be prepared to hike into the hills, or visit on weekdays out of season if you have any desire to emulate the bard and wander lonely as cloud.

SHOPPING:

Whether you are after expensive Jewellery and designer labels or hunting for a bargain, London is the place to shop. There are world famous chic stores for the fashionable, markets for the trendy and toys shop for the kids, as well as all kinds of specialist stores.

Normal shopping hours in central London are 0900 hrs – 1730 hrs Monday to Saturdays, with many shops now open on Sundays too. Those in the West End and Kensington High Street stay open until 1900 hrs.

Harrod’s promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in the world.

FOOD:

The choice of restaurants in London is truly international. From huge American portions of steaks and fries to delicate French cuisine and from real Italian pasta to spicy Indian Curries. For a great range of Chinese restaurants, head for Chinatown, just behind Leicester Square. You can have fun while you eat at London’s theme restaurants, like the Fashion Café, Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Café. One of the newest additions is the Rainforest Café in Piccadilly Circus, where you can shop and eat. Many of the London’s top hotels, such as the Ritz and the Meridien, serve delicious afternoon teas with cream cakes, delicate sandwiches and the most refined service.

NIGHT LIFE:

You can dance the night away in countless nightspots. They range from the West End hotel dinner dances to theatre – restaurants such as the Talk of London, in Drury Lane, where you can dine, be entertained and dance in lavish surroundings.

If you like pop or rock music there are endless nightspots to choose from. The most glamorous is probably Stringfellows in Upper St. Martin’s Lane. A few minutes walk away, close to Leicester Square, in Charing Cross Road, is the Hippodrome, notable for its spectacular light show and moving stage.

EVENTS:

There are countless festivals and events in London. It all kicks off with the New Year's Eve fireworks and street party in Trafalgar Square, followed by the New Year's Day Parade. On Shrove Tuesday pancake races are held in Covent Garden, and in early May more serious racers take part in the London Marathon. All London gets its colours on for the FA Cup Final in mid-May. There's even more colour at the Chelsea Flower Show, held on the last week of May.

Trooping the Colour, the Queen's birthday parade, is held in June; Wimbledon runs for two weeks in the same month. In July the world's biggest military tattoo, the Royal Tournament, is held in Earl's Court, and the raucous Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets in August. Horsey folks can't resist late-September's Horseman's Sunday in Hyde Park, with more than 100 horses receiving the blessing from a vicar on horseback, followed by horse jumping in Kensington Gardens.

Things wind down as the weather gets colder, though there's plenty of bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night, on the 5th of November. The Lord Mayor's Show is held in late November, complete with floats, bands and fireworks. Trafalgar Square lights up in December with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree.

SCOTLAND

Scotland provides superb opportunities to enjoy wild, grand unspoilt scenery, which is often even more impressive than the postcards suggest. It also offers an array of towns and cities boasting a rich cultural life, an excellent mix of accommodation and exquisite places at which to eat and drink.

Friendly and welcoming, Scotland is an interesting and colourful all-season destination, where scenery and environment, sport and leisure pursuits, heritage and history, culture and cuisine each conspire to provide the visitor to Scottish shores with a thoroughly enriching and unforgettable experience

WHEN TO GO:

The best time to visit Scotland is between May and September. April and October are acceptable as far as weather goes, but a lot of places are closed in October. Aside from those interested in skiing or frostbite, the Highlands are pretty much off limits during winter, but Edinburgh and Glasgow are still worth visiting. Edinburgh becomes impossibly crowded during the festival in August, and you will have to book a long time in advance.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:

There are direct air services from London and other European cities to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness or Kirkwall.

From Europe it's often cheaper to fly to London then catch a train or bus north. It is a one-hour flight from London to Edinburgh, but once you add on the trip to and from the airport you are getting close to the four-hour rail trip.

Long-distance buses are usually the cheapest method of getting to Scotland. A train from London can get you to Edinburgh in four hours, Glasgow in five, but tickets are fairly pricey. Scotland has ferry links to Larne, near Belfast, and to Belfast itself. In summer, there is also a weekly ferry between Aberdeen, the Shetlands and Norway, and a twice-weekly ferry from Aberdeen to the Faroes.

For those with their own transport, main roads are busy and quick - Edinburgh is 600km (373mi) from London and it will take you about eight hours to drive it.

GETTING AROUND:

Public transport in Scotland is generally good, but it can be expensive compared to other European countries.

By Air: Only British Airways and its subsidiaries are doing domestic flights in Scotland.

By Coach: Haggis Backpackers bus service runs between Scotland's Youth Hostels, as does Macbackpackers. Citylink bus company (Scotland's major player) has a tourist pass which can be used on all their buses.

By Rail: Scotland’s rail network not only includes excellent cross- border intercity services but also a good internal network. All major towns are linked by rail and there are links to the western seaboard at Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh (for ferry connections to Skye and the western isles) and to Inverness, Thurso and Wick for ferries to Orkney and Shetland.

By Road: Roads are generally good and far less busy than those in England are. On back roads you may have only one lane and petrol stations may be few and far between (as well as extremely pricey). Walking and cycling are popular and rewarding ways to explore Scotland.

By Boat: Boats run to most of the islands from Oban, Mallaig and Ullapool, or you can get a ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney or Shetland.

Currency:

The Pound Sterling (GBP) is valid on both sides of the border, but Scottish banks also issue their own banknotes. These are generally accepted in England, but if problems do arise, most banks will exchange Scottish currency for pound sterling hassle-free. Travellers' cheques are widely accepted in banks and you might as well buy them in pounds sterling to avoid changing currencies twice. Cashpoints (ATM’s) are very common in Britain: most are linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks.

ACTIVITIES:

Considering its breathtaking natural beauty and abundance of destinations for activity-based holidays, it's surprising that Scotland has only just got around to implementing a national parks system - the first, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, only opened in 2002. The 95-mile (153km) West Highland Way takes walkers through spectacular Highland scenery, leading all the way from Glasgow to Fort William - very handy for those aiming to climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak. The Trossachs, in the heart of Rob Roy country, are also popular with walkers.

Cyclists in search of the wild and remote will enjoy the Highlands and islands of the northwest. The Hebridean Islands in particular provide superb cycling opportunities. Less intrepid cyclists will favour the lochs and glens of the central and southern areas. Britain's biggest skiing centre is in Aviemore, but there are also skiing opportunities in Glencoe, Nevis, Glenshee, The Lecht, and Nevis Range.

Golf is a major attraction in Scotland, where there are more courses per capita than in any other country in the world. Britain's best surf can be found in the north, particularly around Thurso.

Fishing is expensive and heavily regulated; the Spey and surrounding lochs in the Cairngorm area present good opportunities to catch a couple of trout or salmon.

On the West Coast and in the islands, birdwatchers will find the marine-bird-spotting opportunities of their dreams. Finally, many trips to Scotland are complete without a visit to Loch Ness for a bit of Nessie-spotting, but, hey, if you've got the time, why not? It's a lovely, eerie place, and the perfect lair for a monster.

CITIES:

EDINBURGH:

Edinburgh is one of the world's greatest cities. Its dramatic site, extraordinary architectural heritage and cultural vigour soon charm all visitors. The crowded tenements of the historic Old Town contrast with the orderly grid of the Georgian New Town, which in most cities would be a historic enclave by itself. Backdrops include glimpses of the Firth of Forth, the Pentland Hills and classically draped Calton Hill.

Getting There

There are regular flights from London to Edinburgh.

Trains depart frequently from London King’s Cross direct to Edinburgh. The total journey time is around four hours and thirty minutes.

There is also regular coach service by National Express from London to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is best seen on foot, and the best place to start is Edinburgh Castle: beautiful, romantic and a reminder of the city's bloody past. Its foundations date back as far as 850 BC, and the oldest surviving section dates from 1130. From the 11th to 16th centuries, the castle was the symbolic seat of Scottish royalty, and today it's still home to the army's Scottish Division. It sits at the western end of the Royal Mile, which runs down to the more comfortable royal accommodation at the Palace of Hollyroodhouse. This thoroughfare contains an extraordinarily intact streetscape, which has survived from the 16th and 17th centuries. A walk down some of the alleys that run off it is to rediscover the vital city of that time. Several museums and restored town houses in this vicinity give fascinating insights into urban life of the 17th century.

Nearby Calton Hill is worth climbing for its superb views and romantic monuments dating from the Enlightenment, when the city was known as the 'Athens of the North'. Before you walk down into the New Town, have a look at Greyfriars Kirk, site of the signing of the National Covenant in 1638. The graveyard was the backdrop for one of Disney's most heart-rending films, Greyfriars Bobby, the story (based on legend) of a little Skye terrier which held vigil for 14 years over the grave of his master.

New Town lies to the north, separated by the sunken railway line and Princes St Gardens, which feature the Gothic Sir Walter Scott Monument. Georgian order and elegance are reflected in New Town's beautiful squares, circuses and terraces. The National Gallery of Scotland has an impressive collection of European art, while the pageant of Scottish history can be seen at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Edinburgh has a rich and varied cultural life, from the Tattoo to the International and Fringe festivals. These are times to be sure to book accommodation well in advance. B&B accommodation is one of the best ways to get an insight into the daily life of Edinburgh's residents. There is a handy concentration north of New Town and in the suburb of Newington, south of the city centre. Numerous youth hostels are sprinkled on the city's outskirts. Surprisingly, the Royal Mile has numerous good-value and enjoyable eateries, with everything from Singaporean satays to traditional Scottish cuisine.

Other attractions:

Others: Museum of Scotland, Our Dynamic Earth, Royal Yacht Britannia, The Scotch Whisky Experience, Ghost Tours

Excursions:

St Andrews

Rosslyn Chapel

Inverness

Loch Ness

GLASGOW:

Long overshadowed by Edinburgh, a mere 30 miles (48km) away, Glasgow actually has a lot to offer. It has left its reputation as a black hole of unemployment, economic depression and urban violence far behind. The 1980s and '90s saw the city reinvent itself culturally and socially. You're in no doubt that this is a Scottish city, brimming with vibrancy and energy. The city centre is built on a grid plan on the north bank of the shipbuilding River Clyde. Sights are spread over a wide area, with Sauchiehall Street the place to go for shops, pubs and restaurants.

The oldest part of the city is to the east, around the intact Gothic masterpiece of Glasgow Cathedral, St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life & Art and the oldest house in Glasgow, 15th-century Provand's Lordship. Heading back west, an interesting walk takes you through the gracious houses and commercial structures of 18th-century Merchant City. Busy Sauchiehall St is home to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Art Nouveau masterpieces of the Glasgow School of Art and the still-operational Willow Tearoom. The Tenement House is an extraordinary time capsule, providing vivid insight into middle-class city life at the turn of this century.

Also not to be missed is Glasgow's top cultural attraction, the Burrell Collection, housed in the Pollok Country Park 3 miles (5km) south of the city. Its idiosyncratic collection includes Chinese porcelain, medieval furniture and impressionist paintings, housed in one of the world's few inspirational buildings to be built in recent times.

EVENTS:

The highlight of Scotland's calendar is the Edinburgh Festival, held every August. This is one of the world's most important arts festivals, and its Fringe claims to be the largest in the world, with over 500 performers pushing the boundaries every year. The city's Military Tattoo is held in the same month, as is the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh Book Festival and Glasgow's World Pipe Band Championships. September's Braemar Gathering is attended by the queen in Braemar, with other games held all over the country. All Scotland hits the streets for Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of New Year, and you can expect a better party than you've had for some time. For some truly unruly rugby, try the Ba' in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, which has been held on Christmas Day and New Year's Day for centuries. It consists of two teams and some 400 alcohol-fuelled players, who turn the entire town into a giant rugby pitch for the day. The game starts at the cathedral and the harbour is one of the goals. Puritans should steer well clear.

Wales is rolling moorlands, glaciated mountain areas, mellifluous male-voice choirs, very long place names, Rugby Union, 'Bread of Heaven', romantic castles, people with querying lilts, cheese on toast and old mining towns. Wales is also rampant deforestation, marching power lines and the gradual replacement of 19th-century mining ugliness with late 20th-century industrial playgrounds. The backbone behind this strange mixture of beauty and ugliness, poignancy and affliction is Welshness - a strength of spirit and character which despite centuries of neglect and attempted assimilation remains defiant.

WHEN TO GO:

Spring and autumn are probably the best times to visit Wales if you want to avoid the July and August crowds. It's even less busy in winter, but many attractions close in mid-October and don't reopen until Easter. Some mountain passes can be snowbound in winter.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:

By Air: The international airport at Cardiff is mainly used for holiday charter flights, although there are some scheduled flights to Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast, Brussels, the Channel Islands, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, Manchester and Paris.

By Bus: Long-distance buses are the cheapest method of getting to Wales, with several services running between English and Welsh cities.

By Train: A train will take less than two hours to get you from London to Cardiff. Most of Wales' big cities are linked to England by rail. The Channel Tunnel means you can travel by train from Cardiff to Continental Europe, via London of course.

By Road:  It takes about three hours to drive from London to Cardiff, and the motorways make most drives into Wales quick and easy.

Ferries link Ireland to Holyhead, Pembroke, Fishguard and Swansea.

GETTING AROUND:

Distances are small, but with the exception of links around the coast, public transport users have to fall back on infrequent and complicated bus timetables. There are no internal flights. Wales has some fantastic train lines, particularly along the Cambrian coast and down the Conwy valley. The country's two main motorways are top-class, but elsewhere the roads are slow, though still good. Snow and ice can make the higher roads treacherous, or close them altogether. Boats travel out to the islands of the Pembrokeshire coast and the Lyn Peninsula.

ACTIVITIES:

Wales vigorously promotes itself as the place to come for an activity-based holiday. Perhaps the most obvious activity is the country's popular network of walks. The most challenging are around the rocky Snowdonia or the moody Brecon Beacons national parks. Wales has seven long-distance walks, the most famous being the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and Offa's Dyke Path. Slightly less busy are the 274-mile (441km) Cambrian Way and the 120-mile (193km) Glyndwr's Way. Pony trekking opportunities are found throughout Wales, in particular around the Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacon national parks. Cyclers will experience quiet roads and the odd strenuous hill by cycling through the Cambrian and Black mountains or the Brecon Beacons; the Pembrokeshire coast has flatter terrain.

Wales' southwest coast has a number of passable surfing spots, including Porthcawl, Oxwich Bay, Rhossili, Manorbier, Freshwater West and Whitesands. Canoeing and white-water rafting are good in Snowdonia, and Llangollen on the River Dee has a reputation as a canoeing centre. Canal cruising along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is a breeze, partly because there are only six locks along its 33-mile (53km) length. Spelunkers can head for the Brecon Beacons, where there are several limestone cave systems.

EVENTS:

Wales wouldn't be Wales without eisteddfodau. The big one is the Royal National Eisteddfodd of Wales, a moveable show held in early August, but you could also try the International Eisteddfodd, held in Llangollen every July, or the Urdd (Youth) Eisteddfodd held in May. Wales' yearly festival of cows and ploughs, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, is on at Llanelwedd in mid-July.

Cardiff:

A busy commercial and university city, the Welsh capital doesn't usually appear near the top of visitors' must-see lists. However, those who linger will discover its striking city-centre castle, important national museum and art gallery, redeveloped docks area and pockets of beautiful architecture. Don't miss also the Millennium Stadium, opened in 1999 and home to Welsh Rugby. It's also the temporary venue for major English football matches. Cardiff is a good place to base yourself because it's surrounded by interesting sites and transport links are good.

Cardiff has a good selection of B&B accommodations, sprinkled along Cathedral Rd, to the west of the city centre, and on Newport Rd to the east. Purveyors of Welsh specialities such as Rarebit (the Welsh version of cheese on toast) and Laverbread (a nicer-than-you'd-think seaweed concoction) can be found in the city centre, along with coffee shops and bistros serving more usual fare. Rugby is Cardiff's most popular form of entertainment, but there's also theatre, an arts centre and a pop arena for those who want to avoid the scrum.
Snowdonia National Park:

Britain's second-largest national park, after the Lake District, Snowdonia covers 840 sq. miles (1352 sq. km) of North Wales, including Snowdon - at 3560ft (1068m), the highest peak in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands. About 500,000 people touch the rugged summit every year, whether by climbing, walking or taking the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Long the testing ground of more ambitious mountaineers (Edmund Hillary, for example), Snowdon's many trails make the summit accessible to hikers of varying abilities. The park also contains rivers, lakes, waterfalls, forests, moorlands, glacial valleys and a lovely coastline, as well as Stone and Bronze Age burial chambers, Roman forts, Norman castles, steam railways and relics of the country's mining heritage. Centres include the climbers' haven of lakeside Llanberis, postcard-pretty Betws-y-Coed, the former slate-mining village of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the castle town of Harlech.

Brecon Beacons National Park:

This popular park measures only 15 miles (24km) from north to south and 45 miles (72km) west to east, yet it comprises four mountain ranges and a variety of terrain: privately owned slopes grazed by sheep and yet more sheep, mining valleys and bare escarpments. Most visitors are walkers heading for Offa's Dyke Path, which passes along the eastern border, or the Taff Trail, heading south from Brecon. Principal centres include the historic market town of Brecon, the self-styled 'Gateway to Wales' town of Abergavenny and eccentric Hay-on-Wye. Offa's Path runs through the Black Mountains, which boast the best views, with sights such as the ruins of Llanthony Priory, the River Honddu, the pretty church at Patrishow and the highest peak at Waun Fach. The highest point in the bare-crested hills of the Brecon Beacons is Pen-y-Fan.