Think about traveling in Europe. Which places flash in your mind? Italy? Germany? France? What about the United Kingdom? If you didn’t think of it, you’re not alone. Perhaps because we share a common language, many Americans tend to forget that that nation is part of Europe.
Located off the Northwestern coast of continental Europe, The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These countries are all similar in that they are governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system, but that is where the similarities end. Each country is culturally different and very diverse.
England is the largest of the countries in the United Kingdom and has plenty to offer the European traveler. With multiple international airports, it is the perfect place to stop over for a few days, or to spend your entire vacation. From dungeons to the Tower Bridge, and from Buckingham Palace to picturesque villages and lush rolling hills, England has something for everyone.
Scotland, the second largest of the countries in the United Kingdom, is best known for its castles, whiskey, and the Loch Ness monster. When considering a trip to Scotland, most people don’t think it could be a beach vacation, but they should. Scotland’s coastline is over 8,000 miles long with magnificent scenery everywhere you look. There are quiet, off the beaten path beaches whose beauty comes in the form of white sand with gorgeous views of green hills and jagged cliffs, and there are also well-known beaches considered to be excellent surf spots.
Wales, bordered by England to the East and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to the West, also has a lot to offer. Stay a few days in a sleepy seaside village where you can experience and enjoy the local culture in a peaceful and friendly environment, or visit Snowdonia, the highest mountain in Wales, or spend the day hiking through the forests where beyond every tree is a sight so breathtaking that even the best photographs would not do it justice. No matter which of its areas you visit, you will be amazed at how extraordinary this small country is and how much there is to see and do.
Northern Ireland is home to the city of Belfast, the birthplace of “The New Wonder of the World,” better known as the most legendary passenger ship the RMS Titanic. As with the rest of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland is full of quaint towns and villages and beauty as far as the eye can see. It is also considered to be one of the finest angling spots in all of Europe. If you’re into game, course, or sea fishing you’re sure not to be disappointed.
The United Kingdom is an easy place to navigate as it has the best public transportation system in the world. Each and every part of this nation is connected to itself and to the rest of Europe by bus, rail, ferry, or airplane. The United Kingdom is known as the gateway to Europe, making it the perfect destination or stop-over point for any journey.
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