England is the largest of the three political divisions within the island of Great Britain. Bound by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, England is no more than 29km (18mi) from France across the narrowest part of the English Channel. Much of England is flat or low-lying. Of course, London is the jewel in the crown of the British Isles, but there is so much more to see! 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 beautiful and famous for giving towns names no one can really pronounce! Go and give it a try! Ireland brings to mind a way of life most of us have never actually known with it’s beautiful rolling green hills and friendly people. Much of Ireland's elevated ground is close to the coast, and almost the entire Atlantic seaboard, from Cork to Donegal, is a bulwark of cliffs, hills and mountains. Scotland
is about half the size of England, and roughly two-thirds
of the country is mountain and moorland. Geographically,
it can be divided into three areas: the Southern Uplands,
the Central Lowlands and the Northern Highlands and
Island. A side to Scotland, the home of golf is a must
for all duffers! 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. England - Port City - Bristol Bristol
is located on the southwest coast of England. There
are many museums and attractions here, not the least
of which is it’s proximity to Bath, famous for the Roman
spa. It has been a major port since the 12th century.
This city is proud of it’s history and it’s link to
the ocean and is a combination of the best of Old England
and it’s determination to be a viable city in the 21st
Century. England - Port City - London One
of the world’s largest and most famous cities, London
is the destination for those who are curious about history,
literature, music, and royalty. It has dominated the
world stage for so long that people who have never been
there can identify landmarks such as Big Ben, London
Bridge,the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Windsor
Castle. Visit Harrod’s for a shopping experience and
then witness the Change of the Guard. Plymouth was heavily bombed during World War II, so most of it has been rebuilt. A statue of Sir Francis Drake greets the sailor to these shores, warning of the rocky port. This famous port city is best known as the departure port for the Pilgrims when they set sail for the New World in 1620 on the Mayflower. England - Port City - Guernsey Take a walk along the stunning clifftops and enjoy the natural beauty of Guernsey with its unspoiled beaches and mild climate. Or try some of the local seafood—it will likely be the best you’ve ever tasted. A tour to historic Castle Cornet, standing guard over the harbor since the 13th century, is a must. Scotland - Port City - Edinburgh Situated
on extinct volcanoes, the historic Old Town extends
down from the Edinburgh Castle, once home of Mary Queen
of Scots, poised on one of the peaks, to Arthur’s Seat,
another volcanic peak located in Holyrood Park. 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. Iona has been a religious bastion since 563 when one of the first Christian Centers was built here by St. Columbia. This was the burial site of Scotland’s ancient kings and a place long revered by Scottish people as an ancient seat of power and a hallmark in Scottish history. Scotland - Port City -Invergordon Invergordon, one of Britain’s finest natural harbors, is the gateway to the heart of Scotland’s Highlands. Take an excursion to Loch Ness, home of “Nessie” the monster, or to one of the romantic castles in the area. Or just enjoy a scenic ride along the lovely glens and highland villages. Scotland is host to the greatest concentration of Malt Whisky distilleries in the world. Malt Whisky is usually classified in one of four main categories - Highland, Lowland, Speyside, and Islay - according to the location of the distillery in which it is made. Scotland - Port City - Lerwick Lerwick’s large harbor is very busy with yachts in the summer and all sorts of other crafts year around. The Shetland Museum, with artifacts from days gone by, provides an insight to the region’s colorful past. Island
Trails Tours Guided Tours of The Shetland Islands -
See
and Hear Shetland Its magnificent landscape, its history, its people, and its stories. If you have a week, a couple of days or even just an afternoon, Island Trails can ensure that your experience is a truly magical one. Each tailored tour is unique, meaning that you'll make the most of your precious moments on the Islands. Island Trails is operated by Elma Johnson, a native of the isles whose comprehensive knowledge and passion for Shetland's beauty, its past and its folklore has made her one of Scotland's most noted cultural tour guides. Island Trails, Seaview, Bigton, Shetland ZE2 9JA, UK Scotland - Port City - Rosyth A trip here would not be complete without a visit to the legendary Edinburgh Castle. It is close enough to Edinburgh to see the sights there, and to admire the rough, wild countryside that is Scotland. Scotland - Port City - Stornoway In this isolated town, the people still speak Gaelic and herding sheep is the mainstay of the economy. Visit the Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor’s Centre, built approximately in 3000B.C. These stones are set in the shape of the Cross and is a remnant to the stormy history of the Scottish people. Scotland - Port City -Tobermory The land is wild, the climate hostile and the people are feisty. Perhaps they had to be to live in some of these isolated and barren villages along the coast. Visit this town in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands and see a simple, beautiful way of life long forgotten by most of us. Scotland - Outer Hebrides The bleak, remote and treeless islands of the Outer Hebrides run in a 130-mile (209km) arc, completely exposed to the gales that sweep in from the Atlantic. The horizon is wide, with white beaches, peat moors and long, low vistas of sky and water dominating. One of Scotland's largest centres for the crofting way of life and Gaelic culture, Protestantism makes it also one of the world's last refuges of the strictly held Sabbath. Tiny Barra is just 12 miles (19km) around and ideal for exploring on foot. It encapsulates the Outer Hebridean experience, with its beautiful beaches, Neolithic remains and strong sense of community. Heading north, expansive South Uist is the second-largest island in the group. The west coast is low with an almost continuous sandy beach, while the hilly east coast is cut by four large sea lochs. Ireland - Port City - Cork Stroll along the beautiful stone warehouses adorning the quays or relax at one of the quaint pubs or charming cafés.The weather is warmest in July and August and the daylight hours are long, but the crowds will be greatest, the costs the highest and accommodation harder to come by. Visiting Ireland in June or September has a number of attractions: the weather can be better than at any other time of the year, it's less crowded and everything is open. Ireland - Port City - Dublin One of Dublin’s most interesting sights is Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. Across the College Green sits the Parliament House, constructed in the 18th century. Elegant Merrion Square, designed in Georgian style, is another historic highlight. Dublin has a wide range of accommodation possibilities, though it's wise to book ahead in summer. Ireland - Port City - Dun Laoghaire One of Dublin’s most interesting sights is Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. Across the College Green sits the Parliament House, constructed in the 18th century. Elegant Merrion Square, designed in Georgian style, is another historic highlight. Ireland - Port City - Waterford Founded by Vikings around 1,100 years ago, this port on the banks of the River Suir has a unique character due to its maze of ancient streets lined by buildings of many ages. The city became famous for its glass industry, considered the best in Europe. Ireland - Aran Islands The three Aran Islands - Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer - are long, low limestone moonscapes of bleak but rare beauty. They are home to some of the most ancient Christian and pre-Christian remains in Ireland; the massive Iron Age stone forts at Dun Aengus on Inishmor and Dun Conchuir on Inishmaan are of particular note. Almost nothing is known about the people who built these structures. The
islands are criss-crossed by intricate stone walls,
built over thousands of years and creating tranquil
avenues of much-needed shelter from the wind. Inishmaan
is the least visited island, while Inishmor is the most
popular with day trippers. Inisheer lies closest to
land, just 8km (5mi) from Doolin in County Clare. Ferries
to the islands operate from Galway City, Rossaveal and
Doolin.
Europe
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