Travel Planner: England

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Have you been penciling a trip to England? You are in for a special vacation! England is not only about drinking countless pins of beer in the pubs or celebrating the victory of a football team; this country has a long, agitated history with kings and queens. The towering castles and palaces are the most visible marks of the cultural and architectural heritage left behind by the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans, the English ancestors. England is famous for providing the tourists the best vacations, ranging all the necessary ingredients: famous castles and palaces, museums, impressive bridges, towers, pubs and bars to gather and have outdoor fun, fashion shows and enormous shopping boulevards.

Nevertheless, if your time on the English territory is limited, here is a brief guide listing the places you must see in order to have an overview on the largest country in the United Kingdom.

London

When touring England, the first city you have to drop by is its beautiful capital, London. Many tourists that have seen all the capital cities in Europe claim that London is the most thrilling of all. Its beauty is the result of a mixture between architectural styles, colourful gardens and parks, glossy shops and modern transportation. London is word-renowned for its spectacular trademarks.

Firstly, in the core of the city the Tower of London rises grandiosely. Lengthways time, this tower had multiple functionalities: it was a fortress, a royal residence and a prison. In spite of that, nowadays it houses the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Another worth-seeing place in London is the Greenwich settlement, located on the south bank of the River Thames. This district contains an outstanding royal palace, the Greenwich Park and many other Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Secondly, the Kew Gardens attracts about a million of tourists a year. If you want to have a break from the noisy city, take a walk in these spectacular gardens and botanical glass houses and you’ll forget even that you’re tired.

However, it is the Tower Bridge that stands nowadays as a prominent symbol of London. Considered at the time of its construction an architectural and an engineering jewel, the Tower Bridge has preserved its functionality and beauty.

Furthermore, London is a home for the site containing Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margret’s Church. The Palace of Westminster is far-famed in the whole world. If you’re keen on politics and history, go pay a visit to this towering 19^th century building which is nowadays the residence of the Houses of the Parliament. However, it might take you a whole day to visit the enormous Palace. The building has also imposing towers. Still, the most famous is the Clock Tower where lies the equally well-known Big Ben. Once at the Palace of Westminster you might want to stop by the Westminster Abbey, too. This Gothic church serves as a place of both coronation and burial for the Monarchs of Commonwealth Realm. Nearby, is situated St. Margaret Church, if you want to check it out.

Moreover, if you are in London during the eight weeks out of a year (in August and September) when the Buckingham Palace is open for public tours, you definitely don’t want to miss it out. In this way, you could admire the Queen’s residence and the Changing of Guards.

On the one hand, for those of you who are interested in art, in the National Gallery are exhibited valuable collections of European painters. If you seek for culture, go also to The British Museum. On the other hand, for the literature and theatre enthusiasts, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a “must see”. There are interesting shops so you could buy a pretty gift for your significant other.

Another touristy spot in London is Madam Tussaud’s Museum. It is a perfect choice for a day out because it could be quite entertaining to meet in person your favorite star. One little disadvantage: the celebrities are actually wax statues. However, they look real.

It is compulsory to mention that in every part of London, the buildings are rich in history. It’s absolutely overwhelming!

In order to do something British yourself, take the tube or the double-decker when touring the capital city of England.

Lake District

You could also endeavour a trip to the Lake District, in the north-western side of England. It is the best place to breathe fresh air and to go for a walk in the oak forests. The lakes are surrounded by mountains, creating a spectacular landscape and apart from that, the area features the Lake District National Park.

Stonehenge

Dating back around 3000-3100 BC, the fame of this prehistoric monument has made the tour of the world. The monument contains earthworks which enclose a circular scene of tall standing stones. The foundation of the monument is a controversial issue. It is not known how the stones got there and how they were lifted on over the other, taking into account the fact that in those early times technology didn’t exist.

Alton Towers

If you travel with your family, the Alton Tower resort is an excellent destination. Your children will be delighted! If you’re fearless, you have the choice of riding a rollercoaster or you could simply enter the Pirate Ship. You could also use the skyride to move from the Towers Street to the Forbidden Valley and Cred Street.

York

This charming medieval city is one of England’s top attractions. A visit to the city often centers on the York Minster (a Gothic cathedral in the heart of the town), the Clifford’s Tower and on the Shambles. This last attraction is in fact a very narrow street, where a ring of shops are aligned. We advise you to enter the elegant Bettys Café and enjoy either a cup of coffee or a traditional tea. Traditional English dishes are served as well.

Generally, travelling is essential when it comes to enlarging your vision of the world we live in. You get to know new people and various cultures. Still, travelling in England is an enriching experience regardless of your destination. This place has a marvelous history. Nevertheless, your trip might go wrong if you forget your umbrella, a compulsory accessory when dealing with the rainy, cloudy English days!

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