Scotland: an Itinerary in 10 Steps
Scotland is part of the four nations building up the United Kingdom; it is located in the North of England. Languages spoken are English, Scottish Gaelic and Scots. Famous for its Celtic legends and its wild landscapes, Scotland promises to dazzle you! If you have three/four days only, plan a short itinerary including Edinburgh and an insight of the Highlands with Loch Lomond. If you have more than a week, have a look at the itinerary below: First step: Edinburgh Necessary time: 2 days Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital, the city reveals much curiosity: between its cobbled streets, its neo classical and neo gothic architecture, its legends and undergrounds you cannot be bored! You cannot miss Edinburgh castle as it dominates the town, perched high up on Castle Rock hill. Then, visit the Mary King’s Close, a maze of streets and undergrounds built by the inhabitants in the 17th century, the…
Things to Do in Bath and its Surroundings
1- Bath : a guided tour of the city and the Roman Baths Bath is a town located in Somerset, it was originally founded by the Romans due to the proximity of thermal baths. Thanks to the baths and the gorgeous Georgian architecture the city slightly became more and more famous. It is now classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Have a guided tour of the city to admire the numerous architectural buildings and above all, visit the Roman Baths, a symbol of the city. 2- Cardiff : a guided tour, the castle and the Big Pit Museum Cardiff is Wales’ capital city, it is located to the West of Bath (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away). Cardiff is famous for hosting many high-profile sporting events, it was even awarded the title of European Capital of Sport in 2014; rugby is the “favourite” welsh sport. If you are a…
What Makes Christmas Special in the UK?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it really is in the UK when the country sparkles and there’s a special atmosphere in the air. It may not be as it is portrayed in Dickens novels with snow covered streets and Victorian lanterns and decorations, in fact white Christmases are rare, but there is something quite magical this time of year around the country… 1. Christmas Lights Most cities, towns and villages are twinkling by the time December comes around. High streets adorn beautiful lights, the most famous being those in Central London. The lights down Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Regent Street have become a tourist attraction in their own right and special walking tours and open top bus tours are available to book with Maypole Travel to get the best possible experience. People also look forward to the spectacular window displays at Harrods and Fortnum…
Top 6 Things to Do in Liverpool
Liverpool is the fourth biggest city in England, it used to be a major port due to his strategic location. It is a rich city in terms of architecture and culture, to be absolutely visited! Discover 6 things to do below: 1- A guided tour of the city Liverpool is a surprising city, mixing modernity and a range of different architectural styles going from the Tudor era until today. Liverpool is home to several ethnic communities, the Chinese community being the oldest in Europe. We can find the tallest Chinese arch of Europe standing in the quarter of Chinatown (it measures 44 feet). 2- Albert Dock Liverpool counts several docks, the most famous being the Albert Dock which gathers several classified buildings. The dock was once used to receive exotic goods such as cotton, tea, silk, sugar… Albert Dock is one of the most visited attractions of…
6 Day Trips from London
London is a dynamic city which never sleeps. But this hustle and bustle can sometimes be exhausting… therefore, discover 6 day trips from London to escape the hectic city life: 1- Windsor Windsor is a market town located in the Royal Borough of Windsor. The town is mainly famous for its castle, being the Royal family official residence; it has become even touristier due to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The town also has a lovely covered market, narrow streets, cafés, shops and… Legoland! Crossing the Thames River you will find Windsor’s twin town, Eton. This historic town is mostly famous for hosting Eton College boarding school. Eton College is one of the 4 remaining single-sex boys public schools in the United Kingdom. 2- Brighton Brighton is THE seaside town to go to when it’s sunny. Admire the impressive Pier of 1,722 feet long, it remains…
5 English Specialities to Taste
Are you planning to spend a few days in the United Kingdom? Here are 5 food specialties not-to-be-missed: 1- Fish & Chips Fish & chips is a very popular dish in the UK, composed of fried fish, chips and sometimes mushy peas. British people love it because it can be eaten on the move and is fast to cook. 2- The Full English Breakfast The Full English Breakfast is a traditional British breakfast composed of bacon, sausages, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms and tomatoes. There are variants of the dish that can include black pudding, hash browns etc. 3- Shepherd’s Pie The Shepherd’s pie is a meat pie recovered of a mash potato crust; it looks a lot like the French Hachis Parmentier. 4- The Cornish Pasty The Pasty is a dish coming from Cornwall, with ground beef, potatoes, onion and rutabaga, the whole mix is put into a…
United Kingdom: following in Harry Potter’s footsteps
From the book’s being published to the eight films’ release, the Harry Potter saga has been and still remains a huge commercial success. But more than that, Harry Potter became a phenomenon and had a cultural impact worldwide. So, if you are a fan, why don’t you organise a road trip to the United Kingdom in search of the filming locations?! Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland It’s this viaduct located in Scotland that the Hogwarts Express goes through to reach the famous School. You can embark on the Jacobite Train, a steam railway leaving from Fort William going to Mallaig. Perfect for an authentic visit of Northern Scotland! Christchurch College, Oxford Who ever dreamt of going to school and have a dining room looking like the Hogwarts’ one, with its endless ceiling and all those appetising delicacies?! This room is real and looks very much like the one in the…
North Wales: an Under-Rated Area
Whereas Scotland and Ireland are competing for first place in terms of a nature friendly country, Wales remains an under-rated and little-known location. South Wales attracts more tourists due to Cardiff, Wales’ capital city. Discover in this article the numerous attributes that North Wales has to offer and why you absolutely need to go! The Peacefulness North Wales is still not very touristy so it’s very pleasant to travel to and visit the country at your own pace without crowds of tourists. A heaven of serenity! The Atmosphere Wales is a typical area where people speak English and Welsh. Welsh is still taught at school and it’s the first Celtic language spoken in the world after Irish. All the road signs are in English and Welsh. Welsh people are very proud of their nationality and like to hang up the country’s flag everywhere (a red dragon on a white…
5 Off The Beaten Track Activities to Do in the United Kingdom
Even if we are only separated by the English Channel, French people are much more different than their British neighbours’ who have activities and food specialties of their own! Discover in this article 5 unusual activities to do in the UK: 1- Highland Games If you are travelling to Scotland you must participate or at least attend the Highland Games, a famous competition celebrating the Scottish Celtic culture. During the games, opponents go up against each other around trials such as the caber toss, weight throw etc. The event is a unique symbol of gathering, especially around Celtic music (bagpipes, harp…) and Scottish dance. 2- Surf Who says you only surf in Australia?! The United Kingdom offers numerous surfing spots such as Watergate Bay in Corwall, Llangennith and Freshwater in Wales, and for the most experienced Thurso East in Scotland. Don’t worry if you don’t like surfing – get your…
Top 3 must see Universities in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is famous for the prestigious reputation of its Universities. You must have certainly heard about Oxford and Cambridge, probably even without having visited the England? Below you will find a list of the top three University cities of the U.K.: 1- Oxford The University of Oxford is the oldest University of the United Kingdom and all Anglophone countries; it dates back to 1096 which is when they first started teaching here. A lot of celebrities have studied here, just to mention a few: Albert Einstein, Adam Smith, Margaret Thatcher and even Hugh Grant! Impressed? Oxford is a small city situated in the North-West of London, very practical for a day out if you are staying in London. Amongst the many things to do, you could have a walking tour of the city and of course you must visit Christchurch College, the biggest building of the University. Christchurch…