UNITED KINGDOM

8th country of destination by international tourist arrivals in 2012
29.3 million visitors per year (+0.0)

TOP TRAVEL DESTINATION: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (short: UK)

The United Kingdom, a top travel destination which almost does not required any introduction to the world. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland generally known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain is a sovereign state in Europe. The United Kingdom is consisting of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. The UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea.

Many of islands which are close to Europe and the British Isles have been the case to many invasions and migrations, especially from Scandinavia and the continent, including Roman occupation for several centuries. British colonies contributed a good and extraordinary growth to the development of the United Kingdom's economic and also strengthened its voice in world affairs. The United Kingdom's population is more than 60 million which is the third largest in the European Union.

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The Climate

This top travel destination has different types of weathers in different parts. Usually, the United Kingdom has a temperate climate with good rainfall throughout the year which gives a good and enjoying sense of being a top travel destination. The temperature varies as the seasons and drops around below −11 °C (12 °F) or rising above 35 °C (95 °F). The Atlantic currents from the west are warmed by the Gulf Stream which brings mild winters. Summers are warmest in the south-east of UK as it is close to the European mainland and coolest in the north. Snowfall occurs in winter and early spring.

The variations in the weather can be felt even within a relatively short geographical distance. There may be snow in Wales but seldom in Manchester.

Northern UK – In comparison to the southern part of UK the northern part has lower temperatures. As one moves towards south the temperature gets warmer.

North-East UK – This region is the coolest in the country and dry throughout the year.

North-West UK – The region has cool summers, mild winters and heavy rain with respect to the seasons

South UK – This region offers the best weather with mild winters in UK. The south coast of UK is the sunniest part of the country.

South-East UK – South-East has more temperature variations with warmer summers and cooler winters.

South-West UK – This region of the top travel destination offers warm summers, mild winters and rain throughout the year especially during winter.

East UK – As compared to the other parts of UK this region have less rainfall.

West UK – This region offers warm summers, mild winters and heavy rain. Most rain falls over the mountains in the western part of the UK.

The Culture and Religions

The culture of the United Kingdom has been influenced by many factors which include the nation's island status, its history, a major power in the world as well as being a political union of four countries with each preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. The UK’s cultural diversity is mainly because of migration within the British Isles and by immigration from Europe and overseas. Many people in UK have ancestries that are mixtures of the four nationalities of the British Isles.

The UK has been a multi-religious nation and the major religions in UK include: Christians, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.

Places to tour in United Kingdom

Many cities and towns in the United Kingdom are of interest to travellers as it is a renowned top travel destination. UK offers a great variety for the tourists in it hence it is always a top travel destination. Here are the main tourist places in UK:

London – The capital and one of the most important cities in the world which ruled the British colonies.

Edinburgh – Host to the largest arts festival in the world and numerous tourist attractions and is the second most visited city in the UK

Belfast – The capital of Northern Ireland and a popular top travel destination and the current planning for the city is making it a wooing modern one.

Birmingham – Enjoy the great shopping experience and the culture of the city.

Cardiff – Find the modern architecture and one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK.

Liverpool – Famous for its culture in music, sport, nightlife and westernize.

Manchester – Enjoy bohemian music scene, culture & nightlife. It is home to the world’s only new work arts festival.

Stonehenge – Find the ancient sites and stone circles.

Gower Peninsula – A peninsula in south Wales, flows from the coast into the Bristol Channel.

When to go

The best time to visit this top travel destination is mainly spring which offers the countryside at its greenest, autumn brings the bright colors of the northern moorlands and summers are warm which gives rise to the many outdoor music and theater festivals. The cheapest time to travel to Britain is during the off season which range from November to mid-December and from January to March.

Travelling in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, a top travel destination can be toured by the following modes:

By plane – Given the short distances involved, flying is rarely the cheapest or most convenient option for domestic travel within the UK

By train – UK has extensive privatized train network of around 34,000km covering major part of the country. But as compared to the Germany and France the network is slow here.

By bus – Local bus services cover the entire country, but are of variable quality and cost.

By boat – Private yacht helps one to enjoy gorgeous scenery and distances from the inevitable crowds of tourists that flock to these destinations. It links the mainland to many offshore islands.

Organized tours – Organized tours are a great way to see the sites and soak up the local mixed culture – especially if you’re travelling alone or are a first-time traveler. Check out some of the options for tours in the UK.

Major Airports

– Heathrow
– Gatwick
– Manchester
– Stansted
– Birmingham
– Glasgow
– Edinburgh
– Belfast International

So, don’t miss it, just get ready for the tour to the United Kingdom, the top travel destination in the world.