The United Kingdom is a massively popular destination for tourists from all over the world. This damp little island contains thousands of years worth of history, culture and development and is well worth a visit as theres something to suit every taste. The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each of which has their own capital city. Weve put together this guide to take you through some of their highlights to give you a feel for the place.

Considered to be one of the worlds major cities, London is located in south-east England and is the capital of the whole UK. Key attractions include Whitehall where you can stop and see the famous black door of 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. Also really popular among tourists is the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Youll also be spoiled for choice with the massive array of restaurants, theatres, museums and myriad other attractions available throughout the city.

If you visit Scotland, then you definitely need to go to Edinburgh, its capital city. One of the main attractions is Edinburgh Castle. This overlooks the city and was built over 1000 years ago, making it an absolute must see. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is also impressive and features a great art collection as well as being a royal residence. You could also see the Penguin Parade at Edinburgh Zoo. Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature and in 2009 was voted the best place to live in the UK.

If you visit Wales, then you should definitely see its capital city, Cardiff. Take in the sights on a boat ride round Cardiff Bay, which is a key attraction and the largest waterfront development in Europe, or perhaps go for a walk along Mermaid Quay. If you like music festivals, then you should visit The Big Weekend, a free festival featuring bands and the UKs largest traveling funfair. You could also see a free concert at the Wales Millennium Centre or visit the Impressionist paintings at the National Museum Cardiff.

Northern Ireland may have a somewhat troubled history, but its capital city of Belfast was recently announced as the safest city in the UK and so is a great place to visit. For some fantastic concerts, check out the Waterfront Hall or, if youre on a budget, City Hall offers free guided tours. You could also go on the Titanic boat tour, celebrating Belfasts achievement in building the Titanic. Saint Annes Cathedral is also impressive and is close to some lovely cafes and galleries.

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Flights to Southampton are getting more frequent due to the addition in the amount of cruise ships going from Southampton harbour. As a larger number of people discover the enjoyment and the value cruises offer it is hardly surprising. Southampton flights are available from many regional airports throughoutBritain

You can cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands and see the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There are also sailings across the Atlantic ocean to the big apple and trips around Britain. Another favorite cruise particularly with older tourists is around the Scandinavian region. The most frequent area for cruising is around the Mediterranean and travelling to the umpteen fashionable and intriguing locations available.

The advantage of leaving from Southampton is that it can save travellers money on costly European air tickets. Numerous holidaymakers arrive at Southampton by automobile or train and can begin enjoying the ships amenities right away. If you live in Edinburgh in Scotland perhaps you may find that Edinburgh flights to Southampton are a lot more affordable and more favourable than having to fly out to someplace in Europe to join a cruise ship.

Other advantages of leaving from Southampton for people who are going by motorcar to the port is that they do not have to care about the weight oftheir baggage. Most airlines have significant extra luggage costs, which may add to the price of your vacation particularly if there are a number of you travelling. Most cruises require evening suits, evening dresses and blazers on certain evenings during the holiday. These extra clothes could add to the size of your luggage and is something first time cruisers should be conscious of.

Not only are there different cruise itineraries on offer from Southampton there is also many diverse cruise companies with vessels based in Southampton. Each cruise ship can offer you different vacation options such as dress code, ships amenities, kid’s clubs and no minors!

There is also special cruises that offer a unique cruise theme such as a dancing cruise or a cruise with rare invited talkers on a particular subject. Make sure you research all the cruising options prior to making any cruise selection.

When work gets you down or you just want a change of pace for a few days, there are some fun weekend breaks found in the UK that will recharge your batteries. The United Kingdom may be known as a land of courageous knights and long standing monarchies, but it is also a place of entertainment and revelry. If you are planning on making a weekend of it in the United Kingdom, there some essential locations that will maximize your getaway.

One place that you must visit in the UK is the seaside borough of Blackpool. This town that lies on the western shore of England along the Irish Sea houses attractions that bring visitors from all over the world. The beach is the driving force behind Blackpools tourism and runs along the entire waterfront. Winter Gardens is the home of the world-renowned Blackpool Dance Festival, one of the largest ballroom dancing competitions in the world. One of the best times to visit Blackpool is in late August, at the start of Blackpool Illuminations, a 7-mile long festival of lights that will literally brighten any weekend trip there.

Theme parks were seemingly made for weekend breaks, and Alton Towers is the UKs finest. The park is located in Staffordshire, England and welcomes nearly 2.7 million visitors each year. Alton Towers is famous for its top-notch roller coasters such as Nemesis and Oblivion, but there are scads of other attractions found there. Kids will have a blast in Storybook Land and Old MacDonalds Farmyard which is home to a relaxing petting zoo. There are also the historic areas of The Gardens, home of the Chinese Pagoda Fountain and the Swiss Cottage. Also, you will come across The Towers, an area molded from the ruins of the towers that graced the Talbot family estate and that gave the park its name.

For a more relaxing, natural weekend break, the New Forest is ideal. Becoming a National Park in 2005, it is not even two hours from London and offers miles of soothing walking trails, opportunities to visit quaint little villages, and views of a scintillating coastline. Grazing ponies are encountered all over the park but they are privately owned, so guests will have to sign up for a horseback tour if they wish to ride. Both seclusion and good company are in abundance at the New Forest.

The UK plays host to destinations that are both dazzling and bustling as well as relaxed and comforting. Each member of the family will find something to remember on a fun weekend break to the UK. Pack up the family and some extra clothes and head out for a quick break in the United Kingdom.

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