United Kingdom Vacation 2020, Visa cost and Places to Visit
United Kingdom Vacation 2020, Visa cost and Places to Visit.
United Kingdom Vacation – You will have a thrilling vacation in the UK. The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The history of the area is prolific and the literary, political, and cultural influence of this country dates back centuries. The UK is a favorite travel destination for those interested in history or literature.
The area is diverse in that it has cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, and beautiful countryside. Many people use London as a jumping-off point for exploring all of Europe because the international flights into the city are some of the cheapest in the region. Traveling around the country is fairly easy, although it can be quite expensive.
Trains connect many parts of the country and tickets should be purchased well in advance if you’re hoping to get a decent deal. There are sometimes discounts available so do some research ahead of time to learn what package best suits your needs.
Buses travel throughout the entire country and, although they are not as convenient as in Italy or Germany, they are still a reliable and slightly more affordable option.
If you’re really hoping to spend a good amount of time in the countryside, it is best to rent a car. Prices can be high but the benefit is obvious as this allows you to see villages at your own pace and head into more rural areas that aren’t accessible by public transportation. The area is well known as an expensive travel destination, even by European standards.
In particular, you can expect the bulk of your money to go towards transportation, accommodation, and food. Transportation costs are generally unavoidable, but by slowing down your trip and visiting fewer cities and towns you’ll dramatically cut down on your overall trip cost.
If you’re willing to partake in serious cost-saving measures, hostels are available in most touristy areas but they remain quite expensive as well.
Couch-surfing is a great option if you’re on a particularly tight budget. Food can be more affordable if you by it at a supermarket or head to the pub for fish and chips.
While it’s almost impossible to visit this country cheaply, there are some things you can do to keep your budget a little more in check.
Language of the UK
The official language of the United Kingdom is English, which is spoken by approximately 59.8 million residents, or 98% of the population.
An estimated 700,000 people speak Welsh in the UK, an official language in Wales, and the only official language in any part of the UK.
The currency of the UK
The pound sterling is the world’s oldest currency which is still in use. It is one of the most traded currencies in the world. Its symbol is £, and its currency code is GBP, which is an abbreviation of “Great Britain Pound.”
Popular Cuisine in the UK
Curry: This is the British version of Indian Curry. It often includes meat like roast beef or fish. It’s cooked with typical Indian spices and often adds some coconut for flavor. It’s served with rice and is really quite delicious. It’s available at most casual restaurants and pubs around town.
Haggis: This is a traditional Scottish dish that is made from a unique combination of sheep parts as well as onions, oatmeal, spices, and stock. It’s traditionally cooked in a sheep’s stomach lining and served like a sausage.
Meat & Vegetables: The typical British dinner includes basic meat prepared with two boiled vegetables. It’s a simple dinner, but quite filling and ubiquitous. If you’re invited into someone’s home this is likely a meal you will be served as it’s common for most British families.
The climate in the UK
In general, we have warm summers and cool winters. Summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder. The overall climate in England is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0ºC in winter and not much higher than 32ºC in summer.
Accommodation Cost
The average price of a night in a UK hotel in 2016, was just under £100 – but the average price of acceptable hotel accommodation in most major cities was still above £100, with London and Edinburgh leading at about £135 to £145. Check out some of these ideas on how to save on accommodations. And if your aim is London, have a look at some cheaper places to stay just outside the capital.
Food and Drink cost
Expect to pay a minimum of £25-£30 per person per day. If you’re really on a very tight budget, these are some ways to save on food and drink.
How much money will you need in the United Kingdom?
£117 ($141) is the average daily price for traveling in the United Kingdom. The average price of meals in the United Kingdom for one day is £28 ($34).
The average price of a hotel in the United Kingdom for a couple is £117 ($141). Additional pricing is in the table below. These average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Top Places to See in the UK:
1. Loch Ness and Inverness
Despite the fact that the legends of mythical monsters have largely been debunked (just don’t tell the locals), spectacular Loch Ness remains an extremely popular tourist attraction for travelers heading to Scotland.
While it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any monsters, you will, however, be rewarded with seeing some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.
Highlights include the ruins of Urquhart Castle, overlooking the loch, one of Scotland’s largest fortifications (the current structure dates from the 14th century).
For those wanting to learn more about the area’s many legends, the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibitionrecounts its history, along with that of its monster, including details of ongoing searches for the elusive creature.
2. Liverpool and Manchester
Thanks to its international airport, Manchester is often the first stop for many visitors planning to explore northern England, Scotland, or Wales.
Highlights include Castlefield, popular for its well-preserved Victorian houses, canals, and Roman ruins, as well as the many old warehouses now serving as trendy shops, hotels, and restaurants.
Other attractions include Manchester Cathedral and the historic Town Hall, as well as a rich cultural scene that includes museums (Museum of Science and Industry), galleries (Manchester Art Gallery), and entertainment (Chinatown).
3. The University Towns of Cambridge & Oxford
The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of its most famous university towns also ranking highly as tourist destinations.
An easy commute north of London-and just 128 kilometers apart-Cambridge and Oxford have for centuries been rivals for the title as the country’s top academic establishment, a rivalry celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race, which takes place each spring on the River Thames.
Despite this generally good-spirited rivalry, each location offers plenty of attractions to make them worthwhile additions to your UK travel itinerary.
Highlights of a visit to Cambridge include the chance to wander the UK’s largest collection of preserved historic buildings, many of them located within an easy walk of Cambridge University’s 31 colleges, the oldest of which was founded in 1284.
In addition to touring the stunning college grounds (only a handful of the university’s buildings offer tours), visitors to Cambridge should also take a punt along the River Cam, as well as explore the old town center.
4. Medieval York and its Minster
One of northern England’s most popular tourist destinations, the medieval city of York, long the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England, boasts one of the country’s most magnificent cathedrals.
The country’s largest medieval church, York Minster can trace its roots back to the spread of Christianity in the 3rd century, although the splendid present Gothic structure was built almost 1,000 years later.
Highlights of a tour include the opportunity to view its 14th-century stained glass windows, plus the richly decorated interiors of the choir and north transept. Also worth a visit is a crypt, which contains parts of the original 11th-century church the cathedral now stands on.
5. Idyllic England: The Cotswolds and Lake District
Covering almost 1,287 square kilometers of pristine countryside, the beautiful Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the most photographed corners of the UK.
Located an easy day trip west of London and close to the popular tourist attractions of Bath and Bristol, the Cotswolds includes some of the best parts of the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
Travelers flock here to experience a true taste of rural English life, and to explore its many quaint village greens and idyllic pasturelands.
One of the most popular ways to do this is via the area’s extensive trail network, including the excellent 16-kilometer-long Cotswold Way.
Other fun things to do include horseback riding and biking, or simply soaking up the history of popular market towns such as Castle Combe or Tetbury.
CSN Team.
