Travel Tips for United Kingdom

8/8/2019 Travel Tips for United Kingdom

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UNITED KINGDOM

The UK has some of the world's most popular holiday destinations. The bustle of historic cities,the pleasures of the seaside, the tranquility of its wild natural places, ancient monuments,country houses, castles, fishing rivers, architecture, spectacular natural wonders.....the UK has

something for everyone.

VISA REQUIREMENTS: Valid Passport 1 Visa Application form duly filled in and signed. 2 Recent Passport size coloured photographs. (45 Mm Wide by 35 Mm, White

Background) Covering letter from the applicant his name, designation, purpose and duration of visit. Financial Solvency Proof - Income Tax Return papers, copies of credit cards, any other

form of property, family financial status proofs like bankbooks, pay slips. NOC from the employer Original bank statement for the last 6 months. Proof of Accommodation in U.K

Draft: Rs 5400 approx subject to change without prior notice

Time taken is 3 working days.

Please note above are the standard documents that the Consulate usually ask for, in casethey require any more documents or clarifications we shall let you know. Please bear withus as we have no control on the requirements for the Visas.


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REGIONS IN BRIEF:

The UK is made up of Great Britain(England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland.

England

Capital: LondonMain places are London, York, Blackpool, Manchester, Stratford, Cambridge, Winchester,Salisbury, Stonehenge, Cornwall & Devon.

ScotlandCapital: EdinburghMain Places are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Iona & Skye

WalesCapital: Cardiff,Main Place to visit are Cardiff and Swansee

Northern IrelandCapital: Belfast (Pls refer to the Ireland Travel Tips)

LANGUAGES:The two official languages in Britain are English and Welsh, English being the most widelyspoken. Scottish Gaelic is also spoken in some parts of Scotland.

TIME ZONE:Summer: 4.5 hrs behind ISTWinter: 5.5 hrs behind IST

HOW TO GET THERE:By Air: British Airways (BA), Air India (AI), Virgin Atlantic(VS), Jet Airways(9W) fly directlyinto London.

Most International Carriers like Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, Thai Airways, SingaporeAirlines etc fly into London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow etc.

CURRENCY:Great Britain Pounds (GBP)The pound sterling is valid across the country, but Scottish banks also issue their ownbanknotes. These are generally accepted in England, but if problems do arise, most banks willexchange Scottish currency for pound sterling hassle-free. Travellers' cheques are widelyaccepted in banks and you might as well buy them in pounds sterling to avoid changingcurrencies twice. Cash points (ATMs) are very common in Britain: most are linked to majorcredit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks.

CLIMATE:

Great Britain is subject to a temperate maritime climate, experiencing warm wet summers andcold wet winters. In the south-western regions it is sunnier than the north with less rainfall.Southwest England and the Channel Islands have the mildest climate. Rainfall is not unusual inevery season; humidity is generally high, especially in winter.Temperatures in winter range from 3 to 9 degrees sometimes colder, and in summer between17 and 24 degrees.

CLOTHING:


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Britain's weather is nothing if not unstable; therefore, a raincoat is necessary all year round.Medium weight clothing is advisable for most of the year. In the United Kingdom, informality isthe rule, except in the good hotels and restaurants. Good sensible pair of shoes are alsorecommended. Woollen jumpers are also necessary, even though you would be advised to bringalong some summer clothes in case of changes.

ELECTRICITY: The electrical current is 240 Volts, AC 50 Hz.

ENGLAND

England is a country of great contrast and diversity with incredibly diverse countryside,arresting cities and picturesque towns and villages. It is the largest and most peopled countryof the United Kingdom. Housing an unrivalled legacy in the fields of theatre, literature andarchitecture, England has one of the richest traditions of theatre and literature in the world.Stately homes and fine churches and cathedrals dot the country. Because of its colonial past,England is a veritable treasure trove of masterpieces from every age and every continent

The city is characterised by happening city life, old-fashioned customs and progressive culture,Mediterranean beaches and great mountains. England's largest city, London, is also the capital

of the United Kingdom is also the political, cultural and economic capital of the city. London isan exciting capital city, famed for first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry, itsworld-class restaurants and theatre.

WHEN TO GO:Anyone who spends any extended period in England will sympathise with the locals' obsession

with the weather, although in relative terms the climate is mild and the rainfall is notspectacular. The least hospitable months for visitors are November to February - it's cold andthe days are short. March and October are marginal - there is more daylight but it can still bevery cold. April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly,when most sights are open, and when most people visit. July and August are the busiestmonths and best avoided if possible. The crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in Londonand popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:


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London is one of the most important air-transport hubs in the world and the centre fordiscounted long-haul airfares, so there are plenty of opportunities to find cheap flights.

By Air: Wide range of air services linking major cities like London, Birmingham,Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh

British Airways (BA), Air India (AI), Virgin Atlantic(VS), Jet Airways(9W) fly directly intoLondon, most international carriers fly into different airports in England.

By Rail: Two services operate through the Channel Tunnel: Eurostar is a high-speed passengerservice between London, Paris and Brussels;

BritRail: Extensive privatised train network, covering most of the country, from Penzance toNorth Scotland.Train services in Northern Ireland are operated by the state owned Translink

By Road: Eurotunnel has a shuttle service (Le Shuttle) for cars, motorbikes and buses betweenthe English port of Folkestone and the French port of Calais.

By Bus: National Express and the new cut-price Megabus provide an alternative to traintravel.

By Waterway: If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of a tunnel or want to get some fresh airin the English Channel, you can get a bus or train connection to mainland Europe with a shortferry or Seacat ride thrown in. The boat trip on the shortest routes (from Dover or Folkestoneto Calais or Boulogne) takes about 90 minutes; the Seacat takes about 35 minutes.

Ferries link the mainland to the many offshore islands including the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man,Orkneys and Shetland islands.Ferries go to France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia from a number ofsouthern and eastern British ports; to Spain from Portsmouth; and to Ireland from a handful ofwestern English ports.

GETTING AROUND:

Public transport in England is generally of a high standard, but can be expensive.Buses or coaches are the cheapest but slowest way to get around. On longer journeys they arealso the least scenic way to travel. National Express and the new cut-price Megabus providean alternative to train travel.England has an impressive rail network, which includes a couple of beautiful lines throughsparsely populated country.Fast Intercity trains make air travel unnecessary unless you're in a real hurry.Car hire is worth considering if you want to explore some of the remoter towns and villages atyour own pace.

EVENTS:

For the sporty, the traditional Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race is held in London onthe River Thames in late March. The famous but gruelling Grand National steeplechase takesplace at Aintree, Liverpool, on the first Saturday in April. The FA Cup final takes place in May.Lawn Tennis Championships, complete with strawberries & cream and tantrums by majorplayers, take place at Wimbledon in late June. The champagne quaffing set head for theHenley Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames also in June, the Cowes Week yachtingextravaganza pushes off on the Isle of Wight in late July.Those uninterested in ball games and fast-moving animals should check out the Chelsea FlowerShow at London's Royal Hospital in May. The Trooping of the Colour pageantry takes place


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on the Queen's birthday in London in mid-June, and the Bacchanalian Glastonbury Festivalmusic extravaganza which swamps Glastonbury's paddocks in June; with the riotous (in the bestpossible sense) Caribbean carnival exploding in London's Notting Hill in late August.

ACTIVITIES:England may be densely populated but it is also criss-crossed by footpaths and rights of way,

which provide access to just about every nook and cranny of the country if you want to take ashort stroll. The more energetic should tackle at least one long-distance walk. The best of thehikes include the south-west Coast Path around the dramatic shores of Somerset, Devon,Cornwall and Dorset (up to 14 days); the picturesque Cotswold Way (five days); and thedramatic moorland and coastal scenery of the Cleveland Way (up to a week). Cycling is anothergreat way to get off the beaten track and down some unexplored country lanes; the main roadsare best avoided. The best beaches for swimming are in Devon and Cornwall; the best surf is onCornwall's West Coast, notably at Newquay.

LONDON

CITY LAYOUT:

Central London - Undergrounds Circle Line is a fair boundary. The City (the financial district). The West End Upscale neighborhoods of Belgravia, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea,

Paddington and Bayswater, Earls Court,and Notting Hill.

East EndLondon is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First Worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, ofthe establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. Unlike comparableEuropean cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but that is part of its appeal.Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized Monopoly board clogged with traffic.Even though you probably will not know where you are exactly, the names will at least lookreassuringly familiar. The city is so enormous; visitors will need to make maximum use of the

underground train system.

CLIMATE:London is a year-round tourist centre, with few of its attractions closing or significantlyreducing their opening hours in winter. Your best chance of good weather is, of course, at theheight of summer in July and August, but there is certainly no guarantee of sun even in thosemonths - plus it's when you can expect the biggest crowds and highest prices.April/May and September/October are good times to visit London: there is a better thanaverage chance of good weather and the queues for popular attractions are hours shorter.During these periods, the cost of getting to London is cheaper and you might even find somedecent accommodation. If you don't mind braving the cold and shorter daylight hours, thecheapest fares and hotel prices are available from November to March.

GETTING AROUND:Airports: There are 5 airports in London. For transfers directly between Londons airports,the fastest way is the direct inter-airport service by National Express.Heathrow airport is accessible by bus(National Express bus service (to Victoria Station, takes40 mins to an hour), London Underground (Piccadilly line) and the Heathrow Express, whichmakes the journey from Paddington Station to Terminals 1-3 in 15 minutes and to Terminal 4 in20mins. Hotelink (a mini-van shuttle service).The Gatwick Express runs between Gatwick airport and Victoria station in 30 minutesThe Stansted Express will get you to Stansted airport from Liverpool Street station in 60minutes


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London City AirportLuton AirportTrain: London is served by one international rail link, currently operating out of St. PancrasInternational the Eurostar. There are no fewer than 12 main line terminal stations, forming aring around Central London and each serving various parts of the country.The mainline (National Rail) train stations are: London Paddington, London Marylebone, LondonEuston, London St Pancras, London Kings Cross, London Moorgate, London Liverpool Street,London Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, London Cannon Street, London Waterloo East andLondon Charing Cross, London Blackfriars, London Waterloo and London Victoria.

Tube: London Underground - also known popularly as The Tube. London's tube islegendary, but mainly because it's not that much fun to use. Although the tube network isimmense, buses are more pleasant and interesting, as long as the traffic's not gridlocked.Travelcards can be used on all forms of transport. Several rail companies now run passengertrains in London, most of which interchange with the tube.Londons iconic red buses are recognised the world over.

Cabs: London's famous black cabs are excellent but expensive. Minicabs are cheapercompetitors, with freelance drivers, but you cannot flag these down on the street.If you'd rather drive yourself, you're in for a parking nightmare - it's almost impossible to get apark in the city centre, and the punishments for parking illegally are cruel and unusual indeed.

MUST SEES:Trafalgar Square:It's the heart of visitors' London, beating with tour buses, cameras and flocks of persistentpigeons. On the square's northern edge is the National Gallery, which has one of the worldsmost impressive art collections. Famous paintings include Czanne's The Bathers and vanEyck's Arnolfini Wedding. Entry to the gallery is free. Also in the vicinity are the NationalPortrait Gallery, a place to see lots of faces from the Middle Ages to modern times, and StMartin in the Fields, with an adjoining craft market and a brass-rubbing centre in the crypt.

Westminster Abbey:The resting-place of the royals, Westminster Abbey is one of the most visited churches in theChristian world. It is a beautiful building, full of morose tombs and monuments, with an

acoustic field that will send shivers down your spine when the choirboys clear their throats. InSeptember 1997, millions of people round the world saw the inside of the Abbey when TV crewscovered Princess Diana's funeral service. Since then the number of visitors has increased by300%, and the visit is now more restricted, with some areas cordoned off.

Houses of Parliament:The awesome neo-Gothic brilliance of the Houses of Parliament has been restored. Thebuilding includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There's restricted access tothe chambers when they're in session, but a visit around 6pm will avoid the worst of the


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crowds. Check the time on the most recognisable face in the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben.Nearby, 10,Downing St, the official residence of the prime minister and the chancellor of theexchequer (no 11), has been guarded by an imposing iron gate since the security forces realisedthat the lone iconic bobby outside Maggie's door was not sufficient to stop the IRA mortar bombattack in 1989.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum:It is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life sized models ofcelebrities like politicians, royal, stars, sportsmen and famous criminals as well!. Also at thesite is the Tussauds Auditorium (Planetarium) on of the biggest in the world, ready to amazethe visitors with its views of the universe.

Tate Britain:The Tate Britain is the keeper of an impressive historical archive of British art. Built in 1897,the Tate is currently undergoing an ambitious programme of expansion. When all is complete,there will be six new galleries for temporary exhibition and nine new or refurbished ones forthe Tate's permanent collection of peerless Blakes, Reynolds, Gainsboroughs, Hogarths,Constables, Turners and Pre-Raphaelite beauties.Its sister gallery, the brand-spanking new Tate Modern, is housed in the former BanksidePower Station. The Tate Modern displays the Tate's collection of international modern art,including major works by Bacon, Dal, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol, as well as workby more contemporary artists. The building is as exciting as the art: gorgeous industrial-strength red brick with a 325ft-high (99m-high) chimney. The former turbine hall, below streetlevel and running the length of the vast building, now forms the awe-inspiring entrance to thegallery.

Buckingham Palace:Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since1837.It evolved from a town house that was owned from the beginning of the eighteenth century bythe Dukes of Buckingham. Today it is The Queen's official residence, with 775 rooms.The State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors during the Annual Summer Opening inAugust and September. They are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures fromthe Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto andClaude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; exquisite examples of Svres porcelain; and someof the finest English and French furniture in the world.Not far off and definitely worth a stroll is St James's Park, which is the neatest and most royal

of London's royal parks. Just near the park's northern edge is the Institute for ContemporaryArt, a great place to relax, hang out and see some cutting-edge film, dance, photography,theatre and art.

Covent Garden:Once a vegetable field, attached to Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden became the low-lifehaunt of Pepys, Fielding and Boswell, and then a major fruit and vegetable market, and is nowa triumph of conservation and commerce. The car-free piazza is surrounded by designer gift


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and clothes shops, hip bars and restaurants. Stalls selling antiques and bric-a-brac share thearcaded piazza with street theatre, buskers and people-watchers.

British Museum:The most trafficked attraction in Bloomsbury! It is the oldest, most august museum in theworld, and has recently received a well-earned re-jig with Norman Fosters glass-roofed GreatCourt. Highlights include the Assyrian treasures and Egyptian mummies; the exquisite pre-Christian Portland Vase and the 2000-year-old corpse found in a Cheshire bog. With the removalof the British Library to St Pancras, the Reading Room is now open to the public.Bloomsbury is a peculiar mix of the University of London, beautiful Georgian squares andarchitecture, literary history, traffic, office workers, students and tourists. Its focal point,Russell Square, is London's largest square.

St Paul's Cathedral:Half the world saw the inside of St Paul's Cathedral when Charles and Diana tied the knot herein 1981. The venerable building was constructed by Christopher Wren between 1675 and1710.Its famous dome, the biggest in the world after St Peter's in Rome, no longer dominatesLondon as it did for centuries, but it's still quite a sight when viewed from the river. Visitorsshould talk low and sweetly near the whispering gallery, which reputedly carries words spokenclose to its walls to the other side of the dome.

Cruise on River Thames:London was built along the shores of the Thames 2,000 years ago what better way toexperience the city than to travel along its river on a Thames River Cruise!Youll get stunning uninterrupted views of the Gothic style Houses of Parliament, the LondonEye perched high over the River, the South Bank Arts Complex built for the 1951 Festival ofBritain and of course many of Londons famous bridges the way they were meant to be seen passing under them! A Thames Waterman will point out places of interest along the way.

The London Eye:At 443ft tall the London eye is the most spectacular additional to Londons skyline. Withincredible view of the most of the Londons major attractions, it is a must see for all thevisitors.

Tower of London:Jet black ravens guard this ancient fortress steeped in centuries of murder, treason and theuntold secrets of the condemned... Hear the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey - Queen for 9 days,and the story of the 2 young Princes who were never seen again, as well as other tales of royalsand noblemen meeting their end within the cold cruel walls of the Tower. A hallowed spoteven before the fortress was ever built; its hardly any surprise the ghosts of the Tower lingerlong after you leave... The splendidly dressed Beefeaters will tell you about the Towershistory, and of course you must visit the Crown Jewels including the 6,000 year old Koh-I-Noor


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diamond worn by all the Queens of England since Victoria as well as the other regalia usedduring coronation ceremonies.

Victoria & Albert Museum:The Victoria & Albert Museum, on Cromwell Rd in South Kensington, has an eclectic mix ofbooty gathered together under its brief as a museum of decorative art and design. It sometimesfeels like an enormous Victorian junk shop, with nearly four million artefacts on display. It'sbest to browse through the collection, checking out the Chinese ceramics, Japanese swords,cartoons by Raphael, sculpture by Rodin, the Frank Lloyd Wright study and the pair of DocMartens.Also on Cromwell Rd, the Natural History Museum is one of London's finest Gothic-revivalbuildings. Check out the mammal balcony, the Blue Whale exhibit and the spooky, moonlitrainforest in the ecology gallery.

Camden Markets:The huge Camden Markets could be the closest England gets to free-form chaos outside theterraces of football stadiums. They stretch between Camden and Chalk Farm tube stations,incorporating Camden Lock on the Grand Union Canal. The markets include the Camden CanalMarket (bric-a-brac, furniture and designer clothes), Camden Market (leather goods andarmy surplus gear) and the Electric Market (records and 1960s clothing).After Camden Market, the colourful Portobello Market is London's most famous weekend streetmarket and is best seen on a Saturday morning before the gridlock sets in. It's full of antiques,jewellery, ethnic knick-knacks, second-hand clothes and fruit and vegetable stalls. Startingnear the Sun in Splendour pub in Notting Hill, it wends its way northwards to just past theWestway flyover.

Hyde Park:The humongous Hyde Park used to be a royal hunting ground, was once a venue for duels,executions and horseracing, and even became a giant potato field during WWII. It is now aplace of fresh air, spring colour, lazy sunbathers and boaters on the Serpentine. Features of thepark include sculptures by Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore and the Serpentine Gallery,which holds temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

Near Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner started life in 1872 as a response to serious riots. EverySunday anyone with a soapbox - or anything else to stand on - can ramble on about anything atall.

Kew Gardens:Kew Gardens, in Richmond, Surrey, is both a beautiful park and an important botanicalresearch centre. There's a vast expanse of lawn and formal gardens and two soaring Victorianconservatories - the Palm House and the Temperate House, which are home to exotic plantlife. It's one of the most visited sights on the London tourist agenda, which means that it canget very crowded, especially in the summer.

Other sightseeings:Kensington Palace, Dali Universe, Wimbledon, Greenwich, Notting Hill, Richmond, The West

End, London Dungeon.

Excursions from London:

Brighton:Englands most spectacular seaside resort town.

Canterbury:


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The historical cathedral city of Canterbury, with its narrow streets and walkways, is bestexplored on foot. It is has been the ultimate destination for pilgrimages in England as describedion Chaucers Canterbury tales. Key sights are Canterbury Cathedral, ruins of the abbey of StAugustine.

Stonehenge:

Five-thousand-year-old Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric site in Europe, but it remainsboth a tantalising mystery. It consists of a ring of enormous stones topped by lintels, an innerhorseshoe, an outer circle and a ditch. Although aligned to the movements of the celestialbodies, little is known about the site's purpose. It is estimated that it would take 600 people todrag one of these 50-ton monsters more than half an inch. The downside of Stonehenge is thatit's fenced off like a compound; there are two main roads slicing past the site; entry is via anincongruous underpass; and clashes between new age hippies and police at summer solsticehave become a regular feature of the British calendar. Each year New Age Druids celebrate thesummer solstice, but closer access at other times is strictly limited.

Georgian Bath:The jewel of the West Country and a City famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and

greenery. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Bath - youll be enchanted by its beautifully proportionedstreetscapes and lovingly cultivated flowerbeds that are a feast to the eye at every turn. You'llsee the 'lantern of the West' Bath Abbey, the often-photographed Pulteney Bridge, modelledon the Florentian Ponte Vecchio, and the marvellously symmetrical and perfectly proportionedGeorgian Crescents that helped make Bath so famous.

Other excursions:Leeds Castle, Windsor, Hampton Court Palace etc.

The Cotswolds:This limestone escarpment, 18 miles northeast of Bristol, overlooking the Severn Vale, is anupland region of stunningly pretty, gilded stone villages and remarkable views. Unfortunately,the soft, mellow stone and the picturesque Agatha Christie charm have resulted in some

villages being overrun by coach tourists and commercialism. Renowned villages include Bibury(claimed to be the most beautiful village in England); the chocolate-box town of Bourton-on-the-Water; and the breathtakingly pretty Chipping Camden. The best way to explore theCotswolds is to walk; the 100-mile Cotswold Way is a gem of a hike, full of history andinteresting terrain that make the abundance of quaintness easier to swallow.

Oxford:Arguably the world's most famous university town; Oxford is graced by superb collegearchitecture and oozes questing youthfulness, scholarships and bizarre high jinx. The views


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across the meadows to the city's golden spires are guaranteed to appear in three out of 10English period dramas, but they manage to remain one of the most beautiful and inspiring ofsights. Back in the real world, Oxford was a major car-manufacturing centre until the terminaldecline of the British car industry and is now a thriving centre of service industries. The pick ofthe colleges are Christ Church, Merton and Magdalene, but nearly all the colleges aredrenched in atmosphere, history, privilege and tradition.

Stratford-upon-Avon:A market town at the edge of the Forest of Arden made famous for being the birthplace of theworld-famous playwright William Shakespeare. Visit the Tudor-style birthplace of WilliamShakespeare, gaining a fascinating insight into his childhood with its typical parlour, bedrooms,kitchen, buttery and of course the glove-maker's workshop used by John, Shakespeare's father.

Then it's a short drive over to the medieval Warwick Castle, most of whose magnificent towersand ramparts are still intact. Warwick Castle will take you back through its 1,000 year historyas you enter over the footbridge to a bygone world of banquets, battles and ceremony. Visitthe Tussauds waxwork, or if you're feeling brave visit the spine-chilling dungeons whereprisoners were tortured. You might wish to stroll through the Castle's delightful and lovinglytended gardens set in the peaceful surroundings of England's finest medieval Castle. During thesummer months, archery, falconry and jousting take place.

York:This proud city attracts millions of visitors, but it's too old, too impressive and too convinced ofits own importance to be overwhelmed by mere tourists. For nearly 2000 years it has been thecapital of the north, and played a central role in British history under the Romans, Saxons andVikings. Its spectacular Gothic cathedral, medieval city walls, tangle of historic streets andglut of teashops and pubs make it a great city for ambling around. York Minster is the largestcathedral in Europe, and right up there with the world's great buildings. The city's MuseumGardens are amongst the most beautiful in Britain and include a number of picturesque ruinsand buildings.

Lake District:The most green and pleasant corner, the landscapes of the Lake District are almost too perfect

for their own good: 10 million visitors can't be wrong, but they can sure cause a few trafficjams. The area is a combination of luxuriant green dales, modest but precipitous mountainsand multitudinous lakes. Each of the lakes has its own distinct character: wisdom holds thatUllswater, Grasmere and Windermere are the prettiest, but Wast Water, Crummock Waterand Buttermere are equally spectacular and far less crowded. Be prepared to hike into thehills, or visit on weekdays out of season if you have any desire to emulate the bard and wanderlonely as cloud.

SHOPPING:


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Whether you are after expensive Jewellery and designer labels or hunting for a bargain, Londonis the place to shop. There are world famous chic stores for the fashionable, markets for thetrendy and toys shop for the kids, as well as all kinds of specialist stores.Normal shopping hours in central London are 0900 hrs 1730 hrs Monday to Saturdays, withmany shops now open on Sundays too. Those in the West End and Kensington High Street stayopen until 1900 hrs.Harrods promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in theworld.

FOOD:The choice of restaurants in London is truly international. From huge American portions ofsteaks and fries to delicate French cuisine and from real Italian pasta to spicy Indian Curries.For a great range of Chinese restaurants, head for Chinatown, just behind Leicester Square.You can have fun while you eat at Londons theme restaurants, like the Fashion Caf, PlanetHollywood and the Hard Rock Caf. One of the newest additions is the Rainforest Caf inPiccadilly Circus, where you can shop and eat. Many of the Londons top hotels, such as theRitz and the Meridien, serve delicious afternoon teas with cream cakes, delicate sandwichesand the most refined service.

Indian Restaurant in London:

1. Cinnamon ClubThe Old Westminster Library, GreatSmith Street, London SW1P 3BUTel: 020 7222 2555Fax: 020 7222 1333

2. Blue Spice448 Fulham Road, London.Tel: 020 7385 6953

3. Bombay Palace50 Connaught Street,

London, W2 2AA,Tel. 020 7723 8855

Tube Station: Marble Arch

4. QuilonCrowne Plaza St James's,41 Buckingham Gate,London, SW1E 6AFTel. 020 7821 1899

Tube Station: Victoria

5. Rasa Travancore56 Stoke Newington Church Street,London, N16 0NBTel. 020 7249 1340

Tube Station: Stoke Newington (BR)

6. Bengal Cuisine12 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RFTel. 020 7377 8405

Tube Station: Liverpool Street

7. Raj Tandoori52 Cowcross Street,London, EC1M 6BXTel. 020 7253 3847

Tube Station: Farringdon

8. Malabar27 Uxbridge Street,London, W8 7TQTel. 020 7727 8800

Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate.

9. Ajanta156 George Lane, London, E18 1AYTel. 020 8989 6986

Tube Station: South Woodford

10.Akash14-15 Irving Street,London, WC2H 7AUTel. 020 7930 0744

Tube Station: Leicester Square


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NIGHT LIFE:You can dance the night away in countless nightspots. They range from the West End hoteldinner dances to theatre restaurants such as the Talk of London, in Drury Lane, where youcan dine, be entertained and dance in lavish surroundings.If you like pop or rock music there are endless nightspots to choose from. The most glamorousis probably Stringfellows in Upper St. Martins Lane. A few minutes walk away, close toLeicester Square, in Charing Cross Road, is the Hippodrome, notable for its spectacular lightshow and moving stage.

EVENTS:There are countless festivals and events in London. It all kicks off with the New Year's Evefireworks and street party in Trafalgar Square, followed by the New Year's Day Parade. OnShrove Tuesday pancake races are held in Covent Garden, and in early May more seriousracers take part in the London Marathon. All London gets its colours on for the FA Cup Final inmid-May. There's even more colour at the Chelsea Flower Show, held on the last week of May.Trooping the Colour, the Queen's birthday parade, is held in June; Wimbledon runs for twoweeks in the same month. In July the world's biggest military tattoo, the Royal Tournament, isheld in Earl's Court, and the raucous Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets in August.Horsey folks can't resist late-September's Horseman's Sunday in Hyde Park, with more than100 horses receiving the blessing from a vicar on horseback, followed by horse jumping inKensington Gardens.Things wind down as the weather gets colder, though there's plenty of bonfires on Guy FawkesNight, on the 5th of November. The Lord Mayor's Show is held in late November, completewith floats, bands and fireworks. Trafalgar Square lights up in December with the Lighting ofthe Christmas Tree.

SCOTLAND

Scotland provides superb opportunities to enjoy wild, grand unspoilt scenery, which is ofteneven more impressive than the postcards suggest. It also offers an array of towns and citiesboasting a rich cultural life, an excellent mix of accommodation and exquisite places at whichto eat and drink.

Friendly and welcoming, Scotland is an interesting and colourful all-season destination, wherescenery and environment, sport and leisure pursuits, heritage and history, culture and cuisineeach conspire to provide the visitor to Scottish shores with a thoroughly enriching andunforgettable experience


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WHEN TO GO:The best time to visit Scotland is between May and September. April and October areacceptable as far as weather goes, but a lot of places are closed in October. Aside from thoseinterested in skiing or frostbite, the Highlands are pretty much off limits during winter, butEdinburgh and Glasgow are still worth visiting. Edinburgh becomes impossibly crowded duringthe festival in August, and you will have to book a long time in advance.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:There are direct air services from London and other European cities to Edinburgh, Glasgow,Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness or Kirkwall.From Europe it's often cheaper to fly to London then catch a train or bus north. It is a one-hourflight from London to Edinburgh, but once you add on the trip to and from the airport you aregetting close to the four-hour rail trip.Long-distance buses are usually the cheapest method of getting to Scotland. A train fromLondon can get you to Edinburgh in four hours, Glasgow in five, but tickets are fairly pricey.Scotland has ferry links to Larne, near Belfast, and to Belfast itself. In summer, there is also aweekly ferry between Aberdeen, the Shetlands and Norway, and a twice-weekly ferry fromAberdeen to the Faroes.For those with their own transport, main roads are busy and quick - Edinburgh is 600km (373mi)from London and it will take you about eight hours to drive it.

GETTING AROUND:Public transport in Scotland is generally good, but it can be expensive compared to otherEuropean countries.By Air: Only British Airways and its subsidiaries are doing domestic flights in Scotland.By Coach: Haggis Backpackers bus service runs between Scotland's Youth Hostels, as doesMacbackpackers. Citylink bus company (Scotland's major player) has a tourist pass which can beused on all their buses.By Rail: Scotlands rail network not only includes excellent cross- border intercity services butalso a good internal network. All major towns are linked by rail and there are links to thewestern seaboard at Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh (for ferry connections to Skye and thewestern isles) and to Inverness, Thurso and Wick for ferries to Orkney and Shetland.By Road: Roads are generally good and far less busy than those in England are. On back roadsyou may have only one lane and petrol stations may be few and far between (as well asextremely pricey). Walking and cycling are popular and rewarding ways to explore Scotland.By Boat: Boats run to most of the islands from Oban, Mallaig and Ullapool, or you can get aferry from Aberdeen to Orkney or Shetland.

Currency:The Pound Sterling (GBP) is valid on both sides of the border, but Scottish banks also issuetheir own banknotes. These are generally accepted in England, but if problems do arise, mostbanks will exchange Scottish currency for pound sterling hassle-free. Travellers' cheques arewidely accepted in banks and you might as well buy them in pounds sterling to avoid changingcurrencies twice. Cashpoints (ATMs) are very common in Britain: most are linked to majorcredit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks.

ACTIVITIES:Considering its breathtaking natural beauty and abundance of destinations for activity-basedholidays, it's surprising that Scotland has only just got around to implementing a national parkssystem - the first, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, only opened in 2002. The95-mile (153km) West Highland Way takes walkers through spectacular Highland scenery,leading all the way from Glasgow to Fort William - very handy for those aiming to climb BenNevis, Britain's highest peak. The Trossachs, in the heart of Rob Roy country, are also popularwith walkers.


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Cyclists in search of the wild and remote will enjoy the Highlands and islands of the northwest.The Hebridean Islands in particular provide superb cycling opportunities. Less intrepid cyclistswill favour the lochs and glens of the central and southern areas. Britain's biggest skiing centreis in Aviemore, but there are also skiing opportunities in Glencoe, Nevis, Glenshee, TheLecht, and Nevis Range.Golf is a major attraction in Scotland, where there are more courses per capita than in anyother country in the world. Britain's best surf can be found in the north, particularly aroundThurso.Fishing is expensive and heavily regulated; the Spey and surrounding lochs in the Cairngormarea present good opportunities to catch a couple of trout or salmon.On the West Coast and in the islands, birdwatchers will find the marine-bird-spottingopportunities of their dreams. Finally, many trips to Scotland are complete without a visit toLoch Ness for a bit of Nessie-spotting, but, hey, if you've got the time, why not? It's a lovely,eerie place, and the perfect lair for a monster.

CITIES:

EDINBURGH:Edinburgh is one of the world's greatest cities. Its dramatic site, extraordinary architecturalheritage and cultural vigour soon charm all visitors. The crowded tenements of the historic OldTown contrast with the orderly grid of the Georgian New Town, which in most cities would be ahistoric enclave by itself. Backdrops include glimpses of the Firth of Forth, the Pentland Hillsand classically draped Calton Hill.

Getting ThereThere are regular flights from London to Edinburgh.Trains depart frequently from London Kings Cross direct to Edinburgh. The total journey timeis around four hours and thirty minutes.There is also regular coach service by National Express from London to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is best seen on foot, and the best place to start is Edinburgh Castle: beautiful,romantic and a reminder of the city's bloody past. Its foundations date back as far as 850 BC,and the oldest surviving section dates from 1130. From the 11th to 16th centuries, the castle

was the symbolic seat of Scottish royalty, and today it's still home to the army's ScottishDivision. It sits at the western end of the Royal Mile, which runs down to the more comfortableroyal accommodation at the Palace of Hollyroodhouse. This thoroughfare contains anextraordinarily intact streetscape, which has survived from the 16th and 17th centuries. A walkdown some of the alleys that run off it is to rediscover the vital city of that time. Severalmuseums and restored town houses in this vicinity give fascinating insights into urban life ofthe 17th century.Nearby Calton Hill is worth climbing for its superb views and romantic monuments dating fromthe Enlightenment, when the city was known as the 'Athens of the North'. Before you walkdown into the New Town, have a look at Greyfriars Kirk, site of the signing of the NationalCovenant in 1638. The graveyard was the backdrop for one of Disney's most heart-rendingfilms, Greyfriars Bobby, the story (based on legend) of a little Skye terrier which held vigil for14 years over the grave of his master.

New Town lies to the north, separated by the sunken railway line and Princes St Gardens,which feature the Gothic Sir Walter Scott Monument. Georgian order and elegance arereflected in New Town's beautiful squares, circuses and terraces. The National Gallery ofScotland has an impressive collection of European art, while the pageant of Scottish historycan be seen at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.Edinburgh has a rich and varied cultural life, from the Tattoo to the International and Fringefestivals. These are times to be sure to book accommodation well in advance. B&Baccommodation is one of the best ways to get an insight into the daily life of Edinburgh'sresidents. There is a handy concentration north of New Town and in the suburb of Newington,


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south of the city centre. Numerous youth hostels are sprinkled on the city's outskirts.Surprisingly, the Royal Mile has numerous good-value and enjoyable eateries, with everythingfrom Singaporean satays to traditional Scottish cuisine.

Other attractions:Others: Museum of Scotland, Our Dynamic Earth, Royal Yacht Britannia, The Scotch WhiskyExperience, Ghost Tours

Excursions:St AndrewsRosslyn ChapelInvernessLoch Ness

GLASGOW:Long overshadowed by Edinburgh, a mere 30 miles (48km) away, Glasgow actually has a lot tooffer. It has left its reputation as a black hole of unemployment, economic depression andurban violence far behind. The 1980s and '90s saw the city reinvent itself culturally andsocially. You're in no doubt that this is a Scottish city, brimming with vibrancy and energy. Thecity centre is built on a grid plan on the north bank of the shipbuilding River Clyde. Sights arespread over a wide area, with Sauchiehall Street the place to go for shops, pubs andrestaurants.

The oldest part of the city is to the east, around the intact Gothic masterpiece of GlasgowCathedral, St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life & Art and the oldest house in Glasgow, 15th-century Provand's Lordship. Heading back west, an interesting walk takes you through thegracious houses and commercial structures of 18th-century Merchant City. Busy Sauchiehall Stis home to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Art Nouveau masterpieces of the Glasgow Schoolof Art and the still-operational Willow Tearoom. The Tenement House is an extraordinary timecapsule, providing vivid insight into middle-class city life at the turn of this century.Also not to be missed is Glasgow's top cultural attraction, the Burrell Collection, housed in thePollok Country Park 3 miles (5km) south of the city. Its idiosyncratic collection includes Chineseporcelain, medieval furniture and impressionist paintings, housed in one of the world's fewinspirational buildings to be built in recent times.

EVENTS:

The highlight of Scotland's calendar is the Edinburgh Festival, held every August. This is one ofthe world's most important arts festivals, and its Fringe claims to be the largest in the world,with over 500 performers pushing the boundaries every year. The city's Military Tattoo is heldin the same month, as is the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh Book Festival andGlasgow's World Pipe Band Championships. September's Braemar Gathering is attended by thequeen in Braemar, with other games held all over the country. All Scotland hits the streets forHogmanay, the Scottish celebration of New Year, and you can expect a better party than you'vehad for some time. For some truly unruly rugby, try the Ba' in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands,which has been held on Christmas Day and New Year's Day for centuries. It consists of two


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teams and some 400 alcohol-fuelled players, who turn the entire town into a giant rugby pitchfor the day. The game starts at the cathedral and the harbour is one of the goals. Puritansshould steer well clear.

Indian Restaurants in Edinburgh

1. Annpurna Vegetarian45 St Patrick Square,Edinburgh, ScotlandTel: 6621807

2. Ballis89 Hanover Street,Edinburgh, ScotlandTel: 2263451

3. Bangalore Tandoori52 Home Street Edinburgh,Midlothian

Tel: 0131 2291348 2219170

4. Bollywood Brasserie110 West Bow, Edinburgh, ScotlandTel: 0131 2255028

5. Bombay Bicycle Club6 Brougham Place, off theMeadows, Edinburgh ScotlandTel: 2293839

6. Britannia Spice150 Commercial Street Edinburgh,ScotlandTel: 555 2255 / 0800

7. BungalowBrougham Place (near Tollcross),Edinburgh, ScotlandTel: 2291537

8. Cavalry Club3 Atholl Place, near HaymarketEdinburgh, Scotland

Tel: 2283282

9. Clay Oven86 Morningside Rd, EdinburghTel: 0131 447 9724

10.Darjeeling146 Dundas Street, Edinburgh,ScotlandTel: 0131 5569862

WALES

Wales is rolling moorlands, glaciated mountain areas, mellifluous male-voice choirs, very longplace names, Rugby Union, 'Bread of Heaven', romantic castles, people with querying lilts,cheese on toast and old mining towns. Wales is also rampant deforestation, marching powerlines and the gradual replacement of 19th-century mining ugliness with late 20th-centuryindustrial playgrounds. The backbone behind this strange mixture of beauty and ugliness,poignancy and affliction is Welshness - a strength of spirit and character which despitecenturies of neglect and attempted assimilation remains defiant.


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WHEN TO GO:Spring and autumn are probably the best times to visit Wales if you want to avoid the July andAugust crowds. It's even less busy in winter, but many attractions close in mid-October anddon't reopen until Easter. Some mountain passes can be snowbound in winter.

GETTING THERE & AWAY:By Air: The international airport at Cardiffis mainly used for holiday charter flights, althoughthere are some scheduled flights to Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast, Brussels, the ChannelIslands, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, Manchester and Paris.By Bus: Long-distance buses are the cheapest method of getting to Wales, with several servicesrunning between English and Welsh cities.By Train: A train will take less than two hours to get you from London to Cardiff. Most ofWales' big cities are linked to England by rail. The Channel Tunnel means you can travel bytrain from Cardiff to Continental Europe, via London of course.By Road: It takes about three hours to drive from London to Cardiff, and the motorways makemost drives into Wales quick and easy.Ferries link Ireland to Holyhead, Pembroke, Fishguard and Swansea.

GETTING AROUND:

Distances are small, but with the exception of links around the coast, public transport usershave to fall back on infrequent and complicated bus timetables. There are no internal flights.Wales has some fantastic train lines, particularly along the Cambrian coast and down theConwy valley. The country's two main motorways are top-class, but elsewhere the roads areslow, though still good. Snow and ice can make the higher roads treacherous, or close themaltogether. Boats travel out to the islands of the Pembrokeshire coast and the Lyn Peninsula.

ACTIVITIES:Wales vigorously promotes itself as the place to come for an activity-based holiday. Perhapsthe most obvious activity is the country's popular network of walks. The most challenging arearound the rocky Snowdonia or the moody Brecon Beacons national parks. Wales has sevenlong-distance walks, the most famous being the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and Offa's DykePath. Slightly less busy are the 274-mile (441km) Cambrian Way and the 120-mile (193km)

Glyndwr's Way. Pony trekking opportunities are found throughout Wales, in particular aroundthe Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacon national parks. Cyclers will experience quietroads and the odd strenuous hill by cycling through the Cambrian and Black mountains or theBrecon Beacons; the Pembrokeshire coast has flatter terrain.Wales' southwest coast has a number of passable surfing spots, including Porthcawl, OxwichBay, Rhossili, Manorbier, Freshwater West and Whitesands. Canoeing and white-waterrafting are good in Snowdonia, and Llangollen on the River Dee has a reputation as acanoeing centre. Canal cruising along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is a breeze, partlybecause there are only six locks along its 33-mile (53km) length. Spelunkers can head for theBrecon Beacons, where there are several limestone cave systems.

EVENTS:Wales wouldn't be Wales without eisteddfodau. The big one is the Royal National Eisteddfodd

of Wales, a moveable show held in early August, but you could also try the InternationalEisteddfodd, held in Llangollen every July, or the Urdd (Youth) Eisteddfodd held in May. Wales'yearly festival of cows and ploughs, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, is on at Llanelwedd inmid-July.

Cardiff:A busy commercial and university city, the Welsh capital doesn't usually appear near the top ofvisitors' must-see lists. However, those who linger will discover its striking city-centre castle,important national museum and art gallery, redeveloped docks area and pockets of beautiful


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architecture. Don't miss also the Millennium Stadium, opened in 1999 and home to WelshRugby. It's also the temporary venue for major English football matches. Cardiff is a good placeto base yourself because it's surrounded by interesting sites and transport links are good.Cardiff has a good selection of B&B accommodations, sprinkled along Cathedral Rd, to thewest of the city centre, and on Newport Rd to the east. Purveyors of Welsh specialities such asRarebit (the Welsh version of cheese on toast) and Laverbread (a nicer-than-you'd-thinkseaweed concoction) can be found in the city centre, along with coffee shops and bistrosserving more usual fare. Rugby is Cardiff's most popular form of entertainment, but there's alsotheatre, an arts centre and a pop arena for those who want to avoid the scrum.

Snowdonia National Park:Britain's second-largest national park, after the Lake District, Snowdonia covers 840 sq. miles(1352 sq. km) of North Wales, including Snowdon - at 3560ft (1068m), the highest peak inBritain south of the Scottish Highlands. About 500,000 people touch the rugged summit everyyear, whether by climbing, walking or taking the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Long the testingground of more ambitious mountaineers (Edmund Hillary, for example), Snowdon's many trailsmake the summit accessible to hikers of varying abilities. The park also contains rivers, lakes,waterfalls, forests, moorlands, glacial valleys and a lovely coastline, as well as Stone andBronze Age burial chambers, Roman forts, Norman castles, steam railways and relics of thecountry's mining heritage. Centres include the climbers' haven of lakeside Llanberis, postcard-pretty Betws-y-Coed, the former slate-mining village of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the castle townof Harlech.

Brecon Beacons National Park:This popular park measures only 15 miles (24km) from north to south and 45 miles (72km) westto east, yet it comprises four mountain ranges and a variety of terrain: privately owned slopesgrazed by sheep and yet more sheep, mining valleys and bare escarpments. Most visitors arewalkers heading for Offa's Dyke Path, which passes along the eastern border, or the Taff Trail,heading south from Brecon. Principal centres include the historic market town of Brecon, theself-styled 'Gateway to Wales' town of Abergavenny and eccentric Hay-on-Wye. Offa's Pathruns through the Black Mountains, which boast the best views, with sights such as the ruins ofLlanthony Priory, the River Honddu, the pretty church at Patrishow and the highest peak atWaun Fach. The highest point in the bare-crested hills of the Brecon Beacons is Pen-y-Fan.

Indian Restaurant in Wales :

1. Ambala222-224, City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3JHTel: 029 2048 6701

2. Khazana13 Penlline RoadTel : 029 20615202 / 20615209

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