Great Britain

Overview in Google Maps

One of our most preferred traveling destinations - short travel, (almost) no timezone change and no issues with the language. But after the insane decision to do the brexit, a visit is no longer as simple as in the past. On top, one has another currency and a trip to Great Britain is not a cheap one. The hotels are often expensive and the facilities are sometimes not state-of-the-art.

Information to special parts of the country

England

London

Southwestern districts (Devon, Cornwall, Land's End)

East coast

Northern districts (Lake District, Yorkshire)

Wales

Southern part

Northern part

Scotland

Southern part

Northern part

West coast, Isle of Skye

England

Wales

For us, Wales is like Scotland a very interesting region - lots of nature, impressing castles, good food and less people than in England. The next time, we will spend more time in Wales!

Best season: Spring, summer and autumn. In the main season, we expect the highlights swarming with tourists!

Next highlights: London, Southwestern part (Devon, Cornwall, Land's End), northern part (Lake District, Yorkshire), east coast

Visited: 2004, 2009

Links: http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk, http://www.castlewales.com/

Scotland

For us this is the highlight in Great Britain!

Important towns: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Inverness, Fort William

Highlights: Northwestern districts (landscape), Isle of Skye / western districts and the area near Aberdeen (excellent food), almost everywhere: Castles and Whisky distilleries.
You should absolutely go for some hikes!
In the southwestern part of Scotland (Fort William, Oban, to a limited extent Isle of Skye), you can do a walk on the wild side (rafting and others).

Restaurants: We found lots of good restaurants - see the travel diaries. If you do prefer fish and seafood, you will be 'in paradise'!

Hotels: In the southern and western districts, you'll find lots of small hotels and bed & breakfast offerings. If you go for tranquility and an authentic ambience, here you are right! But you must except lowered standards in case of infrastructure and accommodation...
If you would like to sleep in a castle, here you do have a real chance! But you won't always get a castle when you've a name including 'castle' (for example, Kildrummy is a very luxury hotel close to a castle and we hadn't any 'castle feeling' at Inchrie Castle)! The last visits, we always had to visit our favorite B&B location, Rattray Castle near Perth. Unfortunately, now (2009) the castle was sold - the new owners do not offer bed & breakfast.
In the northern districts, you must expect a very restricted selection of hotels and restaurants. If you don't like to change the location too often, you should consider hiring a cottage (but be aware of the huge distances!). We were very satisfied with the An Suidh Cottage near Kincraig.

Best season: March up to June, September (before easter and ofter October, lots of restaurants and attractions will be closed)

Next highlights:: Northern part (Lake District, Yorkshire), east coast

Visited: 2004, 2009

Links: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/

Overview in Google Maps


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