United Kingdom
Wales reminds you to unfold your days–and life–like a map, understanding we can’t always refold them the same way. In this corner of the UK, the ever-present ancient structures and modern culinary delights are a vacation in themselves. Bilingual Wales (Welsh and English) has the most castles per square mile in the world, excluding the ubiquitous castle-like churches. Its population of three million people thrives in a vastly diverse landscape the size of New Jersey. Nearly everything fun you can do here is accessible by public footpaths that explore spectacular stretches of coastline, forests, intimate villages, and the world-class city of Cardiff. This place isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s a land of feasts.
On a breezy summer morning, I embarked on a tour of the villages of the Cotswolds. Famed for its quaint half-timbered buildings, overhanging upper storeys, and narrow alleyways, the villages of the Cotswolds possess undeniable charm. Small group tour leader Ian McKenzie led us from the university town of Oxford into the inner recesses of the Cotswolds. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds spread across five English counties—Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
Citizens of Commonwealth nations often have grandparents who were born in the UK. It was common for migration both to and from the UK to occur within the former British Empire. If such circumstances apply to you, there is a chance you can walk in your grandparents’ footsteps with a UK Ancestry visa. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in the UK for up to five years. Read this article to learn the requirements and documentation you need to provide to obtain this visa, and the application process you must follow.
Post-election confusion had this crestfallen New York voter needing an escape in late 2024. England and the U.S. have always savored a special relationship, a unique bond, so it made sense that a little British wit and wisdom would go a long way in restoring my fighting spirit. The weekend pilgrimage also gave me reason to explore my growing interest in the roots of democracy heightened by political uncertainty.
March is Women’s History Month. Celebrated in the UK, the USA, and Australia to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8th, this month highlights the contributions women have made to events in history and contemporary society.
Jude Law stopping by your snow-covered cottage in the English countryside…. Yes, please! The many other festive British holiday movies had left me feeling like I had already celebrated there.
London is the major port of call for most travelers coming to the United Kingdom, and there’s certainly lots in the capital to keep you entertained for weeks on end.
What does birdwatching mean to you? Is it the connection you feel to nature or the physical and mental benefits? Perhaps it’s simply the beauty of such amazing creatures. Watching how birds move, sing, and fly is a calming experience that people of all ages enjoy.
Hiking in Scotland and discovering this strikingly beautiful country has become a dream for many hiking enthusiasts. There are plenty of hikes to choose from and no matter what difficulty, Scotland is always up for the challenge.
An estimated 30 million visitors per year make London the most visited city in the United Kingdom. Red telephone booths, Tower Bridge, and the allure of a royal family sighting make it the perfect first taste of what England has to offer, but why stop there when there are so many beautiful places to explore just a short ride away?
Elizabeth I remains one of the most popular English monarchs more than 400 years after her death. So much about this first woman to reign England in her own right intrigues and captivates us.
The United Kingdom is a country with a long and varied history, so it’s no surprise that it has a significant number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
