For century's famous travellers left Europe to explore new lands, trade with far away peoples, and return with wonderful stories. In the 21 st Century, though, the opposite is true. Europe is now the most visited continent, with millions every year taking a trip to one of the forty plus countries who pride themselves on being part of this eclectic union.
That diversity is the reason so many head to Europe . Colourful festivals, thousands of miles of beaches, centuries of history, breathtaking lakes and mountains, vibrant and cultural cities, and mouth-watering cuisine, all draw travellers from far and wide. For many their first experience of Europe will be London , which has the busiest airport in the world at Heathrow. They say ?if you're tired of London , you're tired of life', and there's certainly a vibrancy about this city that you automatically buy into as you tread the well-worn tourist trail. |
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The best way to see the city centre is on foot. Witness the ?Changing of the Guard' at Buckingham Palace , and then walk along The Mall to Trafalgar Square . Time your day to be in Covent Garden around lunchtime, and soak up the atmosphere in a pavement café whilst watching the bustling markets and street entertainment. In the afternoon, a trip on the London Eye will give you a bird's eye view of the city, and in the evening the lively bars and restaurants around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are the place to be. If you have more time, all the major London museums are free to enter. If you happen to be in London on the August Bank Holiday weekend, then the famous Notting Hill Carnival is a must. Second only to Rio de Janeiro 's carnival in size, it's a three day spectacular of music and colour.
Around the rest of the United Kingdom marvel at picture postcard villages, and rose clad thatched cottages. They are the real England , not just for the travel brochures, and surprisingly common. First stop outside London is often Stonehenge , a four thousand year old enigma of massive stones for tourists to wonder at, and historians to argue over. But continue southwest to the rugged Atlantic and Channel coasts, and to Land's End . Tiny fishing villages nestled in rocky inlets are the place to sample England 's best know cuisine ? Fish and Chips. |
