Travel Tips for the European Countries: United Kingdom

About the country

The United Kingdom is also known as England or Great Britain. The UK is the country which once ruled nearly the entire world almost a century ago. The glory may be a thing of the past but people are still rightfully proud of their country and heritage. It has come a long way from a colonial empire to a member of the EU. The country is comprised mainly of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is full of scenic locales and energetic cities. Also the country is home to nearly two million heritage points.

The capital city of the United Kingdom is London. London is a city beyond compare, representing itself as an icon of diversity with people from different races, creeds and all walks of life blend into its culture. It is also home to many architectural marvels, While York and Durham manifests the bygone era of country, Liverpool and Newcastle are modern industrial marvels. Of course you can't forget the scenic Lake District and Edinburg that still attract people from all over the world.

Population & Languages

The population is around 61 million and the official language is English. So you're in good shape if you are clueless when it comes to speaking a foreign language. There are many other languages spoken in the United Kingdom such as Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish and more.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is a rectangular blade.

Geographic Location

The United Kingdom is located in Western Europe and consists of islands that include the northern one-sixth of Ireland. It is 22 miles from the France border and linked by a under sea tunnel. The terrain is made up of mostly rolling lowlands and low mountains.

Climate

It has a moderate climate but expect a lot of rain since half the year is considered to be overcast. The lowest temperatures have never gone below ?15 °C (5 °F) and in the summer the average maximum is 34 °C (93.2 °F). They also get snow in the winter and early spring.

Local Customs

When meeting somebody for the first time, it is customary to greet them with a simple handshake. If you'll be a guest at someone's house, a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Be sure to wait until everyone has been served before eating since it is considered good etiquette. Tipping is usually 10-15% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated so it shouldn't be a problem at all.

Places to see

London – Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London

Scotland - The Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Ben Lawers Mountains
Wales - Aberdulais Falls, King Arthur's Labyrinth, Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Great Orme Mines, Portmeirion Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, Taff Valley Activity Centre and TechinQuest

Travel

By Air – The domestic airline is British Airways and also connects almost all of the major world destinations. Virtually all airlines connect UK through London since it is a hub for all international flights between east to west and west to east. Heathrow and Gatwick are the international airports in London.

By Sea – Since the UK is surrounded by water from almost all sides, it has many ports. There are a lot of ferry services that operate between Europe and the UK.

By Rail – Trains connect Ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing from Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing from Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street). Eurostar train connects London with Brussels and Paris through the channel tunnel.

By Road – The vehicles can enter the UK through the channel tunnel. Cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use the channel tunnel. You can also use bicycles.

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 3200 cigarettes
2. 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to ?145

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.
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