Of course, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different – as different as pasties, haggis, colcannon and Welsh cakes. As for landscapes, contrast the Scottish Highlands and islands with the Welsh valleys and dramatic coastline. Natural wonders? How about the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland (that’s Game of Thrones country). And England’s variety astonishes visitors, from the romantic Lake District and Cornwall to castles, stately homes and elegant gardens. Follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Harry Potter; visit the free, world-class museums and galleries in cities, such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
TIP: Herefordshire’s Golden Valley looks ‘forever England’. Stroll round picture-postcard villages, such as Peterchurch, Vowchurch and Turnastone. At the 800-year-old Pandy Inn in Dorstone, relax over pints of proper cider produced by Gwatkin’s, just down the valley in Abbey Dore.
This is a magical place, with a completely different feel from the rest of Scotland. What's more, the Shetland Isles are experiencing ever increasing popularity thanks to BBC's hit TV series “Shetland” based on Ann Cleeve's gritty, iconic crime stories.
Fly to Barra in the Outer Hebrides where you can land on a sparkling sandy beach. Even the terminal building has a seaview and serves homemade scones and fresh coffee to passengers - air travel will never seem the same again. What’s more this small island makes for a perfect escape for a few days with plenty to explore.
Our most popular wildlife holiday in search of whales, otters and eagles
Our unique holiday combines a fabulous day trip in first class on the Jacobite Express steam train, that runs on the final section of the line, from Fort William to Mallaig, with two nights at a small, family-run hotel in the highland village of Spean Bridge. This holiday is a great way to celebrate special occasions, such as landmark birthdays.
