Destinations
France
Lyon
Lyon is a sprawl of urbanisation which lies on the banks of two major rivers; the Rhone and the Saone, only coming to a head at their convergence which has formed a peninsula (presqu’ile) between the two. Lyon’s wealth and its development over the years is largely thanks to the silk trade. Through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (the old quarter) can be found many hidden passages &rsqu...
Paris
The capital of France boasts a vast array of culture, history and magnificent architecture, whilst being an important centre of economic activity. The city’s charm though is subtle and lies much deeper than in the generic characteristics listed above, which could be attributed to many of Europe’s finest cities. A whistle stop tour of Paris may leave you with the impression of a city whic...
Germany
Berlin
With its copious amounts of historical venues and cultural artefacts, Berlin has rightly claimed back its capital city status. Berlin is the biggest capital city in Europe, but after the devastation caused to the East from the war, it has the lowest number of inhabitants. The amount of construction in Berlin is at first alarming, but once you surpass this initial shock you can see the beauty th...
Italy
Rome
I feel happy here for I learn something new every day: I try to become impregnated with the unalterable beauty Rome dispenses with such generosity’ (Auguste Rodin).Rome is not a city that can be easily described in brief. It has too often been described as a crowded, dirty city made up of many churches and pickpockets. However, when you take the time to discover the Eternal city, it is li...
Venice
Often referred to as the “City of Water”, Venice is the capital of the region of Veneto, which is known to be one of the most beautiful northern Italian cities. World-famous for its waterways, Venice is built up of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges, all contributing to a city that is full of character and bea...
Spain
Barcelona
One of Barcelona’s main traits is the pride of its people, as a community which has suffered many changes and never achieved independence.Spain has passed through a number of hands: originally Roman, then conquered by Muslims for 700 years, Spain pushed out the moors in 1492 and became an Empire. The country experienced an economic fall and passed to the French in the 18th century before retur...
Madrid
Madrid is one of the world’s greatest cities and the capital of Spain. The city centre is surprisingly small, with the majority of its main attractions within walking distance. The heart of the centre is called Sol. This can be considered as one of the main tourist attractions as it is classed as the very heart of Madrid’s old city. There is even a plaque on the floor which states you ar...
Valencia
Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, yet is catching up as one of Spain’s most desirable tourist destinations. The city has everything to offer. A buzzing metropolitan centre in a beautiful seaside location, also benefiting from a close proximity to a beautiful coastal mountain range making Valencia the place to be! The climate is controlled by the Medit...
United Kingdom
Birmingham
Birmingham takes its name from the old English words describing an anglo-saxon settlement: Birm (a name) ing (tribe) and ham (home). The town became famous for manufacturing and was nicknamed the 'city of a thousand trades' for its many industries. Through the ages it came to specialise in metal work and jewellery. Best-known brands made in Birmingham are Cadbury's chocolate and the Mini...
Bristol
Bristol, or "Brizzle", how it is affectionately referred to by the locals, is a young and vibrant city. However, at first sight it might not seem so. Its elegant cafes and restaurants, the neat streets and the often quite expensive shops seem to indicate otherwise. It will take you a very short time, let's say just a brief walk on a sunny afternoon or a glance on the streets on a Frida...
Cardiff
Cardiff, or Caerdydd if you’re feeling brave enough to try a little Welsh, is the vibrant and exciting capital of Wales, situated on the coast of the Bristol Channel. To understand Cardiff and Wales in general, one should keep in mind a few basic facts of history: From the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, Wales has been politically integrated to England. Nevertheless, nationalist aspirations star...
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, or Dùn Eideann if interested in picking up Scottish Gaelic, is a small city of happiness. Most people who visit fall in love with the atmosphere that Edinburgh offers. From castles and old churches to cobblestone roads and quaint pubs, it is a comfortable and safe city that makes it easy to call Edinburgh "a home away from home". One of the current interesting attraction...
Glasgow
Stone Age canoes unearthed in Glasgow suggest this settlement began as a small Celtic fishing village before the Roman invasion. Through the ages, Glasgow grew into the UK’s busiest trading centre outside London, diversifying from tobacco exports, to sugar imports, to ship building, locomotives then tourism. Glasgow has changed tack and changed tack again in order to keep its conurbation of 2...
Leeds
Home to actor Peter O’Toole, singer Mel B of the Spice Girls and punk rockers the Kaiser Chiefs, the city of Leeds is a vibrant and lively metropolis nestled in the Yorkshire midlands. The Industrial Revolution shaped Leeds as a major industrial centre for the production and trade of wool during the 19th century. The 20th century witnessed the development of Leeds as a centre for higher educat...
Liverpool
People were encouraged to settle in Liverpool in the 1200s by King John who wanted to create a port free from the control of dockland landlord the Earl of Chester. The city became home to the UK’s first wet dock in 1715 and enjoyed trade from the West Indies, Ireland and Europe. The population of Liverpool has now been put at about 436,000 people. The city’s rich cultural heritage, as t...
London
London is one of the largest - and most expensive - cities to live in the world. Londinium was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. It has since grown into a hub of legislative, political and regal activity for one of the most powerful civilizations in Europe. The English capital survived plague, fire and two world wars to become the largest conurbation of the continent, with a populat...
Loughborough
Loughborough may be tiny, but getting a place at the university here is no small feat. Loughborough University is not far behind Oxford and high-ranking institutions in London in the UK league tables. It is exceptional for sport, awarding more scholarships in this field than any other institution. More than 250 international athletes train at Loughborough.The settlement started out as a market villa...
Manchester
Many people would imagine Manchester to be a mere industrial city. But this image has long been outdated. Often described as “capital of the North” or “second city of the UK”, Manchester is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city offering a range of multicultural attractions. With a population of about half a million inhabitants, Manchester is one of the biggest cities within the UK.The...
Newcastle
Newcastle was established as a defensive settlement along Hadrian’s Wall, built to guard England against the Scots more than 2,000 years ago. The city takes its name from a ‘new’ kind of castle that was constructed as part of the fortifications in the 1200s. Newcastle grew into a busy trading area for exports like wool and coal through its coastal connections and became the home of...
Nottingham
Nottingham is more famous for its legends than for its recorded history. The story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men who reputedly lived in Sherwood Forest robbing from the rich and giving to the poor has stood the test of time to be a major tourist lure. But Nottingham is more than fairytales. A great medieval castle has presided over the city since it was built by the Normans in 1068. As well as a ...
Sheffield
Sheffield is one of the greenest cities to live in the UK, with more trees per capita than any other conurbation in the UK. More than half of Sheffield is made up of green space, which consists of 200 parks, forests and gardens. The city is home to one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in the country and lies within the Peak District national park, which makes Sheffield the perfect choice for...