The United Kingdom is comprised of two large and several tiny islands just off the north-west coast of the European Continent. The UK has been a major player in world history and once oversaw a vast empire that stretched throughout virtually the entire globe. The British liking for cultural diversity is somewhat at odds with the UK itself. United in name only England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are geographically individual and each has their own distinct cultures. Even within the countries themselves, regional traditions, dialects and attitudes vary widely. The landscape is varied, from cultural cities to the rugged Shetlands, lochs and windswept moors of Scotland in the far North to the tranquil crystal clear waters of the Isles of Scilly off the South Coast; from England's green rolling hills and hedgerows in the East to the dramatic beauty of the mountains, valleys and lakes of Wales in the West. Whichever direction visitors travel, they will find a wide variety of landscapes and diverse cultures to explore.

London, the capital city of England, is energetic, cosmopolitan, hectic, diverse and thrilling. It is the largest city in Europe, and is a mixture of wealth and poverty, of glitz and grime, of imposing buildings and elegant shops, of world-class theatre and incredible nightclubs. Sights not to be missed include the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Covent Garden.

Scotland's capital Edinburgh, is perhaps the country's most alluring city, it is a fascinating place with many historical and artistic treasures, a fantastic pub scene and scenery as beautiful as the Scottish highlands. Edinburgh Castle is a good place to start your exploration of the Scottish capital. The castle is beautiful, mysterious, romantic and a reminder of the city's bloody past. The magnificent panorama from the battlements will give visitors a splendid idea of the city and the surrounding terrain. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is one of the world’s most captivating streets. Running from the castle to Holyrood Palace, it affords breathtaking views over the Firth of Forth and of Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano south-west of the city centre.

Cardiff, a lively university city, and the capital of Wales, boasts a striking city-centre castle, an important national museum and art gallery, redeveloped dock area and beautiful architecture. The Welsh people are a cultured race with a great love of poetry, drama, music, and Rugby. Situated among the shops in Cardiff city centre, the Millennium Stadium or Cardiff Arms Park as it is known throughout the rugby world is the home of the national side.