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United Kingdom

A four-in-one destination (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the U.K. offers beautiful, memorable, and accessible nature, some of the best museums in Europe, and a flourishing food scene far beyond mushy peas or beans on toast. Its landscapes are unparalleled and diverse—think craggy mountain peaks, ancient forests dripping with moss and ferns, and cool glassy lakes increasingly popular for wild swimming.

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Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to the United Kingdom.

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Resources to help plan your trip
Architecture and History in Glasgow
In Glasgow, architecture and history often go hand-in-hand—but a spate of architects have enlivened the city’s landscape with beautiful modern buildings, too.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Danielle Walsh
The Best of Summer in Glasgow
Scotland’s notoriously unpredictable weather may not always come up with the goods during the summer months, but when it does you can be assured that Glaswegians are receptive to the heat. The city comes alive as bars and restaurants dust off their outdoor seating and festivals and al fresco events spring up all over town. The summer months are also a great time to venture into the great outdoors and with Glasgow in close proximity to the coast and the Highlands the possibilities are endless.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Glasgow’s Best Independent Shops
Glasgow’s reputation as Scotland’s shopping capital is largely based on the excellent selection of cutting-edge international brand names available in the city center. Nevertheless, it could just as easily be applied to the fine range of independent retail options tucked away down narrow lanes and in less commercial parts of town. These range from chaotic bookstores to expertly curated record retailers.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Glasgow’s Coolest Neighborhoods
Although far from intimidating, Glasgow is still big enough to facilitate several days of exploration. Its different areas all have their own fascinating quirks and highlights. From the gritty East End of the city, containing such places as Glasgow Green and Barrowlands, to city center enclaves such as Garnethill and Merchant City, to the leafier environs of the West End and Southside, the city boasts a wealth of possibilities in every direction.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Glasgow’s Music Landmarks
When Glasgow was named a world center of music by UNESCO in 2008 it was deserved recognition of its remarkably diverse and energetic music scene. From fey indie rock bands to relentlessly innovative dance sounds, the city’s musical influence can be felt worldwide. Unsurprisingly, there are numerous locations around the city where this enduring fervor can be sampled first hand.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Literary Glasgow
Glasgow has traditionally been a febrile stomping ground for creatives. Several of Scotland’s greatest men and women of letters were either born or studied here, while the city itself has starred in innumerable works of fiction, most notably Alasdair Gray’s epic Lanark, and H. Kingsley Long’s memorable depiction of life in the notorious Gorbals slum, No Mean City. With the city continuing to support its poets and writers, Glasgow is a great place to get a literary fix.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Glasgow’s Traditional Pub Culture
Scotland has one of the strongest drinking cultures in the whole of Europe, and Glasgow is over-subscribed with venues for sinking a few pints. While some of the rougher bars in the city won’t win any prizes for aesthetics, there are some lovely long-standing watering holes where live music and friendly locals add to the general conviviality.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
Glasgow’s Coolest Bars and Clubs
Make no bones about it—Glasgow is very much a party city. In fact Glaswegians wear the city’s collection of world-class clubs, bars, and music venues as a badge of pride. Glasgow’s obsession with music shines through at many of its venues, which have a strong bent towards live performances. Expertly mixed cocktails and laid-back hangouts are also prevalent.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Duncan Forgan
The Essential Guide to Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh is history incarnate. The Old Town features well-preserved medieval architecture and design, while across a deep valley, the New Town—misleadingly named considering it dates to the 19th century—is a marvel of Georgian buildings and public squares. Other city highlights include Edinburgh Castle, the National Galleries of Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Barry Steven Shelby
The Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland
Unlike in America, whisky is spelled without the “e” in Scotland—but that’s not the only difference. Learn about what makes a single malt and other interesting facts by visiting one of Scotland’s best distilleries, many of which are located on the Isle of Islay. Several are even surrounded by great natural beauty, meaning you can sip your Scotch while enjoying the scenery.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Barry Steven Shelby
The Essential Guide to the Hebrides
Scattered along Scotland’s western shore, the Hebridean islands are full of rugged landscapes, quaint fishing villages, and remote, Gaelic-speaking communities. The Inner Hebrides are generally a short ferry ride from the mainland and include everything from the Isle of Mull, with its ancient castle and charming village of Tobermory, to the craggy Isle of Skye, connected to the mainland by a bridge. More than 25 miles offshore, the wilder Outer Hebrides require a flight or ferry ride across often-choppy seas, but prove a worthy adventure for their untouched coasts, fascinating history, and unique culture.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Barry Steven Shelby
The Best Things to Do in London
For culture, art, history, nightlife, and food, London can’t be beat. What else do you need? From the tippy top of the Shard to the dungeons at the Tower of London, from the green swaths of Hyde Park to the stones of Westminster Abbey, from the Tate Modern to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, squeeze as much time as you can into exploring this fascinating and thoroughly modern city.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Emma John
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