[All content and prices updated September 2013]
Why you should add the UK to your Indie/RTW trip
The United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a formidable player on the world stage. Although not without its own internal squabbles between the differing groups, the United Kingdom presents a strong face to the rest of the world, and is generally an initial stop for any first-time European traveler.
- The highlights are many, and you could spend months exploring just the UK on a long-term trip (though the budget may take a hit)
- You like big, varied, awesome cities? Check out London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Belfast.
- The UK is a hodge-podge of native and immigrant cultures with a fascinating history to learn about.
- You want culture? The UK is filled with cultural opportunities for travelers.
- It’s a great place to begin your longer trip – ease into it as it’s foreign enough to be different but familiar enough not to overwhelm.
- You can usually catch a deal on flights in to London, and it’s a great city to add into a longer flight itinerary as it’s one of the world’s biggest hub cities.
- It’s easy to get anywhere else in Europe, whether by train or budget flight.
- Wales is a interesting mix of tradition and modernity, and it’s a big part of the reason to visit.
Indie travel tips for the UK
- If you’re a fan of the arts and festivals, there aren’t many cities in the world that do it better than Edinburgh.
- Want to ring in the New Year with one of the biggest parties and festivals in the world? Head to Edinburgh for Hogmanay.
- London has a long and fascinating history, and it truly is one of the world’s great cities – a worthy edition to any longer, RTW trip.
- London can be expensive, but they have plenty of opportunities to save costs, particularly when it comes to museums – lots of free admission days – so do your homework before planning out your time there.
- Food in the UK gets a bad rap, but there is plenty of great cuisine being cooked in the region.
- What do you think of when you think of art, film, and rock and roll? Is it Wales? Probably not, but they do all three as good as any other country on the planet.
- Go hiking or biking on Wales’ Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
- Go for a drive in Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast – spectacular scenery all around you.
- A raucous nightlife and an emerging food scene has Belfast emerging as a popular destination for travelers.
Transportation
Most travelers coming to the UK fly in and out of London, but there are plenty of deals to found flying into Edinburgh or Glasgow as well. Once in the UK, you can utilize the vast train network, or it you have the funds, rent a car for the ultimate indie experience.
Accommodation
Travel in the UK can be pricey, so you may want to check out hostel prices when it comes to accommodation. There are plenty of hotels and B&B’s as well, and rentals are always an option.