The beautiful countries that make up the U.K. are richly filled with monuments to the history of man throughout the last millennia. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are some of the most beautiful countries to visit in Europe, and anyone planning their vacations to Europe should definitely consider visiting the U.K. to complete their tour of historical Old World sites. Millions of people from around the world make their way to the four countries that comprise the U.K., and the amazing diversity of historical and cultural sites to visit make the U.K. a perfect vacation destination for everyone. Not only are the countries diverse in culture, the climate throughout the U.K. is amazing diverse as well. Visit the Scottish highlands to experience the chill winds, or bask in the sun in the lowlands of England and Wales. Enjoy the paradisaical areas of Northern Ireland, and swim off the coast of Dover in the south of England. Anyone visiting the United Kingdom should definitely begin their sightseeing tours in England. The Mother Nation, as it is known in many countries in the world, contains thousands of historical and cultural sites. You will never be able to visit them all, but any visitor to the U.K. has to be sure to visit: • Windsor Castle Hop on a train for a short ride to Windsor Castle, located just a few miles from London. Windsor Castle is the summer castle of the royal family, and is the largest castle in the world to be inhabited. Stretching over 13 verdant and luxurious acres of land, Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror and remains as a monument of royalty to this day. The tickets cost 14.50 pounds, but the tour can last for hours as you stroll through the ceremonial State Apartments, the more private Semi State Rooms, the Royal collection’s numerous Art Treasures, the burial site of monarchs at St. George’s Chapel, and Queen Mary’s Doll House. • Stonehenge One of the most culturally significant monuments in Europe, the Stonehenge stands as a mysterious monument to ages long forgotten. Fabled to have been constructed by giants 5,000 years ago, the Stonehenge is one of the most important World Heritage Sites and is visited by millions of people every year. You may be able to enter the monument itself and walk around inside the mammoth stones that form the structure, but you will have to obtain an appointment to do so well before your trip. The monument is the site of many New Age and Pagan celebrations, and is one of the most visited sites in the United Kingdom. • The Royal Pavilion Visit the excessively lavish summer palace of King George IV in Brighton, the seaside residence that fuses elements of Chinese, Indian, and traditional architecture into a monument to the grandeur of the British Empire at its heyday. Built by the gambling playboy George IV, this beautiful palace was constructed by 19th century architect John Nash. • Stratford upon Avon Anyone with an intellectual bent will definitely take the opportunity to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the quaint town of Stratford upon Avon. Anyone visiting the town should visit the homes of his wife, children, and Shakespeare’s retirement home, as well as enjoy the beauty of a local play in the Royal Shakespeare Theater. • Hadrian’s Wall Roman history buffs will love to visit the ancient wall built at Vindolandia in order to keep raiding Picts from Scotland from crossing into Roman-held territory. Remnants of the massive wall still remain to this day, and the wall can still be seen stretching across 73 miles of land, and visitors to Vindolandia will get a glimpse into a day in the life of Roman-held Britain. • Roman Baths The Roman Baths in the city of Bath is one of the most complex and elaborate bath systems created in early centuries, with a ceremonial fountain supposed to be created in honor of a Roman goddess. The baths are fed from a natural hot spring, and the city of Bath is now one of the most popular spa and bath sites in the world. Scotland, home of William Wallace, is another beautiful country, and visitors to the verdant country north of England should visit: • Edinburgh Castle This ancient Scottish Castle is built on what is supposed to be a volcano gone extinct, and has overlooked the ancient city of Edinburgh for a millennium. Edinburgh Castle has seen many uses, including serving as a prison in the 1700’s and 1800’s. A good deal of graffiti still decorates the walls of Edinburgh Castle, left there by sailors incarcerated for sailing with John Paul Jones. Edinburgh Castle is also home to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a performance by the Scottish regiments of Edinburgh bedecked in their colorful attire. Wales is an important country in the U.K., and visitors to the country to the west of England should stop in at: • Caernarvon Castle Originally constructed by Edward Longshanks, this castle was designed to be a symbol of British rules over rebellious Welsh lords. Caernarvon Castle was also the birthplace of the first Prince of Wales, and is one of the most historically significant castles in Wales. • Snowdonia National Park The towering Mount Snowdon was the site of a host of marine fossils, giving evidence of life on the ocean floor 500,000,000 years ago. The incredibly steep mountains are nearly vertical, but are not excessively high. Mount Snowdon, the highest peak, only stands 3,650 feet high, but the area around the mountains has been turned into a lush, beautiful national park. Northern Ireland is also filled with beautiful sites to visit when on vacation, such as: • Navan Fort Located near the city of Arnagh, this fabled fort was the home of the storied Ulster kings. The castle is featured prominently in many sagas, especially those featuring Cuchulainn and his famous Fianna warriors.