Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
A refurbished reminder of the time when kings and clansmen ruled the land
A paradise of towering mountains, challenging trails and rugged beauty
London's most recognizable skyline
Great Britain: Scotland, England and Wales
Vibrant and serene, ancient and modern, cultured and quirky – whatever adjective pops into your head, you’ll find evidence of it in Great Britain! It is one nation with multiple personalities.
There are expansive and stunning views in which to lose yourself in Scotland’s highlands, Wales’s Snowdonia park mountains and England’s Lake District. History lovers will find ample opportunities to indulge their sense of discovery from 5000-year-old Standing Stones to remains of Roman dominance, battlefields that tell the tales of thousands of years of shifting rulers and architectural masterpieces that have weathered the ages. And icon seekers will find their full with stops at London’s Tower Bridge, Edinburgh’s Royal Britannia yacht and Llandudno’s stately Victorian seaside pier. Great Britain is overflowing with reasons to visit the island nation!
What's in a Name?
While most people have no problem recognizing the places known as Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland, some get a little bolloxed over the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain. Although often used interchangeably, these terms are not synonymous. Great Britain refers to the island on which you will find Scotland, England and Wales. But Northern Ireland resides on a different land mass called simply Ireland, which is shared with the independent Republic of Ireland. Together Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England comprise the United Kingdom – an independent sovereign state – the full name of which is the: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the UK for short.
Although all four currently operate under one constitutional monarchy and elected Parliament, each is decidedly different, with their own governments, languages, accents, flags and customs. Click on a country to see how beautiful and unique each of Great Britain’s component parts are!
The Union Jack Flag
The flag combines aspects of three national flags: the red cross of St. George of the Kingdom of England, the white cross of St. Andrew for Scotland, and the red cross of St. Patrick to represent Ireland. Wales's red dragon is noticeably absent. That's because, when the Union Flag was designed, Wales was considered a principality, not a kingdom, as the others were.
Characterized by imposing highlands, long lochs (lakes), bustling cities that are both modern and quaint, lush glens and miles of beaches, Scotland offers visitors a little of everything! Click the photo of highland falls to visit Great Britain’s northernmost country.
Land of sheep, seaside resorts, imposing castles and breathtaking summits – Wales runs the gamut of sights to see and experiences to enjoy. The sometimes overlooked arm of Great Britain (only its symbol was not incorporated in the UK’s Union Jack flag), Wales boasts lots of superlatives: the longest named town, perplexing pronunciations and Great Britain’s smallest house. It’s also home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Click on this shot of one of the most impressive (taken from the castle's walls surrounding the town), pictured left, to start your tour of Northern Wales.
With almost 20 million visitors a year to its capital city, England is a top destination for travelers. It is easy to see why. London may be England’s biggest draw – it is the second most visited city in the world – but to make London the only stop in this country would be to miss so much! There’s the solitude and striking grandeur of the Lake District, the stately Crescent in Bath, unique shopping Rows in Chester (which almost supplanted London as the capital!), Churchill’s Secret War Rooms and staggering examples of brilliant architecture in cathedrals and castles. Enter England with a click on the photo where Churchill spent six years commanding armies.
Continue your trip through Great Britain with a visit to the Scotland, Wales or England pages.
For a taste of Great Britain, try the delicious Carrot and Coriander soup recipe on the Recipes Tab (under More).
To enjoy the Great Britain experience at its fullest, attend a Savvy Sightseer - Great Britain Travelogue at a library or community center near you! Check the Programs page for upcoming dates and locations.
