United Kingdom Tour Packages

About The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland lies on the northwest coast of Europe and includes four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The country is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The UK was formed when the Kingdoms of Scotland and England came together to create a Union in 1701. Northern Ireland joined the Union in 1800. Wales had been part of the Kingdom of England since the 16th century.

Historians claim that when Britain ceased to be part of the disintegrating Roman Empire, multiple warring groups claimed different territories, eventually leading to the creation of the medieval kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Wales.

At its height, the British Empire controlled about one-quarter of the world’s land surface, spanning 56 countries, including India, Australia, Canada, and South Africa. The United Kingdom was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and many 19th and 20th century scientists, including Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Charles Darwin, and Michael Faraday.

The United Kingdom was also home to some of the best creative minds in the literary world, including Shakespeare, CS Lewis, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, George Orwell, Charles Dickens, and Robert Louis Stevenson.

It is also home to some glorious, mesmerising countryside and stunning landscapes like the Cotswolds, the Giant’s Causeway, and the legendary Scottish Highlands. The country is also full of grand castles and palaces that stand testimony to its glorious past.

Check our budget UK tour packages if you’d like to explore this beautiful country and experience this ancient culture.

Tidbits

• The UK isn’t one country; rather, it is a country within countries.

• The terms UK and Great Britain cannot be used interchangeably the latter is a geographical term that includes England, Scotland, and Wales.

• You can’t call a Scot/Welsh/Irish, English, or vice versa. It’s considered rude and even offensive by some.

• Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a village in Anglesey, Wales, is one of the longest place names in the world.

• The UK shares its borders with only one country, The Republic of Ireland.

• You cannot own a mute swan in the UK as it is considered the property of the Crown.

• The UK is the 6th largest economy in the world.

• The UK is the world’s third largest tea consumer – an average person consumes around 2 kgs of tea annually.

• Golf, cricket, rugby, football, and a dozen other games were invented in the UK.

• The shortest war in history was fought between the UK and Zanzibar. It took place in 1896 and lasted 40 minutes.

• The Irish add an extra e to their whisky brands to differentiate them from the Scotch, Welsh, or English whisky.

Things to Know Before Visiting The United Kingdom

• UK offers Standard Visitor Visa for 6 months (single and multiple entry options available)

• You can also apply for a long-term visitor visa for 2/5/10 years, with a maximum of 6 month stay per visit.

• Pack according to the weather remember to carry warm accessories in spring, autumn, and winter.

• Carry an umbrella as the weather is unpredictable, and it can rain at any time.

• Pack comfortable shoes, as a lot of medieval cities have pedestrian only walkways.

• Don’t worry about food – the UK is the best place outside India for Indian food.

• It’s best to pre-book popular attractions like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey.

• Book a London Pass depending on where you’d like to visit.

• You can also buy city passes (for individual cities) or multi attraction passes covering multiple cities.

• Check with your credit card company about international fees. Cash is rarely accepted in the UK.

• Trains are the best way to travel across the UK. There are several tourist passes. For instance, the BritRail Pass is a great idea for tourists.

• Brush up on UK history before visiting the names and places can be overwhelming and confusing.

Confusing Terms About The United Kingdom

People visiting the United Kingdom often make the mistake of using terms like Great Britain, UK, and England interchangeably. While a polite Brit may not correct you out of politeness, it can be frustrating for the people, especially if you’re visiting Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Before you book a UK tour package, here are some of the commonly misunderstood but distinct terms:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

This refers to the four co-equal countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain

This geographical rather than political term represents three countries: England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland.

British Isles

This geographical term also includes an archipelago of over 6,000 islands, the two main islands being Great Britain and Ireland. Some of the smaller islands include the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Sicily, and the Isle of Man. If you’re in the Republic of Ireland, be wary of using the term, as the Irish do not want to be associated with the British in any form.

Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state and part of the European Union. It split from the British Commonwealth in 1949 and became a republic. In contrast, Northern Ireland remained with the UK as its predominant protestant population wanted to stay with the UK.

England

This refers to the Kingdom of England, which is one of the four countries representing the UK.