Chester Castle. A visit to Chester’s Castle will treat you to a twelfth century castle manor, complete with a watch tower, wall walk, and chapel. The chapel itself houses an awe-inspiring collection of wall paintings from the thirteenth century.

Castlerigg Stone Circle. This ancient circle of 33 impressively oversized stones, erected several thousand years ago, is the perfect place to go for a quiet meditation, countryside cow watching, and especially painting and photography. There really is no other place in the UK quite like it.

Castlerigg Stone Circle, The Lake District, UK by KatherineDavis

Staward Gorge and Allen Banks. If you are interested in the Victorian period, this 101 acre span of gorge and river scenery is perfect for you. Pack a lunch, brink a backpack, and walk along Allen Banks to view a reconstructed Victorian mansion, the remains of a medieval tower, a protected garden of ancient and rare plants, and a charming wildlife community.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This free museum is well known for its diverse art collection, featuring everything from Renaissance artworks to Mid-Eastern relics dated from over 9,000 years ago. Additionally, BMAG (as it is known to locals) is a great place to learn about the history of the UK – namely the industrial revolution.

Beach life. You may not be aware of it, but the UK has some of the world’s best beaches, and quite a variety of them (Britain is an island, after all). Whether you are interested in taking a nature walk, surfing, photographing wildlife, or exploring dramatic landscapes, you can find what you are looking for on the UK beachfront. Where to head? That’s easy; the UK offers over 7,800 miles of beach and you are never more than two hours away, in whatever direction you want to head.

Bournemouth Beach, UK by Mac Adamarczuk

Eyam the Plague Village. If you desire a taste of history, and a bit of macabre, then you must check out this seventeenth century village, where the villagers discovered they were infested with the plague and voluntarily quarantined themselves to prevent its spread. By the time the wrath ended, only a quarter of the population remained. Be sure to visit the graveyard while you are there, to see where they buried their own dead.

UK Churches. The entire landscape of the UK is dotted with churches and churchyards as old as the twelfth century. Because many of these small landmarks were unimportant during the Reformation, they were untouched, and today remain intact, in almost exactly the same condition they were in yesterday. Check out St. Boltolph’s and St. John the Evangelist Church – prime examples of these charming historic landmarks.

UK is full of things to do for free. Be sure to put these great sites on your itinerary.

About the Author: Alvaro Klonoski loves to travel. He just returned from two Turkey tours and is planning 2 separate trips to the UK – one to see family, and one for pleasure!

The post 7 Amazing Things You Can Do in the UK for FREE appeared first on Europe Explored.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Romania by Florin73m

Transylvania is a wild corner of Europe where untamed forest meets the mountains, forming jagged ridges in the sky. There are a number of impressive mountain ranges in Transylvania including the Făgăraș, Bucegi and the Carpathians. Ensure that you spend at least 8 full days exploring each of these stunning regions. Start off your magnificent European tour with a visit to the medieval town of Brasov.

Brasov is a gorgeous village in central Romania, enveloped by the Carpathian Mountains. There are a range of summer and winter activities for tourists to enjoy including skiing and snowboarding in the resorts during winter as well as swimming at the Aquatic Paradise, roller skating and climbing in the summer. But for those with a wild appreciation for natural beauty, Brasov’s surrounding Prahova Valley is definitely worth the visit. The Valley separates the Eastern Carpathians from the Southern Carpathians and was historically, a passage that led from the principality of Wallachia to Transylvania. You may take a day hike up the Carpathian Mountains and visit the spectacular Seven Stairs Canyon.

Turda Gorges, Romania by Cristian Bortes

Dracula’s Castle

Your exploration of Romania is not complete without a visit to Bran, home of Castle Dracula. The majestic Bran Castle is one of the nation’s most popular landmarks, it was built during the medieval period and is now a museum displaying artefacts collected by Queen Marie. It is speculated that the real Castle Dracula is now in ruins, but Vlad Tepes (The Impaler) used Bran Castle as the headquarters for most of his invasions in Transylvania.

Moldoveanu Peak

Hike to the very top of Romania – look down at the magnificent escarpment below atop Moldoveanu Peak. At 2544m, it is the highest point on the Făgăraș mountain range. You may climb the mountain at any time of the year, but be on the lookout for avalanche warnings during the winter. It can take up to four days to hike the Făgăraș Mountains, with no restrictions on camping but make sure you take with you plenty of food, water and sunscreen as there is very little shade on the mountain. The journey begins at the beautiful glacial Bâlea Lake and you can get there by car. Start your hike early in the morning to ensure you make the most of the daylight.

Pietrosu Mare, Romania by Gavrila Stetco

Accommodation

Book yourself a European tour package with accommodation included. Many deals offer cheap and comfortable accommodation options such as cosy guesthouses or lodges. Some packages even include most meals – but make sure you pack a few sandwiches, some snacks and plenty of water if you’re planning to camp out on the mountains, as there are no dining facilities once you leave the townships.

The countryside of Romania is a gorgeous, often forgotten part of Eastern Europe that is easily one of the most naturally beautiful locations in the world. For those who can’t resist a long hike up majestic mountains and a good social gathering at the pub afterwards, Romania is the perfect holiday escape.

The post Discovering Romania – breath-taking mountain sceneries, fascinating history and legends appeared first on Europe Explored.