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.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ed Webster

1 – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Located in the West End of the city, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum contains a wide range of artifacts and exhibitions devoted to Glaswegian and more general history. Current exhibitions include a gallery celebrating 500 years of Italian Art, as well as the Glasgow Boys Gallery. The Kelvingrove also provides regular guest talks and lectures, while hosting a series of night events. Highly recommended for families and art lovers wanting to get to grips with Glasgow’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary art trends.

2 – Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace

Recently restored, the Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace include multiple examples of rare plants and vegetation within its glasshouses, and also features some of the best rose gardens in the United Kingdom. Visitors can also wander around its gardens, which play host to regular concerts, and talks. One of the most well established destinations within Glasgow, the Gardens also cater to family parties.

3 – Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Providing insights into Glasgow’s long maritime past, the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel covers the city’s shipbuilding traditions, while also exploring a number of land based modes of transport. With special tours organised for families, and exhibitions held to celebrate exploration and travel, the Riverside Museum is one of the most unique attractions in the city.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by dun_deagh

4 – People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

With a long history as a centre for local art and celebration, the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens tells the story of Glaswegians from 1750 to the present, and represents one of the oldest public spaces in the city.

5 – Glasgow Cathedral

Open since 1197, the Glasgow Cathedral features excellent stained glass windows and a range of different architectural styles. Regular tours are held during the week, and operas and other concerts are conducted in evening slots.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Thomas Duesing

6 – Burrell Collection

Part of County Park, the Burrell Collection includes 8000 objects of interest, as well as a wide range of temporary exhibits. Current collections include studies of ancient civilizations and Gothic and Islamic art. Particularly recommended is the Collection’s tapestry gallery.
art and history

7 – The Tall Ship

Another fine example of Glasgow’s shipyard past, The Tall Ship at the Riverside Museum is one of the few preserved 19th century ships still to be found in the UK. The ship also acts as a way into understanding the history of Scottish trading, and features a number of maritime themed events, as well as regular classes and exhibitions.

8 – Glasgow Science Centre

Ideal for novices and science experts, the Glasgow Science Centre features exhibitions catered to different disciplines and histories. The Centre also includes an IMAX screen and a planetarium.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Francois Schnell

9 – Willow Tearooms

First opened in 1904, the Willow Tearooms are an excellent way to get around from the crowds near Sauchiehall Street. Enjoy sandwiches and tea within an art deco setting, while taking in some of the sights of central Glasgow. The Tearooms also have another venue at nearby Buchanan St.

10 – The Corinthian Club

A dining bar and venue on the Ship Bank, the Corinthian Club boasts Victorian interiors, and includes regular exhibitions and expert talks, with future events set to look at the Paralympics.

Kirsten Johnston  is a freelance copywriter currently working within the hotel and accommodation industry for www.crowneplazaglasgow.co.uk  Kirsten’s passion for writing and desire to travel has provided her with great experience and insight within all areas with the travel industry.

View Top 10 Places to visit in Glasgow – the largest city in Scotland United Kingdom in a larger map

The post Top 10 Places to visit in Glasgow – the largest city in Scotland | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.

Nigula Nature Reserve has a rich fauna and flora. There are rare plants here. Nigula Nature Reserve is also home to Europe’s protected and not very abundant carnivores such as bear, wolf and lynx and to big game animals such as elk, roe deer, red deer, wild boar. The area is also an important bird sanctuary. In 2000, the Nigula Nature Reserve was added to the group of Natura 2000 (the largest network of protected areas in the world).

View Nigula Nature Reserve – one of the oldest bog reserves in Estonia in a larger map

The post Nigula Nature Reserve – one of the oldest bog reserves in Estonia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Srebarna lake is one of the most significant natural heritage in Bulgaria. The entire lake is surrounded by mosses, which reach a length of more than 1.5 km. The water covers an area of 638 hectares.

You will find here also many rare plants. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and ornithologists.

View Srebarna Nature Reserve – home to hundreds of species of birds Bulgaria in a larger map

The post Srebarna Nature Reserve – home to hundreds of species of birds | Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.

Dunajec river canyon is very popular among tourists. Visitors can pass on the river on a flatboat and enjoy unforgettable adventure. This tradition dates from the early 19th century.

Towering cliffs along the canyon reach an average height of 300 meters. Dunajec River Canyon is a narrow gap in which the river has created seven turns. Most of the Pieniny national park is forested. Local peaks are generally conical shape.

You can find there many architectural attractions such as Castle Niedzica, or ruins of the castle Czorstyn directly above the Dunajec river. Slovak village Červený Kláštor is an excellent starting point for walking or cycling along the canyon.

View Dunajec River Canyon in Pieniny national park in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Dunajec River Canyon in Pieniny national park in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Lake Fertö / Neusiedler See, Hungary / Austria by Mr. Tonreg

This lake is the third largest in all of Central-Europe, located far to the west of all other great continental lakes in the Eurasia region. The overall size of Lake Fertö tends to change quite often, mostly because of the strong winds and shallow level of the water. Some of the different types of birds which populate this area include the Common Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Greylag Goose, and many more. Some of the rarer birds which can be found in the Lake Fertö area include the White-Tailed Eagle, the Hen Harrier, and the Red-Breasted Goose.

Located in the North West region of Hungary, it initially opened in the same year as the Austrian Neusiedler See National Park. Both of these parks are attached to Lake Fertö and Lake Neusiedler. There are many who continue to regard Lake Fertö as one of the most significant natural bodies of water in all of Europe. The Austrian side of this lake covers 240 km², while the Hungarian side covers 75 km².

Skating on Neusiedler See in winter, Austria by Mr. Tonreg

Surrounding Lake Fertö are various towns and villages, including Illmitz, Podersdork am See, Weiden, and many more. There has been a history of human settlement in this area going all the way back to the Neolithic period. This lake is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and idyllic places to visit in the entire Hungary-Austria area.

The post Lake Fertö / Neusiedler See – Europe’s largest salt-water lake appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by 29cm

Triglav National Park is located on the northwest edge of Slovenia, near the border with Italy and is easily accessible from all directions. It is a paradise for nature lovers, who can enjoy intact alpine world here full of rare plants and animals. Therefore, there applies stricter rules than in other protected areas of lower status. The park area is covered with alpine karst, from the steep cliffs you can see falling great and powerful waterfalls and in the deep valleys are hidden glacial lakes. The largest lake Bohinj, which have tectonic-glacial origin, is situated at an altitude of 523 meters above sea level. With an area of ​​3,18 square kilometres and a depth of 45 meters it is the largest natural freshwater area in Slovenia. But they are also other minor lakes such as Kriška Lakes, Black Lake and Krn Lake (Krnsko jezero).

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Grant Bishop

The first a proposal to protect the area around Triglav was submitted in 1908, and in 1981 the region was declared a national park. It now occupies an area of 838.07 square kilometres wich is about 3% of the total area of ​​Slovenia. There are springs of two major Balkan rivers – the Sava and Soča. Soča rises at an altitude of 1050 m and flows into the Adriatic Sea. In contrast, Sava river is formed by the confluence of the Sava Dolnika and Sava Bohinjka streams, and flows into the Danube before Belgrade and then into the Black Sea.

The heart of Triglav National Park is formed by the dominant mountain Triglav, which, after recognition of an independent Slovenia became a kind of a national symbol, as is depicted on the flag, as well as the national emblem. Today it is a popular destination for climbers, adventurers and lovers of adrenaline. Its steep and clouds shrouded cliffs seemed to be insurmountable for a long time. Triglav’s north wall is with its width of 3 km and height of 1 km even the largest wall of the Eastern Alps. On top of Triglav over the north wall climbed the German-Austrian expedition for the first time in 1906, after which the route is now called the “German way”. Otherwise, it is possible to climb to the summit by following more than twenty other routes. A relatively simple and therefore most often used is that one from the southern side of Bohinj Lake.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by chripell

If you want to know Triglav National Park a little more it is good to stay here for at least a week, otherwise you can miss many of its attractions and beauty. Park crosses over 7000 km of marked and maintained paths, where you encounter many inns and lodges for tourists providing quality and adequate facilities. Triglav National Park offers excellent conditions for hiking, recreational, as well as mountaineering. Prepare yourself, however, that the biggest attractions such as waterfalls are charged. It is not allowed to camp or bivouac in the park.

The best starting point for tours is the town of Bohinj, Kranjska Gora, Bovec and Kobarid. The largest information center of the park is located in the town of Bled. For hiking trips along the most beautiful valleys such as Vrata, Kot and Krma are the best starting points in the villages Dovje and Mojstrana. Just beyond the north edge of Triglav National Park you can find a mountain valley Planica, which is a place of famous Championships in the ski flying.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by 29cm

In the valley Vrata, which leads to the northern wall is a memorial dedicated to the local partisans from the World War II. Other attractions in the valley, but this time with the natural character is a waterfall Paričnik, falling in two stages – one from a height of 52 meters and the second from a height of 16 meters. The largest waterfall in the park is Zapotok waterfall (Zapotoški slap) measuring 73 meters, third largest then is the Savica waterfall with the height of 50 meters.

View Triglav – Julian Alps in Slovenia in a larger map

The post Triglav Mountain & The Julian Alps in Slovenia appeared first on Europe Explored.