1. London

The capital as well as most visited city in the United Kingdom is that of London. It is the largest and most industrialized city in the UK as well as being the largest in the European Union. There are literally thousands of historical sites and monuments in the city including its original medieval town centre.

London, England, UK by André Zehetbauer

2. Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in the UK. It is a historical city with countless buildings and monuments that date back through the ages. Both the medieval town centre as well as the new town districts are considered to be the world heritage sites.

Edinburgh, Calton hill, Scotland, UK by baaker2009

3. Blackpool

Located in the northwestern part of England, the city of Blackpool can be found along the shores of the Irish Sea. There are eleven kilometres of golden sand beaches in Blackpool which has made it an attractive tourist destination since 1781 when the first road was paved between the city and Manchester.

Blackpool, England, UK by Gidzy

4. Manchester

The city of Manchester is the third largest in the United Kingdom. Originally founded back in 79 A.D. by the Romans, the city has grown into a bustling metropolis over the millennia. There are a number of buildings and sites in the city that date back through the centuries including the Manchester Ship Canal which was built back in 1894.

Manchester Cathedral, England, UK by mark.watmough

5. Glasgow

The Scottish city of Glasgow is the largest in the country and one of the most popular destinations in the United Kingdom. The city can be found along the banks of the River Clyde where it has grown over the years to become one of the largest seaports in the region. The historic town centre of Glasgow is a must-see attraction of this interesting city.

Glasgow Harbour, Scotland, UK by baaker2009

6. Liverpool

Located along the eastern edges of the Mersey Estuary, you will find the city of Liverpool that dates back to the early 13th century. Today it is one of the largest cities in England as well as in the United Kingdom. There are a number of sites within the city to visit and explore. One of the most important facts about that city is that it is a birthplace of The Beatles.

Liverpool town hall, England, UK by Boing! said Zebedee

7. York

The city of York is an ancient city that dates back to the days of the Vikings. It can be found along the banks of where the Ouse and Foss rivers merge. The walled city is known as being one of the most haunted locations in all of England and countless people make their way to York every single year to visit the city’s most haunted places.

York, Minster, England, UK by visitingeu

8. Birmingham

The second most populated city in England as well as in the entire United Kingdom is the city of Birmingham, which can be found in the West Midlands. It was a large market town throughout the middle ages which grew into a bustling metropolis as a result of the industrial revolution.

Birmingham, England, UK by West Midlands Police

9. Bath

The city of Bath can be found in the southwestern part of England. It was back in the first century that the town was first established by the Romans on account of the natural hot springs in the area. Throughout the centuries Bath grew to become one of the most popular spa destinations in England.

Bath, England, UK by Nigel Swales

10. Brighton

Situated in East Sussex, the city of Brighton is a popular resort town in England. Since the 11th century, people have been making their way to the city to bathe in the waters along the city’s seashores. There are several important and historical sites that can be found throughout the city.

Brighton, England, UK by Ilya Schurov

11. Torquay

The seaside town of Torquay is a popular destination in England. There are several resorts and hotels that can be found within the city which are needed to accommodate more than 100,000 visitors who make their way to the city’s shorelines every summer. Torquay is also known as being the birthplace and lifelong home of Agatha Christie.

Torquay, Devon, England, UK by Stephen

12. Cardiff

The city of Cardiff can be found in Wales. There are a number of historical sites that can be found within the city including the local castle which has attracted countless visitors over the years. Its picturesque landscape has led it to be ranked at the top of the National Geographic’s list of worldwide destinations.

Cardiff England, UK by Candy Schwartz

13. Bournemouth

The resort town of Bournemouth can be along the coastlines of Dorset, in the southern part of England. Over the centuries, the town has become a popular summer destination in the country. There are many resorts and hotels that can be found along the town’s beautiful coastlines.

Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK by Christophe.Finot

14. Bristol

You will find the city of Bristol in the southwestern part of England, along the banks of the River Avon. It is a bustling metropolis which is home to more than a million people. It is also a historical city that dates back well before the 12th century. The beautiful historical town center has attracted countless visitors over the years.

Bristol, England, UK by Arpingstone

15. Inverness

The city of Inverness can be found situated within the Highlands of Scotland where it is nestled along the banks of the River Ness. The picturesque landscapes which surround the city are one of the biggest attractions for the countless people who are visiting this historically important and strategically located city.

Inverness, Scotland, UK by Anne-Lise Heinrichs

16. Belfast

You will find the city of Belfast located in the northern part of Ireland. While being only the fourteenth largest city in Britain, it is considered to be one of the largest in the island. It is here, in the local shipyards of Belfast that the infamous RMS Titanic was built. There are a number of sites and monuments that can be found within the city as well as in the surrounding countryside.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK by Macnolete

17. Cambridge

The city of Cambridge can be found nestled along the banks of the River Cam, just north of the nation’s capital. There are a number of archeological sites in the area which has uncovered countless Roman and Viking artifacts over the years. It is also the home of the famous 13th century University of Cambridge which is considered to be one of the best in the world.

18. Oxford

The town of Oxford can be found in the southern part of England. While there are a number of important and historical sites in the city to visit, Oxford is most well-known on account of its university which is the oldest in the country as well as in the English speaking world.

Oxford, England, UK by Duncan Hull

19. Newquay

The seaside resort town of Newquay can be found situated along the Atlantic coastlines as well as the banks of the River Gannel. Over the centuries the area has grown into a popular destination in the United Kingdom due to the beautiful beaches that can be found within the city. It is also

Newquay, England, UK by Kicior99

20. Scarborough

You will find the town of Scarborough situated along the coastlines of the North Sea. It is a historical town which sits upon limestone cliffs overlooking the bounding seas. While the main industry in the town is fishing, during the summer months the population explodes as countless people make their way to the eastern coastlines of the country.

Scarborough, England, UK by EOS_3

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Canterbury

Canterbury is a wonderful historical place filled with relics of the past and castles. It is home to numerous World Heritage Sites. Read Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and visit nearby Bath, which has been described as one of the most enjoyable and beautiful places in all of England.

Canterbury Cathedral – Location of the first Church of England. The cathedral dates back to 597 AD and was a monastery for Benedictine monks in the 1300s.

Canterbury Cathedral, England, UK by Steve Evans

St. Augustine’s Abbey – St. Augustine’s Abbey is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important ruins in the United Kingdom and provides insight into church history in England.

St. Martin’s Church – St. Martin’s Church dates back to the Roman period in England’s history. It is one of the first churches established by the Romans in England.

Stratford-upon-Avon

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, then Stratford-upon-Avon should be on your list of trips to take while you are in England. Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, you can see a performance of one of his plays or visit his birthplace. Although Stratford-upon-Avon can be full of tourists during peak seasons, if you travel to Warwickshire on a weekend trip, you may be able to avoid crowds.

Salisbury

Salisbury in Wiltshire is the home of Stonehenge. Although you will not be allowed to walk among the stones in Avebury, you can visit the historic site of the mysterious stones and walk around the area. Nearby Salisbury Cathedral was established in 1258. It is one of the earliest medieval cathedrals in England and has the tallest spire in the country.

Salisbury Cathedral, England, UK by David Merrett

Cambridge

If you are in the United Kingdom to attend school, then you should not pass up the opportunity to visit Cambridge, located north of London in Cambridgeshire. Established as one of the finest learning institutions in the world, Cambridge is easy to visit and walk through. Cambridge University was established in 1209 and serves as the cornerstone for the other colleges of the university, including King’s College, Trinity College and St. John’s College.

Stroll through the lanes of King’s College or visit the ADC Theatre, which is the oldest university theatre in England. If you are interested in World War 2 history, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It was established in 1943 to honor Americans who gave their lives in England while fighting the second World War.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a World Heritage Site and the location of the wall that divided the frontier of England from the rest of the world during Roman occupation. It runs 73 miles from east to west and is home to numerous Roman ruins, including garrison towns and roads.

Hadrian’s Wall, England, UK by

Tintagel Castle

Located on the western coastline of Cornwall, Tintagel Castle is where King Arthur was born according to legend. Explore 13th century ruins of the castle, which was once home to the Earl of Cornwall. Visit Merlin’s Cave and find out more about the story of Tristan and Isolde and their connection to the legend of Arthur.

Rich in history and legend, attending school in the United Kingdom is the perfect opportunity to explore many of the sites that provide the foundation for much of Western History. Other places to visit include Parliament, Kew Gardens, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and the industrial cities of Midland and York.

Sarah writes for Richmond, the American Uni in London. Richmond’s specialist courses range from international relations too their unique art history masters course. Richmond offer low student numbers and a great student experience.

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A cultural hub

As well as being home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse and Presqu’île it is also the birthplace of cinema and plays host to many arts festivals throughout the year. This includes the world famous Biennial Dance Festival and this year, is a particularly special year, as it is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

The Biennale Festival

As lively and bustling as you would expect, Lyon is home to 470,000 people and hosts a number of festivals, cultural events and sporting affairs throughout the year.

Photo by dancetechtv

Lyon’s Biennale Festival features over 50 choreographic works in 30 different venues throughout the city as draws in thousands of visitors to the city each time it visits. For three weeks in September, visitors can enjoy an opportunity to see their favourite up and coming acts in a series of one off performances and recent works.

Biennial acts as a training facility for public art, and is aimed at a broad and diverse audience, from those who are new to dance, to connoisseurs.

A celebration of dance

But clarity of intention aside, the biennial is one of the most ambitious and important dance festivals in the world, and its largeness of scale and intention is splendid to see at a time of ever-shrinking financing for the arts.

The festival has showcased some of European dance’s most famous pieces such as Les Ballets C de la B’s “Aphasiadisiac” and Angelin Preljocaj’s “Snow White”. Set to music by Mahler, costumes for the performance were designed for none-other than Jean-Paul Gautier himself.

“Les Petites Pièces de Berlin,” choreographed by Dominique Bagouet and first performed at the biennial in 1988, went on to become one of the best-loved dance performances of the year, consistently selling out in auditoriums all over the world.

Celebrity spotting

Dance lovers staying at hotels in Lyon can also look forward to a little bit of celeb spotting.

The festival has attracted many famous faces in its 15 years, with the likes of French choreographer Dominique Hervieu who is the creative director and leads the way for the parade which marks the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival.

Last but not least be sure to reserve your hotel in plenty of time, as Lyon gets very busy around this time of year. Tickets sell out quickly too, so book them as soon as you can.

What are your favourite forms of dance?

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-lyon

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Hagar Qim, Neolithic Temple; Malta by John Haslam

The Four Malta Museums

The four Malta museums opening their doors throughout Valletta and Gozo include the Folklore Museum, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Gozo Nature Museum and the Old Prison. With such a wide variety to suit any taste, mood or goal, there is no excuse not to take a trip out and see the sights and soak in a bit of cultural history. The museums themselves contain many key exhibitions that many will not experience in a lifetime and Heritage Malta has taken the opportunity to offer massively discounted memberships to the visiting public. The memberships entitle visitors to a host of benefits such as discounted visits, newsletters and events specifically hosted for card holders.

Ancient Pre-History

Not many people realise how many years of history is contained upon the island of Malta; museums feature art from centuries ago while megalithic structures dated to pre-history scatter the country. More than a few World Heritage Sites are situated on the island and the four museums that are opening their doors for free are a great start on a journey of discovery. While the island if teeming with underground tunnels and megalithic structures, only speculation can be made about what their purposes were in ancient times and this mystery is part of the appeal to visitors.

Diverse Cultural Background

The history of Malta is contained within their museums with ancient Phoenicians, Biblical figures, knights of the Crusade and even more contemporary World War history all telling an overall tale of the cultural history of the island nation. Mediterranean does translate into Middle Earth and with Malta at the centre of that, it’s no small wonder that so many important cultural and historical features exist there. A Malta museum is a gateway into millennia of history and the open doors of Heritage Malta’s museums begin that journey for many visitors.

Eugene Calvini is a writer addicted to Malta holidays for rest and relaxation; he enjoys sharing the many aspects of Malta so that others may share his experiences.

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Budapest, Hungary by Marco Aurelio Martins Costa

One particularly captivating country looking for TEFL teachers is Hungary, a fabulously cultural and historic country in Europe. With amazing castles and stunning world heritage sites, as well as bustling cities such as Budapest and the romantic Danube River, the country is unique in its charm and attraction.

The positions in Hungary are in locations like Tata and Budapest, offering competitive wages and in some cases, offer accommodation as part of the employment package.

TEFL England gives you free, lifetime access to the TEFL Job Centre when you enrol on one of their courses, which is extremely handy for keeping you up to date with all of the most recent TEFL employment opportunities. As well as this, there is access to the employer’s directory, which has literally thousands of contacts. They offer full support throughout your course, in aspects like C.V. and interview advice, job placement guidance and even in basic things like choosing the right course for you. This helps make your TEFL experience very straight forward.

Hungary is a fantastically vibrant place to work and live, and an ideal setting to start your TEFL journey.  If you have your sights set somewhere else in Europe, however, why not look to teach English in The Czech Republic, France, Spain, Russia, Finland, Germany – and the list goes on! TEFL is a truly rewarding experience, and a brilliant opportunity to become fully immersed in an exciting and unfamiliar environment.

For more information visit: https://teflengland.co.uk/ or have a look at some of the TEFL jobs available worldwide on: https://teflengland.co.uk/tefl-jobs.asp.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Chris Yunker

Florence

This medieval Italian city features beautiful flower gardens, ancient buildings constructed with various colors of marble, and many of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. See the Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace and the Rose Garden near Michelangelo Square. One of the Renaissance artist’s most recognized pieces includes the Statue of David, which stands 17 feet (5.2 meters) tall and is on display at the Accademia Galleria. Visitors also find the tombs of Michelangelo and famed scientist Galileo in Florence. The amazing artwork throughout city also features works created by medieval artists Ammannati and Cellini.

Rome

This ancient Italian city features a number of iconic landmarks that include the Coliseum, the Forum and the Pantheon. Vatican City also attracts millions of visitors who admire the fountains, statues and dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral. See original masterpieces created by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael in the Vatican museum. The building is also the site of the famous Sistine Chapel.

Photo by admin

Venice

The dozens of interconnected waterways and romantic gondola rides are but some of the attractions of this popular tourist destination. The city also features Byzantine to Neoclassic architecture, which spans from the 13th to the 18th century. One of the popular buildings that guests visit is the Doge’s Palace. Filled with carvings and amazing wall-sized frescoes, the palace once imprisoned famous con artist Casanova. The Bridge of Sighs is another well-known structure that connects the Doge’s Palace with a more modern prison.

Pisa

This city contains the famous tilting, freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral. Construction began on the tower in 1173 and sinking initiated only five years later. When construction resumed 100 years later, contractors compensated for the tilt by building floors higher on one side than the other. The tower stands 183 feet (56 meters) tall on the low side and 186 feet (57 meters) tall on the high side. Now stabilized by using lead counterweights and excavated soil displacement, visitors climb the 296 stairs to the top.

Photo by admin

Pompeii

In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, covering the nearby ancient Roman city of Pompeii with 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) of ash. Though all 20,000 residents lost their lives on that fateful day, the ash protected and preserved all of the city’s structures. Since the community’s discovery and excavation in 1749, Pompeii attracts millions of visitors annually. Besides architectural features, buildings display complete mosaic tiles and frescoes depicting mythological figures and legends.

Have you considered a luxury apartment for your next holiday to Italy? Worldwide Accom has a huge selection of Rome apartment rentals available. Each apartment is personally inspected so you can be sure you’ll be staying in quality, safe accommodation.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by OwenXu

In London itself, you’ll probably want to see all the popular attractions, like The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace. But, make time to visit London’s other world heritage sites, Maritime Greenwich and the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew.

Maritime Greenwich is the centre of Britain’s great naval heritage. Greenwich defines the Prime Meridian, or longitude zero, making it the centre of global time and navigation. You’ll be able to visit the Royal Observatory, and see the world’s most famous tea clipper, the Cutty Sark.

At the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, you’ll find the finest collection of exotic plants, in one of the most beautiful settings. By London’s standards, Kew is a relatively quiet day out. It’s a good opportunity to give yourself a break from the fast pace of the city.

If you’re willing to venture a little further, no more than an hour or two from London, there’s a way to experience four very different ages of Britain.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by mari

Stonehenge represents Britain’s ancient past, and it’s shrouded in mystery. Despite lengthy debate, nobody really knows what it is, a tomb, a temple, or huge calendar? It also seems incredible that it got there, the giant stones are from many miles away, in Wales. How did the ancient Britons transport them so far across land and sea?

The City of Bath was a major Roman settlement, and its many attractions include some well-preserved Roman buildings. The Roman Baths will be the highlight of your visit, especially the open-air courtyard bath. In addition, Bath is a very attractive city, one of England’s most overlooked beauties, and well worth a day spent exploring.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Steve Evans

Canterbury Cathedral is a medieval masterpiece. Possibly the greatest cathedral in England, Canterbury is a true architectural wonder. It’s also a chance to see the county of Kent, known as the Garden of England. Wherever you go in the UK, you’ll see beautiful countryside. But, most would agree that Kent exemplifies rural England.

Blenheim Palace is where Sir Winston Churchill was born. It’s probably the finest of all the great country houses of England. Inside, the collections of art and antiques are world renowned. Blenheim is also well-adapted for modern tourists, with its visitor centre, ‘Blenheim Palace: the Untold Story.’ And, the surrounding landscaped parkland, and formal gardens are just as impressive as the palace itself.

All the world heritage sites in the UK will provide an excellent day out. If you’re going to the far north, you’ll be able to visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. If you find yourself in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a real adventure. Or, in the south west of England, the tin mines of West Devon and Cornwall will be an eye-opening experience for you. But, remember not to rush yourself too much. There’s a lot to see, so try and enjoy it at your own pace.

Written by CompleteTravelGuide.co.uk

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by isamiga76

The historic center of Charleroi is divided into Upper and Lower Town. The center of the Upper Town is formed by the square of Charles II., where you can see the most important monument of Charleroi. That is the Town Hall and the Bell tower called Belfry of Charleroi, which is together with other fifty-five Belgian and Northern France Belfries inscribed on a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Very interesting is also St. Christopher Basilica standing at the opposite side.

Lower City is situated around the square of Albert I., which is the commercial center of Charleroi. The city is also known for a number of interesting museums, which you can not miss on your visit. Head to the Museum of Glass, Museum of Photography and the Archaeological Museum. Museum of Fine Arts and Jules Destré Museum are waiting for you in the building of Town Hall, dating from the 30′s of the 20th century.

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In the last year for which figures are available, some 2.4 million people visited the Tower of London, helped by its central location, close to key transport links, restaurants and the top London Hotels.

View Tower of London – Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo and jewel house United Kingdom in a larger map

The Tower of London is formally known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, giving a clue to its historical use. It was used as a prison, an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie and the home of the Royal Mint. Famously, it was and still is used to store the Crown Jewels. It’s unique appearance and grandeur is mimicked at all places of luxury, such as the top Dubai Hotels or finest London restaurants. People seem to enjoy re-creating the pomp and circumstance of the era, even if the Tower itself had a grizzly past.

The Tower of London was founded in controversial circumstances. William I, having just defeated the English king Harold, was keen to make his mark on England and commoners saw the tower as being a symbol of oppression.

Over the next few hundred years, it was besieged several times, while in the 15th century it was the prison of the Princes in the Tower.

On the death of Edward IV in 1483, his eldest son Edward V should have acceded to the throne, but his uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester, was declared Lord Protector instead, as the child was only 12. Edward was imprisoned in the tower, along with his younger brother Richard, and they are believed to have been murdered there in the late summer of 1483.

Among the Tower of London’s other famous temporary residents was Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, who was imprisoned and later executed at the site. Guy Fawkes, one of the members of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Palace of Westminster in 1605, was tortured at the Tower.

The Crown Jewels are stored in the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower, and are without doubt one of the most fascinating sights of London. The collection includes St Edward’s Crown, made in 1661, the Imperial State Crown made for George VI in 1937 and the George IV State Diadem, made in 1820.

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Malbork Castle by DerHexer

Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the former seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. The castle complex consists of three parts – Bottom castle, Middle castle and Upper castle. Teutonic Knights started to build the castle in 1274. About 2 years later the settlement that arose here during the castle construction  obtained city rights.

Between 1309-1457, the Malbork Castle was the seat of Grand Master. During the thirteen-year war (1454 – 1466) – known also as the War of the Cities, the castle was bought by the Casimir IV Jagiellon (Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440, and King of Poland from 1447 – until his death). Since then until 1772 the castle became one of the residences of Polish kings. Later on, during the wars with Sweden, Napoleonic wars and Poland splitting, the castle was damaged.

Reconstruction works began in 1817 and were completed in 1923. After that, during the World War II, the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was occupied by the Nazis and during the fighting with the Red Army the half of the castle was destroyed.

After the war, the reconstructions started again, but have not been finished yet. Since 1997, the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork and its museum are included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

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