Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a city open to the sea and carefully planned with 18th-century elegance. Its founder is said to be the legendary Ulysses, but the theory of an original Phoenician settlement is probably more realistic. Known in Portugal as Lisboa, the city was inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and, beginning in the 8th century, the Moors. Much of the 16th century was a period of great prosperity and overseas expansion for Portugal. Tragedy struck on All Saints’ Day in 1755 with a devastating earthquake that killed about 40,000 people. The destruction of Lisbon shocked the continent. As a result, the Baixa (lower city) emerged in a single phase of building, carried out in less than a decade by the royal minister, the Marques de Pombal. His carefully planned layout of a perfect neo-classical grid survived to this day and remains the heart of the city. Evidence of pre-quake Lisbon can still be seen in the Belém suburb and the old Moorish section of the Alfama that sprawls below the Castle of St. George.
Lisbon is a compact city on the banks of the Tagus River. Visitors find it easy to get around as many places of interest are in the vicinity of the central downtown area. There is a convenient bus and tram system and taxis are plentiful. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. After a fire destroyed parts of the historic neighborhood behind Rossio in 1988, many of the restored buildings emerged with modern interiors behind the original façades.
The city boasts a good many monuments and museums, such as the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belém, the Royal Coach Museum and the Gulbenkian Museum. High above the Baixa is the Bairro Alto (upper city) with its teeming nightlife. The easiest way to connect between the two areas is via the public elevator designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Cruising up the Tagus River to the ship’s berth, you can already spot three of Lisbon’s famous landmarks: the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and the Statue of Christ, which welcomes visitors from its hilltop location high above Europe’s longest suspension bridge.

For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. View less

Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Scattered 30 miles offshore from England’s most south-westerly point – Land’s End – the Isles of Scilly are home to rich wildlife, and green land sloping to powdery white beaches. The Isles of Scilly’s biggest island harbours around 1,600 people – roughly three-quarters of the total population – and is one of five occupied islands. Isolated and serene, life here hums along at its own pace in this archipelagos bubble, which enjoys the UK’s mildest climate, and some of its most spectacular beaches. View less Hugh Town is the centre of St Mary’s, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by the incredibly tight-knit local community. A peaceful place, watch out when the waters are suddenly parted by the competition of gig racing – the island’s sporting pride and joy – which sees teams competing in colourful rowboats. Elsewhere, catch sight of Atlantic seals and seabirds like puffins and fulmars, along nine miles of coastline. You can also spot the ghostly shipwrecks strewn around the island’s waters, and the 140 islands and skerries that have made treacherous sailing historically. Theres a dense collection of historical sites that belies the islands’ small size – from a former prime minster’s grave to star-shaped fortresses. Tresco Abbey Garden is one of the UK’s most vibrant gardens, with diverse plants bathing in the warmer climate and over 300 species on display. Taste the rewards of the mild weather with a glass of wine from England’s most south-westerly vineyard.

Once a major defence point against Irish invaders Holyhead now extends the hand of friendship across the Irish Sea and is a major ferry port connecting the two countries. Discover a scenic and spectacular place whatever the weather – whether the sun’s bouncing off the blotched blue sea or the waves are swelling moodily as rain thrashes down.

Skomer Island has been designated a National Nature Reserve, Ancient Monument and Full Maritime Nature Reserve. The old name for Skomer Island is Skalmeye –the Isle of the Sword or Cleft/Cloven Isle, possible referring to the island being nearly cut into two. Skomer is approximately one kilometer off the Pembrokeshire coast and part of a Marine Conservation Zone. There is evidence of human occupation going back some 2,000-5,000 years with a farming community of up to 250 residents. View less Rabbits were introduced in the late 1200s and Skomer became a rabbit warren. Today it is better known for the Skomer vole, its bird life and the spring flowering of the bluebells -giving the whole island a blue touch. The island offers excellent habitats for seabirds nesting in the cliffs and ground nesting birds. The largest concentration of Manx Shearwaters worldwide is found on Skomer and neighboring Skokholm and more than 25,000 Atlantic Puffins have been counted here in one season. Access to the island is limited to 250 visitors per day, but Zodiac cruises permit to appreciate the seabird colonies in the cliffs much better. 172 bird species have been recorded, with Black-legged Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Northern Fulmars and several gull species showing the largest numbers. Northern Gannets visit from a neighboring breeding site and harbor porpoises and dolphins are occasionally seen, while grey seals can be seen year-round.

The estuary of the River Cleddau forms a natural harbor which had already been used by Vikings in the Middle Ages -as the Norse origin of the name Milford implies. The area surrounding Milford has been used as a staging ground and harbor for invasions coming from France or going to Ireland, but surprisingly it was Quaker families brought from Nantucket that were settled here and the town was founded in the late 18th century as an intended whaling center and navy dockyard. View less

Whaling and ship-building declined, yet with the advent of the railway, the proximity to good fishing grounds, the sheltered harbor, and direct access to markets in London Milford Haven again prospered. Oil was important from the 1960s onward and the port rose to be one of the leading ports in the UK. Since 2009 it has one of the largest LNG plants in Europe. The Milford Waterfront has converted old structures for modern social and cultural use in a bid to revive the old port and Milford Haven can be used as a gateway to see several castles and prehistoric sites in Pembrokeshire and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. As one of the smallest UK National Parks it has one of the most diverse landscapes and includes parts of Milford Haven’s estuary.

Situated on the south-west coast of England, it seems that Dartmouth is a town that time forgot. Pretty pastel painted houses dating from the medieval times flank the idyllic port, while the enchanting jumble of streets only add to the quiet authenticity of this, very English, seaside town. The surrounding 120 miles of stunning coastline and acres of rural countryside are any adventurer’s dream, so if your enjoy beach combing, hiking or simply just admiring the view,this sleepy little Devonshire village will not disappoint. Known for its cream teams (an absolute must), ice cream, as well as the obligatory fish’n’chips, Dartmouth’s local speciality is fresh Devon crab. Best served with a pint of local beer and a bowl of home-made mayonnaise, this local speciality is simply delicious.

St. Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 37,540 – roughly one-third of the total population of Jersey – and is the capital of the island. The town of St. Helier is the largest settlement and only town of Jersey.

Sark is a part of the Channel Islands in the southwestern English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France. It is a royal fief, which forms part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament. It has a population of about 500. Sark has an area of 2.10 square miles.

Twenty-five square mile (40 sq km) Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel west of the Cherbourg peninsula. Along with its sister island of Jersey, Guernsey has been a part of Britain since 1066, though retaining a culture entirely of its own.

London is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest cities. With a population of nearly eight million, it is by far the largest city in Europe, spreading over an area of more than 620 square miles. In addition to numerous monuments from its past as a world empire, London is equally known for its pageantry and tradition. Though the city was heavily damaged during the Blitz of World War II, a surprising number of monuments were miraculously spared from destruction.
Soon after the end of the war, England’s capital began to prosper as never before. London has something for everyone – wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Large expanses of greenery, such as Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park, are all within a few minutes’ walk of the West End shops.The museums and galleries are as varied and rich as you will find anywhere. Monuments run the gamut from Roman ruins to sumptuous castles and opulent public buildings, representing the architecture of the triumphal British Empire. Many of these buildings were constructed in the 18th century and during the reign of Queen Victoria to reflect the city’s status as the financial and administrative hub of a great empire.

Today, London wears its 2,000 years of history with dignity. Alongside modern skyscrapers are remnants of the city’s Roman wall. Norman London is evident in one of London’s best-known landmarks, the Tower of London, whose origins date back to William the Conqueror.The city’s oldest pub, a few medieval churches and the timbered Elizabethan façade of Staple Inn recall London before the Great Fire of 1666. Stately Georgian squares from the 18th century are preserved in the fashionable West End.

London is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest cities. With a population of nearly eight million, it is by far the largest city in Europe, spreading over an area of more than 620 square miles. In addition to numerous monuments from its past as a world empire, London is equally known for its pageantry and tradition. Though the city was heavily damaged during the Blitz of World War II, a surprising number of monuments were miraculously spared from destruction.
Soon after the end of the war, England’s capital began to prosper as never before. London has something for everyone – wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Large expanses of greenery, such as Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park, are all within a few minutes’ walk of the West End shops.The museums and galleries are as varied and rich as you will find anywhere. Monuments run the gamut from Roman ruins to sumptuous castles and opulent public buildings, representing the architecture of the triumphal British Empire. Many of these buildings were constructed in the 18th century and during the reign of Queen Victoria to reflect the city’s status as the financial and administrative hub of a great empire.

Today, London wears its 2,000 years of history with dignity. Alongside modern skyscrapers are remnants of the city’s Roman wall. Norman London is evident in one of London’s best-known landmarks, the Tower of London, whose origins date back to William the Conqueror.The city’s oldest pub, a few medieval churches and the timbered Elizabethan façade of Staple Inn recall London before the Great Fire of 1666. Stately Georgian squares from the 18th century are preserved in the fashionable West End.

Twenty-five square mile (40 sq km) Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel west of the Cherbourg peninsula. Along with its sister island of Jersey, Guernsey has been a part of Britain since 1066, though retaining a culture entirely of its own.

For many visitors Tresco is the most attractive of the Isles of Scilly. This is especially due to its Abbey Garden, which is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. Plant collector Augustus Smith began the gardens in the 1830s on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey by channelling the weather up and over a network of walled enclosures built around the Priory ruins. He had three terraces carved from the rocky south slope and maximised Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. View less

Even in mid-winter there still are hundreds of plants flowering here. Another surprising attraction at the Abbey Garden is the collection of figureheads from ships that wrecked among the Isles of Scilly.

Scattered 30 miles offshore from England’s most south-westerly point – Land’s End – the Isles of Scilly are home to rich wildlife, and green land sloping to powdery white beaches. The Isles of Scilly’s biggest island harbours around 1,600 people – roughly three-quarters of the total population – and is one of five occupied islands. Isolated and serene, life here hums along at its own pace in this archipelagos bubble, which enjoys the UK’s mildest climate, and some of its most spectacular beaches. View less Hugh Town is the centre of St Mary’s, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by the incredibly tight-knit local community. A peaceful place, watch out when the waters are suddenly parted by the competition of gig racing – the island’s sporting pride and joy – which sees teams competing in colourful rowboats. Elsewhere, catch sight of Atlantic seals and seabirds like puffins and fulmars, along nine miles of coastline. You can also spot the ghostly shipwrecks strewn around the island’s waters, and the 140 islands and skerries that have made treacherous sailing historically. Theres a dense collection of historical sites that belies the islands’ small size – from a former prime minster’s grave to star-shaped fortresses. Tresco Abbey Garden is one of the UK’s most vibrant gardens, with diverse plants bathing in the warmer climate and over 300 species on display. Taste the rewards of the mild weather with a glass of wine from England’s most south-westerly vineyard.

Colourful, quirky and refreshingly laid-back, the Rebel City is a bright and breezy blend of easily-walkable charm and trademark stunning Irish scenery. You may be surprised, as you stroll quietly humming streets, surrounded by the River Lee’s embrace, but this is the Republic of Ireland’s second largest city. Cork is more than happy to fly a little under the radar, however, and this beautiful city is an unbeatable starting point for exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic western scenery.

Cork’s English Market is a delight – try out some of the best juicy Irish beef, seafood plucked the same morning, or the simple pleasure of a quiet cup of morning coffee. The Butter Museum is a low-key joy, and a charming ode to the simple dairy pleasure that forms one of Ireland’s most important exports. Cork is also a rising star in the craft beer world, and you can try the latest and greatest of the contemporary beers brewed here. Or settle into your pick of the vast choice of authentic, characterful pubs – where soupy pints of Guinness – perfectly poured with years’ worth of expertise and care – slip down a treat. Don’t be afraid to explore further afield. Postcard-perfect Cobh is close by, while Blarney Castle is a stout fairy-tale stronghold. Resign to the castle’s folklore – and dangle precariously upside down, while leaning out to kiss the famous Blarney Stone – said to bless you with the ‘gift of the gab,’ otherwise known as the ability to chat articulately. Glorious coastal vistas of emerald green fields, precipitously dropping to thrashing ocean below, await along Ireland’s scenic, windswept western coast.

Reborn as a cool, modern city, Belfast has successfully left its troubles behind, emerging as a hotbed of culture and architecture, where the comfort of a cosy pub is never far away. Take a voyage of discovery in its maritime quarter, home to a celebrated museum dedicated to the most famous ship ever built, which was constructed right here in the city’s shipyards. A walk across the Lagan Weir Footbridge brings you to Belfast’s fascinating Titanic District – an area of the city devoted to its rich ship-building heritage. The state-of-the-art Titanic Museum brings the story of the doomed vessel to life, and is the largest museum dedicated to the infamously ‘unsinkable’ ship. Wind up a nautical-themed ramble along the Maritime Mile with a visit to SS Nomadic, the smaller cousin of the Titanic, and a ship which serves as a fascinating time capsule back to the pomp and grandeur of the Titanic, while also telling its own stories of service in both World Wars. There’s just enough time to give the 10-metre long Salmon of Knowledge sculpture a quick peck for luck, before continuing to explore. A stark barbed wire and graffitied sheet metal barrier marks an abrupt scar through the city’s residential areas. The Peace Line was constructed during the height of the Troubles, when Belfast was plagued by sectarian divisions between Protestants and Catholics. Nowadays, you can jump in a black taxi tour to see the colourful murals and living history of the walls, which stand as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. After exploring the city’s historic divisions, a reminder of Belfast’s uniting creativity can be found at the Metropolitan Arts Centre – a seven-storey tall building, which invites light to gloriously cascade inside. The Cathedral Quarter is a cobbled blend of flower-adorned pubs, restaurants and theatres, and venues where music spills out onto the streets at night, and many a pint is cheerily shared.

If tiny islands that resonate with peace and tranquillity are your idea of travel heaven, then welcome to Iona. Almost 200 miles east of Edinburgh, set in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this magical island has a spiritual reputation that precedes it. And luckily, more than lives up to. The island is miniscule. Just three miles long and only one and a half miles wide, this is not a place that hums with urban attractions. View less 120 people call Iona home (this number rises significantly if the gull, tern and Kittiwake population is added), although residential numbers do go up (to a whopping 175) in summer. The beautiful coastline is lapped by the gulf stream and gives the island a warm climate with sandy beaches that look more Mediterranean than Scottish! Add to that a green field landscape that is just beautiful, and you’ll find that Iona is a place that stays with you long after you leave. Iona’s main attraction is of course its abbey. Built in 563 by Saint Columbia and his monks, the abbey is the reason why Iona is called the cradle of Christianity. Not only is the abbey (today an ecumenical church) one of the best – if not the best – example of ecclesiastical architecture dating from the Middle Ages, but it also serves as an important site of spiritual pilgrimage. St. Martin’s Cross, a 9th century Celtic cross that stands outside the abbey, is considered as the finest example of Celtic crosses in the British Isles. Rèilig Odhrain, or the cemetery, allegedly contains the remains of many Scottish kings.

The stunning Isle of Lunga is the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago. With volcanic origin the isle was populated until the 19th Century, and remains of black houses can be seen around this magnificent coastal jewel. Abundant plant life and exotic birdlife are now the main inhabitants of the area. Fortunate visitors view the magnificent array of birds, especially the great puffins that breed on the islands plateau. One can sit within just a few feet away without disturbing the avian ambassador’s peace. View less The 81 hectare island is home to many rare and endangered plants such as, primroses and orchids. Views over the landscape and across the ocean can be seen from the 300 foot high cliffs.

Gloriously remote, St. Kilda is an archipelago 50 miles off the Isle of Harris. Although the four islands are uninhabited by humans, thousands of seas birds call these craggy cliffs home, clinging to the sheer faces as if by magic. Not only is St. Kilda home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin (almost 1 million), but also the world largest colony Gannets nests on Boreray island and its sea stacks. View less The islands also home decedents of the world’s original Soay sheep as well as having a breed of eponymously named mice. The extremely rare St. Kilda wren unsurprisingly hails from St. Kilda, so birders should visit with notebook, binoculars and camera to hand. While endemic animal species is rife on the island, St. Kilda has not been peopled since 1930 after the last inhabitants voted that human life was unsustainable. However, permanent habitation had been possible in the Medieval Ages, and a vast National Trust for Scotland project to restore the dwellings is currently being undertaken. The islands even enjoyed a status as being an ideal holiday destination in the 19th century. Today, the only humans living on the islands are passionate history, science and conservation scholars. One of the caretakers even acts as shopkeeper and postmaster for any visitors who might like to send a postcard home from St. Kilda. It should be noted that St. Kilda is the UKs only (and just one of 39 in the world) dual World Heritage status from UNESCO in recognition of its Natural Heritage and cultural significance.

You’ll always receive a welcome to remember, as the colourful cafes, houses and shops that line Tobermory’s picturesque harbour salute your arrival. Located on the craggy Scottish Inner Hebrides, Tobermory serves as the capital of the Isle of Mull. There’s a high chance you’ll recognise the town’s colourfully-daubed buildings, as their charming exteriors have featured in countless TV shows – most notably in the children’s favourite, Balamory.

Loch Ewe is the only north facing Loch in Scotland, with an interesting history and a fine scenic landscape this area has a true natural beauty. During WW2 the loch was a convoy collecting point with a strong naval presence; it was therefore protected by light and heavy aircraft guns, a boom net and mine defence system helped to shield this precious settlement

Scattered just off the northern tip of Scotland, Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands – a scenic archipelago of fascinating, dual heritage. The Viking influence is deep, while a prehistoric past and World War history adds to the endless stories that these dramatic islands have to tell. Sparse and beautiful, let the sweeping seascapes of frothing waves, and dance of the northern lights, enchant you as you explore. Windswept beaches are inhabited by whooping swans, while grassy cliffs hide puffins amid their wavy embrace. View less

Sea caves and crumbling castles – and the dramatic meeting of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean add to the romantic beauty of these lands, which may be physically close to the UK, but feel an entire world away. The sandstone St. Magnus Cathedral is the centrepiece of Orkney’s main town – a place of winding lanes and atmospheric walks – and Britain’s northernmost cathedral is a masterpiece that took 300 years to complete. Started in 1137, the beautiful cathedral is adorned with mesmerising stain-glass windows and has been evocatively named as the Light of the North. Look down over the ruined Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces nearby from the tip of the cathedral’s tower. Or, test out the islands’ history-rich distilleries, which produce smokey single malts – said to be the best in the world. You can also venture out to Europe’s best-preserved Stone Age Village, at the extraordinary World Heritage Site of Skara Brae, which offers an unparalleled vision into prehistoric life.

His favourite place in the UK to see nature at its best, is how David Attenborough described the Farne Islands. The scatter of small islands begins 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) off the Northumberland Coast. The islands are dolerite which formed from liquid rock cooling underground. Softer overlying rock has eroded to leave hard rounded columns and fissured dolerite cliffs. The treeless landscape makes viewing of the island wildlife and history easy, even from a boat. The Farnes are cared for by the National Trust.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the worlds stateliest cities and proudest capitals, its built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthurs Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburghs character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 “for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge,” remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the worlds best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you havent earned your porridge until youve climbed Arthurs Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburghs highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.