• Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, Londontrafalgar square image by kaschwei from Fotolia.com
  
  The United Kingdom--England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland--is steeped in history and has a widely contrasting landscape. There are many vibrant cities like London, Manchester and Glasgow and a spectacular coastline dotted with elegant beach resorts. Iconic attractions to explore include Stonehenge, York Minster cathedral and the Tower of London. Also, there are many other places worth exploring, such as the historic cities of Bath, Oxford or Inverness.
  
  

London

• London is the bustling capital city of the United Kingdom and features numerous iconic historic attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge. It is home to impressive museums such as the British Museum, the Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum, which all offer free entry. A night of West End theater is a major highlight. In addition, you can enjoy performances at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and performances in modern dance and drama at the South Bank Center. Upscale shopping opportunities can be found on Bond Street and Knightsbridge.
  
  

Edinburgh

• Edinburgh is the historic capital of Scotland and a UNESCO world heritage site featuring Georgian architecture. It has several attractions such as the medieval Edinburgh Castle and the royal palace of Holyrood. Edinburgh also is known for having one of the world's leading annual arts festivals and for being the location of wild 'Hogmanay' New Year celebrations. Edinburgh is a compact city easily explored on foot. It has excellent fine-dining restaurants and trendy all-night bars. There is a particularly vibrant live music and theater scene. Other notable attractions include St Giles' Cathedral, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
  
  

The Lake District

• Located in the far northwest of England, the Lake District is a scenic National Park of verdant rolling hills, forests and lakes. It offers adventurous hiking, boating and horseback riding amid picturesque scenery dotted with traditional farming villages. The most popular resort is at Lake Windermere, which offers a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Visit the nearby market towns of Ambleside and Keswick,which feature quintessential English tea rooms and historic coaching inns.
  
  

Cornwall

• In the extreme southwest of England lies Cornwall, which is filled with Neolithic burial grounds and standing stones that predate even Stonehenge. Cornwall has its own indigenous language derived from ancient Celtic tribes and each summer there are many exuberant festivals celebrating its colorful culture. The main attraction of a Cornwall vacation, however, is the area's sandy beaches and scenic coastline. There are many timeless fishing villages such as St Ives, noted for its excellent seafood restaurants and historic pubs. Vibrant Newquay offers some of the best surfing in Europe and plenty of activities for families. Other Cornwall attractions include the Eden Project Eco Park and Land's End.