Adventure Travel in the UK and Ireland

Where are the UK & Ireland: The United Kingdom is made up of Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and its only land border is with the Republic of Ireland. Great Britain is bordered by the North Sea to the East, the English Channel to the South and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. Great Britain is separated from the island of Ireland by the Celtic Sea. 

The island of Ireland is separated into 2 separate states, one of which is Northern Ireland which is a part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland which is its own separate state. 

Size: The United Kingdom is 242 495 km² & the Republic of Ireland is 84 421 km²

Population: The United Kingdom has an approximate population of 66,44 million & the Republic of Ireland has an approximate population of 4,83 million.

Capital: The United Kingdom has 4 capitals, Cardiff, the capital of Wales, Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, London, the capital of England and Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. 

The capital of the Republic of Ireland is Dublin. 

What is the UK & Ireland Known For: England which is a part of the United Kingdom is probably best known for its colonial power across the globe. The UK is also well known for the royal family,

They are also well-known for their love of football, writers such as William Shakespeare and JK Rowling, musicians such as Elton John and Annie Lennox and of course the Beatles, and movie stars such as Sean Connery. Other well-known things about the UK include Big Ben, the many Castles and Palaces that are still in use or serve important roles in history, tea, strawberries and cream, Wimbledon, Golf, the Scottish Highlands and of course some of the best pubs in the world. 

Ireland is well known for its Celtic roots, Guinness beer, being one of the biggest beer consumers in the world, the green Shamrock, castles, and of course musicians such as U2. Ireland is well-known as the Emerald Isle because of its beautiful green landscapes. There are many islands surrounding Ireland and the cliffs such as Moher are another famous attraction that many travel to see. 

Places of Interest: The United Kingdom is made up of 4 countries, each of which has many places of interest. In Scotland you will find; Aberdeenshire, West Highland Way, Edinburgh, Loch Ness & Inverness, and The Scottish Highlands.

In England you will find; London, Winchester, Bath, Stonehenge & Salisbury, Robin Hoods Bay, The Cotswolds & lake districts, York, Cambridge, and Oxford.

In Wales you will find; Cardiff, Snowdonia, Devils Bridge, Conwy & Llandudno. 

In Northern Ireland you will find; The Giants Causeway, Belfast, Derry & Lough Erne.

In the Republic of Ireland, there are several places of interest including; The Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, The Ring of Kerry, Inishark, Inishbofin, The Blackstairs Mountains, Blarney Castle, and the Blarney Stone, Wicklow Way, The Dingle Peninsula & The wild Atlantic Way. 

Accommodation: Accommodation is easy to find in major cities and towns and the standards are quite good. 

If you are travelling to islands or smaller villages makes sure to check for accommodation before you do. Some places only offer limited options that may get booked out fast. 

What Is There To Do In the UK & Ireland: The UK is a mine of historical areas and monuments that can be found throughout the regions. There are many castles, palaces and other features that are rich in historic value. There are also many diverse natural phenomena that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking & cycling are common in many places in the UK as well as water sports in the lake districts, such as kayaking and rafting. There is also a multitude of islands to be discovered. Visitors can also tour some of the richest museums and universities in the world as well as the largest library in the world which is located in London. 

Ireland is home to some of the best hiking in the world. The emerald island offers visitors some of the best pubs in the world as well as the second-highest cliffs in the world. There are many small traditional villages to explore and Ireland is well-known for being a great place to road trip through and explore. 

Getting Around: Public Transport is widely available and reliable. The train and bus systems in the UK & Ireland are safe and easy to use. There are great ferry services as well that will take you to the surrounding islands. If you are planning on visiting more rural areas or smaller islands make sure to find out about transport schedules and options beforehand. 

Safety: The UK & the Republic of Ireland are safe countries to travel to. You can easily travel from place to place on your own. Of course, in any place, you should always be vigilant of petty crime and ensure that you keep personal items safe.

Best Time to Visit: The UK generally does not experience extreme cold or heat. The best times to visit are usually in the Spring (from March to early June) and in the Fall (from September to October) when it is warm and dry. The summers are usually busy with tourists and can be quite wet in some areas. The winters are usually pleasant but gloomy with snow in the Northern parts of the UK. The Republic of Ireland experienced similar weather. 

Time Zone: Both the UK & Ireland are on GMT 

Official Language: English is the official language in the UK and Ireland. But each country has its own languages that are less common but still spoken. In Wales they also speak Welsh, In Scotland, they also speak Scottish Gaelic and Scots, in Northern Ireland, they also speak Irish Gaelic. In the Republic of Ireland, the official language is English but Irish Gaelic is also spoken. 

Drinking-Water: Tap water is safe to drink in the UK and in Ireland. The UK tap water is rated among the best in the world. In restaurants and pubs, it is acceptable to ask for tap water.

Entry: Check out the UK official website to see whether you need a visa. Please also check out the Brexit section if you are an EU Citizen as some of the entry rules have changed. 

For Ireland see the official website.

Eat & Drink: Tea is probably the most popular drink in the UK, especially in England. The most eaten food in the UK is Chicken Tikka which is not from the UK, but India was once a British colony and therefore Indian food is very popular. More traditional meals include the original English breakfast which includes eggs, sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, tea and toast with marmalade. Salt beef bagels are also popular, Bara Brith Bread, a welsh tea bread, Pork Pie, Yorkshire pudding, blood sausage, Fish and chips & haggis which is traditionally made from sheep intestines. Besides tea, whiskey, beer, and cider are also very popular drinks. 

Foods and drinks that are popular in Ireland include Soda Bread, Shellfish, Irish stew which traditionally includes lamb, onions and potatoes, Colcannon which is a mixture of mash potatoes and cabbage, Boxty which can be either a potato dumpling, a potato pancake or potato bread. Smoked salmon, boiled bacon and cabbage, and Barmbrack which is a fruity tea loaf that is enjoyed with butter. As you can guess, most foods in Ireland contain potatoes which are popular in Ireland. Drinks include beer, the famous Guinness beer is made in Ireland as well as Irish whiskey. 

Currency, Cash & Card: The currency in the UK is the Pound & in The Republic of Ireland is the Euro. 

Tipping: 10% is considered an appropriate amount to tip for service. Make sure to check your bill as sometimes a service fee will be included on the bill. 

Wifi: Free wifi is available in certain areas, especially urban areas in the UK. You will find wifi in your hotels, most cafes and restaurants. In more rural areas wifi might not be that easily accessed and it is wise to check with your hotel before. In Ireland, you will find wifi in most hotels, cafes, and restaurants as well as in most Intercity trains and buses.