UK: Good old blighty takes the honours, despite the prices (and pavements)
Forget St Lucia, Bora Bora, Formentera or Phuket – Great Britain is the most beautiful island on earth, allegedly.
The amazing claim comes from the travel publisher Lonely Planet, which has just released its latest guide for Great Britain.
Despite the fact that London is “jaw-droppingly expensive”, its Madame Tussaud’s attraction “outrageously overpriced and rigidly uninteresting” and many people still basing their judgement of others on “class”, the guide whole-heartedly recommends Britain to tourists from around the world.
Among the hazards faced by visitors are “a diet of ready-sliced white bread, fatty meats and veg boiled to death” in some areas. The guide also warns of the dangers of venturing out late at night, telling of the “splattered evidence of too much ale, followed by an extra-large vindaloo, which decorates the pavements of British cities every Sunday morning”.
David Else, the guide’s editor, explains Britain’s attraction thus: “In the space of a few hours you can immerse yourself in history at ancient castles or stone cirles, marvel at majestic cathedrals, eat in world-class restaurants or friendly local caffs (sic), down a pint in a pub, hike over wild moors, or dance all night in an ultra-trendy club. And all that in a country that takes about 12 hours to drive end to end.”
Eat your heart out, Bora Bora!
