UK offers royal welcome to visitors

Cruises and hotels advertising they would treat guests as “royals” are typical of the widespread promotions associated with the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton later this month on April 29. Surveys show that most Americans don’t care that much about the event, however.
 

But you don’t have to pay much attention to the wedding, however, to appreciate travel to the UK, which I found on a recent visit to be unflaggingly (as Brits might put it) interesting.
 

Many travel experts say that if a North American traveler is headed for their first trip to Europe, the best place to start is probably the UK. For one thing, they speak the same language (sort of, though most Americans are probably like myself in that they have to pay more attention to understand the various accents).
 

I started in London.
 

Gatwick International Airport is generally less crowded and easier to get in and out then Heathrow, if you have a choice. But London City Airport is recommended by Frommers and other travel sites for its location in the heart of the city. Gatwick is second best also because you can connect with the high-speed Gatwick Express train to Victoria Station. Efficient and fast service. My only complaint: they should have larger areas to store baggage. My car’s quota was filled.
 

But moving on to London. Writer Samuel Johnson famously said “if you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.”
 

There are so many real sights to see in perhaps the world’s most famous city that I prefer to concentrate on those. But past visits have shown me that the London Eye, the London Dungeon and Madame Tussaud’s are popular for good reasons.
 

Since I was staying at the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, I walked across the street to see one of London’s greatest “natural” attractions: Hyde Parks’ Speaker’s Corner. Since it was Sunday, I was there on the best day of the week. The only rules here are that you can’t use a voice amplifier. Speak your piece. This is where we got the word “soapbox,” because speakers stand on one. The “corners” have been copied all over the world but this was the first one.
 

London is such a spread out city that bus tours may be the best way for first-time visitors to see it. The hop-on, hop-off, double-decker buses always seem to have very knowledgable and interesting guides who make drama out of sometimes dry history.
 

Another of the city’s most popular attractions is the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace but there’s a less crowded similar event at Wellington Arch, which is a well-known landmark. Inside the Arch itself, there are three floors of exhibits that tell how this huge object was built and moved from site to site.
 

The nearby Apsley House was once a grand address as Home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, phrases which have entered our language even today. The house has one of the finest art collections in London. It’s virtually a shrine as the former home of the First Duke of Wellington. Over 35 years, the Duke filled his London home with trophies, paintings and portraits illustrating his achievements. It’s one of the few places in the world where modern-day visitors can envision just how grateful Europe was for the Duke’s defeat of Napoleon.
 

Another must-see is Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It goes back to the time of William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It has been redecorated and enlarged, and is said to be the Queen’s favorite weekend home.
 

You don’t have to be an English major at college to appreciate another famous site here: The Royal Shakespeare Company, his house and gardens and Warwick Castle. Visitors find they can easily spend three days at Stratford-upon-Avon where 1000 years of British history is unveiled (don’t miss the Castle Dungeon).
 

I took the train from London to Glasgow, Scotland. It’s about a four-hour trip. I totally agree with popular and always insightful Rick Steves who says about European trains: “Still a Great Way to Travel.” A smooth, comfortable ride with passable food and even a glass of wine (as always, train travelers can’t help but compare European trains to the discomforts of the dirty, swaying, shaking Amtrak…not to mention it’s on-time performance or lack of it).
 

In Glasgow, you still find the open top double deck buses so familiar in London. Hop on, hop off. A great way to see a city at your own leisurely pace. You’ll find Glasgow was at one time a primarily industrial city that fell on hard times before being revived as a tourist destination. Scotland’s largest city has been transformed into a cultural hub with world-famous art museums. There’s a wealth of architectural styles on virtually every street, as well as a dining and shopping mecca. Believe me, the Scots have learned to cook.
 

Not far away, the new memorial to Scotland’s Robert Burns (he wrote Auld Lang Syne) seamlessly combines artifacts actually used by the wonderful poet with very sophisticated interactive exhibits that remain faithful to Burns’ colorful life. It’s easily the biggest and best Burns collection found anywhere.
 

Scotland’s West Coast islands are far less famous than many others but highly accessible by the best system of ferry boats I have ever encountered. Believe it or not, they include excellent food along with comfortable couches and viewing areas. Every human need has been thought out for these ferries (even a gift shop). There’s also a game room (and change machines) for the children.
 

I took the one-hour ferry journey from Ardossian Harbour in North Ayhshire (where there are excellent rail and bus links to Glasgow) to the island of Ardossan. It’s Scotland’s second largest island and often said to be “Scotland in miniature.” When I asked a passenger on the ferry boat what was behind that, he answered “wait to you see it.” You can generally get around the 20 by 10 mile island mainly on foot or bicycle. The island has seven golf courses, many hiking trails, various events and a wide variety of historical sights that sometimes remain rooted in the Stone Age. The outdoor adventures range from horseback riding to cycling and sailing. Even bird-watchers like it here because there are 100 different species. There’s various antique shops and excellent restaurants.
 

Two unforgettable places to stay on the island include the Auchrannie Resort which is stylish, modern and contemporary with a spa if you prefer it over golf, and the smaller but more intimate Kildonan Hotel, a country property on the beach at the southern tip of the island with panoramic views. If you look close, you might see otters and seals on the rocks right outside your door. Excellent food and top service for only about 100 pounds a night. The friendly Canadian couple who own it call it a “jewel by the sea.” And they’re perfectly correct in using that term. ##
 

By David Wilkening