England, Schottland & Irland: Großbritanniens Hauptstädte erleben

About the destination: Of all European capitals, London lives deepest in the imagination of travelers. We absorb London before we know it exists and when we finally approach the city, it does not disappoint. There are the red double-deckers, the bobbies and impassive guards at Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the notes of Big Ben, sounding familiar, as we have heard them before. We see these things with satisfaction. Yet there is much to surprise. London is not quaint. London is not a museum, though you could spend all of your time going from one to the next. It is a booming, urban sprawl, with traffic snarls, shops, and an astonishing international population. Visit the many monuments with nearly a millennium's worth of history, from the grave of Chaucer to the pub where the captain of the Mayflower drank to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most photographed sights. But don’t miss contemporary London, with its intensely active theatres, international cuisine, political demonstrations, the latest in music and fashion, punks and peers, and everyone in between. In 1777, writer Samuel Johnson said when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and the phrase is still true. There's something different to experience every day in London.

About the destination: Capital of the medieval kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh is arguably the most beautiful city in Northern Europe. Still the centre of Scotland’s autonomous administrative establishments, Edinburg has become neither too modernized to be cold nor too large to be unattractive. Medieval alleyways cluster around an imposing castle, elegant 18th century townhouses sweep around lush parks, and culture thrives. Unquestioned centrepiece of the city, Edinburgh Castle looms into view around street corners for miles around. 11th century Queen Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburg, is contained within the castle walls. Walking towards the palace, you’ll pass the medieval dwelling called Gladstone’s Land, and Lady Stair’s House, a 17th century town house containing memorabilia of Scotland’s literary trinity of Burns, Scott and Stevenson. The final lap of the Mile, the city's old quarter, is the Canongate Tolbooth that houses the People's Story Museum and is one of its most recognizable landmarks. For a sweeping view of the city, climb Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano located in Holyrood Park. Calton Hill offers, as well, beautiful views of Edinburgh. But there's more to Edinburgh than sightseeing. For some urban flair check in to Stockbridge, a quaint community full of students, coffeeshops and good pubs. Every August the city celebrates the Edinburgh International Festival, three weeks of the finest music, theatre, opera and dance. Thousands of culture-minded visitors congregate here and the city does its best to keep them happy.

About the destination: Dublin has been the setting for many novels and it’s no wonder since its written tradition goes back to 800 A.D. with The Book of Kells, which is now on show at Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university. The city is the birthplace for many literary figures such as Joyce, Beckett, Yeats, Shawn and Wilde to name a few. The city’s Georgian elegance blends perfectly with the medieval and modern architecture that gives Dublin its distinctive personality. One can’t deny that Dublin is a cultural city; the UNESCO designated Ireland’s capital as the city of literature in 2010. Culture vultures are also spoilt for choice when it comes to museums and galleries. From the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library to the National Gallery and the cute Little Museum of Dublin containing the lecturn that US president JFK used to address the National Parliament in 1963, there is plenty to absorb. Not forgetting of course the magnificent Dublin Castle dating back to the 13th century. Aside from its glorious riches, the best thing about this city is its people. Dubliners are friendly, warm, surprisingly outgoing and witty, even more so after a couple of pints of Guinness. In its more than 1000 pubs one makes friends easily. It should be mandatory for tourists to spend some time in a pub since it is one of the most memorable experiences of a visit to Ireland. Dublin is as well a young city, it has one of the youngest population in Europe, around half of its inhabitants are believed to be under the age of 25. This fact has made the city vibrant, dynamic, energetic and ambitious. Dublin is overflowing with funky bars, sophisticated restaurants and lively clubs, the epicenter being the buzzing Temple Bar area. Live music is a religion in Ireland and Dublin is its mecca. The city’s live music scene is superb and has given the world a number of global musical superstars from U2 and Westlife to The Script and Sinead O’Connor. Everyone is welcome in this nowadays multicultural city, but beware, Dublin, as its people, is so charismatic and infectious that you may never want to leave.