The United Kingdom is a country made up of four small countries, namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All four carry different histories and cultures which combine to form Great Britain. Each has their own version of the pound sterling to retain their identity and individuality. The reigning monarch is Queen Elizabeth II who recently celebrated her 75^th accession to the throne in 1952. London is the sprawling metropolis and capital city. Its architecture is striking at every turn as old and new buildings blend seamlessly. Home to monuments such as The London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, there is always something spectacular to get up in this city.

Scotland is famous for its roaring hills and never ending castles. It’s great for an escape into the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Haggis is the Scottish national dish. Think of it like a sausage except it’s a sheep’s stomach stuffed with that same sheep’s heart and liver before being boiled on the stove. Yum. Wales is known for its spectacular scenery that’s dotted with castles and sheep as well as Mount Snowden, its tallest mountain. Northern Ireland is small slice of heaven located, well, in the most northern part of Ireland. The main city is Belfast, a quaint city where the locals joke often about having built the titanic but were not responsible for it sinking. There is a large garden in the center of Belfast that was created in memory of those who tragically lost their lives in that accident. The countryside in Belfast is known as one of the sets for the popular HBO drama Game of Thrones.