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United Kingdom travel guide - United Kingdom
holidays, flights & hotels.
Top destination guides for United Kingdom holidays;
Bristol
| Cardiff
| Edinburgh
| Glasgow
| Liverpool
| London
| Manchester
Newcastle
| Oxford
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Belfast
| Exeter
| Humberside
| Inverness
| Leeds
| Newquay
| Norwich
Teesside
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United Kingdom Holidays, United Kingdom Holiday Packages Overview
It may seem hard to believe that
this small, cold, wet island once held dominion over three quarters
of the globe. The pomp and circumstance of previous centuries may
have dwindled and the monarchy takes daily batterings in the local
press, yet the UK and its people remain a fiercely proud nation.
The past 100 years have seen a vast transformation as the country
came to terms with its diminished role on the world stage, from
colonial empire to a member of the EU. The
United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland, and the geography sweeps from mountainous highlands, to
green and pleasant rolling countryside and vibrant cities. The
country is jam-packed with two millennia of heritage, making visits
of any length of time feel too short. London is
the UK's biggest city, a fantastic and frenetic metropolis teeming
with people of all races, creeds and walks of life. Here the old
contrasts spectacularly with the new, offering some of the world's
most famous sights and an unrivalled nightlife. Travelling through
the country will reveal its diversity, from quiet country lanes and
inland waterways to majestic stately homes and castles. Thatched
cottages in the Cotswolds paint a picture-postcard quaintness,
where life appears to revolve around the village pub.
The medieval cathedral cities of York and Durham reveal a
rich history of a bygone age, while the industrial cities of
Liverpool and Newcastle both harbour an exciting nightlife. The
beauty of the Lake District remains almost untouched, and
Edinburgh's International Arts Festival draws talent from around
the world.
Tourist Offices - United Kingdom Tourist Office: +44 (0)20
7808 3864 (London) or www.visitbritain.com
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Entry Requirements
If a visa is not required, travellers
should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the
duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of
intended stay in the UK. All nationals of non-EEA member states
travelling to the UK for more than six months require an Entry
Clearance visa.
- For Australians -
Australian nationals must hold a valid passport; a
visa is not required. UK Immigration officials will decide on
length of stay up to six months depending on reason for
travel.
- New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but
no visa is required. UK Immigration officials will decide on length
of stay up to six months depending on reason for
travel.
- US travellers must hold a valid passport; a visa is
not required. UK Immigration officials will decide on length of
stay up to six months depending on reason for
travel.
- US travellers must hold a valid passport; a visa is
not required. UK Immigration officials will decide on length of
stay up to six months depending on reason for
travel.
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United Kingdom Holidays - Currency of United Kingdom
The currency remains the pound (GBP), which is
divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in all towns and Visa,
MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with
other cards should check with their credit card companies in
advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and
large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found
at banks. Travellers cheques are accepted in all areas frequented
by tourists; they are best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid
additional charges.
United Kingdom
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international country dialling code
for UK is +44. The outgoing code is 00, or 048 for Northern
Ireland, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the
United States). There are a wide range of city/area codes in use.
Mobile phones work throughout the country; the network operators
use GSM 1800 networks, which may not be compatible with some
dual-band US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in major
towns and cities, train stations and
airports.
United Kingdom
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to the United Kingdom over 16 years
with goods purchased in the EU for personal consumption do not have
to pay duty on these goods provided they are for personal use or
are gifts for family and friends. This does not apply to large
quantities of alcohol or tobacco if the amounts exceed the
following limits: 3,200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (up to 3g each),
200 cigars, and 3kg pipe or cigarette tobacco; 10 litres spirits
with alcohol content higher than 22%, 20 litres alcohol less than
22% alcohol volume, 90 litres of wine (with no more than 60 litres
sparkling wine) and 110 litres beer. Travellers to the United
Kingdom over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries (including the
Channel Islands and Gibraltar) do not have to pay duty on the
following items: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos (up to 3g each),
or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol content
higher than 22%, or 2 litres dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol
volume and sparkling wine, and 2 litres of table wine; perfume up
to 60cc or 250ml eau de toilette; and goods such as souvenirs to
the value of ¤145. The import of firearms must be accompanied by an
appropriate license or certificate. Passengers to Iran, Iraq,
Liberia, Libya, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra
Leone, Somali and Sudan carrying sporting guns are not allowed to
transit through the United Kingdom. All handguns are restricted
under UK law and are only allowed on a BA aircraft with prior
permission obtained from the Security Duty Manager. Prohibited
items include indecent or obscene books, films or
videos.
United Kingdom
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
10 to 15% is expected in restaurants and upmarket
hotels if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service
staff receive an optional amount. Taxi drivers are usually given 10
to 15% of the fare. Other services are
discretionary.
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