2 weeks to discover the four nations of the United Kingdom

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland (Ulster), is a popular destination in the UK. We're taking advantage of the increasingly frequent flights to start our British trip here, in the Irish part of the country.

On this first day, we're concentrating on the heart of Belfast, from City Hall to the Cathedral Quarter, via St George's Market. Time permitting, Titanic Quarter and its museum of the same name are a testament to the city's regeneration projects.

Hire a car in Belfast and you can set off on a little road trip in Northern Ireland. Head for Derry (in the Irish version, or Londonderry in the UK version), a 2-hour drive away, through the green countryside ofUlster.

Derry is a pleasant little town, renowned for its walled city. Take a tour of the city and don't forget to stop off at the Bloody Sunday Memorial, a tragic episode in the island's contemporary history. The city centre's department stores are a great way to round off the day.

Today's itinerary takes us on a loop through Northern Ireland, this time along the coast. An unmissable stop is the Giant'sCauseway, certainly the country's most emblematic natural site.

These perfectly shaped volcanic columns, eaten away by the sea, offer a unique seascape. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then return to Belfast, where we take advantage of our second visit to discover the murals of the West Belfast district, impressive frescoes covering the walls of houses.

It's by plane, with a short domestic flight (50 minutes), that we reach Edinburgh from Belfast: a precious time-saver! Without delay, we immerse ourselves in the very different atmosphere of Edinburgh, which has retained its historic charm.

Straddling Old Town and New Town, the day passes quickly, as Scotland's capital deserves a whole weekend. Concentrate on the essentials, by following the Royal Mile linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood, then strolling through the city centre.

We don't have time to linger this morning, as a beautiful route awaits us. First, Perth and Scone Palace, a place steeped in Scottish history, serve as an introduction to this long 3-hour route along the roads of the Highlands.

The second part of the day will be devoted to the shores of Loch Ness, the country's most famous lake, as far as Urquhart Castle. We'll soak up the magnificent scenery in the fading light of day, before spending the evening on the shores of the lake at Fort Augustus.

Our road trip through the legendary Highlands continues. Heading south-west, the mountainous landscapes interspersed with lochs intersect with Ben Nevis, the highest point in the United Kingdom (1345m), for our first stop at Glencoe (1h10 drive).

Next, a safe coastal route eventually leads to the charming seaside resort of Oban, the day's objective (50 minutes). Make sure you arrive before closing time at The Oban Distillery, the town's main attraction, for a tasting of 100% Scottish scotch.

3 hours' drive: that's approximately how long it will take to cross Scotland from west to east, from Orban to Edinburgh.

This loop gives us the chance to explore the capital in greater depth, with a trip to the fascinating National Museum of Scotland and/or the Scottish National Gallery for art lovers, before finishing the day in an authentic Scottish pub in the lively Grassmarket district.

A change of scenery and culture, thanks to a direct flight from Edinburgh to Cardiff (1h15), which saves us an incredible amount of time. It's the perfect way to get straight to the heart of Wales' multi-faceted capital.

The contrast between the old stones of Cardiff Castle and the ultra-modern buildings of the seafront, a showcase for the city's recent dynamism, is great. What's more, Cardiff comes alive in the evenings, which promises to be a great stopover!

We're off on a cross-country tour of Wales, with a 4-hour drive to Blaenau Ffestiniog in the north of the country: the spelling of the names on the signs alone makes this Welsh road trip a real change of scenery.

The route passes through one of the UK's most beautiful natural areas, the Snowdonia National Park, with its mountains and unspoilt countryside. Don't hesitate to make a number of stops along the way to enjoy this magnificent scenery.

We're already heading back south, along the coast of Wales and its unchanging fishing villages. After almost 3 hours on the road, we enter the territory of another Welsh national park: Pembrokeshire National Park.

Lovers of wild seascapes, cliffs and beautiful beaches will be in awe. A place where you can feel as if you're lost at the end of the world, as in the typical little port of Little Haven...

From Cardiff and Wales, there are several options for getting to England, thanks to train connections.

The day could therefore be organised as follows: a 2-hour journey to Cardiff from Pembrokeshire, time to return the car and perhaps take a stroll around the city. Then head to Cardiff Central station, with a ticket for London and Paddington Railway Station.

1 hour 50 minutes later, you're in the chic districts of the UK's capital, in the Hyde Park area: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Bridge and Big Ben, London and its symbols are yours for the evening! Settle in for 3 nights, London being our last stop in the UK.

There's so much to see and do in London that it's perfectly possible to devote the last two days of your trip to exploring it.

Today's programme promises to be intense on the cultural front. At the British Museum, the collections are so rich that you could spend the whole day there. Some prefer the Tate Britain or the Tate Modern, depending on their artistic preferences, while the more energetic take in several of London's great museums, as well as strolling along the banks of the Thames. In the evening, head for the Soho district, emblematic of London's nightlife.

London has plenty to offer on this final day for first-time visitors.

Another option, for those already familiar with the capital, is to head for the seaside, to try out a typically English seaside resort that's on the up and coming: Brighton.

Brighton is less than an hour by train from Victoria Station. It's the perfect place to spend the day, wandering between the arty and trendy districts of Lanes and North Laine, and breathing in the sea air from the beach. At the end of the day, don't miss the last train back to London!