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.
It takes some imagination to put together an itinerary through the UK to discover the essentials, without wasting too much time on transport. Two weeks won't be too long for a brief overview of the four nations that make up the country: Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
In absolute terms, we'd advise you to take in all these destinations one by one, each one constituting a journey in its own right thanks to its diversity of cultures and landscapes. However, combining the whole of the UK in one trip, at a slightly faster pace, allows you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere, and to discover this diversity at first hand as your adventures unfold.
By plane, car or train, there's no limit to the ways in which you can travel around the UK. This allows us to link each of the country's major capitals, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London, and then cover the surrounding must-sees. Let's get on with the UK!
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On the road in the UK
- © Teresa Azevedo / Shutterstock- Day 1: Belfast, welcome to Ulster
- Day 2: Derry (Londonderry), a historic city in Northern Ireland
- Day 3: The Giant's Causeway, a unique natural site
- Day 4: Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland
- Day 5: Off to the Highlands and Loch Ness
- Day 6: The wild lochs of Western Scotland
- Day 7: The Scottish loop comes full circle in Edinburgh
- Day 8: Cardiff, the capital of Wales
- Day 9: The mountain scenery of Snowdonia National Park
- Day 10: The marine beauties of Pembrokeshire National Park
- Day 11: Cardiff - London: from Wales to England
- Day 12: London, capital of the United Kingdom
- Day 13: Brighton by the sea
- Day 14: Departure
Day 1: Belfast, welcome to Ulster
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Belfast, in full revival
- © Mcimage / ShutterstockOn 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.
![Hampton By Hilton Belfast City Centre](https://ims.ev.mu/large_295626114_4f3c0afefc/large_295626114_4f3c0afefc.jpg)
Hampton By Hilton Belfast City Centre
Comfortable luxury hotel in the heart of BelfastDay 2: Derry (Londonderry), a historic city in Northern Ireland
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.
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Les remparts de Derry (Londonderry)
- © Fco. Lozano Alcobendas / ShutterstockDerry 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.
![Number 8 The Townhouse, Derry](https://ims.ev.mu/large_42879471_208dd2f57b/large_42879471_208dd2f57b.jpg)
Number 8 The Townhouse, Derry
A welcoming place with exceptionally comfortable bedsDay 3: The Giant's Causeway, a unique natural site
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.
![](https://ims.ev.mu/medium_shutterstock_1518630203_c08b91fdc5/medium_shutterstock_1518630203_c08b91fdc5.jpg)
The Giant's Causeway
- © Jessie Bowman / ShutterstockThese 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.
![House Belfast Hotel](https://ims.ev.mu/large_305679550_de4a90b184/large_305679550_de4a90b184.jpg)
House Belfast Hotel
Charming hotel in a great locationDay 4: Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland
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.
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Edinburgh Castle
- © Susanne Pommer / ShutterstockStraddling 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.
![28 York Place Hotel - Edinburgh](https://ims.ev.mu/large_353502558_9934787338/large_353502558_9934787338.jpg)
28 York Place Hotel - Edinburgh
Beautiful luxury hotel 5 minutes' walk from Waverley Rail Station.Day 5: Off to the Highlands and Loch Ness
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.
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Le Château d'Urquhart
- © Susanne Pommer / ShutterstockThe 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.
![Whitehouse B&B](https://ims.ev.mu/107415988_52598c1503/107415988_52598c1503.jpg)
Whitehouse B&B
Guest rooms with breathtaking mountain viewsDay 6: The wild lochs of Western Scotland
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).
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Mountain roads in the Highlands, around Glencoe
- © Matthew Storer / ShutterstockNext, 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.
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Oban, l’escale du jour
- © Philip Birtwistle / Shutterstock![The Scot, Oban](https://ims.ev.mu/large_245739731_19fc58141f/large_245739731_19fc58141f.jpg)
The Scot, Oban
Traditional restaurant and pub with modern, stylish roomsDay 7: The Scottish loop comes full circle in Edinburgh
3 hours' drive: that's approximately how long it will take to cross Scotland from west to east, from Orban to Edinburgh.
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We complete the Scottish loop in Edinburgh 3 hours' drive: that's approximately how long it will take to cross Scotland from west to east, from Orban to Edinburgh.
- © Richie Chan / ShutterstockThis 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.
![Motel One Edinburgh-Royal](https://ims.ev.mu/large_295609064_873f26361a/large_295609064_873f26361a.jpg)
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
A romantic break in the historic heart of EdinburghDay 8: Cardiff, the capital of Wales
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.
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The waterfront of Cardiff, capital of Wales
- © muratart / ShutterstockThe 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!
![Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff](https://ims.ev.mu/large_274145898_96b9bfdb75/large_274145898_96b9bfdb75.jpg)
Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff
Central hotel designed with comfort in mindDay 9: The mountain scenery of Snowdonia National Park
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.
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Landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, Wales
- © Helen Hotson / ShutterstockThe 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.
![Isallt Guesthouse](https://ims.ev.mu/large_298582571_aa7cd0fa87/large_298582571_aa7cd0fa87.jpg)
Isallt Guesthouse
A charming rustic guest house with exceptionally friendly staff.Day 10: The marine beauties of Pembrokeshire National Park
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.
![](https://ims.ev.mu/medium_shutterstock_1823081435_4be59a9bb8/medium_shutterstock_1823081435_4be59a9bb8.jpg)
The coastline of Pembrokeshire National Park, Wales
- © steved_np3 / ShutterstockLovers 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...
![Pendyffryn Manor Bed & Breakfast](https://ims.ev.mu/large_236954386_773c1b598a/large_236954386_773c1b598a.jpg)
Pendyffryn Manor Bed & Breakfast
Magnificent stay with ocean views and mouth-watering breakfastsDay 11: Cardiff - London: from Wales to England
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.
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Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster
- © Patryk Kosmider / Shutterstock1 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.
![The Sanctuary House Hotel](https://ims.ev.mu/large_86981218_323c658245/large_86981218_323c658245.jpg)
The Sanctuary House Hotel
Elegant guest rooms above a traditional London pubDay 12: London, capital of the United Kingdom
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.
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Bienvenue au British Museum
- © Alex Segre / ShutterstockToday'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.
Day 13: Brighton by the sea
London has plenty to offer on this final day for first-time visitors.
![](https://ims.ev.mu/medium_shutterstock_376175275_57d20f9319/medium_shutterstock_376175275_57d20f9319.jpg)
Brighton beach
- © William Perugini / ShutterstockAnother 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!
Day 14: Departure
Depending on your flight times, a final stroll around London before heading for the airport, or St Pancras station if returning by Eurostar.