England

From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. But it also does modernity with a confidence and panache left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best. Source:www.lonelyplanet.com

Ireland

It's said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten, and for once the blarney rings true. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible, and its people seem put on earth expressly to restore faith in humanity. Source:www.lonelyplanet.com

Northern Ireland

Now that you finally have the time and freedom to pursue your favourite hobbies or discover new diversions, why not break away from the everyday? Northern Ireland, in all its diversity, is a great place to plan a visit around a favourite pastime - especially if your idea of bliss is relaxing and enjoying friendly company and fabulous scenery. Source:www.discovernorthernireland.com

Scotland

Honed by long competition with its English neighbours, buoyant Scotland has survived encroachment, brass-monkey weather and invasion by stand-up comedians. Its people are feisty, opinionated and fiercely loyal. The countryside is a wild, beautiful tumble of raw mountain peaks and deep glassy lakes. Source:www.lonelyplanet.com

Wales

In many ways, Wales is just what you picture it to be: rolling moorlands, glaciated mountain areas, mellifluous male-voice choirs, tongue-twisting place names, Rugby Union, 'Bread of Heaven', romantic castles, people with querying lilts, cheese on toast and old mining towns. Source:www.lonelyplanet.com