United Kingdom

The United Kingdom packs centuries of history into a compact, easy-to-travel country, and it is one of the most comfortable long-haul trips for Indian families. A typical journey starts in London, with Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, Westminster, the London Eye and the West End, plus the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio tour for younger travellers. Day trips reach Windsor Castle, the stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath and the honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds.

From London a fast train runs north to Edinburgh in about four and a half hours. Scotland's capital is built around a castle on volcanic rock, with the Royal Mile running down to Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat rising above the city. From here, tours head into the Scottish Highlands through Glencoe and along Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle. Longer Scotland itineraries continue to Inverness, Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye for the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools.

For Indian travellers the UK is easy in many ways. English is spoken everywhere, Indian food is excellent, especially in London's Southall and Wembley, and there are nonstop flights from Hyderabad. A Standard Visitor visa is required, so plan the application well ahead of peak summer. The best weather is from May to September, when the days are long and the Highlands are green. Booking trains and timed tickets early saves money, and staying close to a Tube station keeps London evenings easy after long days of sightseeing.