The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe SM

United Kingdom
Prime Travel Data

The United Kingdom is in western Europe in the Atlantic Ocean.
It consists of the island of Britain and the part of Ireland known as Northern Ireland.

A page of the Prime Travel Data section from enjoy-europe.com with John Bermont


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Streetwise London Map - Laminated City Street Map
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Note: Italicized notations by the author.
This is a universal plug adapter for the UK and Ireland.
Grounded Adaptor Plug - United Kingdom, Ireland
Grounded Adaptor Plug for Britain and Ireland


Important information about this data sheet. Revised 22 September 2012
Native name United Kingdom
Officially known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Capital London
Postal code GB. See Chapter 19.
Telephone code +44. See Chapter 19.
Language English
Currency Pound Sterling. See Euro and Other Currencies.
European Union Member. See Chapter 25.
Schengen Agreement Not a Member. See Chapter 3.
Time zone GMT. See Chapter 28.
Electricity 220 volts, 50 Hz. See Chapter 11.


General open hours, often longer in major cities  
Restaurants 1100-2300
Banks 0930-1530 M-F
Post offices 0900-1730 M-F
Stores 0900-1800 M-S
City tourist offices 0900-1700 M-S


Date Holiday
Jan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 2 Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland only)
  Good Friday
  Easter Monday (except Scotland)
First Monday in May May Day
Last Monday in May Spring Holiday
Jul 12 Holiday (Northern Ireland only)
First Monday in Aug Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
Last Monday in August  Summer Bank Holiday (except Scotland)
Dec 25 Christmas
Dec 26 Boxing Day


British Offices in the USA
Embassy
T 202-588-7870
British Embassy in the United States
3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW 
Washington, DC 20008
Consulates Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Miami
Tourist Offices
T 800-462-2748
Visit Britain
551 Fifth Avenue, Seventh Floor #701
New York, NY 10176
travelinfo@visitbritain.org.
  Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles
In Canada: 888 VISIT UK


American Offices in United Kingdom
Embassy
T 0171-499-9000
F 0171-409-1637
Embassy of the United States, London
24/31 Grosvenor Square 
W1A 1AE London
Consulates Belfast, Edinburgh


USA is known as: USA




NOTE TO READERS

I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to Britain that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.

My email address is johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

When you write please include as much detail as possible. I will reply in a day or two.

Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. All 30 chapters of HOW TO EUROPE are available, free to read on line. In addition, the Google search box below can locate specific subjects in any chapter or page on site.

For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale, Packing List and Last Call: For Travel In Europe.

If you know of someone else who would appreciate reading this web page please send the URL link to him or her. To easily do that, click your "File" tab in the tool bar and scroll down to "Send" or "Send Link." Your friend will thank you, and I thank you.

Recommended books for further information:

These links take you directly to a page at Amazon.com for details of the book or map noted, plus ordering information. Amazon.com pays a commission to Enjoy-Europe.com on orders placed when you click here. You benefit when buying here because Amazon.com offers a discount on many items and has a free shipping deal; see details on their site. Thanks for your support.

The books that you see listed here are those that I have personnally used and am satisfied with, and/or are from publishers whose other travel books are reliable. I am a consumer when it comes to travel guides, and a critical one. Notice that I do not recommend any Frommers, Steves, Dummies, or other inferior guides. For some of the reasons please go to the hoi polloi.

Note: emphasis in the titles is mine -- to help you in finding the information you need. Don't worry too much about publication dates. Many books are updated every three to six years. The monuments and cathedrals haven't moved in centuries!



Guides
  Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
  Top 10 Scotland (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)
  Michelin Red Guide London 2012: Hotels & Restaurants
  Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2012: Hotels & Restaurants
  Michelin Green Guide Great Britain
  Michelin the Green Guide Scotland
  Michelin the Green Guide Wales
  Lonely Planet Wales
  Lonely Planet England
  DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: London

Maps
  Michelin Great Britain Ireland Map #713
  Michelin Map #501 Scotland
  Lonely Planet City Map London

DVDs
  Globe Trekker: London starring Jonathan Atherton

Travelers' Supplies
Shopping easy at

This 110-250 volt power surge strip has three universal outlets and an American grounded plug so it needs a plug adapter for the UK. Make sure your gizmos are rated for 110-240 volts. SM-60 Universal 3 Outlet Power Strip / Surge Protector for Worldwide Travel. 110V-250V with Overload Protection.
SM-60 Universal 3 Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector for Worldwide Travel. 110V-250V with Overload Protection.


For charging up to six gizmos at a time use this 250 volt universal power strip. It comes with a grounded Continental plug.
Universal Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip for AC 220V/240V Countries. Max Load 13A 250V 50/60HZ - 450 Joules. CE Certified
Surge Protector
Power Strip
6 Universal Outlets
220/240 Volt 50/60Hz


To use the six outlet surge strip in Britain you will need one of these plug adapters.
Grounded Adapter - Europe to England UK Britain
Grounded Adapter
Europe to
Britain and Ireland




Who wrote this?

Home and general index.
Table of Contents
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook

All of the text, updated to September 2012, is available on line, FREE. Updated photographs with captions are available on line for those chapters as noted "with illustrations."
The entire book, copyright 2003, can be purchased by clicking Amazon.com.
Chapter 1, with illustrations.
What's It All About?
Travel Like a Native In Europe


Chapter 2
On Budget in Europe
Travel Costs


Chapter 3
Passport and Visas
Identity and Travel Documents for Europe


Chapter 4
Flying to Europe
Travel Starts at the Airport


Chapter 5
What to Wear in Europe
Travel Clothes for all Occasions


Chapter 6
Your Packing List for Europe
A Short List for Travelers


Chapter 7
Luggage for Europe
Let It Roll


Chapter 8
Cash, ATMs, Credit Cards
Travel Money in Europe


Chapter 9
Your Travel Diary of Europe
Notes Supplement Your Photos


Chapter 10
Europe Guide Books and Maps
Travel in Europe with a Good Guide Book


Chapter 11
Electricity in Europe
Travel Voltage Fundamentals


Chapter 12, with illustrations.
Photography in Europe
Travel with Your Camera


Chapter 13
Bring a Smile
Travel Europe in Good Attitude


Chapter 14
European Hotels, Hostels, B&Bs, and Private Homes
Sleep Options for Travel in Europe


Chapter 15
Eating In Europe
Travel on Your Belly


Chapter 16
City Transport in Europe
Travel by Bus, Streetcar, Subway, Taxi, Bike, and Shoe Leather


Chapter 17, part 1,
with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
Guide to Train Travel in Europe


Chapter 17, part 2,
with illustrations.
European Rail Stations
Travel Europe by Train


Chapter 17, part 3,
with illustrations.
Night Trains in Europe
City to City While You Sleep


Chapter 17, part 4,
with illustrations.
Europe's Bus and Ship Services
Hit the Road or Take a Ferry


Chapter 18, with illustrations.
Driving in Europe
Travel by Car, Van, or Motorcycle


Chapter 19, part 1
Telephoning to, from, and within Europe
City Codes, 10-10, telephone cards, cell phones, PTT


Chapter 19, part 2
Sending Snail Mail to & from Europe
Air Mail, Priority Mail, PTT, Poste Restante, Amex


Chapter 19, part 3
Internet and Email in Europe
Cyber Cafes, Keyboards, Password, Your Laptop


Chapter 19, part 4
Telegrams
Wiring Cash and Keeping in Touch


Chapter 20
Health and Safety in Europe
Travel in Confidence but with Caution


Chapter 21
Working in Europe
Get Paid to Travel


Chapter 22, part 1
Moving to Europe
Things to Know Before You Go


Chapter 22, part 2
Living in Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 23, with illustrations.
Shopping in Europe
Buy Your Souvenirs, Gifts, and Stuff You Can't Live Without


Chapter 24
Shipping Your Treasures Home from Europe
Travelers Options


Chapter 25
Passing Customs in Europe
Know the Rules When Crossing Borders


Chapter 26
European Languages, Numbers, Alphabets
Encounter The Tower of Babel in Europe


Chapter 27
Metric System in Europe
Travel with Grams, Meters, Liters, and Celsius


Chapter 28
Time and Dates in Europe
Travel in a Different Time Zone


Chapter 29
Weather in Europe
Travel with Your Umbrella


Chapter 30
Melding with Europe
Travel Is Interesting and Entertaining




The Finale
Packing List and Last Call
For Travel In Europe
Learn the basic infrastructure:

Prime Travel Data
Elementary Travel Information for Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland

France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Utilize John Bermont's exclusive:

TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES
A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information
Airlines to Europe
National Tourist Offices
City Tourist Offices
City Information and Tours
Country Information and Tours
Luggage and Backpacks
Discount Air Travel
Villas and Homes for Rent
Hostels in Europe
Hotels in Europe
Auto Rental in Europe
Rail Services of Europe
Eclectic Travel Sites
Internet Search Engines
Photography
Guide Books for Europe
Educational Programs
Newsletters from Europe
Personal Travel Pages
Personal Trip Planning

Get open hours, costs, locations, and more:

Travelers Portfolio
Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe
       Amsterdam       
Anne Frank Huis
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
       London       
British Museum
Buckingham Palace
National Gallery
Natural History Museum
Palace of Westminster
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
       Paris coming soon       
Arc de Triomphe
Tour Eiffel
Hôtel des Invalides
Musée de l'Armée
Opera
Montmarte
Cathédrale Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Musée du Louvre

Exchange rates, weather, maps:

Up-To-The-Minute
Be informed before you go.
       Money Exchange
Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank.
       Weather in Europe
Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck.
    Maps and Time Zones
Free online maps of Europe. Guide to setting your watch ahead.

Captioned photos from Europe

PhotoLog
Pictures of what we do in Europe.
       Queen's Day
Holland hosts a great one-day party, annually on April 30. Here is the action in Haarlem and Amsterdam.
       Keukenhof
A beautiful huge tulip garden blooms during middle spring. We made a leisurely bike ride from Haarlem.
       Bull Flight
My daughter Stephanie enters the ring and encounters a baby bull in Spain, then flies for her life!
O hey Europe Stephanie's Blog. A 22 year old spends a month in Paris, with a weekend diversion to La Baule on the Atlantic coast.

Didn't find what you need yet?
Google It !!
 

Copyright
Internet edition
© 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 James J. Broad
© 1987, 1986, 1984, 1982 Murphy & Broad Publishing Co.
All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés.
This is copyrighted material. Do not reproduce, copy, plagiarize, store, modify, extract,
transmit, or purloin any part of this publication in any nation in any form or by any means
or for any purpose whatsoever without permission in writing.

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Travelers:
You may print one copy of this chapter for your personal use. To order the complete book with all of the captioned photographs see the next section below.

Permissions:
If you want to copy any of this material to your web site, book, article, or term paper please ask first. Note that plagiarism includes paraphrasing text and even copying ideas. Everything on this page is original. Students, professors, journalists, and writers are outed almost every day, caught stealing the works of others and presenting it as their own work. Then they make excuses when caught. Then they are thrown out of school or fired, or they run for Vice President when they get away with it. At least one other travel writer has plagiarized heavily from my work, claiming and getting credit for writing a few dozen books every year. Some of his books have included my work for years on end, without credit. For honorable people, permissions are freely granted so you don't need to cheat, steal, and lie. Just say where you found the information and ideas. For permissions contact: johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

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Buy it here:

The original
do-it-yourself
travel guide to
Europe.
SM


470 pages
7" x 10" softcover
345 b/w photos
Last Call checklists
and detailed index
© 2003
ISBN 0-940792-69-9
$28.50


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Read more about it at:
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
2012 — Our 30th Anniversary!


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FLAGS of EUROPE

Flag of Austria
Austria
Flag of Belgium
Belgium
Flag of Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Denmark flag Denmark
Flag of Estonia
Estonia
Flag of Finland
Finland
Flag of France
France
Flag of Germany
Germany
Flag of Greece
Greece
Flag of Hungary
Hungary
Flag of Iceland
Iceland
Flag of Ireland
Ireland
Flag of Italy
Italy
Flag of Latvia
Latvia
Flag of Lithuania
Lithuania
Flag of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Flag of Monaco
Monaco
Flag of the Netherlands
Netherlands
Flag of Norway
Norway
Flag of Poland
Poland
Flag of Romania
Romania
Flag of Russia
Russia
Flag of Sweden
Sweden
Flag of Switzerland
Switzerland
Flag of Turkey
Turkey
Flag of Ukraine
Ukraine


Keywords for this chapter:
travel britain england scotland wales
london edinburgh glasgow united kingdom
scotland wales northern ireland
dover brighton belfast

Prime travel data for independent
budget travel in United Kingdom.