A British Royal Journey - VIP Access

The southernmost country of the United Kingdom, set in the Atlantic Sea just off the coast of western Europe, England typically conjures up images of quaint village pubs, red double-decker buses, and of course, copious amounts of tea. While England offers all of these, the country's real attraction is in its diverse variety of cultural and historical attractions. Marvel at the mystery of Stonehenge, walk the battlements of a medieval fortress, explore grand manors and royal castles, or visit London’s magnificent reconstruction of Shakespeare’s historical Globe Theatre. While preserving this rich heritage, modern English cities bustle with some of the finest shops, galleries, and museums in the world. Lively nightclubs, theatres, and world-famous music venues provide an endless array of captivating diversions.

Currency

Britain’s unit of currency is the Great British Pound (sterling) – abbreviated to GBP. The symbol for the pound sterling is £. British money is based on the decimal system – there are one hundred pence to each pound. Coins have the values of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Notes have the values of £5, £10, £20 and £50.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, post offices, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

Banking

Banks are generally open from 09:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. However, opening hours are can differ considerably from branch to branch. All banks are closed on public holidays. Many banks have 24-hour banking lobbies where you can access a range of services via machines. Visitors from overseas should check with their own bank whether they will be able to gain access to these facilities.

You’ll find ATMs at most banks, high streets and shopping centres. You can use international credit cards, debit cards and bank cards at ATMs providing they have a four-digit PIN encoded. As a general rule, any cash machine that displays the Visa badge can be used by Plus cardholders and those displaying the MasterCard badge can be used by Cirrus cardholders.

All credit cards that bear the Visa, MasterCard or American Express logo are widely accepted in Britain. If your card does not bear one of these logos, you should ask the retailer in advance if you can use it.

London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world with many flights arriving daily from all corners of the globe. Travel to England is easy!  And, once you're there, there are plenty of transport options to get you around.

If you want to get around England fast then you’ll find all the main cities are covered by a range of airlines.  However, because England is a reasonably small country many people rent a car or take a train or bus to different regions. There are plenty of discount rail passes available to overseas travelers offering unlimited travel on the network.

All towns and cities have bus services, and many cities have rail as well as taxi services.  London transport options are excellent and you can choose from the underground (tube), overground trains, buses, taxis, even boats and trams.

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in England are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Restaurants are subject to food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and to put ice in your drinks. England's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

The most recognizable meal is the traditional English breakfast, which includes: eggs, bacon, sausages, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, tea, and toast with marmalade. You cannot talk about food in the United Kingdom without mentioning tea, as the average Brit drinks three cups of tea per day. Fish and chips have been a traditional meal since 1865. Lightly battered and then fried until crispy, cod and haddock are the most common types of fish used.

Tap water throughout England is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.

Spring is from March to May and is cool and dry. Noonday highs can become quite warm, particularly as summer approaches. However, snow is still possible, right up until the middle of April. Temperatures range between about 0 and 10 degrees Celsius during the English spring time.

Between June and August, England experiences its highest temperatures. While this is the driest season, localised thunderstorms can occur - usually in the southern, eastern and central parts of the country. The south eastern parts of England generally experience higher noonday temperatures, which reach around 30 degrees Celsius at the hottest, while most days average around 17 to 20 degrees.

Autumn occurs between September and November and produces unstable weather conditions throughout England. Different pressure systems and cold air creates an increased amount of precipitation. Autumn temperatures range between about 1 and 13 degrees Celsius.

The cold winter lasts from December until February. This is a very wet and windy season and snowfall is common in many parts of England. Temperatures can range from as low as 0 degrees Celsius to about 10 degrees Celsius, with very chilly winds.

Like most of Western Europe there is no dress code as such and really anything is acceptable. Smart casual clothes will help you fit right in. In the UK jeans are worn by everyone - young and old alike - and, unless you are visiting more upscale restaurants, they are perfectly acceptable to wear everywhere. But a few upmarket London venues and country hotels do still have a 'smart' dress code which is enforced (no jeans or sneakers, jacket and tie for men) so check if you plan to dine in these places. Unless you are staying at a hotel with a swimming pool, or intend visiting a spa, or the beach in high summer - leave your swimsuit at home as you're unlikely to need it. If you are hitting the beaches, regular swimwear / a bikini is fine for swimming on the hottest days (July and August), but in spring and Fall wetsuits are popular (short or full length) to keep out the chill. From October to March it will be just too cold to swim, except for the very hardy! When out in the countryside you may be some distance from shelter if the weather turns bad; at all times of year go prepared with a sweater, waterproof, snacks and drinking water.

Most types of accommodation offer Wifi (free or paid) in their business centres, rooms or restaurants. Internet cafes are found in most business areas and shopping malls. In addition, some restaurants offer WiFi access (free or paid).

In England the standard voltage is 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are type G which is compatible with three flat pronged plugs. You can use your electric appliances in England if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220V - 240V (as in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If not, a voltage converter will be necessary. 

Few countries can boast a traditional culture as distinctive as Scotland. From haggis and whiskey to men in kilts playing the bagpipes, this proud country’s local customs are recognised throughout the world. Scotland is a land of hilltop castles, formidable fortresses, and mist-cloaked glens. With some of Western Europe’s largest areas of wilderness in their backyard, the Scots are blessed with a host of outdoor pursuits including hiking and mountain-biking in the rugged terrain of the Northern Highlands, whale and dolphin watching off the coast of Mull or sea-kayaking among the seal-haunted isles of the Outer Hebrides. With all this wilderness on offer alongside some of Britain’s most fascinating cities, it is no wonder that the Scots are so fiercely passionate about their remarkable country and its impressive heritage.

Currency

Pound (GBP; symbol £) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of £2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. Scotland has its own bank notes (produced by three different banks – The Royal Bank of Scotland, the Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank), but English notes have exactly the same value and are accepted as well. You’ll receive Scottish notes from ATMs and usually as change too. Coins are identical.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday - Friday 09h00-17h00 (there may be some variations in closing times). Some banks are open on Saturday morning; some all day Saturday.

American Express, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are all widely accepted. Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

You can withdraw cash from a multitude of ATMs available across the country. Stock up on cash if you’re visiting any rural areas however, as remote villages won’t necessarily have an ATM. If you’re travelling from overseas, it’s worth letting your bank know that you’re planning on using your debit card abroad so the bank doesn’t think the card is being used fraudulently.

Travellers cheques are widely accepted in banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling. Many travellers now find it easier to purchase a prepaid currency card which can then be used in the same way as a debit card, either to withdraw money or to pay for goods.

Car hire is available in towns and cities across the UK from all the major companies. Roads in rural areas can be slow and winding, and in upland areas may become impassable in winter. Access to Scotland from London is by the A1/A1(M) or the A68 to Edinburgh, or the M6 to Carlisle followed by the A74 to Glasgow. Within Scotland, motorways link Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. Vehicles are sriven on the left side of the road.

Taxis are widely available in towns and cities. You can pick them up at taxi ranks (often outside railway stations and in city centres), hail them in the street, or book them by phone.

Licensed taxi operators are generally metered; small supplements may be charged for weekends, bank holidays, excess baggage and late-night travel. In the larger cities, unlicensed operators offer a cheaper (but less efficient and knowledgeable) unmetered service with fares based loosely on elapsed clock mileage; these taxis are called mini-cabs and can be booked by telephone.

National Express is the UK's main coach operator. Megabus is a low-cost alternative. All cities and towns have local bus services of varying efficiency and cost. Glasgow has an underground railway system while Edinburgh has tram services.

Food within the UK is generally safe to eat, with health and safety standards monitored by various government agencies. Tap water is considered safe to drink but bottled water is widely available. If you’re camping, always boil, filter or purify water from streams.

Iconic cakes, splendid sandwiches and heart-warming stews all hail from the United Kingdom. Don't miss tea and cake or, for a fancy occasion, try the full-blown afternoon tea, with three-tiered plates of sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Another fine UK institution is breakfast, and although there are plenty of coffee shops selling US-style muffins and bagels, the full-on British breakfast (eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes) served with a cuppa can be found in cafés lovingly called “greasy spoons” or in pubs with an early license.

Chefs from the UK, such as Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver, have found international fame and fortune, while fine and experimental cuisine can be found in most cities – but this usually comes with a high price tag.

In hotels, a service charge of 10 to 12% is usual, which may be added to the bill. 10 to 15% is usual for restaurants; if this has already been added to the bill, a further tip is not required.

Scotland has four seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, the changeable nature of the climate means it's not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day! Scotland's high latitude means that although winter days are short, in summer there are very long daylight hours and often an extended twilight. In the north of the country, Lerwick in Shetland has about four hours' more daylight at midsummer than London. At this time of year there is actually no complete darkness in the far north of Scotland. And with the extra hours of daylight, you can pack a lot into your day. Round of golf at midnight, anyone?

January and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland, with the daytime maximum temperatures averaging around 5 °C (41 °F) to 7 °C (45 °F). July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland, with temperatures at an average 19 °C (66 °F).

Most hotels, restaurants and public buildings offer Wi-Fi, although this may be less likely in more rural areas. The City of London now has free Wi-Fi covering 95% of the Square Mile, whilst London Underground now offers Wi-Fi at stations across the network. There are internet cafés and centres in most urban areas. Some multimedia phone booths, often located at railway stations and airports, offer touchscreen access.

Electrical sockets in Scotland are the "Type G " British BS-1363 type. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.

Electrical sockets  in Scotland usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.  If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.