York

As the sun descends over York, an orange haze settles in upon the otherwise bright red brick buildings grouped together in maze-like complexes and the jagged rooftops evoke imagery of Mary Poppins’ chimney sweeps which, when juxtaposed with the ancient spires of the old city, exude mystery. This fascinating town located just to the north of central England and in the heart of Yorkshire is a must-see for anybody traveling up the beautiful British countryside on your way to Scotland.

Start out your self-guided tour of York by circling most of the city atop the ancient city walls – that’s right, you can walk on top of these and capture some of the best views of the abundant brickwork in the Old City, fascinating relics hearkening back to the Celtic, Roman and Medieval times; the York Minster is an ideal example of the gothic influence, and, quite possibly the oldest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, is one of the city’s most exceptional attractions.

For the best view of the York Minster and the rest of York, ascend the hill topped by Clifford’s Tower, a formidable fortress of Roman origin that once was part of now-nonexistent York Castle. Gaze down upon a breathtaking vista in which the spiky and extensively ornamented York Minster features prominently.

Far from just the York Minster, this ancient city has a strange distinction of having quite an excessive number of churches – and, much to the chagrin of your mother, the same goes for pubs. Therefore, don’t shy away from the nightlife in York; in addition to pubs, York is chock full of discos, nightclubs and after hours locations – all night dancing is big here, and the English come from all over to party in York. No matter how wild it gets, you won’t be hard pressed to find a place to repent the next morning, or afternoon; if you still remember, York has a bizarrely high number of churches in addition to pubs.

Those seeking a more relaxing entertainment experience can enjoy strolling about the charming cobblestone streets and shopping in downtown bookstores and boutiques. York is very tourist friendly, and accommodations, while a bit pricier than surrounding, off-the-map destinations, are of good value.