The United Kingdom
After years of dreaming, countless movies and shows, and thousands of horrible accent impressions later, I finally traveled to the U.K.! And I did and saw more than I ever thought was possible within a week.
From the tube rides to the historic landmarks, every second felt like stepping into a scene I’ve waited my whole life to join.
It all started after my best friend left for her exchange program in Manchester. Before she left, during a conversation with our mutual friend, Olivia, we threw around ideas and thoughts about visiting without even thinking about the possibility of them coming true.
Later that night, Olivia texted our group chat and asked if we were serious about the trip, because she definitely was. I was completely on board, and after a conversation with my parents, decided this trip would be a worthwhile investment I’d work toward.
A few weeks later, we purchased the tickets, booked hotels and hostiles (new experience), and planned our itinerary. None of this wouldn’t have been possible without Olivia’s mom, who was our certified travel agent. And boy was this one of the best trips I’ve ever been on.
We flew into London where we spent the first day sightseeing on the Big Bus Tour. The ride around London made me realize how big the city really is, and while we weren’t able to stop everywhere, it gave me another reason to come back. It was surreal seeing the Tower of London, the Eye, the London and Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. That night, I experienced my first pub where I tried sausage and mash and a Guinness (food was good, but I found out I’m not a fan of the drink). The hospitality was wonderful throughout the trip, but I specifically remember our dinner at Skinners Arms and our experience in the hostile nearby. I was a little nervous about the hostiles because I’ve heard of different experiences, but overall, I slept really good and the location was perfect.
The second day, we took a guided trip to the Cotswolds and Oxford, stopping at various villages to do some shopping, eat fish n’ chips, and try some cream tea, which was a scone and tea. We enjoyed cream tea so much that we had it numerous days in a row. Oxford was truly mind-boggling. There is so much history woven into its very bricks—a testament to centuries of vast achievement and the hundreds of alumni who have walked those halls and continue to do so today.
before taking a train to visit my best friend in Manchester.
First destination: London
Next: Manchester
Day trip to Wales
Last stop: Scotland
