The United Kingdom is a combination of islands located northwest of the European Continent and consists of four different countries: Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England. It is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean in the south and west and the North Sea in the north and east. The capital is London, which is among the world's leading commercial, financial, and cultural centers.

If you are arriving on a cruise ship, there are many lines that call in the United Kingdom ports including Cruise and Maritime Voyages, Fred Olsen, Celebrity, Princess, Silversea, TUI, Viking Ocean, Phoenix Reisen, AIDA, Cunard, Seabourn, Holland America, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, P & O, Azamara, Crystal, Hapag Lloyd, Windstar, Saga, and NCL.

The United Kingdom offers a wide array of things to do, places to see, and people to meet. Northern Ireland features Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which are huge column of layered basalt created from a volcanic eruption.

Finally, England, the birthplace of Shakespeare, The Beatles, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and Florence Nightingale, presents a plethora of adventures on which to embark. The capital, London, on the River Thames, is home to Parliament, Big Ben, and the 11th-century Tower of London. It's also a multicultural, modern hub for the arts and business.

Surrounded by water, this diverse set of islands awaits those seeking adventure with a keen appreciation for natural beauty and unrivaled history. From art galleries to museums, Highlands to Lowlands, bagpipe bands to symphony orchestras, ancient ruins to modern architecture, there is something for everyone. Whether you have a few days or a few weeks, the United Kingdom will engage you in a heartfelt experience.