England It is one of those destinations that cannot be left aside on a journey to the Old Continent. Driven by the Industrial Revolution, as part of Great Britain, it expanded its reach to all continents, all seas, almost all ports.
In the 20th century, the British have been reduced from the imperial heights, but England and its people still retain their distinctive charm. To this day, social climbers around the world emulate the habits of English, from the cut of their Savile Row suits to the scones and heavy cream that adorn their tea tables.
England seems like a small country to command a formidable reputation, but within its borders are a dramatic series of natural and cultural differences. The landscapes of the north contrast sharply with the green hedges and the graceful charm of the home counties in the south, where most visitors' impressions of England are formed.
The swamps and plains of East Anglia suggest a world of Dutch landscapes on the fringes of the dark hills and valleys of the west of the country. Above all, England preserves its past. Travelers can find the Roman ruins of York and the Bath, but to an even older time…. with Stonehenge.
The truth is that the center of English life is still London. Despite the traditional character of British society, the capital's cultural life is increasingly dominated by immigrants from its former colonies, and they are more likely to hear the steel drums on its street than a Handel symphony.
The Theater, always with an English degree, takes place in London, while the sciences make it one of the most modern cities in the world. However, real Anglophiles prefer to get out of town on weekends and head to Kent or Surrey, with its rolling green fields, ideal for cricket and old-fashioned tearooms.
Other frequently visited sites include Canterbury and its cathedral, the Roman ruins of Bath and York, the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge and the west of the country of Devon and Cornwall.