Gorgeously green and incredibly friendly

Big skies, craggy mountains, steely-gray lochs and cascading falls, the majestic, wild expanses of the Scottish Highlands are every bit as romantic as their celluloid reputation. The grand vistas, lonesome castles and isolated pubs where you can warm yourself by a peat fire, sip a dram of whisky and put the world to right are all waiting to be explored. You can hike, bicycle, ski and fish, feast on seafood, dance a jig or even toss a caber (a massive wooden pole thrown as a check of strength in the work of the traditional Highland Games). The mercurial landscape of the Cairngorms National Park makes an excellent place to start. Sculpted by glaciers and home to golden eagles, wildcats and red deer, the ancient forests and bleak moorland here are basically spectacular.
For pure romance, head to Eilean Donan Castle. Perched on a rocky islet on the fringe of Loch Duich, it is of Scotland's most iconic sights. Nearby is the glorious Isle of Skye or head for the Hebrides to marvel at the mysterious standing stones at Callanish and dip your toes in the azure waters off Lewis and Harris. Possibly Scotland's most spectacular setting though is on far-flung Orkney, where you'll find the incredibly preserved Skara Brae. The village, which predates the Egyptian pyramids, remains a testament to the ingenuity of the people of the day.


North Wales is of the country's most spectacular and traditional regions.
Its high mountains and rough terrain deterred waves of invaders over the years, and its finest landscapes are protected as part of Snowdonia National Park. Snow-capped mountains, tumbling rivers, Stone Age burial chambers and Roman forts all lurk here. It is an excellent spot for gentle hiking or challenging climbs but than tackle the busy Mount Snowdon, head in lieu for Cader Idris, a legendary peak said to be an entrance to the underworld. Capel Curig makes a nice base for walkers and climbers, but history buffs ought to head to of the magnificent medieval castles that dot the area.
The intimidating fortresses at Harlech, Beaumaris, Conwy and Caernarfon jointly form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are intriguing places to explore. Alternatively, catch the dramatic Ffestiniog Railway to the slate mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog to learn about the human side of Wales' industrial heritage. A short trip south and you enter an entirely different world at the whimsical Italianate village of Portmeirion. Set on a tranquil peninsula, this odd enclave was the brainchild of Welsh architect Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis.