I asked a question in the question/answers link up there about everyone's top five destinations they've been to and hope to go to (which you should go answer, post-haste!)

I realize I haven't put any UK destinations in my top five. This is not because I don't love the UK--they don't call me UK_Franny for nothing--it's because my love for the UK is so all-encompassing that I wanted to dedicate a whole blog to it.

The UK is a joy to travel in. First of all--there's the weather. Warmed by the feisty currents of the gulf stream, what should be a freezing cold hinterland a la its latitudinous counterparts in Moscow and Newfoundland is instead a mild place that is usually between 45 - 65 degrees. Sure, yes, it rains a lot, but not tropical maelstroms--just drizzle. This steady rain creates a lush green natural landscape. When it is clear, the mild temperatures are perfect traveling weather.

Secondly, I love the people. Erudite, self-deprecating, drunk, creative, frighteningly obsessed with football (or soccer, to us American plebs) and effortlessly cheeky, there's no shortage of good times with the natives. It takes a while to get used to the humor--"taking the piss" out of someone is a ritual whereby your friends merciless mock you until you start to get angry, and then pat you on the back and say "Aw, we're just winding you up mate!" Then someone will buy you a pint and all will be well. Don't be intimidated--if a British person teases you, it is a high compliment. It means they think you are intelligent enough to come back at them with your own parry. Such gentle (and occasionally acidic) ribbing is par for the course in the UK. I value both wittiness and articulateness, and so have always enjoyed the tart tongues of the Brits. And once you get a few pints in--things get a lot more sentimental and loved up.

Then there is the architectural and natural beauty. There was an ill-advised period of building last century where hundreds of mundane housing estates went up (think Privet Drive in Harry Potter), but for the most part the cities and towns have a stately charm in their ancient brick buildings. Slight flourishes--an elaborately carved window treatment here, a bright coat of paint on the doorway there--accentuate the historical grandeur and constantly draw the eye (and thus the feet) down the roads. The UK also has an excellent urban planning policy called the "green belt"--every city and town is ringed with undeveloped land that can never be developed. Even without the wonderful parks within municipalities, there is always natural beauty just at the border of any city or town.

Finally there is, of course, the culture. From a culture that loves their monarchy it is not surprising to find a winsome dedication to the nation's historical, artistic, and architectural treasures.

So, if I had to pick only five things to do in the UK, I would try to incorporate all of these aspects. Without further ado, my top five, UK-style!

1. London
>Duh

2. Scottish Highlands--Glencoe, Aviemore, all that good stuff
>I've traveled to 18 countries and this is still the most beautiful place I've ever seen

3. York/the Moors/the Peaks district
>Not as beautiful as the highlands, but still pretty awesome. I wrote York there, but the Yorkshire moors and peaks district are surrounded by a cavalcade of fantastic cities in addition to York--Sheffield, Nottingham, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Manchester are all close by.

4. Scotland's central belt--Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow
>Edinburgh and Stirling are home to two awe-inspiring castles. Edinburgh also has all that gorgeous architecture you may have heard about, and Stirling is where all the Braveheart stuff took place. There is a great monument to William Wallace and historical center about his and Robert the Bruce's battles against the English way back when. Glasgow isn't as flashy as it's neighbors, but it's got great shopping and nightlife, as well as some excellent museums and parks.

5. Conwy in northern Wales
>Northern Wales is awash in charming seaside towns and you can't move for all the castles. Conwy is just an example--just hop on the train with your Britrail pass and go!