U.K./Ireland Travel

England has three entries in the TripAdvisor top ten list, the same as Italy, but with the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland included as well, that makes the UK the best place in Europe for free attractions.

I was delighted to see the list as I spent this morning writing about the Giant's Causeway for my next book, the Traveller's Atlas of Europe. It's published in February 2009 (order your copy today!) and is my personal choice of the 50 'must see' travel sights in Europe. I was fondly remembering my trip to the Giant's Causeway, and all along the fantastic North Antrim coast, so was pleased to see that the users and editors of TripAdvisor acknowledged what a great place it is – and that thanks to the National Trust who manage it, admission is still free (with donations always welcome, of course.)

So here's that list in full, so you can debate whether you agree with the TripAdvisor choice. But I'm not arguing with their pat on the head for the UK:

1. Pantheon, Rome, Italy
2. National Gallery, London, England
3. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, England
4. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
5. St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels, Belgium
6. Duomo, Florence, Italy
7. Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain
8. Westminster Abbey, London, England
9. St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy
10. Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

I'm not sure about Westminster Abbey. You can enter for free if you only want to pray, but visitors are requested to pay a hefty admission fee!

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