My name is Trang, I am from Viet Nam but I live in Pori now with my husband and two children. I am an International Tourism Management student at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. I love music, food and travel. Last year, my husband and I visited England. It was my business trip, but I have extended 5 more days to explore the beautiful England and Scotland. That was an amazing experience for both of us because it was the first time I went that far.
Have you ever had a travel plan by yourself? I had and this trip was my first time. I have spent almost a month doing research about the UK map, public transportation, popular destinations and food. It is good to know what your favorite destinations are, how to commute from place to place, where you should stay and what the best local restaurants are there. A well-organised plan could help you save hundreds of pounds and time.
When I did research about transportation in London, I nearly cried when I saw the London Rail & Tubes service map. I would say this is the most complex transport system I have ever seen so far. However, I could find useful information from their website and watch some tips from Youtubers, which helped me get more ideas about how it works and how people are commuting from place to place by rails and tubes with ease. The pay-as-you-go fare system and the cap limit within a day in London gave me worry-free when travelling, because even if I travel a lot in one day, I will never be charged more than the maximum fare for the zones I used. If you are going to London, I highly recommend downloading the Tfl Go app for your mobile phone. It helps you to find routes quickly.
Accommodation is a part of important things in my plan. I preferred a hotel or a homestay located not too far from tube stations. However, I was shocked again when the prices of those kinds of accommodation were approximately £150 to £200 per night. I didn’t expect to pay that huge amount for places with poor conditions such as small rooms, no windows, and a small toilet. I think the best explanation for this situation is the high demand of people who are looking for convenience. Like me, they prefer some places that could access public transportation quickly. It happens not only in the UK but also in other big and popular cities. Then I changed the search criteria.
On the day of arrival, I had to stay in a small hotel which is near Paddington station. I chose this hotel because I need to take an early train on the day after. It took me 10 minutes by walk from the hotel to the station and it cost £150 per night. I found an interesting thing that there was an affordable hotel located on the way from London to Bath city. It took me 45 minutes to go back and forth by train. The hotel has a modern style with a fantastic view. Its location is not too far from Swindon station. The price was only £35 per night, and buffet breakfast was also included. Hotel staff were so nice and helpful. I was offered an early check-in when I arrived there at 7.30 AM. I have never seen a similar offer from other hotels because the check-in time is normally around 1.00 or 2.00 PM. Even though they offer an early check-in time, it could be only one or two hours earlier. The train tickets for both ways didn’t cost too much. A round-trip train ticket costs £7 per person. Let’s calculate the total expenses for this accommodation. It was only £49 surprisingly. I believe no one could find a similar thing in popular cities such as London or Bath. If I go somewhere else in the future, I would definitely apply the search technique in finding accommodation.
After reviewing the UK map, I decided to spend the first 2 days exploring the south and the last 3 days in the north of the UK. Visited Bath city which is one of the popular cities recommended by many Youtubers. Yeah, the Youtubers didn’t lie to me. The first time I stepped down from the train, I loved this city. I didn’t access any popular places such as Bath spa. But I really enjoyed walking around the city, watching people around, listening to street singers. It was like I had stepped into a romantic movie. I walked through the old streets and stopped by a food court. It was simple but delicious. Bath offered me something more than sightseeing, it gave me a peaceful moment.
I went back to London and one of my friends took me to Hampton Court which is near our company. The palace’s interior decoration was beautiful. I could imagine how the royal family lived here. There were multilingual instructions provided, which helped visitors from diverse backgrounds understand the significance of the objects and gain insight into the lives of the king and queen. The entrance fee was £25 per person, and I know it contributed to the maintenance of the palace and supported the dedicated staff who work there. I think this is a sustainable development because the fund not only helps preserve the palace’s architecture and interiors, but it also ensures that future generations can continue to learn and enjoy this cultural treasure.
I boarded an early train heading to the north after a restful night in London. Although I intended to travel directly to Edinburgh, I discovered that stopping in York made the fare nearly three times cheaper than the nonstop option. If you have a chance to travel by train around the UK, let’s try with the split-ticketing like me. One more tip for you, if you travel with a companion, let’s buy a railcard, and purchase train tickets on trip.com. Believe me! You will save lots of money for commuting there. Stopping at York was my brilliant decision. Even I had few hours to explore the city, I found it incredibly rewarding.
I began with a long walk along the Wall of York, enjoying the quiet and panoramic view. It was a peaceful moment, far away from noise and busy life. After that, I walked into the city centre, passing through souvenir shops, café, restaurants and stopped at a cosy hotdog shop. The food was simple but delicious. The whole experience felt like a scene from a film. If you have ever watch Harry Potter, you will understand my feeling. York gave me a perfect memory before continuing my journey to Edinburgh.
When I finally arrived in Edinburgh, I kept things simple. I just ate a bowl of noodles bought from a nearby market and went straight to bed. The next day, I enjoyed a full day of exploring the beautiful city. I began with a visit to Dean Village, a peaceful haven that took me away from the hustle and bustle. The old villas, cobbled paths and riverside views made me felt like a journey into another era.
Edinburgh is full of culture sites and attractions, both paid and free, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. I selected National Museum of Scotland as a next stop because it offered free entrance and a view of diverse collection across history, science, nature and culture. Even though the admission is free, I believe the museum plays a key role in attracting tourists, supporting local economy and employment of Scotland. I think it is a brilliant example of how heritage and tourism can work together in creating a sustainable value and development for both visitors and the local community. I enjoyed a seafood meal at a Scottish restaurant. I have heard that the Scottish seafood is known for its freshness and quality and now I understand why. The octopus and squid were especially tasty and perfectly cooked. It captured the essence of Scotland’s coastal charm.
I returned in London in early morning after spending 2 days in Edinburgh and had a few hours for a city tour before boarding an evening flight back to my home country. I went to Big Ben and London Bridge while it was raining. The bad weather couldn’t stop me from exploring the city. I also caught a whole view of Buckingham Palace from the other side of Thames River. I had only seen these places in pictures or films, but now, I was seeing them by my own eyes. This final walk through London left a lasting impression, the perfect ending of my journey.
My time in the UK was not more than a sightseeing, it was a journey through culture, history and human being. Even though the UK is a highly developed country, the preserving heritage is deeply visible in its historical buildings, old roads, castles, palaces and other cultural landscapes. From the London’s iconic sights, peaceful charm of Dean Village to the old York city, every place told a story.
The local people are kind and friendly throughout my journey. I will never forget the train staff who helped me when I boarded on the wrong train. He politely explained and guided me how to catch a right train later. He also gave me a new free ticket, allowing me to board the next train. That small gesture reminded me how hospitality and warmth can make a place feel safe and welcoming for tourists. As a food lover, I also found satisfy and joy in every meal. This trip left me with lasting memories and a deeper understanding about culture, kindness and curiosity.
Text and photos: Trang Tran, student of International Tourism Management