Glasgow has appeared in some of the world’s top travel guides as a must visit destination and more and more people are discovering why. It might not jump out at you as a good city break destination but once you discover what Glasgow has to offer you will find out why.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and has a history stretching back to the earliest times of the stone age. Celtic druids, Romans and eventually in around 540 AD a missionary founded the first Christian church in the area. In 1175 Glasgow became a burgh of barony and in 1238 work began on the Cathedral. In the 16th and 17th centuries Glasgow became an important trading centre and there were a lot of very rich traders living in Glasgow during this time.
Glasgow today is one of a major shopping destination with an assortment of shops, shopping centres and markets to suit even the most experienced shopper. In fact the only place better to shop in the UK would be London. Add in the amazing nightlife, selection of restaurants, pubs, clubs, casinos and you will soon discover why so many people visit Glasgow.
If you like live entertainment then Glasgow has something for everyone with its regular festivals spread out over the year. Some of the festivals on offer include the West End Festival, Glasgay, The Jazz Festival, The River Festival, the International Comedy Festival and many more.
Getting to Glasgow is easy there are lots of low cost flights into Glasgow from all over the UK and Europe. There are good rail connections from England and from the east coast of Scotland straight into the city centre. The coach station is also in the city centre and there are regular arrivals from all over Scotland and England. It can be easily reached from any of the London airports with regular daily flights.
Glasgow has numerous options when it comes to accommodation including hostels, Bed and Breakfast accommodation, two to five star hotels and serviced self catering apartments. As the Commonwealth games approach 2014 more and more accommodation is being built and opened in the city.
Glasgow’s weather can be unpredictable however they are used to it and no matter what you want to do you can do almost everything regardless of the weather conditions. Glasgow does experience very hot weather as well so make sure you pack accordingly for the correct time of year.
Some of the best attractions include the fantastic Kelvingrove Art Gallery, probably the busiest gallery in the UK after the Tait Gallery in London. The Science Centre in Glasgow is an excellent attraction and well worth a visit, there is also the Glasgow Tower and Imax theatre all located at the Science Mall next to the River Clyde.
A short drive away from Glasgow is Loch Lomond and the beautiful Highlands can be reached are less than an hours drive from Loch Lomond. Stirling and Edinburgh can easily be reached by car for a day trip.
Glasgow is a surprise destination choice however it is easy to see why. There is so much to see and do during the day and at night that you will wish you could stay longer.