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There’s a lot to say about how great London is to visit, but if there’s one downside, we can all agree that our bank accounts will look different when we get home.
London is a true icon, but with that comes a big shadow over the rest of Great Britain.
Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast – these are all cities we may recognize, but in terms of popularity they can’t match London.
The thing is, Britain is one of the easiest European countries to get to from the US, but often travelers stick to what they know here.
Between highly underrated beaches, storybook towns and dazzling cultural cities, it’s time for travelers to broaden their horizons of what Britain has to offer, as YorkFor example.
History meets luxury this beautiful British city and it’s much cheaper (and safer) than London.
The only place in the mess you want to visit
English is a funny language and there is no better proof than Americans visiting Britain, or vice versa.
Anyone who visited Detroit after the city’s historic collapse would say it was a mess, but in England, “heap” takes on a whole new meaning, along with many other expressions you better get used to. across the pond.
Mess is a good thing here, one of the city’s main attractions. Think winding narrow streets with preserved medieval buildings, local shops and traditional pubs serving delicious treats such as mince pies.
Exploring this side of the city will take you back centuries, from the picturesque half-timbered architecture to the unmissable wonder that is the Gothic York Minster.
Because the city of York dates back to Roman times, you will hear on the street that you are not the only visitor.
Many ghost stories have been passed on, including to tourists.
One of the most popular attractions offered in The Shambles are ‘Ghost Walks’, offered by multiple tour operators.
Preserved history with modern flair
Once we cross the ocean, there are so many different types of experiences at travelers’ fingertips.
Beautiful beaches, bucket list cities, historic sites and much more.
York belongs in the ‘fairytale’ category as you won’t find a better preserved city that embraces their history, yet has done a remarkable job of adding modern touches.
No, it’s not like Cuba where you feel like you’re being sent back to 1957 with pink Cadillacs everywhere.
It feels like you have turned a page and entered a medieval storybook, surrounded by the ancient walls of the city, like a fairytale fortress.
Yet within these walls there are plenty of opportunities to take your stay in a number of chic accommodations to the next level.
And remember: we’re not talking about London prices here…
York beats London prices every day of the week
London may be Britain’s household name, but York is an incredible city that is arguably more authentic and undoubtedly more affordable.
Four-star hotels like Middleton can be found for as low as $100 this summer, and even cheaper in the fall.
While if you were to make London your base, a three-star hotel might cost twice as much. Here, three-star hotels can be as low as $42, according to the Daily Express.
And you may be wondering how best to get to York. If you want to keep your travel budget in check, your best bet is to take a train with fares starting from $38.
Not to mention there are a handful of museums free to enter as well as the permanent collections of the York Art Gallery.
The beauty of York lies in its fascinating history and stunning architecture. It is rare to find a city that has not lost its charm.
That’s not to say there aren’t tourist areas, but you don’t have to blur your vision to see the allure of York.
One of the best ways to organize your visit, especially if you’re on a budget, is to book a walking tour or visit one of the many beautiful, historic churches dotted around the city.
York’s Visitor Information Center offers self-guided walks and there are many churches open during the day to look inside.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
