Introduction

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other continents and countries, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns. They travel to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. It’s always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try to different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

Those who live in the country like to go to the big city, visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City-dwellers usually like acquired holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do. Most travelers and holiday makers take a camera with them and pictures of everything that interests them – the sights of a city, old churches, castles, views of mountains , lakes, waterfalls, forests, trees , flowers and plants, animals and birds. Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of the happy times they have had. People travel by boat, by train, by plane or on foot. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations.

If we are fond of travelling we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers, or on TV. Travelling by air is more popular in our days than other ways of travelling. You can see many continents and oceans, countries and rivers, cities and lakes.

It’s very interesting to spend the whole day on the nature in the forest or near the lake. So you can’t go anywhere without looking through some add. There are 2 viewpoints on travel. Some people like to go on one place and spend their holidays there. The place may be an interesting city, a picturesque village or some other attractive place. Others believe in seeing as much as possible in the time they have.

Some people like to see museums and learn about history. When they go and visit a wide array of institutions, this can be considered a hobby. They accumulate experiences despite their geographical location. However, you don’t just have to travel to ‘sightsee.’ Even within your city or town, there are sights you can visit. 

Similarly, by travelling and seeing the sights, you expand your global perspective. You become more tolerant, open to more ideas and in many cases friendlier. They say that travelers develop their own unique culture. The more you steer away from your environment, you begin to adapt to other environments and cultures. In turn, you become alien to your own culture.

The theme of course work is “Sightseeing of the UK and the USA”

The aim of the course work is: to give an overview about the sights and people of the UK and the USA.

To achieve the set aim we determine the following objectives:

- to search for the latest and most interesting materials in books, in magazines and on the Internet

- to find similarities and differences between the UK and the USA

- to research this topic on websites, look for solutions to the problem

The methods of the investigation are the methods of general, descriptive and observation analysis.

The structure of course paper. Structurally the diploma paper consists of: introduction, main chapters, conclusion, and bibliography.

The introduction presents the scientific apparatus, which includes the topicality of the research, its aim and objectives.

The first part deals with theoretical aspects of some interesting facts about Great Britain , about British Society in the 21st Century and about the UK's All-in-One Destination.

The second part deals with Sights of the USA and what American values are and sightseeing in America from Washington.

In the conclusion we tried to draw some results from the scientific investigations made within the main part of the work.

In bibliography we mentioned about 17 sources which were used while compiling the present work. It includes methodical books and articles dealing with the theme, a number of used encyclopedias, textbooks and some internet sources.

1 Best places to visit in the UK

1.1 Some interesting facts about Great Britain.

And now I want to tell you about the sights of the UK and before let me give you some interesting facts about Great Britain.

• English Cockneys call the telephone “dog and bone” and a wife “trouble and strife.”

• Until 1832, England only had two universities: Oxford and Cambridge_.

• The famous stone London Bridge of “London Bridge is falling down” fame was eventually replaced by a stronger concrete version, and its original stones were taken to the United States and reassembled to make a bridge over a river in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

• The British coronation ceremony is over 1,000 years old. Since the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day in A.D. 1066, Westminster Abbey has been the setting. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was the first to be televised.

• The historical King Arthur may have been Magnus Maximus, or Prince Macsen of Welsh legend, who was one of the greatest figures in Britain toward the end of the Roman Empire. He was also an uncle by marriage of the Welsh King, Coel Godhebog, who is believed to be the Old King Cole of nursery rhymes.

• Golf is Scotland’s national game. It was invented on the grounds of St. Andrews, and the earliest record of the game dates from 1457, when James II banned it because it interrupted his subjects’ archery practice. Mary, Queen of Scots, enjoyed golf and was berated in 1568 for playing so soon after the murder of her husband Lord Darnley.

• The Queen of England is the only British citizen who travels without a passport

• Queen Elizabeth II travels with her own toilet seat and feather pillows, and she is the only person in Britain who travels without a passport. She is also the only person for whom Harrods used to close its doors to the public for one day a year so she could do her Christmas shopping.

• In medieval times, Magpie Lane was Oxford, England’s red light district, where the “nymphs of the pavement” would tout for business. The street was previously called Gropecunt Lane.

• The London Eye is the tallest observation wheel in the world, and each rotation takes about 30 minutes. Its hub weighs 330 tons, more than 20 times the weight of Big Ben.

• The artistic antihero Banksy is now world famous for his guerrilla graffiti and stencil street art, but his true identity is a closely guarded secret. It is generally believed he was born in 1974 in Yate, 12 miles from Bristol, England. His documentary, Exit through that Gift Shop, about an L.A. street artist, was nominated for an Oscar in 2011.

• Robin Hood was most likely never a real person. He was a composite hero, based on real outlaws in the English medieval period whose stories were woven together by minstrels and storytellers. It was only at the end of the 16th century that playwright Antony Munday elevated Robin Hood from a yeoman to a displaced Saxon earl as a symbol of the gentry’s dissatisfaction with the crown.

• On the chilly day of his execution, England’s dethroned King Charles I reportedly wore two shirts to avoid shivering and being regarded as a coward.

• The Cornish pasty was originally a mix of cooked vegetables (now available in meat varieties too) that tin miners in Cornwall, England, carried underground and left on a ledge, ready for mealtime. So the pasties weren’t mixed up, they were each marked with their owners’ initials. Before going back to the surface, the miners traditionally left the last few crumbs of the pasty as a gift for the spirits of the mines, known as “knockers,” to ensure a safe shift the next day.

• In the 16th century, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I decreed that mutton could be served only with bitter herbs, intending to stop people from eating the sheep in order to help the wool trade. Her subjects discovered mint sauce improved the taste of the meat, and it’s been a favorite condiment for roast lamb ever since.

• Six of the 10 wettest counties in the UK are in Scotland. Almost every low-pressure system that barrels east out of the North Atlantic passes over Scotland.

2. British Society in the 21st Century

In the 21st century people in Britain enjoyed a higher standard of living than ever before in history. In 1998 only 27% of the population had a mobile phone. By 2008 79% of the population did. By 2018 the figure had risen to 95%. However the prosperity was not shared by all. In the 2010s some people used food banks.

In the early 21st century the UK continued its transformation from an industrial society, where most people worked in mining and manufacturing industry to a post-industrial society where most people work in service industries. In 2011 80.1% of the workforce were employed in service industries. At the beginning of the 21st century unemployment in Britain was low, only 5.5% but it rose sharply with the recession of 2008 and reached 8% in 2011. However it then fell. It stood at 4.3% in November 2017.

In the early 21st century the population of Britain grew sharply, boosted by immigration. In 2001 the population of the UK was just under 59 million. By 2013 it had risen to 63.7 million. In 2018 it was estimated to be 66 million.

Meanwhile the internet had a great affect on life in Britain. In 1998 less than 10% of households in Britain had access to the internet. By 2006 the majority of households (57%) did. By 2018 90% of households had access to the internet. Emails and social networking sites made it easier for people to keep in touch with each other. Banking online became common. Shopping online became popular. So did Playing games online. Meanwhile in the 2000s a number game called sudoku became popular in Britain.

Great Britain is a country of strong attraction for tourists. The charm of it lies in its variety of scenery: the finest combination of sea, high land and valleys, lakes and rivers, fields and meadows. They say «England is green throughout».

Englishmen like their parks and gardens. The art of gardening has a very old tradition in England. Their parks are pieces of the country left in the middle of town while the English country looks like a park.

Great Britain is the country with a long and exciting history and a rich cultural heritage. People from different corners of our planet go there to see Stonehenge, a relic of an ancient civilization, Loch Hess and its legendary monster, the Royal residence and numerous castles. The cities and towns of Great Britain — London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge and many others — present a lot of interest to foreigners.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of 4 parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Scotland occupy the territory of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is situated in the northern part of Ireland. The population is over 57 million people. The northern and western part of the country is mountainous and is called the Highlands. All the rest: south, east and center are a vast plain, which is called the Lowlands. The mountains are not very high. The rivers are not very long. The most important of them are the Severn and the Thames. There are many beautiful lakes in Great Britain. Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The most famous educational centers are Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The United Kingdom is a monarchy and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the government with a Parliament at the head.

There are many different counters in the world but I would like to visit a lot of dreams but travelling to England is my best wish. Every country is interesting in its own but England attract me with its beauty and unusual architecture. It`s every beautiful and industrial country. There are many museums and parks there. Also there are lots of sights which have a world-wide fame, such as Big Ben, the House of Parliaments and the river Thames. I`d like to walk in Hyde. Park, because I know that people have picnics there, play and just spend their free time. Besides the places of interest England at tracts me with its wonderful customs and traditions. Everybody knows such tradition as “five o`clock tea”. A member of the family gets together and has a big meal. I like to celebrate English holidays: Halloween, St. Valentine`s Day and Fool`s Day. England is a very hospitable country. And I believe that my dream will come true.

Foreigners have many ideas about what the English like. For example, some people say the English are always cold and reserved, this means that they don`t talk much to strangers, and don`t show much emotion. A reserved person never tells you anything about himself. But the people of the North and West of Britain are much less reserved than those of the South and East. Some believe the English eat porridge for breakfast and read The Times every day.

Many Australians believe that the English always whine and call them “whining poms”. The Welsh, Scottish and Irish also have a thing or two to say about what they think the English are like with reference to the British Empire. And, of course, the English themselves have plenty of ideas about what they are, such as being proud of having one of the oldest parliaments in the world.

English competitions in general give a great opportunity for learners to improve their writing, speaking, reading translation skills, creativity, to develop the interest in the research field. The competitions are usually interesting and attract those who are really interested in English learning, learners like to show what they know and what they have learnt.

2. The UK's All-in-One Destination

While it's not impossible to plan a trip to the UK without visiting London, it's certainly not to be advised, as the nation's sprawling capital boasts plenty of attractions to keep you busy. If history is your thing, be sure to visit the Tower of London. Beside the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the Thames, this former palace and prison includes highlights such as the iconic 1,000-year-old White Tower, with its displays of armor and weaponry, and the Jewel House, home to the Crown Jewels. Fans of Britain's Royal Family will want to visit Buckingham Palace, London's Royal home since Queen Victoria's reign. Here, you can enjoy the colorful pomp of the Changing of the Guard or even take a tour of the Palace's State Rooms (be sure to book in advance as they're only open for a few weeks each year). The city's Whitehall Road area is another must, where you'll find Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings, as well as Westminster Abbey, scene of many a royal wedding. Another area to visit is South Kensington, home to the city's best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum, as well as the famous Harrods department store. Also check out Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson's Column and the National Portrait Gallery.

Edinburgh

One of Scotland's most attractive cities, the capital city of Edinburgh is also one of the UK's most visited destinations. Popular for its many well-preserved historic buildings, Edinburgh is home to the majestic Edinburgh Castle. Perched high above the old city on a rocky promontory, this 13th-century royal fortress includes highlights such as the famous One O'Clock Salute held daily from Half Moon Battery; the Scottish Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace; the Scottish National War Memorial; and the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone), only returned to Scotland after spending 700 years in London. From the castle, it's easy to explore the other most important historic sites in the city, most notably the Old Town's Royal Mile, with its fine architecture, boutiques, cafés, and galleries, as well as the splendid old Palace of Holyroodhouse. Other Edinburgh highlights include broad Princes Street, popular for its shopping and dining, as well as the location of the Royal Botanical Garden and the National Gallery of Scotland.

Bath

Although one of the UK's smaller cities, Bath more than makes up for its diminutive size with a multitude of things to see and do. Named after its famous Roman Baths, this beautiful city has been luring visitors to its healing waters for more than 2,000 years. Gushing from three hot springs, the water - known to consist of 43 different minerals, hence its curative properties - travels upwards some 3,048 meters at a rate of 275,000 gallons per day, before spilling out at a consistent 46.5°C. (Hot Tip: While it's not possible to bathe in the original Roman Baths, a number of nearby spas offer guests the chance to enjoy the city's famous waters.) In addition to its ancient history, Bath is also famous for its lovely Georgian architecture, the best examples of which can be seen along the magnificent, curved Royal Crescent, with its palatial townhomes. One of them, No.1 Royal Crescent, is now a museum that offers a fascinating peek into life during Georgian times.

Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury

One of the planet's oldest World Heritage Sites, Stonehenge has been a place of pilgrimage for more than 4,500 years. It was believed to have been erected as a place of worship, and these days, the crowds consist of tourists drawn by the scale of this magnificent monument to mankind's ingenuity. It's a sprawling site, covering an area of more than 20 square kilometers and boasting a state-of-the-art visitor center that offers a fascinating glimpse not only into the construction of Stonehenge, but also its history since then. (Hot Tip: Plan ahead and purchase a timed ticket for the day of your visit.)

Be sure to spend time exploring the nearby medieval city of Salisbury, just 16 kilometers south of Stonehenge. You'll be rewarded by a chance to visit one of the country's most famous cathedrals, dating back to 1220 and home to an original Magna Carta. Afterwards, be sure to wander the old city center with its many fine churches and historic medieval architecture.

Wonderful Windsor

The historic town of Windsor, conveniently located a short train ride west of London, offers plenty of fun things for tourists to do. In addition to its lovely Thames-side setting and medieval half-timbered buildings on quaint, old cobblestone laneways, it's also home to spectacular Windsor Castle, the most famous of the UK's royal castles.

This grand old castle has served as the summer residence of British royalty for a millennium (it was started by William the Conqueror in 1078) and is the world's largest inhabited castle. Highlights include the splendid State Apartments containing the Queen's Gallery and dining hall, each with magnificently painted ceilings and woodcarvings, and St. George's Chapel, famous as the home of the Knights and Ladies of the ancient Order of the Garter. When you've had your fill of these historic buildings, be sure to explore the castle's beautiful grounds, almost ten kilometers long and offering superb panoramic views. Other area attractions worth visiting include Lego land Windsor, a fun family resort set in 150 acres of parkland a short bus ride from the town, and Royal Ascot, the UK's most famous horse racing venue (try to time your trip to coincide with the Royal Meeting held each June).

The University Towns of Cambridge & Oxford

The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of its most famous university towns also ranking highly as tourist destinations. An easy commute north of London - and just 128 kilometers apart - Cambridge and Oxford have for centuries been rivals for the title of the country's top academic establishments, a rivalry that's celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race, which takes place each spring on the River Thames. Despite the good-spirited rivalry, each location offers plenty of attractions. Highlights of a visit to Cambridge include the chance to wander the UK's largest collection of preserved historic buildings, many of them located within an easy walk of Cambridge University's 31 colleges, the oldest of which was founded in 1284. In addition to touring the stunning college grounds (only a handful of the university's buildings offer tours), visitors to Cambridge should also take a punt along the River Cam as well as explore the old town center. Oxford University's 38 colleges are equally attractive, each set around a quadrangle and several inner courtyards along with chapels, dining-halls, libraries, and student accommodations (some offer unique tourist accommodation packages, too). Oxford highlights include the Carfax Tower, with its fine views over the city center, and the many fine old buildings of the town's High Street.

2 Sights of the USA

2.1 What are American values?

Have you ever wanted to drive across the USA or visit the UK?

Or at least take an epic road trip through a certain part of the country to finally experience places you’ve only seen on TV or read about?

I’ve always wanted to drive across, around and all over the U.S. Who hasn’t wanted to jump in their car with some friends and tour the U.S. Before you should better to know about the country.

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world. The total area of the country is about nine and a half million square kilometers. The USA borders on Canada in the North and Mexico in the South. It also has a sea-border with Russia. The United States is a land of rivers and lakes. The northern state of Minnesota is known as the land of 10000 lakes. Most of the fresh water is in the five Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Eire. They are on the border with Canada. America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the Columbia. The Mississippi is the world's third longest river after the Nile and the Amazon. If we look at the map of the USA, we can see lowlands and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Rocky Mountains with the rivers, deep canyons, waterfalls and caves, delight people when they see them. A large territory of this region is now a national park where plants and animals and all wildlife are protected. These mountains are the oldest on the North American continent. They are rather low. The highest peak in the USA is Mount McKinley which is in Alaska. It is 6194 meters high. The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the North. The climate of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the central park ( the Midwest ) is continental. The South has a subtropical climate. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring hurricanes. The climate along the Pacific Coast is much warmer than that of the Atlantic Coast. 

In your country, you probably had strong traditions and culture that you valued. In the United States, there are also important American values. These are the things that are most important to Americans. Independence. One of the main values in the United States is independence. Independence is sometimes referred to as individualism. Americans are very proud of being self-reliant, or being able to take care of themselves, and they tend to think others should be self-reliant as well. When someone reaches a goal, that is typically seen as the result of his or her own hard work. This is different than in many other cultures which are more collective. Collective cultures tend to see accomplishments as a reflection of an entire family or community.

Here is an example of how Americans value independence:

• American children tend to leave the home earlier than in other cultures. For example, after graduating high school, many children move out to go to college or start working. If they continued to live at home, they might be asked to pay rent or contribute to the house.

• Americans expect anyone who is able to work to do so in order to support themselves.

• Americans often give each other more space in public situations than people in other cultures. They tend to stand with a bit of space between them, typically the distance of an outstretched arm.

• Many Americans have fences around their houses to ensure they have privacy. If your children lose a ball or other toy over a neighbor’s fence, it is generally a bad idea to jump over the fence and retrieve the toy. Instead, go to the front door and knock or ring the bell. If there is no answer leave a note on the door, asking permission to retrieve the toy between 8am and 8pm. This is both respectful and safe, as some people have guard dogs or may be very protective of their privacy. Elders in particular typically need more peace and quiet and may not want to be disturbed. If you open a gate you must close it. However, if you come to an open gate, leave it open.

• Bedrooms are usually considered private spaces. Neighbors and friends are entertained in the kitchen, dining room or living room.

2.2 Sightseeing in America from Washington.

One should start sightseeing in America from Washington. There are many beautiful parks and gardens in Washington. It is interesting to see the famous cherry trees, the gift from Japan. They were brought to America in 1912. The NASA museum is devoted to the USA achievements in the exploration of space. Capitol Hill is the highest place in the city. There is a law that forbids to build houses higher than the Capitol on Capitol Hill. From the Capitol to the White House Pennsylvania Avenue used for all processions and parades runs. The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are the most famous ones in Washington. The Washington Monument is one of the most impressive sights in the city. It is situated in Potomac Park. It was erected to the memory of the first president of the USA in 1888. It is called “the Pencil” because it is one of the tallest stone constructions in the world and the tallest in the USA.

There are many sights in Philadelphia, for example, the National Historical Park. You can also see the Liberty Bell, which is a symbol of freedom. The sound of this Bell told the people about the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. You can also visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art – one of the greatest art museums of the world.

One should also visit New York, the city of skyscrapers with the Statue of Liberty. A new American Immigration Museum has been opened at the base of the statue. The Metropolitan Opera House, the Madison Square Garden, the Modern Arts Museum are popular among the tourists. One can also visit Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre near Houston in Texas or go to Florida or California to enjoy the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean beaches. And I would like to see them all myself.
People enjoy the wonders of nature practically in every state. The Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains, forests, plains, prairies and even deserts, wonderful lakes, waterfalls and rivers cover the American territory that equals about 9.4 million square kilometres. Among the most famous sites of interest are the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco and others. There are many beautiful National parks and protected areas of wilderness in America.

Natural wonders of The United States. The Grand Canyon is the world`s greatest geological laboratory.

Yellowstone Park is known for its geysers. There are about 200 geysers in Yellowstone National Park.

Niagara Falls are the best known natural wonder in the USA and Canada. It is situated on the Niagara River between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the Unites States. There are really two giant waterfalls divided by a small island. The one, in Canada, is called the Horseshoe Falls. The other, in the United States, is called the American Falls. Niagara is an Indian word which means “roaring waters”. Indeed, the roar of the falling water can be heard at a distance of 25 kilometres. A mass of water is falling over a cliff 90 feet high (27 metres) with a terrible noise. Niagara has very great power. It can move big rocks and throw them into the waters. Niagara Falls is beautiful and all the time changing. The Niagara river gives electric power too. More than a million horse power is produced now at Niagara for local use and is sent to cities and towns in New York State and to Canada.

Mount Rushmore is an interesting place to visit. It is in South Dakota, USA. It`s a granite mountain. Four faces are carved on the mountain. They are the faces of four famous presidents. The presidents are Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt. The faces are sixty feet high. Many people come to visit this place every year.

Hollywood is synonymous with the American motion-picture industry. It is a very special city in Los Angeles, California, and it attracts lots of people. It`s easy to see where Hollywood is. There is a big sign on the hills: HOLLYWOOD. The letters are fifty feet tall. Once it was a farmland. Southern California`s climate was perfect, and the area had settings for just about any movie – mountains, desert and ocean. With the advent of television Hollywood began to alter its function. By early 1960s, it had become the source of much of American network television entertainment. Today, it is possible to make a trip through Universal Studios Hollywood. It becomes a journey through a hundred film fantasies. An open-air tram takes visitors through the Studios, and, along the way, they experience recreations of classical movies special effects.

Disneyland. As a father raising young daughters, Walt Disney grew frustrated by the lack of places that provided entertainment for the whole family, places that adults as well as children could enjoy. So he created Disneyland. The Magic Kingdom, opened in Anaheim, California, became an immediate sensation, and remains, more than 30 years later, one of the most popular places in America. More than 270 million people from every country around the world have visited Disneyland since its gate opened in 1955. It is at once an enormous amusement park and a celebration of the playfulness and inventiveness of the Walt Dis