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Guide to Glasgow, UK
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Glasgow Can you get more Scottish than Glasgow? We think not. Glasgow is a 15th-century carousel of gothic masterpieces and a history that's as fascinating as the people who've created it. Give a few museums a peek. Try out Glasgow Cathedral for size. Heck, even do something as simple as take a water ride in the Clyde River. No matter what it is you choose to see or do in Glasgow, you can be sure it'll be just short of donning a kilt and belting out some tunes from a bagpipe. The surrounding landscape could not be more beautiful, and though the city sees an equal amount of sunny days as gray ones the energy of the people will lead you to ignore the droplets and take to the districts to commiserate from morning 'til...morning. Glasgow's past includes everything from shipbuilding to cultural booms. You'll find just as much fun in heading out to the docks in the morning for fresh fish selections as you will in the city's art halls. With something for everyone, it's hard to look away from Glasgow when deciding on a vacation destination or even where you'd like your next business conference to be held. The city center has a wonderful old-town aura that shifts toward the new age the further one travels to the suburbs, and if you don't fall in love with the place by the end of your stay, get yourself checked for symptoms of a stone heart.
When to go:
From mid-spring to the end of summer Glasgow is busiest, which doesn't so much mean that the weather is better at this time as hotels fill up and you're left paying an arm and a leg for the evening meal. To be fair, Glasgow isn't the priciest joint in Scotland, or the greater England for that matter, but if you opt for the off-season for your trip to the city you'll enjoy a much wider range of discounts and transit services won't be clogged to their brims with fellow tourists. Come during spring or autumn and you can chatter away with locals at the corner pub and get tips on what shows you can sneak into for free, or just the best unknown sites in the city. As all residents of Glasgow known very well, weather patterns come and go as they please. Rain showers can pass over for a few minutes and you won't see another grey cloud for days, but it's no use planning around forecasts here.
Getting there and around:
Not too close and not too far away, Glasgow International Airport is a destination that's easy to get to. International connections are numerous and domestic flights are too many to count. Some fliers from overseas locations may have to take a stop over in London before coming here, but by no means is travel to Glasgow as hassle. The terminal is modern and very open-spaced, allowing what might be long lines not to see like such a burden. Buses, taxis and car rental agencies are ready and waiting to serve you, and while a bus may be the cheapest option, it's certainly not the most comfortable. If possible, make costly leap to a cab. Glasgow's public transit system (buses, underground and aboveground trains) is top notch, and while it may seem more convenient to hail a taxi from the curb, a subway between downtown locations can be an even faster alternative, especially at peak traffic hours.
Attractions:
Glasgow is famous for many things, one of which is its art collections. One of the city's biggest attractions is the Burrell Collection, a donated complex of furniture, architecture, and art that is surely the best all-inclusive cultural site in Scotland. Among the notable items inside are paintings by Renoir and Cezanne that once belonged to Sir William Burrell and transferred from Hutton Castle. The Collection's 'house' was actually built not too long ago, and was commissioned after a design competition held in the early 1970's. Glasgow Cathedral is another admired landmark, and amongst the elaborate stained glass and grand pillars is the tomb of Saint Mungo, bringing the Cathedral to gain international recognition after several papal visits. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is also a great place to take in some with its equally grand collections of literature and art. Rarely will you find an establishment where Van Goghs and Picassos are held under the same roof as Melvilles and Cadells.
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