York - The most historic town in England

Although the city of York has been established since before Roman times, the greatest mark on this Yorkshire town was left by the Vikings who made it their main stronghold in the north of England for several generations more than a thousand years ago. As one of the most historic cities in the United Kingdom, York has long been a major influence on politics and cultural thought in the country, and was the seat of power for several rulers during the Middle Ages.

These days, York is a city that combines the ancient with the modern like few other places. The skyline is dominated by the grand architecture of the legendary York Minster, one of the largest churches in the world, but in recent years, a number of modern buildings have grown up to complement this structure and redefine the skyline.

The most famous shopping street in the city is called The Shambles. It is an exceptionally narrow road with overhanging shops and houses above it. Famously, both people and goods can be passed across from one side of the road to the other. The Shambles has traditionally been the center of the clothing industry in the city, and to this day, some of the most up scale boutiques and souvenir shops are located here.

In the 1980s, the Viking history of the city was made into a revolutionary new museum. The Jorvik Viking Center was opened to much fanfare thanks to the way in which the center was able to recapture the sights, sounds and even smells of the ancient city, and it has become one of the leading tourist attractions in the country as a result. The center is particularly busy during the week, and has a visitor's gift shop that includes many ancient items that can be bought for friends or as ornaments.

For most people though, the chance to explore the famous Minster is the highlight of their visit. The church and surrounding Abbey were once the main concentration of power for the whole of Yorkshire, and the building's interior is truly spectacular, with beautifully carved stonework on show. Much of the church was damaged by a vast fire in 1987, and over a period of ten years, craftsmen from all over the world came together in order to recreate the former glory of the building to the extent that it is now as beautiful as it ever was.