Dover

Standing atop the White Cliffs of Dover, you're essentially teetering on the chalky lip of England herself-the very place Romans squinted skeptically at as they plotted invasion, Napoleon glared at bitterly from Calais, and Vera Lynn famously crooned hopeful wartime lullabies into existence. Located at Langdon Cliffs, these dazzling chalk precipices plunge dramatically into the slate-blue English Channel, providing postcard-perfect panoramas and the nagging sensation you'll soon be regaling friends with exaggerated tales of bravery at the pub. Arrive early, preferably at sunrise; the rising sun turns the cliffs a stunning shade of pale rose, and you'll dodge midday crowds desperately snapping selfies near the edge. Be smart: pack a sturdy jacket (the wind has a personality disorder), binoculars for spotting distant France (or just pretending you see it), and a flask of tea or something stronger, depending on how seriously you take English stereotypes. Budget about £5 for parking and allow at least half a day to explore the winding cliff-top paths, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the occasional artillery bunker-turned-museum lurking like historical Easter eggs. Sure, walking the edge of a cliff might seem borderline absurd when you could be relaxing in a cozy pub, but trust me-standing on history's crumbly doorstep watching seagulls dive dramatically into the abyss below is a story worth embellishing for years.