COURTESY ALLAN IZEN The bridge over the river Ness leads into downtown Inverness, where Allan Izen paid a visit with his camera in 2000 and captured its charm.

Camera-friendly country

Photographer Allan Izen wanted to celebrate his son's college graduation in grand fashion, but he wasn't sure how. While pondering over ideas, he happened to pick up a newspaper and discover that round-trip fares to the United Kingdom were going for $306.

Next thing he knew, he and his son were hiking in Northumberland along Hadrian's Wall, an 80-mile-long wall that traverses England. The structure recalls the days when the Roman Empire occupied the country and is named after its famous emperor.

Fit tourists who trek the country in this manner can stop in towns along the wall's path to rest and explore. For Izen, who has long enjoyed taking pictures, the trip was especially wonderful because the beauty of the countryside almost begged to be photographed.

Then father and son spent a week in London, which delighted Izen even more.

"London's a wonderful city for walking around with a camera," he says. "There are delightful surprises everywhere you turn."

COURTESY ALLAN IZEN The homes of Hexham, England, speak to a long, interesting history.

COURTESY ALLAN IZEN A watchdog in the Scottish Highlands is a keen observer.

COURTESY ALLAN IZEN The London Underground looks futuristic and well worn at the same time.