Outside London

It is very important to me to get outside of the United Kingdom and visit other countries during this semester. However, I also want to make sure I experience different towns and cities within the United Kingdom.

One of my first day trips within the U.K. was to Bath. This ancient city is known for its Roman hot spring baths, shop-lined cobblestone streets and it's beautiful architecture.

We left around 8:30 a.m. from Paddington Station in London. For those children's book lovers out there, Paddington Station is home to the famous and lovable Paddington Bear. If you are looking for a cute souvenir for a little sibling or cousin, be sure to stop by Paddington station where you can find gift shops filled with stuffed bears of all sizes.

We arrived just before 10 a.m. and made the short walk to the Roman Baths and Pump room. We purchased the saver ticket which gave us entrance into both the baths and the Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms.

The Roman Baths are a combination of antiquity and 18th century architecture. The current palace-like building sits atop an ancient Roman temple. We began the tour on the first floor and followed the audio guide path outside onto a raised walkway that overlooked the Great Bath. Statutes in Roman garb topped Georgian style pillars.

We followed the tour downstairs and were able to walk the lower level of the Great Bath. There is no barrier to the hot spring so we actually able to reach down and touch the warm mineral water. Inside models displayed what the baths looked like throughout different centuries.

After visiting the baths, we visited Bath Abbey. I learned about the Abbey from Frommer's London 2012 guide. This book not only provides tourist advice for London, but it also gives reviews and descriptions of places to visit outside of London. Bath Abbey is known for its ornate tower and detailed stained-glass windows.

We quickly stopped by the Fashion Museum and Assembly rooms. This elegant building used to host lavish parties during the 1700 and 1800s. It's easy to imagine yourself inside of one of Jane Austin's novels as you walk down the rich carpeted hallways compliments to ballrooms featuring with sparkling crystal chandeliers.

Thirty minutes was all we needed in the museum. Then we were off on a bus tour out to Stonehenge. The tour was run by Mad Max Tours. Before we reached the famous English Heritage Site, we stopped in Lacock Village. This tiny town is a part of the National Trust and features authentic thatched and slate roofs atop quaint English cottages and small artisan shops.

After thirty more minutes of driving through the countryside we finally reached Stonehenge. An audio guide explained the different theories behind the mysterious rocks. You can no longer get close to the stones but one stone was moved out to the tourist path so visitors can touch the stone.

By visiting Stonehenge, I was definitely able to cross off one of my "To Do's" on my bucket list. However, I would highly recommend stopping at another city or town along your trip to Stonehenge. Bath worked for me but you can also visit Salisbury, Avebury and other small towns in the Cotswolds.

Getting to Know London!

It's been a while since my last post, but I have been writing! I found it easier to keep a small journal for my day-to-day adventures around London. It has also come in handy on my trips outside of London (more on those to come!) when I don't bring my computer with me or don't have access to the internet.

I thought I'd fill you in on some fun experiences I have had in and around London!

In February, I settled into my new home, just up from one of the major train stations in London-- King's Cross. It may be familiar to those Harry Potter fans out there. This is where the famous platform 9 3/4 is located! But don't get your hopes up, its not too impressive-- just a luggage cart sticking out from a brick wall with a small sign above it. It's also not located between platforms 9 and 10. This popular photo stop has moved around the train station quite a bit. Construction and renovation to the building in preparation for the Olympics has made Platform 9 3/4 jump around the building. Just ask an attendant or security guard and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

After getting to know my neighborhood, I took advantage of a free bus tour offer through my study abroad program. This bus tour helped me get familiar with the rest of the city! If your program doesn't offer a tour like this, I would highly suggest paying a little extra for a city bus tour. I was able to get my bearings of the city and take not of sites, museums and neighborhoods I wanted to explore. I also got some great shots of the city-- just turn off your flash and snapping a picture from the bus window is no problem!

 Also, buying a travel guidebook was extremely helpful. It mapped out whole days worth of site seeing activities and provided easy to follow maps and directions. My Frommer's guidebook has also come in handy when searching for cheap places to eat or drink. Another helpful guide has been TimeOut.com. This website and magazine provide information on upcoming events and have very accurate and helpful reviews on restaurants, pubs and bars. Check to see if TimeOut has reviews in the city you are staying! Also, signing up for TimeOut, Living Social or Groupon deals can help you see the city on a student's budget!

However, the most important part in getting to know London was getting to know the people I live with. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is important to be outgoing and meet new people! Every weekend I wake up and plan something new to see in and around London. It's been great exploring the city but its been even more wonderful doing it with great friends!