Famed for its prestigious university, Oxford is the college town. With graceful archways and cozy pubs where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once met, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a novel strolling through this academic city. Even if you’re not a student, you’ll find plenty to love in Oxford. What to Know Known as The City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford will surely inspire you to dream. It’s home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, comprised of 38 colleges. Its alumni include 26 British prime ministers, more than 60 Nobel Prize winners and several members of the royal family. Today, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town with a thriving tech and business community, romantic canals, vibrant nightlife and plenty of authentic pubs to enjoy a pint. When to GoThe summer months are the best time to visit this city, when the weather is warm and city’s beautiful parks, gardens and canals are filled with students and visitors. In May, the city comes alive for the Eight Weeks rowing regatta. Since Oxford is just 90 minutes from London, it's a popular day trip and thus busier on the weekends. If you really want to feel like a student, visit during the shoulder season months in September and October. How to Get Around Oxford’s compact city center is easy to get around on foot, so walking is your best bet - you'll get the most out of the city and see students hopping from one class to another. As the city is virtually flat, biking is also a popular way to get around. Oxford has an excellent bus system with buses every 15-20 minutes into the city, as well as four Park & Ride parking lots. Where to Eat Eating and drinking in Oxford is unforgettable. Here, you’ll be able to savor a meal and sip a pint where famous authors once chatted over their works. With a huge international student population, dining in Oxford can be also be fast and casual. Here are some of the best places to eat and drink in the city.
Bodleian Library Established in 1488, Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and home to over 11 million books. While there are rotating free exhibits in the library, it’s well worth to buy a ticket and join one of the tours. Nearby is the iconic Radcliffe Camera building, which is not open to the public but well worth seeing from the outside. Christ Church College Take a tour of Oxford’s hallowed college where the likes of John Locke and Lewis Carroll once roamed the halls. You’ll probably recognize the college from Harry Potter; its dining hall was heavily featured in several of the films. Ashmolean MuseumOpened in 1683, the Ashmolean holds the distinguished title as being the oldest public museum in the world. Completely free to visit, its highlights include the Alfred Jewel, the Messiah Stradivarius and Guy Fawkes' lantern. Cherwell River You can’t come to Oxford without punting on the Cherwell River. Rent a punt (a flat-bottomed boat with a broad front) from Magdalen bridge and head up the Cherwell. Bring a picnic and some wine and spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. Tips and Tricks
Day Trips Blenheim Palace Just 20 minutes north of the city, Blenheim Palace is a Baroque residence and UNESCO site boasting centuries of history. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, visitors can tour its lavish state rooms, parkland and formal gardens. Cambridge With its prestigious university and canals, Cambridge shares many similarities with Oxford, but is often considered Oxford’s more relaxed sibling. Wander around the university colleges like Corpus Christi and Clare College and stroll across the Mathematical Bridge. In the warmer months, punting along River Cam is another unmissable experience. Stratford-Upon-Avon Famous as the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon is a charming market town with more than 800 years of history. Located about an hour from Oxford, visitors can tour the house where Shakespeare was born, Hall's Croft (home to William's daughter), Anne Hathaway's cottage and much more. You can even catch one of the Bard's plays at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Let's chat about your trip to Europe and we can decide if the services I offer are what you need.
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Belgium’s capital is where avant-garde meets old world. Stand in the center of the astonishing Grand Place, then get to know the history of comic books at the Belgian Comic Strip Center. Within its walkable city center, you’ll find so much to love in Brussels. What to Know Founded in the 10th century, Brussels was an historically Flemish-speaking city until the Belgian Revolution in 1830. Now a majority French-speaking city, Brussels retains an international flavor as it is the headquarters of the European Union. A busy city during the week with business people and diplomats, the city has long been overshadowed by the nearby capitals of Paris and London. Today, it is a thriving cultural tour-de-force with some of Europe’s best museums, architecture and dining. When to Go The best time to visit Brussels is in the spring and summer, when weather is mild and the city is overflowing with festivals. Winter, while cold, is also a popular time to visit with outdoor Christmas markets and ice rinks. Brussels’ weather is unpredictable, so it’s always wise to pack an umbrella no matter when you visit. How to Get Around Composed of 19 municipalities, Brussels is larger than people think. However, most of your sightseeing will likely be in the city center, so walking is your best bet. Brussels also has its own metro connecting the eastern and western districts of the city. Several metro lines also have above ground bus and tram connections. For a two-wheel adventure, rent a bike from the Pro Velo or Villo stations. Where to Eat Eating in Brussels is reason enough to visit. Famous for beer, waffles, chocolate and fries, Belgium is a foodie’s paradise. While in recent years the city’s dining scene has grown to include global and healthy options, indulging in calorie-heavy Belgian specialties is still a must.
What to See Grand Place One of the world’s most beautiful squares, the Grand Place will likely be your first stop on a vacation to Brussels. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the square is flanked by 17th-century guildhouses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi. All year long the square bustles with activity, from the daily flower market to outdoor cafes. Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium This museum (divided into six smaller museums) traces the history of visual art, from the 15th to the 21st centuries. Walking through its halls, you’ll find masterpieces from Rubens, Brueghel, Van Dyck, Magritte and many, many more. AtomiumOne of Brussels’ most iconic landmarks is this surprising 300-foot-tall structure of an atom. Constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair, it is now a museum with rotating exhibits in each of the atom’s spheres. While you're there, don't miss the panoramic views from the top level restaurant. Cinquantenaire Park Built in 1880 for the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium, Cinquantenaire Park is one of the most photographed places in Brussels. The main feature of the park is a triumphal arch dominated by a bronze chariot. From the arch, you’ll find three museums as well as several historic monuments, fountains and picnic areas. Tips and Tricks
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Bruges Perhaps no city captures the essence of Belgium better than Bruges. From canals and cobbled streets to market squares and medieval buildings, walking through Bruges is like stepping into a fairy tale. While crowded with tourists in the summer months, Bruges doesn’t lose its charm. Antwerp Just a 40-minute train ride away, Antwerp is a port city in Flemish Belgium boasting exciting cultural centers and world-class dining. A fashionable city in the 1500s and still today, don’t miss modern masterpieces like The Port House by Zaha Hadid and the glorious iron and glass dome of Centraal Station. Ostend A coastal city in West Flanders, Ostend is a popular weekend getaway and laidback counterpoint to business-minded Brussels. Boasting over five and a half miles of sandy beaches, you’ll often find brave souls taking a dip in the cold waters of the North Sea. Ostend is also a gourmet paradise where you can find specialties like Dover Sole and shrimp croquettes. |
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