I’ll admit it. I was a bit nervous that I had built the Cotswolds up so much in my mind before this trip that the actual experience may not live up to my expectations. It has been exactly the opposite. Every time I turn a corner into another village, I think, “This is exactly what I pictured in my mind.” Now I understand why the British use words like “lovely” and “charming”. They are the only words that can begin to do justice to places like this.
Author: Laura Irwin
England 2015 – Day 3: This is the Cotswolds
It would be impossible to explain in words how beautiful this area is. It is quintessential English countryside at its very best. About three miles down the road from Charingworth Manor is the village of Chipping Campden. I decided to begin my first full day of exploring by visiting the village. The Cotswolds are covered with public walking paths (literally over 100 miles of them), many passing through villages and across farmland. These are usually accessed by small gates along the side of the road marked by a sign indicating “public footpath”. My first stop on the way into town was a small footpath into a field of sheep at the side of the road. The field overlooks the old woolen church in Chipping Campden (St. James’), one of many built by wool merchants to “show off” their wealth. You can just wander through the field among the sheep (and plenty of cute baby lambs). After my stop at the field, I parked by the church and wandered around the town for a while. In the center of town, the market hall dates back to 1627, where it was originally used by produce merchants. One of the best parts of the day was the walk I took on one of the footpaths though some of the fields surrounding the village.
England 2015 – Day 2: From London to Chipping Campden (on the left)
Despite a solid 9 hours of sleep last night, I still woke up tired this morning. Blame it on my body thinking I was getting up at 1AM. I had a few hours to spend in London before heading to pick up the rental car, so I took advantage of the quiet streets and wound my way from my hotel in Westminster to Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Park, and back.
London has a very different feel when you beat the crowds and can enjoy a walk without wall to wall people surrounding you. I took the obligatory pictures of Buckingham Palace (and the boatload of news vans camped out awaiting the Royal baby announcement!) and then headed back to my hotel via St. James’s Park. While there are plenty of other things to see and do in London that I skipped over this time, the Cotswolds were calling me.
England 2015 – Day 1: Boston to London
“There’s no rest for the weary.” Or so the saying goes. In this case, there’s no rest for the jet-lagged. After very little sleep (more like a few winks) on last night’s overnight flight from Boston, I arrived in London excited and ready to go. That lasted for about 10 minutes. Or the time it took to get from my gate to the “UK Border” sign at immigration (I love that sign!). Exhaustion set in hard and fast. Determined to beat it, I quickly made my way to the Underground ticket booth and discovered that my Oyster card from my visit two years ago was not only still active, it still had money on it! The 45 minute tube ride from Heathrow left me outside Pimlico station, where the cool air and crisp breeze perked me right back up. I made my way to my nearby hotel and took advantage of the Executive Lounge to grab a Diet Coke and some enormous marshmallows. Completely random, but coupled with the warm Doubletree cookie and hot shower, I was good to go.
Mystic, Connecticut – The Perfect Weekend Escape
Looking for a great weekend getaway that’s not too far, yet has plenty to offer for all ages? Look no further than Mystic, Connecticut. From the Aquarium to the Seaport, beaches to cafes, Mystic is the perfect place to spend a weekend!
America’s Finest City – San Diego, California
The city of San Diego conjures up visions of palm trees, long sand beaches, and endless sunny days. But San Diego is more than just iconic California sunshine. Filled with history and fortunate to have a year-round temperate climate, the city makes for a great, relaxing vacation destination in any season. With so much to do in San Diego, one could easily spend a couple of weeks and not see everything the area has to offer. San Diego has the unique appeal of having a little something for everyone. From beaches to theme parks to a vibrant downtown, everyone can find something to enjoy in the far southwest corner of the United States….
Taking a Bite Out of The Big Apple
When a local photo group planned a day trip to New York City, I was all set for a day of fun and photos in one of America’s most iconic cities. I booked a round trip ticket on Amtrak from Boston to New York City, and planned to meet the group in the city. Unfortunately, the group trip was canceled several days prior to the excursion, and I was left with two choices: either cancel my reservation and stay home, or spend a day exploring the Big Apple on my own. I chose the latter, and had a great time finding my way around the city and exploring all that makes New York City such a unique place. So what does one do for a day in New York? Read on, and discover how you can see some of the best of the Big Apple in a short amount of time.
Waterfall Wonderland – The Columbia River Gorge
No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to the Columbia River Gorge. The gorge is a deep canyon, formed by the Columbia River, which extends over 80 miles from the Cascade Range in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Most visitors choose to visit the roughly 60-mile stretch between Portland and Hood River, which also encompasses the Historic Columbia River Highway. One of the main attractions in the gorge is the sheer volume of waterfalls (more than 90 on the Oregon side alone), many of which are easily accessible to visitors. For most visitors, a visit to the Gorge begins and ends in Portland, and the trip is often a day trip which includes a stop at Mt. Hood and a drive through the famous Hood River Fruit Loop. However, to really do justice to the area, at least one full day is recommended in order to have time for a few short hikes and not feel rushed while visiting the Gorge’s many attractions. This suggested route begins in Hood River and ends in Portland, but can easily be adapted to reverse direction or as part of a single-day trip.
The Central Oregon Coast – Yachats and Cape Perpetua
While the northern Oregon coast tends to attract day trippers and weekenders from Portland, the central Oregon coast is a bit more removed from the big cities and has a much more laid-back feel. But spend a few days along the central Oregon coast, and you’ll find it has a charm and character all its own. Yachats (pronounced “yah-hawts”) is a perfect base for exploring the central Oregon coast. There are several small inns and hotels along the coast in this area, and while not “built up”, the town is large enough to have several quality restaurants and shops. Best of all, Yachats is just a short drive from Cape Perpetua, a true gem of the Oregon coast.
From Astoria to Pacific City – Exploring the Northern Oregon Coast
“…the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean…” -William Clark
Where can you find rugged coastlines, secluded beaches, and stunning vistas, all in one area? If your answer involved the Oregon coast, you’re correct! The Oregon coast has long been known as one of America’s most beautiful and scenic coastlines, and it’s easy to see why. Around every bend, there is seemingly one beautiful vista after another. Add to this the fact that the majority of the Oregon coast is comprised of small coastal villages scattered amidst miles of beaches, and you have the perfect recipe for a seaside vacation.
Traveling with Laura 