Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Quick Look At Bath - Somerset

By Frederick Hoymer

Planning a vacation to Bath - Somerset is like taking a step back in time. When seeing Bath from the air, a person can clearly see the Roman grid pattern of the streets and the Georgian architecture that makes the city so popular. There are many things to do and sites to see in Bath that are unreplicated anywhere else in Britain.

This historic city has many unique distinctions that have made it a World Heritage Site. It has the only hot springs found in Britain. The Roman baths were built originally by the Romans and added to with Georgian architecture. A person walking toward the baths will find that the Georgia architecture makes the baths hard to distinguish from the other beautiful buildings lining the street. However, once inside, you are immediately transported in time back to the Roman era. There are guides available in the temple that are dressed in period garb and give detailed information about life for the Romans in Britain at this time.

Bath became a very popular resort city because of the healing properties of the hot springs. Many people still find that the springs have a rejuvenating quality and play holidays around visits to the modern Thermaspa. There are several packages for visitors that wish to spend a day being pampered in the warm waters of the hot springs.

There are several ways to see Bath that will help you decide what you want to visit first. An open top bus provides tours of the city that lead you on the path taken by the ancient Romans and the unique buildings of Georgian architecture.

Most of the sites that you visit in Bath have living museums with residents who can discuss the life and times of the periods they represent. At the Jane Austen Centre you will find a collection of items and objects that affected many of her writings. The guides are well versed in the life and times of the era and have many stories of how Bath was in Victorian times.

Sally Lunn Bun is the oldest house in Bath. After touring the home, you can see the bakery that was used over 300 years ago to make the sweet buns that are made using the same methods in the bakery at the front of the home today. The home offers displays of the different eras in which it provided food to the residents of Bath and a historical timeline of how Bath grew into the popular city that it is.

There is a huge fashion district that one must visit. The Fashion Museum offers you four hundred years of fashion. You'll be able to see how textiles and fabrics have changed through the years. There are many fashion forward trends that have had their origin in Bath. When visiting the museum you will also learn about the trends and fashions that are currently being worked on in the city.

There are many types of accommodation available when visiting Bath. You may wish to stay in a luxurious room in the historic Royal Crescent hotel. The hotel built in the 1700s' offers the beauty and elegance of the era as well as a spa and restaurant. Or, you might want to stay in one of the bed and breakfasts or inns that are in Bath. Many provide the cozy warmth of a home and the friendliness of the residents.

There are events and festivals throughout the year. Most notably is the yearly Mozart festival that attracts visitors and participants from around the world. If you want to participate in sports, you will find that there is a world class golf course in Bath - Somerset. You will also find many other activities available including cycling, riding, rowing, and much more.

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