Cotswolds

Hey all,

as the sun begins to shine more often and winter - hopefully - turns into spring soon, my boyfriend and I are starting to plan our travels for this upcoming year. First and foremost, let me tell you that there is a plenty of destinations we would love to go to. But as usual, students' bank accounts often don't allow too much. However, we have come up with some ideas: some of them will be taken into account when planning our summer vacations, others will be forgotten immediately for several reasons.

But, I have fallen in love - with a place I really want to go to (with my boyfriend, friends or alone - I don't care!): the Cotswolds region in Southwest England! To get an impression, look at the following pictures:

(c) http://www.tourist-destinations.net/2014/08/cotswolds-england-travelers-guide.html

(c) http://forum.femmeactuelle.fr/threads/5918-*****-Coin-causeries-avec-caf%C3%A9-offert-!-*****/page10

http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/england/the-cotswolds/where-to-stay

Convincing enough? ;) Who would not like to see this picturesque, enchanting, charming, calm,... place? Beautiful honey-colour limestone villages in a scenis rural setting, rolling grasslands (that somehow remind me of the shire in The Lord Of The Rings) and many hidden corners are waiting to be explores.
Doubtlessly, it is one of the most beautiful areas of England and definitely deserves to be declares as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the UNESCO.

Geografically speaking, it covers the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, in the North it is limited by the Avon river, in the East it's the city of Oxfors, in the West it's Cheltenham as well as the Themse valley and the cities of Lechlade and Fairford in the South.

http://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-Europe/countries-United_Kingdom/trails-Cotswold_Way

When going back in history, the area has always been of great importance, especially because of its sheep. These were famous throughout Europe for their heavy fleeces and high quality of wool. Still nowadays, these sheep can be seen on the hillside.

While skimming through pages of information on Cotswolds, I have come across a walking trail called Cotswolds Way. It is a 164km long walk, starting in the city of Bath going northeastwards to Chipping Campden. Along the trail you will find several sights, among them the battlefield of the Battle of Lansdowne, the Somerset and Tyndale Monument or the Broadway Tower. Have a look at this tower here.

http://wikitravel.org/en/File:Broadway-tower-cotswolds.jpg

I found a website that offers several packages, from a six-day up to a eleven-day trip, varying in the distance you want to cover, including overnight stays etc. It would be really interesting and also a little challenging to go on this kind of holidays - since we have never done that before, we will really think about that one!

That's it for today... we will see what I am going to tell you next time!

Good night y que sueñen con los angelitos!