Oxford City Guide

Situated 50 miles (80km) to the west of London, Oxford is a historical city and county town of Oxfordshire in South East England. It is the oldest University City in the country and together with Cambridge, it represents Oxbridge – the elite English academic establishment.

A haven of tradition and high class history, Oxford’s buildings demonstrate an example of every British architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons. Known as the “city of dreaming spires” due to the harmonious architecture of the university buildings, it has become one of the most historically interesting cities in the country.

Oxford sits on the rivers Cherwell and Thames, which meet south of the city centre and has a population of just under 165,000. It can, however fill up in and around tourist season, especially around the landmarks.

The majority of Oxford’s attractions are centred around the University. The amazing Bodleian Library is the main research libraries and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Opened in 1602, it is second in size to London’s British Library. The Radcliffe Camera, based in Radcliffe Square is a round, beautifully designed building which functions as a reading room for students.

A small, interesting bridge for students of Hertford College – Hertford Bridge has become popularly known as the “Bridge of Sighs”.

For a full insight into the city and to find some hidden gems, it may be a good idea to use a tour guide, or the city’s tour bus service. The busses pull up outside the main train station and go throughout Oxford’s interesting and historical streets. By using that service, you will be able to find out about the many traditions around the Colleges. It is also worth going up the Carfax tower in the city centre, for a good view. From there you will see almost all of Oxford including churches, colleges and the shopping area.

Oxford is easily accessible by train, bus and car. The nearest airports are Birmingham and the London airports. The main train station is a short walk from the city centre, but the bus service is good.

This beautiful, interesting and historical town feels like a huge open air museum. There is something to see on almost every corner and the buildings are so well taken care of. The only downfall is that it isn’t particularly diverse in terms of attractions. Everything is centred around the university, and there is not a lot else to see. There is a nice atmosphere around the area, but is a student city and once you have visited a few of the colleges, they can blend into one. It is however well worth a trip as it is unlike any other city in the world.

Granada Travel Guide

Historically, Granada is one of the most important cities in Spain, and possibly in Europe. This mid-sized location based in Andalusia, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in the south of the country. The area is over 700 metres above sea level yet is a fair distance from the Mediterranean coast.

The city has a rich and multicultural history, which is still well preserved in the many interesting streets, landmarks and buildings. In modern times, Granada has become a student city with a good nightlife as well, but the overall look of the area is has not been compromised.

Unlike Seville and Cordoba, which are also based in Andalusia, Granada has a mild temperature, easier to bare for the un-adapted tourist. The city also has far more history and culture on offer than nearby Malaga.

Granada is served by bus, plane and train, however, internal and external transport is not particularly fast. The city centre is small enough to walk, although the surrounding parts are a bit more spread out.

The city holds a number of interesting historical buildings including the 16th century Cathedral de Granada and the old university as well as a number of Arab style streets dating back to the 14th century, known as El Albayzin.

The highlight, of Granada, has to be La Alhambra. Made up of the fortress, the palace and the garden, this medieval complex overlooking the city is considered to be on par with the Seven Wonders of the World. It was home of the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers fro the 13th and 14th century. It is advisable to book tickets for the Alhambra at least a day in advance, as queues can be long.

Granada is a must visit part of Spain and is based in one of the most interesting regions. Plenty of tourists flock to the city to see La Alhambra, however, the area doesn’t seem crowded or hectic. The atmosphere, the heat, the history and culture make this one of the most enchanting parts of Europe.

Brighton City Guide

This charming beach town on the Coast of Sussex, England makes up the majority of the city of Brighton and Hove. Located almost directly South of London, Brighton has a plenty to do, but is ideal for escaping the noise and crowds of the country’s capital.

The city has a strong bohemian style which can be explained by the large gay population in Kemp Town. For this reason, Brighton is known as the gay capital of Britain. The proximity to London and the sea has also attracted media and music types, creating a fantastic nightlife.

Getting to Brighton is easy as the city is well served by train with direct services to and from London throughout the day. Gatwick airport can also be reached by rail in around 30 minutes.

Brighton is known for its pebble beach which may not be as comfortable as a sandy beach is, but with a number of small shops and fish and chip cafes scattered along the walkway, it has a certain character which seems to have progressed from the classic British beach town style of the 1950s. The city has two large piers, Brighton Pier, AKA the Palace Pier, which holds a number of games and attractions. The burned out wreck of the West Pier sits on the other side of the beach, but is out of bounds to the public.

Further inland, adjacent to the pier, the Sea Life Centre is the oldest working aquarium left in the world. It features a walkthrough underwater tunnel and a number of interesting sea creatures.

The Lanes is an area of small shops with thin, interesting streets, reflecting the layout of the original fishing village of Brighton. Further up is The North Laine which is a collection of alternative streets and buildings with shops selling alternative products like bongs, potions, and fire staffs.

For an interesting piece of architecture, The Royal Pavilion is a wonderfully strangely designed building, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash. The Indian themed exterior of the pavilion stands out compared to the surroundings and looks fantastic on a sunny day or in the evening. Guided tours are available and allow visitors to see the Chinese style décor inside.

Brighton is an interesting city with great character and plenty to see. The attractions and buildings are varied throughout the area but the best part of visiting is to wonder through the streets, taking in the culture and looking at the strange shops on offer. One drawback to the city’s relaxed style is the constant pretentious feeling of the people and places, however for a short break, this doesn’t become an issue. Brighton and Hove has gained a fully justified reputation as one of Britain’s finest beach cities and is well worth a visit on a sunny day.

Antwerp City Guide

Antwerp City Guide
Antwerp is a charming city in the Flanders region of Belgium, on the bank of the river Scheldt which is linked to the North Sea by the estuary of Westerschelde. With a population of over 400,000, it is the second largest one of the most important cities in the country as well as one of the most important ports in Europe.

The name Antwerp comes from “ann de werpe” or “at the throw” in Dutch, referring to where the river throws its sand. Antwerp was one of the most important financial centres in the world during the 16th century and traders from all over Asia and Europe sold and bought goods there. The city’s rich culture throughout history means it has a large number of interesting and extravagant buildings.

Antwerp is well served by train, bus and plane both nationally and internationally and public transport is efficient, well run and good value, however, the city centre is compact enough to walk through.

The most notable aspect of Antwerp is the relaxed, safe and friendly atmosphere with a slightly gritty style throughout, however, the city has a good amount of landmarks and interesting buildings.

The Cathedral of Our Lady towers over the city, adding a lot of character to the surrounding area. This clean, beautiful building is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Built in 1351 it stands at over 400ft tall.

The City Hall/Old Market Square is the historical centre of the city. Typically medieval guild houses surround the Market Square, typical to Flemish historical towns. The city hall was designed in an architectural style almost exclusively found in this region of Europe – a combination of Gothic and early Renaissance.

Lying on the bank of the river is the Het Steen- a charming and small medieval castle. Previously functioning as a fortification for the city, it currently houses a naval museum and adds an extra piece of scenery to the river Schelde.

It is worth noting that the city, much like Amsterdam, has its own red light district. This relatively small area of the city is safe enough during the day, but may be worth taking care in during the late hours.

Antwerp is a charming, interesting and attractive city with plenty to see compared to its size. The area benefits from a fantastic location, mild weather and friendly people, making it a wonderful place to visit or live in.

Andorra La Vella Travel Guide

This small city is the capital of Andorra, a small country between Spain and France in the Pyrenees. With a population of just over 22,000, the whole place seems to be crammed between two mountains and often experiences cold and snowy weather.

Andorra La Vella, meaning Andorra the Old is split into the old town and the new town. The newer part of the city has a number of shops whilst the older has historical buildings and landmarks. The Church of Sant Esteve is part of a picturesque area of the old town and dates back to the 12th century. Nearby is the Casa de la Val is the seat of the Consell General and dates back to the 16th century.

Shops make up a major part of the city and shoppers can benefit from the low tax. A number of electronic and clothing stores are scattered through the new town – enough to give the place a feel of a large city.

For a great view over the city, the ideal way is to walk across the Rec del Solà and Rec de l’Obac. These thin paths run along the side of the mountains and are illuminated at night. With some fantastic views of the surrounding area and buildings, these paths, both around 2.5km long are well worth a walk.

Andorra La Vella is a small city, and it is easy to see most or all of it within a day. The surroundings, however are breathtaking and the style and atmosphere is different to anywhere else.

Bath City Guide

Bath is one of, if not the most beautiful locations in England. With a population of 80,000, this small city has a high level of importance and became a World Heritage site in 1987. A rich history and culture attracts many tourists there every year, making it very busy in parts during the summer months as well as around Christmas.

The city was built around a spring which made up the Roman Baths. In 60-70 AD a temple was built and over the following 300 years a bathing complex was created. A defensive wall was built around the area, but after Roman withdrawal in the fifth century, the baths fell into disrepair. In 1676, a former student of Oxford University named Thomas Guidott moved to Bath and showed an interest in the springs. He then brought the water’s health giving properties to the attention of many people. Following this, the aristocracy began visiting the area. By the time of the 1801 census, the city had reached a population of just over 40,000, making it one of the largest in Britain. In the Second World War Bath suffered three air raids, killing many residents and damaging a lot of buildings. Regeneration work has been taking place ever since.

Getting into the city by car can be difficult during the summer as Bath is a small place and attracts a large amount of tourism. Queues can build up on the roads, especially coming from the London direction. Bath Spa is the city’s main train station and is well served from a number of locations throughout the country. The closest airport is Bristol International, on the outskirts of Bristol - Bath’s neighbouring city. From the airport a bus runs to the Bristol Temple Meads train station and from there are regular connections to Bath.

One of the main attractions of Bath is walking through the small streets on either side of the main shopping area. The city has a number of local and interesting shops and at Christmas time has an outdoor market near to the Abbey. The bustling shopping streets are contrasted by the city’s parks which are scattered around. The main one of these is Royal Victoria Park, which was opened by Princess Victoria in 1830. This is overlooked by the Royal Crescent, a road of 30 houses built between 1767 and 1744 which is a fantastic example of Georgian architecture. Along with the Circus, it creates a key shape and is the area for some of the most expensive houses in the city.

In the city centre runs the river Avon and over this is Pultney Bridge. Around here is the Bath Rugby stadium which is known as the Rec. Rugby is a popular sport in the area and on match days and the atmosphere is energetic. This is helped by the central location of the stadium.

Towering over the city, the Bath Abbey provides a central point. Founded in the 7th century, this is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the south west of England. Next to this is the Roman Bath Museum, which shows visitors information about the baths and allows them to see them, however, swimming there is not permitted.

Bath is one of the best places to visit for a traditional view of British upper class life. The city is well preserved, interesting and cosmopolitan. It is small enough to see in a short amount of time, but beautiful enough to make you want to stay much longer.

Bern City Guide

Despite being the capital of Switzerland Bern is only the fifth largest city in the country. With a population of around 130,000, this charming venue is smaller than Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. Despite the size, Bern is an important city with a remarkable design and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen. The Duke then named the city after a bear he had killed. The bear is an important part of Bern’s image as it is featured on its emblem and a major tourist attraction in the city. A pit with two of the animals enclosed is situated near the river and is open 08:00-17:30 in the summertime and 09:00 to 16:00 in the winter. The pit is likely to be expanded in the future with the possibility of the bears being able to swim in the river.

Bern has a rich history which I documented in the Berne Historical Museum – the second largest in the country. For a political view of the city, the Federal Palace of Switzerland, known as Bundeshaus offers guided tours when the government is not in session.

Throughout the city there are small alien graffiti mosaics. These can be found on rooftops, walls and bridges and were declared in 1998 by the anonymous artist known as ‘Invader’. These pieces are shown on certain maps and tours through the city.

Near the centre of the old town is the interestingly designed Zytglogge. Built around the turn of the 13th century, this features an hourly display of early technology with a wonderful animation. Minutes before the hour, music will play along with a drumming jester. On the hour, bears and a king appear. The city’s tourist office offers guided tours of the clock tower, showing the mechanics behind the show.

The city’s international airport is slightly south of the city and offers flights to many major European cities. From the airport, a shuttle bus drives to the central train station and taxis are also available. The central train station is interestingly designed and offers connections to most major cities in Switzerland.

Although Bern is not the largest city in Switzerland, it has the importance, beauty and design expected of a European capital city as well as the cleanliness and safe atmosphere common throughout the country.