travel
Hey everyone!
Understanding languages and cultures builds bridges and through it we see the similarities before differences, i read this somewhere and couldn’t agree more!
To learn about cultures my first recommendation will definitely be India and after having seen it at quite a satisfactory length i am excited about quite a few other countries, the top 4 being Japan, Mexico, China and Israel. I really hope i will be able to visit all 4 within this year and next, to start with i have done some research on China and here are a few facts i found out:
- Visa- Totally depends on the home country. For most its just a day affair, give your passport in the morning and get it by day end. Make sure you get a multi entry visa to mainland china just incase you also plan to go to Hong Kong.
- Time Zones- Its such a huge country but there is only one time zone for the whole of China.
- Water- Tap water is not safe to drink so make sure you drink from sealed water bottle.
- Language can be a problem so its better to bring a language translate guide book or figure out an app or site that can translate and works in china because not all sites work there.
- Toilet paper- The toilets usually do not have toilet paper so its better to bring yours.
- Currency- Be very careful of counterfeit notes.
- Majority of shops and restaurants only accept payment in cash so make sure you have physical cash.
- Be ready to get surprised with the chinese food as it only slightly resembles the chinese food we are used to eat.
- Beijing is great to see old traditions, Shanghai for modern china, Yunan province for nature lovers and of course the great wall of china.
- You don’t have to tip in China.
- Bring hand soap and sanitizer.
- Most of your social media like Instagram, Facebook etc are not legally allowed for use by the government. To access them you need to get a VPN
- Its better to write down the name of your hotel or destination in chinese to show to the taxi driver as language is a big problem.
- Its better to make a full travel itinerary or go for guided tours specially if you are travelling solo or travelling for the first time. I recently came across The China Travel Company that can handle your travel arrangements and advise you everything you need to know.
- Shopping is very cheap so be careful as you might get carried away and make your luggage much heavier than the permitted limit by the airline.
A cousin went to China a few years ago and some of the points above are from his personal experience. I really hope these few facts are helpful. Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Some facts to know before travelling to China
Hey everyone!
Understanding languages and cultures builds bridges and through it we see the similarities before differences, i read this somewhere and couldn’t agree more!
To learn about cultures my first recommendation will definitely be India and after having seen it at quite a satisfactory length i am excited about quite a few other countries, the top 4 being Japan, Mexico, China and Israel. I really hope i will be able to visit all 4 within this year and next, to start with i have done some research on China and here are a few facts i found out:
- Visa- Totally depends on the home country. For most its just a day affair, give your passport in the morning and get it by day end. Make sure you get a multi entry visa to mainland china just incase you also plan to go to Hong Kong.
- Time Zones- Its such a huge country but there is only one time zone for the whole of China.
- Water- Tap water is not safe to drink so make sure you drink from sealed water bottle.
- Language can be a problem so its better to bring a language translate guide book or figure out an app or site that can translate and works in china because not all sites work there.
- Toilet paper- The toilets usually do not have toilet paper so its better to bring yours.
- Currency- Be very careful of counterfeit notes.
- Majority of shops and restaurants only accept payment in cash so make sure you have physical cash.
- Be ready to get surprised with the chinese food as it only slightly resembles the chinese food we are used to eat.
- Beijing is great to see old traditions, Shanghai for modern china, Yunan province for nature lovers and of course the great wall of china.
- You don’t have to tip in China.
- Bring hand soap and sanitizer.
- Most of your social media like Instagram, Facebook etc are not legally allowed for use by the government. To access them you need to get a VPN
- Its better to write down the name of your hotel or destination in chinese to show to the taxi driver as language is a big problem.
- Its better to make a full travel itinerary or go for guided tours specially if you are travelling solo or travelling for the first time. I recently came across The China Travel Company that can handle your travel arrangements and advise you everything you need to know.
- Shopping is very cheap so be careful as you might get carried away and make your luggage much heavier than the permitted limit by the airline.
A cousin went to China a few years ago and some of the points above are from his personal experience. I really hope these few facts are helpful. Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone!
I’m not quite sure what is it about Rajasthan, North India that makes it on every traveller’s itinerary. Is it the natives’ bright colored poshaks (outfits) that contrast beautifully with the Blue Jodhpur or Pink Jaipur? Or is it the gracefully dressed women who have kept the old traditions alive in the 21st century. Or maybe it’s the state’s rich culture that men proudly display and fiercely protect. Or perhaps it’s the majestic forts that have witnessed history and are a testament to Mughal and Rajput architecture. Or could it be the spicy Rajasthani cuisine that has become so popular with travellers. Or is it the state’s love for folk and sufi music that sways people from all over the world. I’m not quite sure but what I am certain about is you can never have enough of Rajasthan. I love to visit Rajasthan specially during the music festivals that the state hosts and this time i had the pleasure to attend a folk/ sufi music festival in Ranthambore.
Ranthambore is mainly famous for the Ranthambore national park, known for its tigers, one of the largest in northern india. It also has many heritage and boutique hotels to indulge and now a music festival in the last week of January which brought me to Ranthambore.
Best time to visit- Weather wise best time will be from October- February end. But if you are photography enthusiast and into wildlife best would be april- june when there is less traffic and the hot weather is more suited to spot the tigers and leopards found in the ranthambore national park.
How to get there- There are frequent trains( day and night) from the capital New Delhi to Sawai Madhopur ( the train station) the train journey is for around 7 hrs, trains also from most of the bigger cities like Bombay, Calcutta,etc. Most hotels are conveniently located at a distance of around 10-20 mins from the train station.
Alternatively you can drive down from New Delhi for about 6 hrs, the roads are good and you have the opportunity to stop in between and explore. By Flight- direct flights to Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan and then take a taxi to Ranthambore for around 3 hrs.
How to go around- Taxis or renting an open air Jeep that can fit about 7 people or a canter for larger groups fitting around 20.
Where to stay- My first pic will be the Nahargarh palace where i stayed. Nestled in the midst of the Aravalli hills it is about 700 mtrs from the Ranthambore national park, very tastefully decorated with vintage furniture and hand block printed furnishings and walls for the perfect rajputana experience. The rooms are huge, we were 3 of us and there were two double beds, 2 bathrooms and 2 huge sitting areas inside. The traditional and very indian heritagesque decor does make you feel like an indian princess, i sure did and didn’t want to leave! The other high end option is Oberoi and for modest budget Taj vivanta
Our room in Nahargarh palace, feeling like a princess! The room is 4 times what you see in the picture!!!
The dining room in Nahargarh palace.
Where to eat- Food is mostly in the hotels, i wouldn’t be able to suggest eating out. And most hotels have the buffet system so there is a breakfast/ lunch/ dinner buffet of about 20-30 delicacies 70% indian and 30% world cuisine. Room service is limited to only a few snacks and the idea behind the buffet system is to make the environment of a traditional indian home where family members come to the dining area and eat together.
Where to go
Scene at dawn
Ranthambore national park- Wildlife safaris in The Ranthambore national park is the main reason people come to Ranthambore. It was declared as one of the Project Tigers by the Government of India in 1973. A small portion about 1/10 of the forest is open to the public divided into 10 sectors. Sector 1-5 are old no 3 is the most beautiful with the Padam talao lake with water lilies 6-10 are new no 8 where we went is quite topsy turvy.
What you can see- You can spot Tigers and leopards chilling in their natural habitat. Other animals to spot are wild bear, deer, hyena, nilgai, monkeys, etc.
Timings-There are two popular safaris one early morning around 6am and second late afternoon around 3pm. If you only want to do one i would totally recommend the morning one which we also took. There is better chance to see the tigers and in general the forest is more fascinating in the mornings and Its really magical to see the stunning rajput and mughal architecture in the backdrop of the glorious colours of the sky at dawn.
What to wear- Morning is cold so its better to wear warm, wind cheating clothes. You can also take a blanket from your hotel to spread on the seat of the open jeep as they can be a bit damp from the night frost. A cap or beanie is advisable for both morning and afternoon safari.
How to book- You can book your safari online or you can also ask your hotel to book one for you. if going during busy periods from Oct- Feb its better to book in advance.
Your Vehicle- A jeep that can fit upto 7 people or a canter that fits upto 20.
Duration- 2.5 - 3 hrs
The best guavas i have eaten are in Ranthambore.
The Ganesh temple and Ranthambore fort- Set deep into the Ranthambore fort the temple of Lord Ganesha of Hindu religion dates back to 1300 AD. You go through a part of the forest to reach the temple and on the way you can see a few animals like monkeys and crocodiles, peacocks and snakes. There are about 250 stairs to reach the top but the stairs are mostly flat and you will find traditional rajasthani ladies serving water for hydration from the close by well on the way. There are also smaller temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman around the main temple. Climbing up will be well worth it as you can see heritage architecture and stunning views from the top. I recommend taking a guide from the starting point because he will explain about not just the temple but also the construction of the fort and past wars and traditions. They usually charge about rs. 400 or pound 5. We hadn’t planned to take one and we said no to all who came at the start but as we moved 10 steps to our luck this young student guide came to us, he was cheaper and much smarter and entertainig, he is also the photographer of the first picture.
Music festival- The nahargarh palace where i stayed hosted the first indian folk/ sufi music festival in ranthambore. Our trip was centered around the festival and it was pure joy to listen to soulful music in such beautiful setting. The organizers have decided to make it a yearly event around the last week of January. other than music there were cooking demonstrations, yoga and meditation sessions, hot air balloon experience and stalls selling traditional rajasthani and Indian clothes and accessories.
Our trip was for 3 nights and 3 days, the prime purpose was the music festival and we did the safari and ganesh temple on the last day at leisure, we could have easily squeezed in one more safari if we wanted so 2 days should be good to visit Ranthambore but if you love wildlife and photography can stretch it to ur hearts wish.
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one
Love
Chichi
The Ranthambore travel guide
Hey everyone!
I’m not quite sure what is it about Rajasthan, North India that makes it on every traveller’s itinerary. Is it the natives’ bright colored poshaks (outfits) that contrast beautifully with the Blue Jodhpur or Pink Jaipur? Or is it the gracefully dressed women who have kept the old traditions alive in the 21st century. Or maybe it’s the state’s rich culture that men proudly display and fiercely protect. Or perhaps it’s the majestic forts that have witnessed history and are a testament to Mughal and Rajput architecture. Or could it be the spicy Rajasthani cuisine that has become so popular with travellers. Or is it the state’s love for folk and sufi music that sways people from all over the world. I’m not quite sure but what I am certain about is you can never have enough of Rajasthan. I love to visit Rajasthan specially during the music festivals that the state hosts and this time i had the pleasure to attend a folk/ sufi music festival in Ranthambore.
Ranthambore is mainly famous for the Ranthambore national park, known for its tigers, one of the largest in northern india. It also has many heritage and boutique hotels to indulge and now a music festival in the last week of January which brought me to Ranthambore.
Best time to visit- Weather wise best time will be from October- February end. But if you are photography enthusiast and into wildlife best would be april- june when there is less traffic and the hot weather is more suited to spot the tigers and leopards found in the ranthambore national park.
How to get there- There are frequent trains( day and night) from the capital New Delhi to Sawai Madhopur ( the train station) the train journey is for around 7 hrs, trains also from most of the bigger cities like Bombay, Calcutta,etc. Most hotels are conveniently located at a distance of around 10-20 mins from the train station.
Alternatively you can drive down from New Delhi for about 6 hrs, the roads are good and you have the opportunity to stop in between and explore. By Flight- direct flights to Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan and then take a taxi to Ranthambore for around 3 hrs.
How to go around- Taxis or renting an open air Jeep that can fit about 7 people or a canter for larger groups fitting around 20.
Where to stay- My first pic will be the Nahargarh palace where i stayed. Nestled in the midst of the Aravalli hills it is about 700 mtrs from the Ranthambore national park, very tastefully decorated with vintage furniture and hand block printed furnishings and walls for the perfect rajputana experience. The rooms are huge, we were 3 of us and there were two double beds, 2 bathrooms and 2 huge sitting areas inside. The traditional and very indian heritagesque decor does make you feel like an indian princess, i sure did and didn’t want to leave! The other high end option is Oberoi and for modest budget Taj vivanta
Our room in Nahargarh palace, feeling like a princess! The room is 4 times what you see in the picture!!!
The dining room in Nahargarh palace.
Where to eat- Food is mostly in the hotels, i wouldn’t be able to suggest eating out. And most hotels have the buffet system so there is a breakfast/ lunch/ dinner buffet of about 20-30 delicacies 70% indian and 30% world cuisine. Room service is limited to only a few snacks and the idea behind the buffet system is to make the environment of a traditional indian home where family members come to the dining area and eat together.
Where to go
Scene at dawn
Ranthambore national park- Wildlife safaris in The Ranthambore national park is the main reason people come to Ranthambore. It was declared as one of the Project Tigers by the Government of India in 1973. A small portion about 1/10 of the forest is open to the public divided into 10 sectors. Sector 1-5 are old no 3 is the most beautiful with the Padam talao lake with water lilies 6-10 are new no 8 where we went is quite topsy turvy.
What you can see- You can spot Tigers and leopards chilling in their natural habitat. Other animals to spot are wild bear, deer, hyena, nilgai, monkeys, etc.
Timings-There are two popular safaris one early morning around 6am and second late afternoon around 3pm. If you only want to do one i would totally recommend the morning one which we also took. There is better chance to see the tigers and in general the forest is more fascinating in the mornings and Its really magical to see the stunning rajput and mughal architecture in the backdrop of the glorious colours of the sky at dawn.
What to wear- Morning is cold so its better to wear warm, wind cheating clothes. You can also take a blanket from your hotel to spread on the seat of the open jeep as they can be a bit damp from the night frost. A cap or beanie is advisable for both morning and afternoon safari.
How to book- You can book your safari online or you can also ask your hotel to book one for you. if going during busy periods from Oct- Feb its better to book in advance.
Your Vehicle- A jeep that can fit upto 7 people or a canter that fits upto 20.
Duration- 2.5 - 3 hrs
The best guavas i have eaten are in Ranthambore.
The Ganesh temple and Ranthambore fort- Set deep into the Ranthambore fort the temple of Lord Ganesha of Hindu religion dates back to 1300 AD. You go through a part of the forest to reach the temple and on the way you can see a few animals like monkeys and crocodiles, peacocks and snakes. There are about 250 stairs to reach the top but the stairs are mostly flat and you will find traditional rajasthani ladies serving water for hydration from the close by well on the way. There are also smaller temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman around the main temple. Climbing up will be well worth it as you can see heritage architecture and stunning views from the top. I recommend taking a guide from the starting point because he will explain about not just the temple but also the construction of the fort and past wars and traditions. They usually charge about rs. 400 or pound 5. We hadn’t planned to take one and we said no to all who came at the start but as we moved 10 steps to our luck this young student guide came to us, he was cheaper and much smarter and entertainig, he is also the photographer of the first picture.
Music festival- The nahargarh palace where i stayed hosted the first indian folk/ sufi music festival in ranthambore. Our trip was centered around the festival and it was pure joy to listen to soulful music in such beautiful setting. The organizers have decided to make it a yearly event around the last week of January. other than music there were cooking demonstrations, yoga and meditation sessions, hot air balloon experience and stalls selling traditional rajasthani and Indian clothes and accessories.
Our trip was for 3 nights and 3 days, the prime purpose was the music festival and we did the safari and ganesh temple on the last day at leisure, we could have easily squeezed in one more safari if we wanted so 2 days should be good to visit Ranthambore but if you love wildlife and photography can stretch it to ur hearts wish.
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone!
I believe in the power of words and quotes and of late i mostly go to pinterest to find them. Quotes inspire me, motivate me and also make me feel better at times so today i thought of sharing some of my new favourites in travel and style here.
travel
- lets wander where the wifi is weak.
- traveling makes you modest, you see the tiny space you occupy in the world
- the only trip you will regret is the one you don’t take.
- i am in love with the cities i have never been to and people i have never met..
- fill your life with adventures not things, have stories to tell not things to show.
- not all classrooms have four walls.
style
- forget the rules if you like it wear it.
- if you want to be original be ready to be copied.
- never underestimate the power of a good outfit on a bad day.
- style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.
- beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.
- fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it.
now to the second part of this post, my custom iPhone case from caseapp. i have to say the whole team at caseapp is super creative, they have such gorgeous and fresh designs but incase you don’t like you can also customize your phone cover and laptop skin with your own pictures. The quality is great and the product gets delivered in reasonable time of around 10 days. You can also use the discount code THESTYLETUNE20 to get a 20% off on your order.
Have you ever customized ur phone or laptop cover? Do you love quotes, any favourites, would love to know!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Fav quotes on pinterest to inspire travel and style + Caseapp
Hey everyone!
I believe in the power of words and quotes and of late i mostly go to pinterest to find them. Quotes inspire me, motivate me and also make me feel better at times so today i thought of sharing some of my new favourites in travel and style here.
travel
- lets wander where the wifi is weak.
- traveling makes you modest, you see the tiny space you occupy in the world
- the only trip you will regret is the one you don’t take.
- i am in love with the cities i have never been to and people i have never met..
- fill your life with adventures not things, have stories to tell not things to show.
- not all classrooms have four walls.
style
- forget the rules if you like it wear it.
- if you want to be original be ready to be copied.
- never underestimate the power of a good outfit on a bad day.
- style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.
- beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.
- fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it.
now to the second part of this post, my custom iPhone case from caseapp. i have to say the whole team at caseapp is super creative, they have such gorgeous and fresh designs but incase you don’t like you can also customize your phone cover and laptop skin with your own pictures. The quality is great and the product gets delivered in reasonable time of around 10 days. You can also use the discount code THESTYLETUNE20 to get a 20% off on your order.
Have you ever customized ur phone or laptop cover? Do you love quotes, any favourites, would love to know!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone
Wish you a very very happy 2017!!!! A new year calls for changes and new priorities. My top 3 priorities for this year are travelling, getting more organized and having a better morning routine.
Lets talk about the first one today!
what i wore- jeans- lightinthebox, shoes- converse
I love to travel , read this post, everytime i travel i come home a changed person a better person so i highly recommend to see the world, the diff cultures and the landscape with your own eyes. This year i have decided to visit a new place could be a country or a city or a village or anything every month. I will also try to do a monthly review and write a blogpost on the new places i visit each month so to stay motivated and accountable!!!!!! Also look forward to creating more travel guides on the blog!!!!!
Most of us want to travel but don’t actually do it because of n reasons so here are my top 5 tried and tested real tips to help you make traveling a reality
Cut down on shopping- Traveling needs money no matter how cheap so i choose it as the first. We use a lot of our free money in shopping and by cutting down shopping you can have the cash for travel. I mean think about it how many pair of shoes do we really need!!! how many times do we really wear them!!!! and how long they last!!!! Traveling will give you memories that last a lifetime.
U can travel solo- its good to have a travel partner but so many times we can’t find one to go with to the place we really want to go, maybe your life partner is busy with work, friends and family are unavailable or if they are they don’t want to go to place you want so just cut it out, go solo and once you start to travel solo you will travel more often because you will just go whenever you have time.
Prioritize- we often make excuses so and so is not going right or we have n commitments which may be true but if you can prioritize travel as a must or the top things to do it’ll be a reality more often.
Follow travel accounts/ bloggers on social media- after all they are humans and most often do not have a fancy travel budget to begin with so seeing them go to these places will keep you inspired in your own journey. Ill try to do a post listing some great accounts i follow for inspiration.
Ask for help- if you are caught up with work or responsibilities ask your friends or relatives to fill in for you and you can do it for them in return.
The two pictures are from my trip to Madagascar for new years, and that is also the reason for my break from the blog, i dint intend to take a break but there was hardly any internet in madagascar!!! sorry for not informing in advance! can't wait to share more about the trip!!!
Hope this post was helpful! See you in my next one
Love
Chichi
How to make your dream to travel around the world a reality
Hey everyone
Wish you a very very happy 2017!!!! A new year calls for changes and new priorities. My top 3 priorities for this year are travelling, getting more organized and having a better morning routine.
Lets talk about the first one today!
what i wore- jeans- lightinthebox, shoes- converse
I love to travel , read this post, everytime i travel i come home a changed person a better person so i highly recommend to see the world, the diff cultures and the landscape with your own eyes. This year i have decided to visit a new place could be a country or a city or a village or anything every month. I will also try to do a monthly review and write a blogpost on the new places i visit each month so to stay motivated and accountable!!!!!! Also look forward to creating more travel guides on the blog!!!!!
Most of us want to travel but don’t actually do it because of n reasons so here are my top 5 tried and tested real tips to help you make traveling a reality
Cut down on shopping- Traveling needs money no matter how cheap so i choose it as the first. We use a lot of our free money in shopping and by cutting down shopping you can have the cash for travel. I mean think about it how many pair of shoes do we really need!!! how many times do we really wear them!!!! and how long they last!!!! Traveling will give you memories that last a lifetime.
U can travel solo- its good to have a travel partner but so many times we can’t find one to go with to the place we really want to go, maybe your life partner is busy with work, friends and family are unavailable or if they are they don’t want to go to place you want so just cut it out, go solo and once you start to travel solo you will travel more often because you will just go whenever you have time.
Prioritize- we often make excuses so and so is not going right or we have n commitments which may be true but if you can prioritize travel as a must or the top things to do it’ll be a reality more often.
Follow travel accounts/ bloggers on social media- after all they are humans and most often do not have a fancy travel budget to begin with so seeing them go to these places will keep you inspired in your own journey. Ill try to do a post listing some great accounts i follow for inspiration.
Ask for help- if you are caught up with work or responsibilities ask your friends or relatives to fill in for you and you can do it for them in return.
The two pictures are from my trip to Madagascar for new years, and that is also the reason for my break from the blog, i dint intend to take a break but there was hardly any internet in madagascar!!! sorry for not informing in advance! can't wait to share more about the trip!!!
Hope this post was helpful! See you in my next one
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone
Bath is easily one of the top contenders for UKs most beautiful small city, i had heard and i couldn’t agree more. Me and a dear friend had a free day in the week and were thinking what we could do and Bath came up, both of us surprisingly hadn’t visited and it seemed like the perfect city for a day trip, around an hour on train from London. The Georgian honey stoned streets amidst the Somerset greens make it a vision and it ticks all the boxes for a getaway. Be it history, architecture, shopping, food, museums and above all the hot spring spas, it has it all, i will definitely suggest a day trip and two days if u love spas and want to treat yourself.
Bath is a UNESCO world heritage city and the only place with hot water spring in the UK. It boasts of the world famous Roman bath, Uk’s grandest Georgian architecture and being an inspiration to the likes of world famous writers Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Best time to visit
Anytime can be good because there are so many museums but particularly great is June till October end as you are not restricted to staying indoors and can enjoy the parks, the skyline walk and the river Avon. However the Bath christmas market is quite famous and can be a good visit from late November till mid December.
How to get there
There are frequent trains from London almost every hour from Waterloo and Paddington stations, and the duration of the journey could be between 1-2.30 hours depending on whether its a high speed train. Ou train was from Waterloo at 9.20 am and we almost missed it. We had booked our tickets online but dint print and on reaching the station we found a huge line so lesson learnt when u have to catch a train specially in the morning please print your ticket in advance you never know what you get stuck with. Also when traveling in the UK by train, make sure u r in the right coach of the train as sometimes some coaches are dropped on the the way, they do announce on the train which coach goes where but this is just to let you know.
It is also easily reached from Bristol under 30 mins by bus or train.
How to go around
Its really a very small little city which is best seen on foot. I also suggest the city sightseeing hop on hop off buses. Ok most people think it is a very touristy thing to do but trust me guys, if you are there for a day or two in Bath it is the best way to see the city. You can get a 24 hour pass that is valid on the city tour as well as the skyline tour for £14.5. The service starts almost every 15 mins and a full loop takes about an hour. You can of course get down at any stop to see anything in particular at leisure and then hop on to the next one. We did both the city as well as the skyline tour and the commentary i have to say was very entertaining full of anecdotes and small tales of the city. Operating hours are from 10 to 6.30.
Where to go
We were able to reach the city centre in around 5 mins from the train station on foot and The Roman Bath and the Bath Abbey are right there. So you can do those and then hop on the city sightseeing bus from the bus stop a stone throw from the Abbey door and then see the other sights hopping on and off.
The Roman Bath
The Romans came to Bath for its natural hot water spring when they invaded England. Over centuries the original structure collapsed but you can visit the ruins of the original bath houses and see the Roman construction and engineering which is truly to marvel at. You also have the privilege of listening to great audio commentary and a tour guide at regular intervals included in the price of the entry ticket.
The Bath Abbey
It is really grand and if you have time u can climb up around 200 steps for a panoramic view of the city from the tower of Bath Abbey or just sit on the benches outside and soak into the architecture.
The Pulteney Bridge
I was super excited to set foot on this one after having visited the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, two of the four bridges in the world with shops on both sides. And i must say the Pulteney Bridge is very very charming. I don’t think it is possible to compare with Ponte Vecchio because both have their own character but the Pulteney bridge on the river Avon is more calm and definitely more romantic.
The Royal Crescent
Built between 1767 and 1774 is a row of 30 townhouses unique in its shape and design, a crescent. It today houses the royal crescent museum and has been home to many notable people and is a popular filming spot for obvious reasons. it overlooks the Royal Victoria park.
The Jane Austen Centre
Jane Austen was Baths most famous resident and her home is now a museum. At the centre you find the Wax statue of Jane Austen, how she lived there and how the times and events in the city would have inspired her novels.
The Royal Victoria park
Overlooked by the royal crescent it has a golf course as well as a botanical garden. We visited on a sunny day and people were lazing around, playing, having picnics and if i had the time i would have chosen to just laze around here look at the royal crescent and just absorb in all the history.
The Walcot street
The informal artisan quarter of Bath, its very eclectic and bohemian a totally different character from the city with many antique shops. There is also a flea market on Saturdays worth a visit.
A hot spa
The Thermae Bath spa is just a block away from the original Roman Baths and is the only place in Britain to experience the hot water springs, for info it is expensive but definitely worth a treat.
The Fashion Museum
For a fashion lover a must with over 30000 pieces of costume and accessories dating back to the 16th century.
Where to eat
From fine dining to economical you can find a good meal at any price point. There are many multi chains like Pizza express, Pret, Giraffe, Cafe Nero, Starbucks, etc for a quick meal or fine dining options like Circus for modern British and The eastern eye for north indian food. Bath also boasts of many great tea rooms and a day will definitely be incomplete without visiting one. Top tea rooms are Sally Lunns and Pump room.
Both of us had no breakfast in the rush to catch our train so were hungry as hell when we reached. We straight headed to the centre and found Hands of Bath Georgian tea rooms just off the Bath Abbey. A quick look up on tripadvisor the ratings were good but nothing great but we were too hungry to wander around so we stepped in and into a room filled with old people mostly locals. They do good baguettes and traditional english dishes like Fish and chips and bangers and mash. We had the Scampi and it was fairly good.
Shopping
Since we had gone just for the day we dint explore the shopping part but while passing through the city centre we saw all the major retailers as well as some small boutiques plus Walcot street so yes if shopping is on your mind u will find loads of it. Worth mentioning here, considering the timing of the post, is the award winning christmas market.
The Best view
It is debatable but a good panoramic view is possible from the Alexandra park, the Beckford’s tower, the camden crescent and the tower in bath abbey as i mentioned .
To sum it up Bath is a very beautiful city brimming with loads to do and definitely deserves to be on your list if planning a trip to the UK and if you are in the UK, your next getaway.
I am so happy that i have finally published my first travel guide post. Took me quite sometime to write but it was all worth it! Hope you liked it and is helpful, please share your thoughts also would love to know if you have visited Bath? or Are you planning a trip to Bath or UK?
Thank you for stopping by! See you with my next one.
Love
Chichi
The Bath city guide
Hey everyone
Bath is easily one of the top contenders for UKs most beautiful small city, i had heard and i couldn’t agree more. Me and a dear friend had a free day in the week and were thinking what we could do and Bath came up, both of us surprisingly hadn’t visited and it seemed like the perfect city for a day trip, around an hour on train from London. The Georgian honey stoned streets amidst the Somerset greens make it a vision and it ticks all the boxes for a getaway. Be it history, architecture, shopping, food, museums and above all the hot spring spas, it has it all, i will definitely suggest a day trip and two days if u love spas and want to treat yourself.
Bath is a UNESCO world heritage city and the only place with hot water spring in the UK. It boasts of the world famous Roman bath, Uk’s grandest Georgian architecture and being an inspiration to the likes of world famous writers Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Best time to visit
Anytime can be good because there are so many museums but particularly great is June till October end as you are not restricted to staying indoors and can enjoy the parks, the skyline walk and the river Avon. However the Bath christmas market is quite famous and can be a good visit from late November till mid December.
How to get there
There are frequent trains from London almost every hour from Waterloo and Paddington stations, and the duration of the journey could be between 1-2.30 hours depending on whether its a high speed train. Ou train was from Waterloo at 9.20 am and we almost missed it. We had booked our tickets online but dint print and on reaching the station we found a huge line so lesson learnt when u have to catch a train specially in the morning please print your ticket in advance you never know what you get stuck with. Also when traveling in the UK by train, make sure u r in the right coach of the train as sometimes some coaches are dropped on the the way, they do announce on the train which coach goes where but this is just to let you know.
It is also easily reached from Bristol under 30 mins by bus or train.
How to go around
Its really a very small little city which is best seen on foot. I also suggest the city sightseeing hop on hop off buses. Ok most people think it is a very touristy thing to do but trust me guys, if you are there for a day or two in Bath it is the best way to see the city. You can get a 24 hour pass that is valid on the city tour as well as the skyline tour for £14.5. The service starts almost every 15 mins and a full loop takes about an hour. You can of course get down at any stop to see anything in particular at leisure and then hop on to the next one. We did both the city as well as the skyline tour and the commentary i have to say was very entertaining full of anecdotes and small tales of the city. Operating hours are from 10 to 6.30.
Where to go
We were able to reach the city centre in around 5 mins from the train station on foot and The Roman Bath and the Bath Abbey are right there. So you can do those and then hop on the city sightseeing bus from the bus stop a stone throw from the Abbey door and then see the other sights hopping on and off.
The Roman Bath
The Romans came to Bath for its natural hot water spring when they invaded England. Over centuries the original structure collapsed but you can visit the ruins of the original bath houses and see the Roman construction and engineering which is truly to marvel at. You also have the privilege of listening to great audio commentary and a tour guide at regular intervals included in the price of the entry ticket.
The Bath Abbey
It is really grand and if you have time u can climb up around 200 steps for a panoramic view of the city from the tower of Bath Abbey or just sit on the benches outside and soak into the architecture.
The Pulteney Bridge
I was super excited to set foot on this one after having visited the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, two of the four bridges in the world with shops on both sides. And i must say the Pulteney Bridge is very very charming. I don’t think it is possible to compare with Ponte Vecchio because both have their own character but the Pulteney bridge on the river Avon is more calm and definitely more romantic.
The Royal Crescent
Built between 1767 and 1774 is a row of 30 townhouses unique in its shape and design, a crescent. It today houses the royal crescent museum and has been home to many notable people and is a popular filming spot for obvious reasons. it overlooks the Royal Victoria park.
The Jane Austen Centre
Jane Austen was Baths most famous resident and her home is now a museum. At the centre you find the Wax statue of Jane Austen, how she lived there and how the times and events in the city would have inspired her novels.
The Royal Victoria park
Overlooked by the royal crescent it has a golf course as well as a botanical garden. We visited on a sunny day and people were lazing around, playing, having picnics and if i had the time i would have chosen to just laze around here look at the royal crescent and just absorb in all the history.
The Walcot street
The informal artisan quarter of Bath, its very eclectic and bohemian a totally different character from the city with many antique shops. There is also a flea market on Saturdays worth a visit.
A hot spa
The Thermae Bath spa is just a block away from the original Roman Baths and is the only place in Britain to experience the hot water springs, for info it is expensive but definitely worth a treat.
The Fashion Museum
For a fashion lover a must with over 30000 pieces of costume and accessories dating back to the 16th century.
Where to eat
From fine dining to economical you can find a good meal at any price point. There are many multi chains like Pizza express, Pret, Giraffe, Cafe Nero, Starbucks, etc for a quick meal or fine dining options like Circus for modern British and The eastern eye for north indian food. Bath also boasts of many great tea rooms and a day will definitely be incomplete without visiting one. Top tea rooms are Sally Lunns and Pump room.
Both of us had no breakfast in the rush to catch our train so were hungry as hell when we reached. We straight headed to the centre and found Hands of Bath Georgian tea rooms just off the Bath Abbey. A quick look up on tripadvisor the ratings were good but nothing great but we were too hungry to wander around so we stepped in and into a room filled with old people mostly locals. They do good baguettes and traditional english dishes like Fish and chips and bangers and mash. We had the Scampi and it was fairly good.
Shopping
Since we had gone just for the day we dint explore the shopping part but while passing through the city centre we saw all the major retailers as well as some small boutiques plus Walcot street so yes if shopping is on your mind u will find loads of it. Worth mentioning here, considering the timing of the post, is the award winning christmas market.
The Best view
It is debatable but a good panoramic view is possible from the Alexandra park, the Beckford’s tower, the camden crescent and the tower in bath abbey as i mentioned .
To sum it up Bath is a very beautiful city brimming with loads to do and definitely deserves to be on your list if planning a trip to the UK and if you are in the UK, your next getaway.
I am so happy that i have finally published my first travel guide post. Took me quite sometime to write but it was all worth it! Hope you liked it and is helpful, please share your thoughts also would love to know if you have visited Bath? or Are you planning a trip to Bath or UK?
Thank you for stopping by! See you with my next one.
Love
Chichi
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