Despite using my previous post to tout the virtues of staying in London, I am as guilty as anyone else of using my weekend to take day-trips to explore England. Nothing is quite as relaxing as napping on a tour bus while taking a two-hour journey out of the city.
One of the benefits of a program like CAPA is that it’s tailored to international students that have only one semester to get the ‘Greatest Hits’ edition of London and the UK. Because of its student body make up, CAPA has developed any number of social programs and day trips that you are highly encouraged to take advantage of – especially because they are FREE. Free is a quality highly valued in an expensive city like London, where one pound is equivalent to 1.5 US dollars.
The first trip CAPA does is a tour of Stonehenge and Bath. Stonehenge is, for all intents and purposes, about getting a great picture of rocks. Historically significant and apparently mysterious rocks, but rocks all the same. If you have enough caffeine intake before the trip (because to be honest, jet lag takes a while to get over), you might be able to stay awake and listen to the tour guide hired by CAPA to give a long, in-depth explanation of on of the greatest mysteries of the Neolithic era.
Quick note: all tour guides hired by CAPA are certified “Blue Badge” tour guides. They are not your run of the mill tour guide that rattles off facts without realizing what they are saying – these are people who are actually extremely passionate about what they do, and more than happy to answer any questions.
After a few photos at Stonehenge, it took us about an hour to arrive in Bath. For Jane Austen fans like myself, Bath is often considered the holy pilgrimage. It was where she lived for a time (her residence will be pointed out to you from the bus) and features prominently in her works, such as Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If you need even more proof of how Austen-crazy it can get, there was an Austen convention that weekend and half the town was dressed in full Regency costume.
But Bath was, before Austen, a city of Roman baths – healing waters that even had their own deity. The Roman bath complex was, surprisingly, one of my favourite parts of the tour. Since it was already a bit chilly, the steam from the hot springs would warm your face as you lounged next to it. It is not suggested to attempt to bathe in these waters, as it is, essentially, a museum.
However, at the end of the day, nothing is quite as satisfying as napping on the way back to London – especially before you have to fight your way into the Tube station.