Norfolk Broads, UK by Russell Smith

But of course, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Millions of travellers prefer to find locations which offer a more tranquil way of life, surrounded by beautiful scenery and with plenty of peace and quiet thrown in. For them, one of the most welcoming destinations of all is located in Eastern England, and it remains one of those places in which time appears to have, if not stood still, been meandering along in a sedate manner for many decades.

The Norfolk Broads isn’t a hidden gem or a closely-guarded secret, it’s a vibrant and extremely popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s a location that is something of a rarity in the modern world; somewhere which offers tourists all the up to date facilities that contribute to a wonderful holiday, but in a quiet and understated way that underlines something that East Anglian people have known for centuries – that life is not a race.

Smell the flowers, taste the coffee, enjoy the scenery

Dotted throughout the area are picturesque villages and hamlets that would not look out of place on a chocolate box, and which have changed little over the passing years. The Broads themselves are waterways that provide boat-users with a golden opportunity to soak up some truly spectacular scenery at a pleasantly slow place. Locations such as Horning and Ranworth are stunning, and have become popular bases for tourists from across the globe.

The local pubs and restaurants offer visitors an old-fashioned warm welcome from the moment they arrive. There are plenty to choose from, providing a wonderful selection of Norfolk beers and of course a superb choice of freshly-cooked food. Cromer, a town that’s on the coast to the north of the region, is famous all over the world for the quality of its crab, so be sure to give it a try.

As you might expect from an area that’s well-known for its slow pace, driving around the Norfolk Broads isn’t suitable for boy racers. The roads are fine and allow for easy passage between locations, but you should expect to take it at a leisurely rate. After all, there is some wonderful scenery to take in along the way and, of course, it really isn’t a race!

David Showell is a regular visitor to the Norfolk Broads. He works for www.carhiredirect.co.uk

The post The Unspoilt Beauty of the Norfolk Broads | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Surf Cabo Guide

Here is a list of some of England’s best bed & breakfast spots for you to try on your holiday.

Woodhayes Farm is in Honiton. With a choice of renting the entire barn or rooms in the main house, Woodhayes is quite special. You will dine in candle light in a formal dining room filled with antiques on gourmet cuisine, much of it from the farm’s livestock and gardens. One of the rooms has a large four poster bed with a view of the rose garden.

York is home to Alexander House, an elegant Victorian home open for guests. It has pretty bright rooms with fresh flowers, free WiFi, and all the amenities for a very affordable price, including a full traditional English breakfast.

You can stay in the historic town of Oxford at Burlington House, a lovely Victorian house with 10 guest rooms which are beautifully decorated and all having modern state of the art bathrooms. A gourmet breakfast is on offer in the morning with home baked breads, home made yogurt, omelettes and Italian coffee.

You will feel as if you are staying in a resort at Ennys in Penzance because it has facilities not normally associated with bed and breakfasts, like a large heated swimming pool, tennis, and extensive gardens. Pick one of the four poster bedrooms or suites in the main house or book one of the little cottages. Room rates include an organic breakfast spread and afternoon high tea.

Magnolia House in Canterbury is a magnificent bed and breakfast with guest rooms that are decorated to a luxurious standard with complimentary wine in the mini fridge and breakfast available in the morning. It puts you in a prime location for touring the historic city of Canterbury.

And finally, the ultimate. Stay in a jaw-dropping castle! Augill Castle in Brough-in-Westmorland is expensive compared to the other choices offered here, but for what you get it is a bargain. Gorgeous bedrooms dripping with atmosphere, antiques and luxury. Great public rooms with roaring fires. And great pictures to take home!

Alex is a travel blogger and writer. He blogs regularly about travelling around Europe and dining out in great cities. He also writes for www.kefalonia.co.uk.

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