Bath is a city in the county of Somerset, situated 97 miles west of London and it’s easily reached from the capital city as it’s only around 90 minutes by train from London Paddington. Originally a spa town in the Roman era, it’s now a World Heritage Site due to its cultural and historical importance: the Roman remains and Bath’s spectacular Georgian architecture are the reasons for this award.

The Roman Baths at Bath, England, UK by Stewart Robotham / License: Creative Commons

Getting around Bath

The city centre is easily navigable on foot, however, for a first visit you may want to take advantage of the tour buses that circulate amongst the main attracts.

What to see in Bath

One of the most famous sites of Bath, and one of the best examples of Georgian architectural design in the UK, is The Royal Crescent, a curved street of 30 terraced houses dating from the second half of the eighteenth century and a major influence on architecture. It’s been seen on the big screen in the 1998 film “The Duchess” starring Keira Knightley amongst others. It’s not the only crescent in the city – better views are to be had from the slightly less grand Camden Crescent.

The Roman Baths have recently undergone a huge renovation project and feature England’s only hot springs. A must-do is to have a taste of the minerally water while you’re there and if you visit on a summer evening, you’ll be able to experience the beautifully atmospheric site when it’s lit by torchlight.

There is one famous author who is of course a looming presence in Bath, Jane Austen and there’s a whole “Experience” dedicated to her at The Jane Austen Centre. Here you can take tea (don’t leave the city without having a cream tea) and discover how her experience of the city influenced her writing. There’s even a Jane Austen Festival in September.

The Hershel Museum of Astronomy is situated in a beautifully preserved Georgian townhouse and celebrates the work of William Herschel, he who discovered the planet Uranus. Not to be missed if you’re at all interested in the history of science and astronomy.

Bath Abbey, England, UK by Clay Shonkwiler

Where to Stay

For a real treat, stay in The Royal Crescent itself with its beautifully presented Georgian interiors plus modern facilities. A more reasonably priced boutique option in a central location in the city is stylish The Halcyon.

Where to Eat

Beautiful little tapas dishes and more substantial evening and lunchtime meals are available at the Same Same but Different cafe – I’m not getting my words confused there, that’s actually the name. For excellent pub grub overlooking the Bath countryside, the Hare & Hounds inn caters for those after just a sandwich and soup, or a three course slap-up meal.

Why Bath?

History is alive and well and living in Bath: you can smell it on the air as well as see it in the streets. If you’re a fan of ultra-modern cities, this one isn’t for you. But if you’ve an appreciation of the past, an interest in architecture and a hankering to walk in the steps of Roman spa-goers, then Bath’s the place to be.

Picturesque City of Bath, England, UK by Karen Roe

Julie loves writing about her travels through short guides on places she visited. She also writes for Fortina Spa Resort, one of the top hotels in Malta specializing in state of the art spa & welness treatments.

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Teggs Nose is on the western edge of the Peak District. There are so many stunning views along this walk, including views of the park and across the beautiful Cheshire plains.  On clear days you can sometimes see as far out as the Welsh hills and Liverpool. The walk on average should take a round 1 – 2 hours, so if you’re looking for a great walk but not a long distance one, then Teggs Nose is perfect.

2. Hadrian’s Wall Walk (Northumberland)

This is an extremely long trek, it is 84 miles long. However if this sounds all a bit too much for you, there are many shorter and circular walks and routes available, so you can still take in the breathtaking scenery and culture, without the week long hike.

Hadrian’s Wall, England / quisnovus

3. Ilkley Moor (West Yorkshire)

Ilkley is a former spa town, but it is also known as ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town, due to their stunning walks and their commitment in welcoming walkers. You’ll find not only breathtaking views, but many carved pre-historic rocks found on the moor. The walk will take approximately 4-5 hours dependant on walking speed.

4. The Roaches (Peak District)

The name Roaches means rocks, as this walk is a bit of a rocky one, but the views are truly memorable. For example, tucked away under one of the overhanging rocks is a former game keeper’s cottage, which is partly built in the cliff face, this is now a drinking spot for climbers.  The walk will take on average around 4 hours, so you will be able to squeeze it in on a Sunday afternoon.

5. Powis Castle (Wales)

A truly magnificent castle built around 8oo years ago. It is surrounded by 26 acres of gardens and that is why this castle is on our list. It was recently voted the best place to walk in an online national trust poll. The gardens are breathtaking and truly magical.  This walk will only take approximately 2 hours, so more like a leisurely stroll than a long distance hike.

6. The Three Peaks (Yorkshire)

The Three Peaks is the classic walk of the Yorkshire Dales, and it is a classic for a reason. It dominates the skyline of the western side of the Yorkshire dales, and hosts a splendid array of views, nature and complete serenity. This walk will take you anything between 8-14 hours as it is around 23 miles in length, so you may want to take advantage of the B&B’s nearby for a quick snack and a snooze.

Yorkshire Three Peaks / Peter Burgess

7. Ingleton Falls (Yorkshire)

The Ingleton Falls offer some of the most spectacular waterfall and woodland scenery in the country. This walk is approximately 4.5 miles long and will take on average around 2-4 hours to complete it. This walk will lead you through ancient oak woodland via stunning views and geological features.

8. The New Forest (Hampshire)

Exploring the New Forest means exploring wetlands, grassy plains and woodland. There are a wide range and variety of walks and routes available, so you can make them as short or as long as you like and if you prefer a guided walk, this is an available option to you or even a small group of you.

9. The Ridgeway Path (Avebury)

The Ridgeway Path is Britain’s oldest road. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the Ridgeway path is perfect, as it’s peaceful and serene. Even though the Ridgeway Path is 87 miles long and can take up to 2 weeks to complete, there are day trips and shorter routes available, catered around different people’s ability.

Cotswold Way / Joe Calhoun

10. The Cotswold Way (The Cotswolds)

This specific walk has existed for over 30 years and is extremely popular. It is a long distance walk, stretching a whopping 102 miles long. Although this may be off putting if you don’t like long distance walking, there are a lot of different walks available, so you can break the walk up into a collection of different days to suit your capability and your commitments.  It passes through many picturesque villages and leads you to many stunning historical sites.

So there you have my list of the top ten walks in England, can you think of any I’ve missed? Or have you been on adventurous treks around the world and you’d love to share – please feel free to comment!

Kate Dawson is a keen writer who blogs for Optegra on a regular basis. Optegra are specialist eye care providers who provide many treatments such as cataracts treatment for a number of eye conditions, such as glaucoma.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Triin Olvet

But the city is mainly a seaside location, so the most tourists come here due to a well-known local beaches and promenades, such as beach Paralepa. However once you come to Haapsalu, you should not miss the local mud baths. The tradition of spas in the city dates back to the early 19th century, when a doctor took a habit of local inhabitants to treat rheumatic problems with mud baths. At this time a new sanatorium grew up here and shortly Haapsalu became a favorite destination of the Russian elite. Most of the spa buildings are situated near the Great Mall.

Haapsalu has 11,600 residents and is located 100km from the capital city of Tallinn. The city is also prepared for the lovers of technical monuments – in the local railway station you can find a railway museum and exhibition of historical vehicles. If you wish to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the seaside spa resort, Haapsalu is the right choice.

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Photo by cera1980

Gioiosa Marea is also known as spa town, which has retained its unique peaceful atmosphere to these days, despite of the development of tourism in Sicily. Lots of great romantic restaurants, cafes and bars are waiting for you in the town centre and invite you to sit and taste a glass of good wine. Shopping lovers will be pleased of shops with all sorts of souvenirs. You can stay in the small holiday village Piraino, that is just few kilometres from Gioiosa Marea.

Approximately 2 km away of Gioiosa Marea you can find a picturesque beach, above which rises a granite rocks Capo Calava’s. Do not miss a visit to three local caves, which are interconnected with corridors and wells. Caves are not yet fully explored. Interesting trips can be taken to Tindari, Milazzo, or to the historic town of Cefalu, Taormina, Etna and others.

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Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic / Photo by admin

Karlovy Vary is also a city of festivals, conferences and seminars, meeting place of important people from the world of politics, science and culture. Since 1946, the year’s most prestigious film festival of the Czech Republic takes place here. It is the most important international film festival of category A in Central and Eastern Europe and the only film festival of category A in the Czech Republic. The atmosphere of the festival, which annually presents the latest films from all around the world, is supplemented by the unique location of the event.

The best of Karlovy Vary

The most famous concepts of Karlovy Vary certainly includes herbal liqueur Becherovka, Mattoni mineral water, Moser glass, spa wafers and Thun porcelain. Karlovy Vary is the biggest spa town in the Czech Republic and Elizabeth’s Spa (Alžbětiny lázně) is one of the largest spa facilities in the country. Spas in Karlovy Vary has more than 600-years old tradition, the spas were (and still are) visited by the guests from more than 80 countries. Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda) is the best known and the most popular promenade.

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic / Photo by admin

The best known source of natural healing is Carlsbad’s Hot Spring (karlovarské Vřídlo). Beautiful view of the city you can enjoy from the observation tower Diana, which serves since 1914 and offers amazing views of the whole town of Karlovy Vary and its surroundings. You can get there on foot, or by a cable car.

The history of spas

The spa town was founded in 1349 by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV. The fame, the emergence and development of Carlsbad has been inseparably linked to the therapeutic effects of its warm mineral springs. Hot springs on the territory of today’s Karlovy Vary were used for healing long before the establishment of Karlovy Vary. However the first treatment was carried out at the end of the 14th century, when Charles IV. bathed his ill feet in one of the mineral water springs.

Famous hot spring in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic / Photo by admin

Spa enjoyed the favor of many noble families and wealthy burghers already in the 16th century. Due to a series of natural disasters from that time only a few buildings survived. Most devastating natural disaster was the Carlsbad Fire (1604), when only 3 houses were saved. The rest of the city was totally destroyed. Therefore the majority of architectural monuments are from the 18th and 19th century, when the city experienced a period of prosperity.

There are 13 mineral springs with temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 72 °C that are used for spa. The composition of mineral water is unique, as well as its unique beneficial effects on the human organism. It is used for drinking and bathing. Sources have virtually the same mineral content, differing only in temperature and the amount of carbon dioxide. The colder springs usually have a slightly laxative effect, warmer springs have a dampening effect, slowing down the bile and gastric juices.

Elizabeth’s Spa

One of the most beautiful architectural landmarks of Karlovy Vary is Elizabeth’s Spa, located in the Smetana Park. The spa was founded in 1906 and named after Empress Elizabeth – Sissi. Although it is located right in the heart of the city, the spas are an oasis of calm, which creates a park with a fountain.

Sights and attractions in Karlovy Vary

The most important religious monument in the city is definitely the Church of St. Mary Magdalene made by the famous architect Kilian Dientzenhofer. The baroque church was built on the site of the former Gothic church. During the tour, note the valuable altar painting. In the underground of the church there is a unique funeral chapel.

You cannot miss also another important building of the Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul from 1898. Its construction model was the church near Moscow. The rich decoration of the church was partially sponsored by wealthy Carlsbad patient of Russian origin. It includes relief of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great.

The town has also a sundial in the pavement at the Carlsbad’s Hot Spring, bearing the Latin sentences Carpe diem.

However you cannot enjoy Karlovy Vary without tasting a traditional herbal liqueur that is produced only here – visit Jan Becher Museum, located directly at the factory. Becherovka was first manufactured in 1807 by Jan Becher in his pharmacy. First, he sold it as stomach drops. The exact list of ingredients was as a family secret passed from father to son. Today, there are only two people who know the recipe for Becherovka. They are preparing a mixture of spices and herbs once a week.

Besides walks on colonnades and Main Street, you could also go to the pleasant forests, which surrounds the spa town. For walking tours, as well as bike trips you can follow 180 kilometers of roads, trails and paths, most of which are named after famous guests of Karlovy Vary.

For a good choice of hotels with discount prices, visit Place to stay in Karlovy Vary for more information.

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The spa is located in a quiet Upper Austrian spa town of Bad Schallerbach, about 45 km from the city of Linz.

Curative treatments and massages
Rare hot spring is used mainly for curative procedures. Bad Schallerbach Spa offers baths with a wide and exclusive range of massages from all around the world in the uniquely decorated relaxation rooms. In addition to the traditional medical massages you can also choose Asian, African or even Australian massages associated with aromatherapy and herbal wraps. Among 17 types of massages from around the world you can find favorite Japanese Shiatsu, Turkish Hamam or African Vunkuwa.

Water World and Aquapark
Eurotherme Bad Schallerbach includes a swimming pool with sea waves, 109 m long wild river, water canyon, high-speed water slide “Kamikaze” or multimedia water enjoyment “Starlight Express”, which unites the world of water, music and colors.

For children under 5 years there is specially adapted mini water park “Aquamundus”.

In the garden area there is available sandy “Happy Park”, with many climbing frames, sandpits and slides. Wonderful water park Aquapulco with the atmosphere of tropical Caribbean offers rich opportunities for children and adults – regardless of the weather.

Area “Relaxium”
Area “Relaxium” combines indoor sauna paradise on 1,500 m2 and outdoor saunas on 3,500 m2, which are designed in the style of mountain villages with thermal lakes. For your relaxation, there is a total number of 20 variously equipped spaces. Whirlpool in the heart of Relaxium, waterfall, hot spring cave “Grotta Mare” with highly salty water like the Dead Sea and relaxation space “Musicarium” with heated beds, headphones with relaxing music and the effect of a starry sky. That’s just few things you can enjoy in this great Spa resort!

Colorama
Absolutely unique is the attraction “Colorama”. This relaxing spa section uses color therapy knowledge, with proven effects of colours on the well-being. Surrounded by slowly alternating colored lights you can relax in the indoor or outdoor pool with massage benches, beds and pavement, or enjoy views of the park area or of the illuminated “Colorama” forest.

Hotel Paradiso
You can stay at comfortable modern four star hotel “Paradiso” which is directly connected to the spa area. Rooms are equipped in accordance with the atmosphere of the spa. The hotel has a restaurant offering culinary specialties and a bar. The hotel is surrounded by rich greenery, floral gardens in the style of the southern sea, alleys and trails for jogging and spaces for gymnastics in nature. The hotel is also equipped with highly modern facilities for seminars and conferences, smaller or even greater range of up to 700 participants.

For further details you can visit official website of Eurothermen Resort Bad Schallerbach.

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The centre of Ķemeri National Park is Ķemeri town, where the tourist information center organizes expeditions to observe the bats, and half-day nature seminars. This spa town, hidden among the trees, is already since 30th of the 20th century, known for its healing mineral and sulfur springs. The spa is important especially for the people suffering from musculoskeletal diseases.

The town of Ķemeri is a great starting point for the tours to Ķemeri National Park, especially for Dumbrāja laipa route, which is formed by a raised wooden walkway. Another wooden walkway Laipa Lielajá Kemeru tīrelī is 3 km long, leads through the Great Ķemeri Moorland, which covers the entire southern half of the park. Kanieris lake which is home to 237 kinds of birds nesting on 14 islands, would be a great tip for bird-lovers and bird-watchers.

The reason for the declaration of the national park was an effort to preserve the unique local natural and cultural-historical values. The park contains many protected plants and microorganisms, which are typical for this climatic zone. Forests in the park are divided between numerous meadows and bushes. The lagoon-type lakes are e.g. Lake Dūnieris, Kanieris, Slokas ezers and Valhuma ezers. The largest swamps are Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis and Raganu purvs. Here you can find also the oldest Latvian primeval forest. Most of the park is situated in Zemgale region, a small part in Livonia in the cities Jurmala, Jelgava, Riga and Tukums.

In Ķemeri National Park there is a number of accommodation options, including camp.

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You will really enjoy your staying at Bad Füssing. It is Europe’s most popular spa resort in the Bavarian golf and thermal area. You will find here thousand of wellness possibilities, which help you with rheumatism, problems with joints and back or other problems.

The medicinal spring with a sulfur content at the temperature of 56 °C, which gushes from a depth of 1000 meters, have according to the opinions of many guests, scientists and doctors incomparable natural healing power.

An offer of the medical and therapeutic services in Bad Füssing is immense, ranging from Chinese medical practices to top medicine. Many local health experts help each guest and prepare an optimal plan for the health program or holidays.

Like many others, also mentioned services are for the guests staying in Bad Füssing provided for free. The guests can also attend more than 1,500 cultural events such as concerts, lectures and exhibitions for free as well.

Relax simply from stress and bustle of everyday life in one of the most popular areas of the European spa. Here you can even find first potato sauna in Europe or other more than 1,000 wellness activities.

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Peneda-Gerês National Park has been established on 8 May 1971 due to its national and international scientific interest, and to protect the soil, water, flora, fauna, and landscape, while preserving its value to the existent human and natural resources. Therefore it is also the most important park in Portugal. Education and tourism are also goals of the park.

Peneda-Gerês National Park is blessed (or cursed) with more rain than anywhere else in Portugal.

Due to the difficult living conditions, there have never be lots of residents here, so the ecosystems was saved and now you can still see wolves, eagles and other predators king. Once an area was also a home to brown bears but it is not at this time.

The peaks reach a height of about 1 500 meters. You will find here beautiful, untouched picturesque landscape with nice peaks and forested valleys with oaks, pines and yew. Park is one of the most visited areas of the Minho region, but you can easily climb into the mountains, where you will meet only herds of mountain goats.

The Peneda-Gerês National Park is divided into two main areas: the southern part Serra de Gerês which is a very popular for hiking and quieter and wilder hills of the Serra da Peneda, with much lower number of tourists.

The main starting points are the towns Mezio, Lamas de Mouro and Geres, where you also find information centers providing detailed information on the most interesting places in the park. They also can advice you on accommodation and are familiar with the possibilities of sport activities such as horseback riding. The whole area is covered by numerous hiking trails leading to many places around the reservoirs, where you can refresh after the whole-day tour.

In the park you will find mountains, river valleys, the megalithic monuments (Antas), waterfalls and small mountain villages. You can observe many different species of animals (such as deer, wolf, fox or wild horse or eagle) and plants. The rarity of the park is in 15 kinds of rare wild flowers. In some parts of the park you can see the extraordinary interesting flora (including remnants of oak forest).

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The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of political activist Lech Wałęsa, played a major role in bringing an end to Communist rule across Central Europe.

What to see in Gdańsk
Most tourist attractions are located along or near Ulica Długa (Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market) and the part is sometimes referred to as the Royal Road as the former path of processions for visiting kings. There one can see:

• Upland Gate (Brama Wyżynna)
• Torture House (Katownia)
• Prison Tower (Wieża więzienna)
• Golden Gate (Złota Brama)
• Long Street (Ulica Długa)
• Uphagen House (Dom Uphagena)
• Main Town Hall (Ratusz Głównego Miasta)
• Long Market (Długi Targ)
• Artus’ Court (Dwór Artusa)
• Neptune Fountain (Fontanna Neptuna)
• Golden House (Złota kamienica)
• Green Gate (Zielona Brama)

Gdańsk has a number of historical churches:

• St. Bridget
• St. Catherine
• St. John
• St Mary (Bazylika Mariacka), a municipal church built during the 15th century, is the largest brick church in the world.
• St Nicholas’ Church
• Church of the Holy Trinity

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