Hi there

Welcome, reader! I use this space to share my travel, books I'm into, and food. Enjoy your wanderings.

"Miss, please don't get in the water!"

"Miss, please don't get in the water!"

Phew this is a long one folks! So get comfy cause we're hittin the road again!

NYU London had arranged for the group to take a day trip to Oxford to see the grand campus of the University. It is the English world's oldest university, and has a very impressive list of notable alumni. 

Just take a look at this campus though...

DSC01561.JPG
oxfordquad.jpg
DSC01560.JPG

Ancient hidden streets snake throughout the University's campus, which is comprised of 38 colleges. 

DSC01565.JPG

Plaques adorn the smaller residences with significant history. Hundreds of these are scattered around the area. 

DSC01563.JPG
Universityofoxford.jpg
oxfordschool.jpg

University of Oxford even serves as inspiration for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

DSC01595.JPG

We took a tour of the inside of the Christ Church College. You'll more than likely be able to spot the similarities between the two schools here.

oxfordportraits.jpg
christchurchceilingoxford.jpg
christchurchdininghall.jpg

Not a bad place to grab a meal between classes huh? Students seriously use this as a regular dining hall! Hofstra, let's make this happen! 

Oxfordgreathall.jpg

Here's a still from the first movie

harrypotter1staircase.jpg

Hey look it's me standing by the same lamp! 

DSC01611.jpg

Pretty cool huh? It's overwhelming to think just how much significant academic research occurred on a single campus of higher education. Not to mention a splash of Hollywood here and there ;)

The next morning Chloe and I rallied and woke up at the crack of dawn to catch a ride to Stonehenge! 

Our tour bus pulled up to the very modern visitor's center! The entire site is managed by English Heritage, and the organization has been working on a plan to restore Stonehenge back to its traditional glory. We were lucky enough to catch this new project which just finished in June.

DSC01623.JPG

Organized trams take you from here a little ways up a road, where you then get out and walk the rest of the way. 

Stonehenge!

Stonehenge!

DSC01658.jpg
Cutie Chloe!

Cutie Chloe!

They even give you a handheld listening guide to tell you everything historians have discovered about the stones. 

One quick stop in the gift shop, and we're back on the bus for our next adventure of the day: Bath in Somerset, Southwest England

This city's history dates all the way back to 60 AD when the ancient Romans discovered the natural hot springs lying beneath the land. 

The Abbey of Bath

The Abbey of Bath

The Bath Royal Crescent is a perfect example of the Georgian architecture that makes up the town structures. This is one of the most iconic locations in Bath.

Bathroyalcrescent.jpg

Most of the homes are privately owned today. One of these bad boys will set you back Β£4 million (around $6.8 million).

royalcrescentbath.jpg
DSC01666.JPG

Unfortunately the rain caught up with us, so we decided to head indoors to the Jane Austen Centre. 

janeaustencentre.jpg

Don't worry, I won't bore you with those details, but let's all swoon over Colin Firth for a bit. 

DSC01671.jpg

The highlight of the city is visiting the actual Roman baths.

DSC01688.jpg

Here's where the warm water is pumped from the springs through the complex.

Gettin steamy

Gettin steamy

It's the natural minerals that turn the water into the funky green color. 

DSC01700.JPG

We even ran into some ancient locals during our visit! "Salvete!", I shouted in Latin. "Quid agitis?" (Hello, how are you?) They must not be very friendly, as the two just kind of stared back at me with a confused look. Just trying to put some of this Latin knowledge to use!

Bathromanactors.jpg
hotspringsbath.jpg

Around the corner is a smaller bath dedicated to offerings to the gods. Ancient Romans would throw in whatever tokens they had on hand in the hopes of being blessed. I made it a really great wish!

DSC01741.JPG

There was once a floor on top of these stacks of stone. Hot steam flowed through to heat the ground from below. Ingenious!

ancientromanbaths.jpg

We even had a chance to taste some of the mineral water. It was believed that the water could cure any ailments and boost energy. Between this water and the holy water in Glastonbury, I should be set for a while. 

DSC01750.JPG
DSC01674.JPG

The sun finally greeted us, and we headed back to London after a sightseeing weekend in the country. So long Bath! 


"You don't even want to know what I would do for a slice of pizza right now."

"You don't even want to know what I would do for a slice of pizza right now."

"Will you take a picture of me in this red phone booth?"

"Will you take a picture of me in this red phone booth?"

Follow my blog with Bloglovin