England: Bath

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Sip tea, eat scones with clotted cream, and step back into the 18th century Georgian elegance of a Jane Austen novel. Promenade along the Royal Crescent, an attractive swoop of thirty historic homes, 114 Ionic columns and plenty of museums. The town of Bath has the style and civilized charm of another era.

If Georgian architecture, heaps of history, beautiful scenery, a charming abbey and stone houses with grand terraces aren't your style, investigate the Roman side of Bath. The old Roman baths are Bath's namesake and main attraction. Since Roman times, people have visited the city and its spas. In 1701, Queen Anne's visit to the city put it on the map for the cultural elite. Jane Austen, Charles *beep*, Gainsborough, and Lord Nelson all hung out here. Bath soon became the social center of England, second only to London. Though the baths are no longer open for bathing, the tour of the Roman Baths Museum and ancient Pump Room is fascinating. The sense of elegance, and style of times past are still alive and well in historic Bath.

When to go:
The shoulder months of April-May and September-October are perhaps the best months to visit.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
The Roman Baths and Pump Room are Bath's main attractions, but the architecture of the Royal Crescent and The Circus, Pultney Bridge and the weir, The Abbey, Assembly Rooms and Theatre Royal are also worth a look. The Bizarre Bath Walking Tour contains no actual history, but it is a very silly tour of the area that people rave about.

Museums:
There's the Museum of English Naive Art, the Museum of Costume, the Jane Austen Museum, the American Museum, the Postal Museum, the Geology Museum, the Industrial Heritage Museum and the William Herschel Museum to name just a few of the odd, fascinating, and miscellaneous museums to explore in Bath.

Shopping:
Some of the finest shopping in England can be found in Bath. Many people come just to shop at Bath's outstanding stores and boutiques. A favorite area of commerce is Pulteney Bridge, which has shops spanning the bridge, making it somewhat reminiscent of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Arts:
Theatre and ballet fans might enjoy productions at the Theatre Royal on Sawclose, which also stages more experimental productions in the Ustinov Studio.

Festivals/Events:
There is a film festival in October, the Mozart Festival in November, and the Literary Festival in February. May brings beautiful blooms and the Bath Flower Show. The International Music Festival (known simply as the Bath Festival) held mid-May through June features big names in classical music, jazz, folk and blues, plus fireworks, literary and art events. During May there is also the Bath Contemporary Art Fair. August is the time for the Classical Guitar Festival and the Shakespeare Festival.

Cost:
Bath, like Canterbury and Brighton, is a tourist town, and prices are not cheap. That said, you could cut costs in Bath by eating at pubs, or filling up on tea and scones at high tea and skipping dinner. Bath can be seen in a day trip from London, where you might find more budget accommodations.

Getting Around:
Bath Spa train station and the city's bus station are both on Manvers Street, a short walk from the center. By train, it is an 86-minute ride from London's Paddington Station.

Language:
English.

Party/Social Scene:
A great day trip, you'll find friendly locals at the pubs in Bath, but go to London to dance the night away.

Other Info:
Click here for weather forecast from Weather.com.