Taking a break from the daily grind is always something to look forward to. Most people set their sights on a sandy beach to soak up the Mediterranean sun and recharge the batteries; but ironically often say that they come back needing a holiday. All the hustle and bustle of airports and passports, travel insurance and immunisations can turn taking a break into a major mission. With the new credit crunch well under way, people are beginning to discover that there are places in England that are worthy of a weeklong break. The undulating countryside has become a welcome paradise and sought after space to get a real rest from routine, and many prefer a break in the British countryside to a stay on the Costa del Sol.

The epitome of Britishness is said to be in the Cotswolds. This tourist haven is still a delicately peaceful and quaint area of the country with its gently rolling hills and limestone villages. The idyllic vision of sheep on the hillside, dry stone walls and ambling ramblers is the actual vision that greets visitors to this area. As a native Britton, it can be difficult to imagine what is so good about the quintessentially English way of things. The best way to rectify this is by booking into a Boutique hotel in one of the beautiful Cotswold towns, allowing yourself to relax. Here are my top tips for relaxation the rural way.

The Cotswold town of Bath is famed for the traditional spas built during the Roman times. Bath was built around the famous hot water spring that provides a healing and relaxing mineral rich soak. The stone pillars and pathways built by the Romans are still there today and add to the authentic atmosphere of the area.

Nearby Cheltenham is also a spa town, but is generally better known for being the home of Cheltenham Races, one of the most famous horse racing days in the calendar. Be warned however, that taking a break at this time of year requires booking many months in advance and is not the right time to go to the area if you are after a bit of peace and quiet.

The Romantic Road is a little known way of getting to know the Cotswold area. It weaves through some of the most beautiful towns and villages, past churches to deliver a truly romantic experience that has inspired poets, musicians, writers and artists for centuries. This journey offers the opportunity to take a break in traditional English pubs along the way, where you can sample ales, enjoy the fresh air and warm yourself by the fire.

If you like a bit of horticulture, then it is worth knowing that the Cotswolds are just as famed for its manicured gardens and arboretums as it is for the wild countryside. Walking into cottage garden inspired public gardens is a truly romantic experience, and like walking into a novel by Virginia Wolfe. With a setting like this, it is the perfect place to make a proposal and then head back to a romantic hideaway in a Boutique hotel.

Nestled in the gently rolling hills, a romantic hideaway is the perfect place to end a busy day of sitting in a spa, drinking ale at a pub and taking a leisurely stroll through the countryside. With views so stunning, they attract visitors the world over, make the most of what is on your doorstep. Why fly to Benidorm to get burned when you can bathe in the baths of Bath and retreat to a Boutique bed for two right here in Britain?

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The Cotswolds offers an amazing array of choices when you are looking to arrange your holiday. From self service cottages, to luxurious hotels, you can vacation in the Cotswolds on any budget.

Self-catering cottages or holiday cottages are little homes you rent by the week. You are responsible for getting your own meals and there is no maid service. There are also usually no people above your head walking around and slamming doors in the middle of the night. You can find these cottages in the villages, as well as sprinkled through the countryside, so you have a choice of staying in town or not.

There are hundreds of Bed and Breakfast choices in the Cotswolds. Some of the locals rent rooms in their homes, and some have larger establishments with separate living spaces for the owners. There is a wide selection as far as where you want to stay. You can choose between staying at a working farm, staying right in a town centre area, or anything in between.

A specific example is the Hoggs Barn B&B, located inside a refurbished barn, near Moreton-in-Marsh. This is a 16th century Cotswold stone barn and features a huge dining hall with a beautiful oak staircase. This B&B is located near bicycle rentals, to facilitate a slower tour of the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds offer regular chain hotels as well, including a Holiday Inn. These are more like the traditional hotels foreign tourists are used to. They lack the charm of staying on a working farm, or the challenge of figuring out how to work an English kitchen in a rented cottage, but they offer the comfort of a more traditional stay in an unfamiliar land!

The Cotswolds also offers high end luxury accommodations. Some of these are refurbished manor houses nestled in huge, manicured grounds. Some have world class golf courses; many have excellent restaurants inside. These luxury hotels can include incredible amenities, like spas, Jacuzzis, and massages.

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The Park Hotel is one of these luxury hotels. It has 17 en-suite rooms, and is inside 240 acre Tracy Park Estate, one of the most breathtaking estates in the Bristol and Bath areas. It boasts The Crown, and The Cromwell golf courses.

Don’t let budgetary concerns influence your decision to stay in the Cotswolds. There is a housing option to fit every need, and every holiday-maker. The time is now to plan your trip to the beautiful Cotswolds!

By Anna Louise Phillips

Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties for the ideal Cotswold break.

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J.B. Priestly calls it the “…most English and the least spoiled of all our country sides…” and once you’ve visited, you’re sure to agree!. Imagine hundreds of cottages made of stone, rolling hills, nature at her best, fresh air and lots of activities to keep you busy. You’re in the Cotswolds in the heart of England.

The Cotswolds is full of thatched roofs and gables… and ivy-covered houses line the streets of most of the small villages you can trek through. But although you might think the Cotswolds holds little appeal for teenagers, you’d be wrong!

First of all, take a tour of the area. Tourist centres can help you pick out the most interesting scenery for you, including the century’s old structures that date back to Roman occupation. This may sound boring, but imagine being back in those times, living during the Romantic period. Plus, it’s a ready-made history assignment!

Are you hungry? (What teenager isn’t!) There are many restaurants to choose from in the area, all with a variety of British and International foods. Every village and town has an Inn or restaurant or pub to satisfy whatever you need. The Cotswolds is a great place to sample traditional British food… from fish and chips to a full English Roast Dinner!

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Need adventure? Look no further! The Cotswolds and surrounding areas can satisfy even the most daring of adventurers. In Wiltshire, check out the Actiondrome, the home of the Skid Car, where you can learn how to drive on slippery surfaces.

If that’s not enough, try the Swindon Karting Centre, where riders race around a twisting track in miniature Formula 1 cars!

Still not satisfied? Then for the ultimate thrill-seeker there is skydiving at Cirencester with the Red Devils! If free-falling out of an aircraft thousands of feet in the air sounds like the time of your life, then this is one of the best places in the country to do it!

Many teenagers love horses. And I mean LOVE horses! There are equestrian centres are all over the Cotswolds that offer everything from training for beginners to un-accompanied horseback rides. Get a proper equestrian experience with miles and miles of fantastic horseback trails.

Want to bring your dog on holiday with you? The Cotswolds are very dog-friendly… many pubs, cottages and attractions even cater especially for them! There’s no need to leave man’s best friend behind when you go on holiday… the Cotswolds is one of the most dog-friendly areas of the UK. There’s plenty of open countryside and public walkways to exercise them on too!

Did you know that nearly all of the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed on location at different locations in and around the Cotswolds? Not only that, but well over thirty Hollywood blockbusters as well as British films have been shot in the area! Check out the tourist information centres (or search online) for the locations… and even take an organised tour!

There are also quite a few strange traditions that take place in the Cotswolds. These are usually scheduled throughout the year, and they’re great fun! From Wool Sack Day, where men carry heavy sacks of wool through a course, to Cheese rolling, which is hilarious (and dangerous!)

So despite the Cotswolds’ heritage and quaint atmosphere, there are still plenty of activities, sights and experiences to keep even the most thrill-seeking teenager entertained!

By Anna Louise Phillips

Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties for the ideal Cotswold break.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Louise_Phillips
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