Not only is CEA CAPA known for its excellent academic program but it is also popular with students thanks to the exciting day trips to some of the best tourist destinations in England. On the second Sunday of our semester, we took a day trip to see the iconic Stonehenge and the beautiful ancient city, Bath.
Caption: Check in at Stonehenge.
Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire, England, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of London. A coach tour is the most convenient method to get from London to Stonehenge for a day excursion. We had in total four coaches with four tour guides. One thing I highly recommend is to wear a heavy coat if you go to see the stones in the spring because the wind there is just crazy.
I'd always wanted to travel to Stonehenge, so I was overjoyed when the trip was a part of the study abroad program. The tourist center is fantastic, with many intriguing artifacts from the site and information about the stones' history. There is also a cafeteria where you can get some hot drinks and something for breakfast. We all woke up early that day to get to the CEA CAPA center on time so it is good to bring some extra cash to enjoy a quick meal at the site. Or, if you want to save some cash, bring food with you. Stonehenge is about a 30-minute walk away, or you may take the free shuttle bus through the fields or along the road (on the pedestrian side). It's just incredible. You can go all the way around, but you won't be able to get up close because of the rope, which was a bit disappointing to me. I wanted to get a closer look at the stones to see the patterns, the color, etc.
Caption: Check in at Bath Abbey.
Then we traveled to Bath City. Fun fact: Bath was the first city in England to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We got off the coach right at the entrance to Bath Abbey. This city is located on the banks of the gorgeous River Avon, which features beautiful step-like cascades and the iconic Pulteney Bridge, featured in the film adaptation of Les Miserables.
From its rows of magnificent Georgian buildings built with the native honey-colored Bath stone, the architecture is very beautiful.
According to the guide, these homes were constructed for visitors who came to soak in the spa's waters. This water is said to have medicinal properties! The name, Bath, was also sourced from this.
Caption: Italian pizza date.
My friend and I decided to have a pizza at an Italian restaurant and then get a hot cup of tea with signature London cakes in the iconic Bath Bun tea shop.
Caption: Bath Bun tea and cakes.
This tea shop has an amazing architecture with patterned wallpaper, eclectic decorations and a wide range of classical sweet and savories. We also bought some chocolate cookies and saw the chef make chocolate from scratch. What an interesting experience!
Caption: The beautiful decor of Bath Bun Tea Shop.