Tag Archives: Europe

Road Trip To Stratford: Slaughters North To Cotswolds Distillery And Shakespeare

September 28, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

We left Lords (of the Manor) at 7 am for a 3 mile round trip hike to Lower Slaughter and back for breakfast at 8.

Breakfast was a nice spread of pastries, bread, fruit, cereals, yoghurt and juices. Ordered eggs, bacon, sausage and mushrooms.

We checked out and drove north to Stourton and the Cotswolds Distillery. Their recently opened tasting room and store was light and bright.

We were offered a tasting of 5 gins, 7 whiskies and their very special “1616 – Barrel Aged Gin. You will never find a better (and free) tasting anywhere.

We more than compensated them by buying Cotswolds Distillery clothing, hunter flasks and other items. They filled up one flask with 1616 for the ultimate roadie.

It was then off to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Arden Hotel.

After checking in we set out to experience Shakespeare’s birthplace, exhibits, the New House, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Hall’s Croft.

After the tour, we had Gin and Tonics and dinner at The Dirty Duck (The Black Swan years ago) and called it a night.

Food, Reviews, Travel

Top Pubs In The Cotswolds: The Mousetrap Inn, Bourton-On-The-Water

September 27, 2019 Intellicurious

A very popular locals destination. The Mousetrap Inn had most tables reserved or occupied as we walked in Friday night at 6 pm.

The bartender was very friendly and seated us at one of the few available tables.

He quickly recommended the Roast Cauliflower with Chickpeas, dill, raisins and smoked almonds as a vegetarian entree selection. He then suggested two drinks: The Mousetrap house specialty, a Cotswold Dry Gin and soda drink with a unique long ice cube of lemons, cucumber, mint and bitters) along with a twin scotch Old Fashioned. Excellent.

Very unique food, drinks and atmosphere. A must visit.

Travel

Driving The Cotswolds: To Sudeley Castle And Upper Slaughter

September 27, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

After checking out of The Swan and a pre-drive walk of Arlington Row, we headed northwest to the historically interesting Sudeley Castle.

With over 1000 years of history, Sudeley hosted Kings Richard III, Henry VIII, Queens Ann Boleyn and Catherine Parr, Lady Jane Gray and a young (pre-Queen) Elizabeth I. All before 1550.

We then drove to Upper Slaughter to check in at Lords of the Manor Hotel.

A quick walk down to Lower Slaughter and a peek at The Old Mill Museum and store. A steady rain provided a very British touch to the walk down the narrow lanes amidst meadows filled with sheep and beautiful country houses.

We then walked back to Lords in time for a tour of the gardens Emily, the head gardener.

We then headed to warm up with a full English Tea with scones.

Travel

Crossing The Cotswolds: To Blenheim And Broadway And Back

September 26, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

A brisk 2.9 mile walk (yes, 2.9 miles) in mildly drizzly weather from The Swan Hotel door back to the breakfast room set up a perfect day.

Drove to Blenheim Palace and arrived at the 10:00 am opening time. Gorgeous grounds and gated entrance.

Famed Italian Artist Mauricio Cattelan was featured throughout the Palace and grounds which added to the spectacle.

We entered the palace at 10:30 and were swept up in an amazing tour of the Duke of Marlborough’s residence.

The audio tour was very informative and kept your interest in every room.

Cattelan’s very humorous exhibits were meant to convey the very accidental and interactive nature life and art, with the aim of softening the imposing feel of the castle. Amazing.

The Winston Churchill exhibits at the end were spectacular in breadth and scope.

We left at 1:00 and drove to Broadway and a walk of the very polished town, full of art galleries, custom shops and elite hotels.

A great sandwich and salad at a deli on the Main Street was followed by a drive to the Broadway Tower.

We headed back to Bibury and a glass of Rose in the small park in front of The Swan Hotel.

Travel

Road Trip To Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, Bodleian Library And The Radcliffe Camera

September 25, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

After a brisk walk through the Arlington Row, a very nice breakfast awaited us in The Swan dining room.

The drive to Oxford from Bibury is 30 miles, but expect traffic in the last 5 miles. Allow an hour to get parked in one of the many underground parking areas, such as the Gloucester Green.

Our first stop was the Ashmolean Museum, which was remarkably uncrowded at 9:30 am this Wednesday morning. We paid to see the special exhibit “Last Supper In Pompeii” and it was outstanding.

We then walked the remaining floors to view the incredible Renaissance and European Art exhibits including paintings, sculpture, ceramics and musical instruments

The three Stradivarius violins and one guitar, along with other priceless instruments were one of a kind holdings of this world class museum.

We walked over the Bodleian Library and purchased tour tickets for 1 pm. The we walked over to University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and paid to climb the tower to view all of Oxford but especially the Radcliffe Camera.

No one should visit Oxford and not climb the tower. Spectacular is the only descriptor. We climbed back down and walked the streets nearby until it was time for the tour. Our guide was an amazing woman who studied history at Cambridge before falling in love with the Bodleian.

The history of Oxford University is centered around the 600+ year construction and evolution of its world famous library. A must see.

We walked over to the Christ Church Picture Gallery for a quick viewing and then had late lunch at The Bear, a classically old pub down a small alley.

Great day!

Travel

Driving The Cotswolds: Up To Stow-On-The-Wold, Bourton-On-The-Water & Bibury

September 24, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

Left The Painswick after a fine British breakfast (highlighted by fabulous, freshly made crumpets and a berry compote), we drove into a heavy rain toward Cirencester and the on to Bibury for a 3-night stay at The Swan Hotel.

The rain let up a bit so a walk of the village after checking in was next.

The rain resumed so we ducked into the Bibury Trout Farm cafe for a bottle of Rose wine and baked trout (directly across from The Swan.

Road trip time at 1:30 and a trip to Burford, “Gateway to the Cotswolds”.

Forbes has Burford listed as #6 best place to live in Europe.

The next stop was Stow-On-The-Wold, an ancient tub dating back to the Stone Age.

The finest brownie in the world (layered peanut butter, chocolate fudge) was waiting for us at Huffkins Bakery. That and an iced coffee is worth a flight to London and the drive to Stow.

A quick pull at The Porch House, which claims to be the oldest pub in England (dating to 947 AD), was an experience with beams that bang foreheads at 5’10”.

Bourton-On-The-Water was next up on the way back to Bibury.

A ten mile trip back to The Swan was directed through rolling countryside by the GPS. Lovely.

Travel

Into The Cotswolds: From The Roman Baths North To Painswick

September 23, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

A quiet night’s sleep was followed by a sumptuous breakfast downstairs at The Bird.

After checking out, we left bags in the car and walked into Bath via the Pulteney Bridge.

The Roman Baths site opened at 9 am today (Monday) and we took the self-guided tour with headset. It did not disappoint.

This is the finest example of a Roman Bath in the world and established Bath as a destination to visit from all over the Roman and Mediterranean world.

We then walked through the town and boarded a double deck bus to tour the rest of the city.

We left Bath and headed north into the Cotswolds. First stop was a quaint village called Castle Combe.

Lunch followed at The Salutation Inn, a pub just up the road.

The Finger Fish and BLT sandwiches on dark bread were amazing.

The final destination was Painswick where we were booked for the night at The Painswick, the 2016 Hotel of the Year in England as voted by The Telegraph in London. We arrived in a slight rain and found fires going downstairs and upstairs.

We finished with dinner in the hotel dining room. Order the Grouse with a Negroni.

Architecture, Arts & Literature, Travel

Boomers In London: Day 3 – Kensington To Mayfair, Soho & Bloomsbury

September 21, 2019 Intellicurious

After a great British breakfast, hopped on the Tube at Tower Hill and headed for the South Kensington station. Arrived at the Victoria & Albert Museum as it opened at 10.

The V&A has an amazing collection from all over the former British Empire, Europe and the United Kingdom.

We then walked into the Kensington Gardens, and visited the Diana, Princess of Wales Fountain. There was swim race taking place in The Serpentine.

We then visited the Serpentine Gallery before walking to the northeast corner of Hyde Park.

We walked along Oxford Street and headed south on South Molton to New Bond St. to visit the Saville Row tailors.

It was Open House London on Saturday so we toured Huntsman, Cad & The Dandy, Richard Anderson and Hidalgo Brothers

We then walked to Hatchard’s Bookstore and Fortnum & Mason.

A very fun small alcove awaited at Neal’s Yard in SoHo.

The last major stop was the British Museum in Bloomsbury.

Food, Travel

Top Pubs In London: The Viaduct Tavern

September 20, 2019 Intellicurious Leave a comment

After visiting a few pubs during the walk from Somerset House to St. Paul’s Cathedral, we fortunately came across The Viaduct Tavern. It is ground zero for fabulous Gin Drinks. We had two: