Article - Rick Steves writes about The Cotswolds

[Pauline]

An article in today's Boston Herald by travel writer Rick Steves about the Cotswolds!

Boston Herald - Rick Steves: England's cute and cozy Cotswolds

From the article: "My favorite place to stay is in the north Cotswolds. Two of the coziest towns are Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold. Either makes a fine home base for exploring the countryside. Another option, especially for those without a car, is Moreton-in-Marsh, which though not as quaint, feels less touristy and has the best public transportation."

And, at the end of the article, he promotes my favorite Cotswold-pastime - walking!

"After decades of visits to Britain, I recently took some time to do the nearly five-mile stroll from Stow to Lower Slaughter, then on to Bourton-on-the-Water. The hike gave me an intimate backyard look at local farm life -- and taught me a valuable lesson: Even if you only have two or three hours, taking a hike is about the best time you can invest in places like the Cotswolds."

Rick Steves is right. The footpaths that cover the Cotswolds are amazing. In a few minutes you are out into the beautiful countryside, walking through farm fields, meadow, woodlands. You can walk for an hour or for ten hours. This is what I love the most about this area. Walking is a popular hobby here. You don't just meet other travelers on the trails, you meet locals and people visiting from other parts of Britain. In our town, Painswick, you are never out of place walking down the high street in hiking boots and carrying a back pack.

Rick Steves has a "snapshot" Kindle book about the Cotswolds - Rick Steves' Snapshot The Cotswolds.
I have it but have not read it yet.

 

[artnbarb]

I'll be interested to see what you think!

 

[Pauline]

The article has been picked up by other US newspapers - which is great! I think American and Canadian travelers would enjoy this area. We see a lot of British tourists, but we don't see that many Americans/Canadians. Plus I would like them all to be reading my little Cotswolder website.

Seattle Times - Perfect villages and country walks in England’s Cotswolds
Rick Steves roams the quaint and cozy towns and countryside

Chicago Tribune - England's cute and cozy Cotswolds

 

[Pauline]

I'll be interested to see what you think!

I will go through it and give it a review. I have the Rough Guide Cotswolds too - that is also new.

 

[Kathy]

Thanks for posting this article Pauline!

I have a couple of the Rick Steves' Snapshot guides. I think the material is pulled right out of his bigger country guides-- a focus on a more specific area and a smaller book to take with you. (In the past I have just pulled sections out of his guides to take with me, but I always hated to rip apart a book like that.)

We've seen a growing interest in the Cotswolds from our American, Australian and Canadian travelers. We'll be back this summer for our third season, and our groups in 2010, 2013 and 2014 have all been full. Our travelers are Americans, Australians and Canadians, and everyone really loves the area. It's beautiful and interesting, with so much to see and do.... more than enough for a full week or more (which is much slower than the pace R. Steves usually pursues).

The people in the Costwolds are very welcoming, and it's easy to make connections because we all speak English... but at the same time, it's definitely not the same as home. What most surprises people is how good the food is! (All the more reason to go on a hike.)

 

[artnbarb]

I've ALWAYS been enamored of the Cotswolds, yet have only visited briefly. I'm soooooo excited to be coming for a full week next summer! I'm getting the feeling I should buy the 'full' edition of the RS book if I want his input.

 

[Pauline]

Another article by Rick Steves where he mentions the Cotswolds! It is good to have someone as well known as him promoting this area!

Chicago Tribune: Renting a car for your European trip
by Rick Steves

Although he gives some bad advice about International Driving Permits:
"While some countries (e.g., Austria, Italy, and Spain) say they require you to also have an International Driving Permit (an official translation of your license, easy to get at AAA offices in the U.S.), car rental companies don't care about an IDP and I have never bothered to get one."

I know people who were stopped by the police and needed an IDP in Italy. You do not need one in England (I double checked this with the agency who looks after this).

I have a page on Slow Europe - Renting a Car in Europe.

 

[artnbarb]

Thanks for that IDP update, Pauline, I had no idea!