Little Bristol

Having a week to spare between the job I had left and the new one..I thought of taking a short, slightly unusual holiday: going to Bristol to improve my English. My teacher recommended this town because EVERYONE always heads for London, which costs much more and where it's very easy to find lots of Italians at the school. I booked my school week through the OISE school (fairly contained costs, very quick arrangements via the internet and extremely kind) and they put me up with a family. I booked the flight on Easy Jet at a cost of 60 € return (FANTASTIC!!!). The weather in England, and especially in Bristol since it's close to the ocean, is the typical English: wind, sun then rain, and cold. Bristol is very pretty, typically British and very easy to get around.

From the airport buses leave for the city centre every half hour (at the airport there's an info point with very kind staff...but get a map at the shop opposite because theirs are VERY rough). The bus network in the centre is also very dense and costs fairly little (I paid 12 pounds for the weekly pass). In the centre you absolutely must visit the cathedral and then sprawl out on the beautiful lawn in front of it (if OBVIOUSLY it's not raining). From the cathedral, if you choose to go up, the main street offers countless shops of every kind (careful: they close fairly early..but the bookshops are open until 11 pm!!WONDERFUL!!). If you go down towards the river, it's very nice to stroll in the street that runs alongside it, under the arcades, full of little bars. On Saturdays there's the traditional Nicholas Market.

Another little stop to make is the suspension bridge, from which you can take breathtaking photos The school is very well organised and the teachers are nice. I was staying with a lady who lived alone, a journalist and writer, and in the evening after dinner (they dine very early!!!) we would go on and on in discussions of every kind. In the surroundings of Bristol you mustn't miss a visit to Bath. There are buses every hour leaving from Bristol city centre. Bath is STUNNING and magical! Being tiny, you can wander around all day.

The Roman baths are very busy but cost a lot: 10 pounds! Worth seeing is the famous bridge of Bath and don't miss going for a snack at Sally Lunn's (the oldest house in Bath: 1482) and having a cup of tea and a jam pudding!!MMMMMM ( Another magical place to visit is STONEHENGE, which I only managed to see on a postcard: you have to book well in advance because only 1 bus a day leaves from Bristol! Tips for eating in Bristol: any place is absolutely fine...they are used to having excellent fresh sandwiches even in supermarkets!! On the last day I struggled to close my bag because I had filled it with tea from the famous English shop chain Spencer's & Marks.

Clothing for the ladies: no heels...Bristol is like a miniature San Francisco...ups and downs galore! In one week I really wore everything..from a vest and flip-flops to a jacket with scarf and boots for the rain! ENJOY BRISTOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!