Observations: A Visit to Bath

We are definitely outside the city limits.

A view from the train window on the way from London to Bath.

Dave, our chatty proprietor at the Lamp Post Villa, told us that the city of Bath is on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Only two cities are World Heritage sites. While parts of other cities have the status, in just two cases does the designation apply to the whole place. One of them is Venice. The other is Bath.

I can see why.

This ancient spa town is so much more than a source of hot, healing waters.

On a walking tour of Bath, we saw the Royal Crescent.

Even the basement apartments are spectacular.

It seemed tacky to knock on the door and ask to check out the interior since most of the Royal Crescent is divided into individual flats for residents.

Luckily there is a hotel in the center and we were able to walk through the lobby and grounds.

One of the many rooms on the ground floor of the hotel...(upstairs are the guest rooms starting at 460 pounds per night). Our guide commented that she has only ever had ONE Crescent Hotel Guest take her walking tour!

Nearby (a couple of blocks away) is The Circus, 3 buildings forming a circle.

Whereas, the inhabitants of the Royal Crescent look out on an expansive view of nature, the Circus dwellers look out and see the exact same façade as the one that they are living in. A circular park in the middle holds a sealed off well (where servants gathered to draw water).

Traditional columns of The Circus: Corinthian, Ionic, and Doric.

On the other side of town is the Pulteney Bridge with a cascading waterfall.

And the Bath Abbey.

And let's not forget what the city is know for...the Roman Baths.

Steamy hot mineral water does not photograph well.

Picture yourself, ages ago, a wealthy resident of the Royal Crescent. You have just spent the entire day relaxing in the healing waters and now you are all wrapped up and transported in a sedan chair by virile servants. Up the hill to your home. The way is lit by torch bearers and you are carried all the way upstairs and into your room (hence the wide doors of the time, needed the space to get the chair through) and later the torch is 'snuffed' out by this iron piece on the porch. Sounds like a good life!

Today, guests can take a dip in a rooftop thermal pool in town but you have to get there and back on your own two feet.

This time of year is actually known more for the Bath Christmas Market - 129 traditional wooden chalets offering unique gifts, decorations and food items.

And this is where you can find the half a million visitors!