redlady62 Posted January 25, 2018 #176 Share Posted January 25, 2018 We cruised with Celebrity around the British Isles August 2016 and had a fabulous time, meeting new people /friends. Love following your review as it brings back memories of visiting some of the ports. As well your tips for some accommodations pre and post cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 26, 2018 Author #177 Share Posted January 26, 2018 We cruised with Celebrity around the British Isles August 2016 and had a fabulous time, meeting new people /friends. Love following your review as it brings back memories of visiting some of the ports. As well your tips for some accommodations pre and post cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums So glad to bring back some happy memories. I am really looking forward to our next Celebrity cruise. There are still two more post cruise hotels coming up, one of which has become our favorite of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricketts Posted January 26, 2018 #178 Share Posted January 26, 2018 So glad to bring back some happy memories. I am really looking forward to our next Celebrity cruise. There are still two more post cruise hotels coming up' date=' one of which has become our favorite of all.[/quote'] Anxious to read your final “chapter” and curious your views on Celebrity vs Princess. We did Solstice in Australia and chose Princess for the British Isles, both because of itineraries. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #179 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Deedee, we were on the Solstice when she was brand new and are really looking forward to sailing her again in Alaska.Our Celebrity cruises have been so enjoyable. There has been a classy feel with our cruises with them. The food has been good, but we tend to be of the feeling as long as I didn't have to cook it and you are going to clean up afterwards it wasn't that bad. With this cruise, the ship was clean, food eatable and our cabin comfortable. Princess just sort of fell short of our expectations on this cruise. We had a wonderful time, as I'm sure you will too. It's a wonderful itinerary with very friendly people to meet in the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #180 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Original floor support tiles Aqueduct for the hot spring So much history here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #181 Share Posted January 28, 2018 There are videos that play at different points throughout the Baths to explain the purpose if that area was and how it was used. It was on to the Abby when we finished with the Baths. We had stopped by earlier in the day, but there was a service going on and we were asked to come back later. I’m so glad we did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #182 Share Posted January 28, 2018 I just could not get enough of the ceilings here. Each alcove was just so beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #183 Share Posted January 28, 2018 I just have to love my husband. He is not a church fan, yet he came in with me as I indulged my church thing in this beautiful Abby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #184 Share Posted January 28, 2018 The outside of the Abby. Next we were on to our HOHO bus tour. We were able to grab the very last HOHO bus of the evening and I was so happy that it was the Skyline Tour. This tour gives you the chance to visit parts of Bath that are not in easy walking distance from the city. One of Jane Austen’s homes, #4 Sydney Place Ear buds were provided for the prerecorded tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #185 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Once again, we headed up to the open air top for a better view This was the view I had wanted to see most of all. Unfortunately, the area was very overgrow with greenery this time of year making the city view hard to see. Locks on the river Avon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #186 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Our room and inside the hotel: The room was small but plenty for just an overnight stay. The bed was one of the most comfortable of the whole trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #187 Share Posted January 28, 2018 We slept in the next morning and were met by yet another Smith’s driver promptly at 11:00. The trip would be a bit over three hours and cost 135 GBP. Saying goodbye the The Royal hotel and Bath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #188 Share Posted January 28, 2018 We were both very excited to get to Thornbury. This was our second visit and stay at the castle. We first stayed here following our cruise to Norway in 2015. The village of Thornbury could be a village in an episode Midsomer Murders. Not really a quaint or touristy village, but a friendly normal feeling place to spend a few days. When I was first planning our post cruise adventures I was looking at renting a car and driving around the Cotswold area and staying in a few different places. Kevin on the other hand just wanted to come back to the castle to rest and relax. The castle is walking distance from town and is as one of our Smith’s drivers and dear British friend has said “is a proper castle”. Here is a bit of the castle’s history from Wikipedia: The site was occupied by a manor house in 930; Japser Tudor, Duke of Bedford, died in the Manor House in 1495. Part of the original plans for a very grand residence were "well advanced" before the duke was beheaded, in 1521, on the orders of his distant cousin Henry VIII, for alleged treason. As in the King's palace at Sheen, the main ranges of Thornbury framed courts, of which the symmetrical entrance range, with central gatehouse and octagonal corner towers, still stands, as do two less regular side ranges with many irregular projecting features and towers. Following the Duke's death Thornbury was confiscated by King Henry VIII of England, who stayed at the castle for ten days in August 1535 with his queen, Anne Boleyn. Following the English Civil War, the castle fell into disrepair, but was renovated in 1824 by the Howard family. It is situated behind St Mary's Church, a church whose founding dates from the Norman period. Between 1966 and 1986 the castle was operated as one of the UK's top restaurants by Kenneth Bell MBE with staff including food writer Nigel Slater and MasterChef New Zealand judge Simon Gault early in their culinary careers. The castle is now a 26-room luxury hotel and restaurant, and a venue for weddings. St Mary’s church and the entry to the Castle The gatehouse and entry The vineyard just inside the gate The castle front view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #189 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Reception and courtyard Through the little dark walkway in the ivy is the spiral staircase that lead to our room on our first visit. This is the Howard room. It’s listed a a Deluxe Bedchamber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #190 Share Posted January 28, 2018 This room faced out to the front of the castle and the small vineyard. Our Deluxe Bedchamber this visit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #191 Share Posted January 28, 2018 The view out of our window in the bedroom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #192 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Following our check in, we headed into town to get some fish and chips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #193 Share Posted January 28, 2018 After our lunch in town we headed back to the castle to relax. Here are some of the public rooms inside the castle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #194 Share Posted January 28, 2018 We had eaten in the restaurant during our last visit here and were looking forward to eating there again. We made reservations for a late dinner. What a treat this was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #195 Share Posted January 28, 2018 You are lead first to the lounge where you receive hors d’oeuvres and the menu. You place your order for the main course here. The beautiful dining room Let the dinner service begin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #196 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Dessert and a very nice dessert wine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #197 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Following dinner it was off to our room to relax and get a good night’s sleep. Next morning we were up and back in the dining room for breakfast and a walk around the gardens. This is the annex where our room (The Eleanor) is located Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #198 Share Posted January 28, 2018 We had planned to see the gardens and make it into the church as there had been a function there last time we visited. The area outside the lounge, you can order off of the lounge menu here and enjoy bar service. St Mary’s church is in the background behind the castle wall. And into one of the gardens The roses are hard to see in this pic, but they were so pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy Posted January 28, 2018 #199 Share Posted January 28, 2018 The castle looks lovely! It reminds me a bit of our hotel in Venice. It was a former palace, and much of the character and history has been preserved. I love places like that! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin's girl Posted January 28, 2018 Author #200 Share Posted January 28, 2018 The castle looks lovely! It reminds me a bit of our hotel in Venice. It was a former palace, and much of the character and history has been preserved. I love places like that! Sent from my iPad using Forums It is actually a place we have found ourselves planning a future trip around. It's kind of funny how a place can become so special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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