A Day In Shakespeare Country

My husband and I were on our way going back to Germany from 2 1/2 years of living in Ireland. Our car was up to the roof full of our things and of course with our lovely Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog, Angus. It was a very long drive that we decided to stay overnight in a B&B (Bed &Breakfast) in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Stratford-Upon-Avon was the birthplace of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). He was the most recognized poet and playwright of all times. Romeo and Juliet is my favorite especially when it was in the cinema with Gwyneth Paltrow. I dreamt in that night after I saw the film that I was one of the audience in his play of Romeo and Juliet in his middle age theater. It was amazing! I was there in my dream that I decided that one day I´ll visit the place of Shakespeare and see how it is now.

After our breakfast in the B & B, we drove with our car fully packed to the town center and parked near the Leisure Center. We strolled to River Avon where Shakespeares´ Monument is located. We did not have much time that we just strolled around the city.

1. Sightseeing Tour Bus

You can start your sightseeing tour by using the Sightseeing Tour Bus which starts across the street of River Avon Park, near the Pen and Parchment restaurant. You can hop on and off if you want to visit Shakespeares´ houses and places of interest.

2. River Avon Boat Ride

You can have an excellent boat ride along River Avon. The boats are located where Shakespeares´ Monument stands.

3. Shakespears´ Birthplace

You can visit Shakespeares´ birthplace via The Minories Shopping Mall.

4. Falstaff Experience- Tudor World Museum

Falstaff Experience includes history and ghost tour, ghost hunting and Elizabethan theater which is taken place in the 16th century house of Shakespeare. The 16th century building houses the award winning museum and gift shop.

5. Shakespeares´ Gift Shop.

In this shop, you can buy everything about Shakespeare's from pen, tea mugs, bookmarks, and a lot of books and magazines. Everything about the play writer and poet.

6. Dig for Shakespeare

Dig for Shakespeare is a summer family fun at all the five houses of Shakespeare which includes eye spying, fairy trails, story telling, a guided walks from his birthplace to his grave and you can join in an archaeological dig in Nashs House New Place.

7. The Old Thatch Tavern

Where you can have a break and have a sandwich and drink a pint of ale or lager beer.

8. Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Don´t forget to visit the lovely thatched farmhouse of Anne Hathaways´ birthplace, the wife of Shakespeare. It was in this cottage where he was courting Ann and they got married when he was 18 and she was 26. Some people said that Anne Hathaway was pregnant when they got married.

Out of the city you can visit the Butterfly Farm House. It is the largest tropical butterflies paradise in Great Britain.

As the day went to an end and we had a lot of impressions gathered in our mind, I was sorry to say goodbye for I have not seen the beautiful thatched cottage of Anne Hathaway and the butterfly farm. I was planning to visit the historical Warwick Castle as well, but our time was limited. The castle I have read about the "War of the Roses" (if I´m not mistaken). One day is not enough. I don´t know if I can go there again but at least I was there even for a short visit. Who knows, I´ll be back...someday...

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