2007 is a year to feel good in Bath

8th January 2007

As visitors become more and more discerning, they are choosing holidays and short breaks because of the activities that they can undertake at their chosen destination, and ultimately, the way those experiences make them feel.

Taking this into account, a new destination guide for Bath and the surrounding area offers the simplest way to plan a visit to the area, and whether you are seeking a sense of calm and complete relaxation, a feeling of triumph and achievement or a feeling of family togetherness, the World Heritage City of Bath and the surrounding area offers a wealth of activities and experiences that will leave visitors feeling great.

Feel Revived
Bath has been a centre of relaxation for over 2000 years, and having been reinstated as a premier spa destination with the opening of Thermae Bath Spa in 2006, the city is once again the perfect destination to relax, recharge and find your inner calm. Many of the city's accommodation providers offer spa breaks in conjunction with Thermae Bath Spa, and some of the larger hotels have their own on site spa facilities including a range of complementary therapies.

Spoil Yourself
Bath is a place to really indulge, offering luxury hotels with sumptuous décor and top quality facilities, Michelin Star restaurants, designer shops and many opportunities to experience a real taste of the high life. For those who really want to splash out, a glass of champagne high above the golden city in a hot air balloon, a tour of the city in a limousine or a VIP ticket to any of Baths prestigious events are all perfect ideas.

Be Inspired
Bath has been the inspiration for many artists and writers, including the city's most famous resident Jane Austen. To celebrate this and to encourage further creativity, 2007 will be a bumper year for festivals in Bath, including Bath Literature Festival (3rd-11th March), the International Music Festival (18th May - 3rd June), Taste of Bath (28th June - 1st July) and the Jane Austen Festival (21st - 30th September), topped off with seasonal festivities at Bath Christmas Market (29th November - 9th December). Throughout the year, Bath's many museums and art galleries are set to hold a range of informative and interesting exhibitions, including 'Dollar Princesses' at the American Museum in Britain, 'Fashion and Bath' at the Museum of Costume and 'Highlights from the Oppe Collection' at the Holburne Museum of Art - full listings for all of the museums are available in the new destination guide.

Feeling Romantic
Bath is fast becoming renowned as the most romantic city in the UK, with many fantastic opportunities for showing your loved one how much you care: unique gifts in quaint independent shops, horse and carriage rides around the city's iconic sights, romantic candle lit dinners in lovely restaurants, even a range of perfect places to 'pop the question' - and all in a stunning setting of golden Georgian architecture, fit for any princess.

Family Fun Time
With so much activity in one place, keeping the children entertained is easy, making a family break in Bath and the surrounding area a real pleasure. Many of the city's accommodation providers welcome families, and with a range of exciting attractions including Longleat, Wookey Hole, Avon Valley Country Park, Bowood and Horse World all within an easy drive, there is plenty to keep all of the children happy - even kids of the 'older variety'.

Sporting Passions
For those who need their adrenalin to pump during their ideal getaway, visitors can take part in their favourite sports or try something new in Bath. They can experience the thrill of driving around Castle Combe race circuit, or simply cheer from the crowds as the cars thunder by at one of many events at the circuit throughout the year. Place your bets at Bath Racecourse - the highest racecourse in the country, with stunning views adding to the atmosphere, or test your skills at one of many glorious golf courses in the stunning landscapes around Bath.

A Breath of Fresh Air
Anyone hoping for a country break away from the stress of city life will find Bath ideal. The city has all of the facilities of a larger destination, but with a much more laid back pace and plenty of opportunity to get out into the fresh country air. Take a walk around the outskirts of the city, along the Skyline walk, for fantastic views, or relax and enjoy the many beautiful parks and gardens that are dotted throughout the city. The River Avon which runs through the City, and the Kennet and Avon Canal provide the perfect excuse to get outdoors - charter your own canal barge, take a cruise along the river, or simply walk or cycle along the edge - return relaxed and recharged.

A Sense of Achievement
Learning a skill during a break in Bath is becoming more and more popular. Bath Lifelong Learning centre offer many one day courses to enjoy - from aromatherapy to watercolour skills. The Bertinet Kitchen is a relatively new addition to Bath offering mini courses and taster sessions - you can learn to cook a treat, and then take time to savour the results. Chocoholics will love Chocolate Initiation courses run by Minerva Chocolate, and those who like a tipple are able to learn more about wine with Bath Wine School. Learn about the history of the city on one of many tours, and discover why Bath is the only city in the UK to be designated a World Heritage Site. Discover the origins of the spa, how it shaped the city's fortunes over time, and how it has once again become an integral part of the city's culture and identity.

Leave the Stress Behind
Bath is a destination that has welcomed visitors for over two thousand years - and it shows! It is simple to organise a visit - Visitbath.co.uk offers a free accommodation booking service, or for those who prefer to use more traditional methods, Bath Tourist Information Centre (0906 711 2000 50p/min) offer accommodation finding and booking, and can help to organise activities, tours and tickets to make your organisation completely stress free. Even reaching the city is easy - with a centrally located train station on the mainline between Bristol and London, easy access to the M4 motorway and direct connections from Bristol International Airport, visitors can leave the stress behind and straight away see how visiting Bath can help them 'feel good'.

The 2007 destination guide is now available from Bath Tourism Plus. To order a copy see visitbath.co.uk, or telephone 0906 7112000 (50p/min).

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Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact Debbie Ponting at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: debbie_ponting@bathtourism.co.uk or visit www.visitbath.co.uk, the official tourism website for Bath and the surrounding area.

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath's destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath's official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk

Bath Tourism Plus is also responsible for the organisation and management of the Bath Christmas Market www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk, and is assisting with the organisation of the Taste of Bath event www.tasteofbath.co.uk

Thermae Bath Spa
A new addition to the visitor offering of Bath, Spa officially opened on 7th August 2006. For more information contact Charlotte Hanna: charlottehanna@thermaebathspa.com, or see www.thermaebathspa.com