Jennifer Kucherka: TRAVEL | THE COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND

A few weeks back I was traveling in The Cotswolds of England. I could have played it safe and gone to London like I've experienced many times before. But, this time around I craved a slower pace to recharge the batteries and appreciate life's everyday little things. Like strolling through a quaint small town, turn a corner and witness beauty in old churches, store fronts, thatched cottages and smiling faces from people everywhere. I love to walk, take in every moment of life and The Cotswolds is the ideal setting for achieving this as everywhere you turn this idyllic countryside seduces you. Maybe it was the cinematography of the movie The Holiday or how every episode of Downton Abbey squeezed in afternoon tea that romanced me to visit this part of England? Nonetheless, even if you only have a week to escape your everyday routine, I would highly recommend The Cotswolds every time.

Autumn is a perfect time of year to experience fall foliage on trees, hearty cuisine and of course cream tea. Cream tea is the pairing of a scone with tea, a lighter fare from its sister afternoon tea.

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Here are my favorite places to eat, explore and shop while in The Cotswolds

Eat
1. Daylesford Organic Farm - organic food from their farm next door
2. The Ebrington Arms - cute pub, great home cooked cuisine attracting the likes of all locals including man's best friend
3. The Kingham Plough - michelin star must
4. Chequers Pub - fantastic fish + chips
5. The Wild Rabbit - great place to sip drinks next to the fireplace in their pub before dinner
6. The Old Bakery - my favorite homemade scones

Explore
1. Upper+Lower Slaughter - my favorite walk from one town to the other
2. Kingham - beautiful cottages and outstanding restaurants
3. Bourton-on-the-Water - it doesn't get more idyllic than this wanderlust town
4. Minster Lovell Hall - picturesque ruins from the 15th century lies behind St Kenelm's Church
5. Soho Farmhouse - a members' club on 100 acres, non-members can accompany a member
6. Cotswolds Distillery - outstanding customer service and the best one-on-one tasting I've experienced
7. The Cotswolds Way - take in the fresh countryside air and get lost, like I did

Shop
1. Daylesford Organic Farmshops - this well manicured establishment will keep you busy for hours
2. Bamford Haybarn Spa - spend the morning with a spa treatment followed by lunch then browse the shops
3. The Cotswolds Cheese Company - try the whiskey smoked brie, it's to die for
4. Whittard of Chelsea Tea - sample their peanut butter flavour hot chocolate, it won't disappoint
5. Witney - small town charm with great coffee shops