York

York is a gentle, majestic city with a rich, tumultuous past encompassing invasions and occupations by the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings, all of whom left an indelible mark. But it was during the Georgian period that York rose to prominence as the social capital of Northern England, a city for the aristocracy and the landed gentry. The city's elegance lives on today and is enjoyed by visitors who come to experience its vibrant shopping and relaxing riverfront terraces, its colourful nightlife, eye-opening museums and of course its centerpiece, York Minster. This is a magnificent architectural creation decorated with the finest stained glass windows. Many of York's prominent Archbishops are buried here, and the past has been brought to life in the excavations beneath the central tower, where centuries of history have been uncovered in the remains of the original Roman Basilica.

There is no more relaxing way to view historic York than by enjoying a gentle cruise along the river and spotting the city landmarks and the botanical Museum Gardens stretching along the waters edge. Those with a curiosity for the spirit world might wish to try the ghost cruise - York is in fact believed to be rife with paranormal activity and has been named the most haunted city in the world, an honour also celebrated in the many ghost walks around the town. The ghostly associations are no surprise considering some of the gruesome stories beheld by such famous landmarks as Clifford's Tower. Built by William the Conqueror, this Tower was to see its darkest days in 1190 at the time of the Crusades, when it bore witness to the massacre of a whole community of Jews. The York Dungeon Museum delves even deeper into the darker side of life, celebrating the blood and gore of centuries of English history. Far from stuffy and tedious, museums in York are lively and interactive. Castle Museum takes its visitors on a jo

urney of discovery of everyday life through the ages including a tour of a recreated Victorian street, whilst the Jorvik Viking Centre has made archaeology exciting by bringing the city's Viking ancestors to life in fascinating detail. After completing your tour of York's highlights, take a gentle stroll along The Shambles, the lovely cobbled alleyway where the shop interiors are the only thing that has changed since Medieval times, or relax in elegant surroundings at the end of your day with tea and cakes in Betty's Tea Shop.

York is located on the fringes of some of the most stunning countryside in England and choosing to go self catering here will allow you the freedom to explore all the delights of the area at your own pace. There are dozens of character holiday cottages, lodges and farmhouses to rent in and around the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, where some of the best walking routes in the country can be enjoyed. From the fells and waterfalls of Wensleydale to the wooded valleys of Coverdale, this is a land of dry stone walls, gentle meadows and heather-clad moorland. The best routes will lead you through enchanting market towns like Hawes, Sedbergh and villages like Kettlewell and Wensley, where after an exhilarating walk you can relax and enjoy traditional Yorkshire fayre in a cosy country pub beside a roaring log fire. For a more cultural view of the area, spend a day at Castle Howard, one of the country's finest stately homes. Set within several acres of stunning gardens and woodlands and housing a beautiful collection of paintings and tapestries, the estate offers activities to entertain the whole family throughout the year. The abundance of self catering holiday homes within reach of all these attractions make the Dales and the Vale of York the ideal setting for a holiday or short break at any time of the year.