American audiences might be puzzled by the term, but according to trip reviews, one of the most rewarding things to do in Cambridge is to go punting. This picturesque town nestled in the fens (marshland) of England is the home to thirty institutions of higher learning including Cambridge University itself, and the best way to see the town is by hiring a local punter.
American visitors staying at one of the many Cambridge Hotels may be confused by the local vernacular, and if no one corrected them, might think that punting around town to see the backs of local colleges might mean kicking an American Football through the back gates of the college garden. In fact, Punting is the term used for using traveling by small flat-bottomed boat (similar to the Italian gondola) that has been the traditional mode of transport for hundreds of years in the small English town. Hotels in Cambridge are used to explaining the term to Americans, and probably wont be entertained by football jokes.
Once the visitors are past the unusual terminology, they will most certainly enjoy one of the local guided tours that take them through the still waters of the river that winds through the town. Self-guided punting tours are also available, so you can meander the backwaters at your own pace, but you wont get any of the colorful back-stories that the local tour guides will weave for you about the history of the place. The old historic college town has little in common with the American College Town, and far more history attached, but youll be so busy taking in the idyllic scenes that youll hardly notice.
Locals suggest taking a guided tour first, and then returning to rent a punt for yourself so that youll have a better understanding of the areas of interest along your route. Hotels in Cambridge can help you find a reputable rental shop so you wont get gouged on the price. Cambridge hotels are also very knowledgeable about the history of the area and they can help organize your sightseeing trip.
Peter Merifield is a London-based freelance journalist with a mission to make you a better and happier human being. Drawing attention to the peculiarities of life in the modern age is all part of the package.Check out his other articles for everything you need to know about travel destinations and hotels.
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