The city where we started our honeymoon was also the one where we spent the most time. Cambridge is about an hour north of London and it's as picturesque as you'd think it would be. The city is situated on the River Cam and has tons of open green space. Bicycles are an ideal way to get around and cows are frequent companions on the paths. 

We chose to visit Cambridge in large part to see and stay with friends. Two of Chad's good friends from his time at Brandeis University are now working in Cambridge. If you love people in far away places, it's always nice when you have the opportunity to see them. We also benefited from having locals show us around and make suggestions for our visit – plus they were kind enough to lend us their extra bikes. 

Our time in Cambridge was un-rushed. We had full days, but were never really busy. Picnicking was one of our top activities. We enjoyed biking along the river and walking through town. It's a beautiful old city. The presence of the university can't be overstated, and the architecture is impressive. 

A quintessential Cambridge activity is to go for a punt along the river. There are two options: either toward Grantchester or along the backs of the colleges. We did both while we were in town. We spent a very leisurely weekend day on the river in the direction of Grantchester and a quiet weekday evening seeing the backs (that direction is much more crowded on the weekends). My favorite sight from the backs tour was the Bridge of Sighs, a true Cambridge landmark. The boats themselves are similar to gondolas, being propelled and steered thanks to a large metal stick. It's not an efficient way to travel, but it is a nice way to spend a day. Just make sure to empty your pockets if you're in charge of the punt – falling in the river is a very real possibility, just ask Chad! 

One of our favorite activities in Cambridge was checking out Kettle's Yard. This contemporary art space/house museum is free and it's definitely worth a visit (I wrote more about Kettle's Yard here). While you're in the neighborhood, you can also take a quick walk up Castle Mound to get a nice view of the city. And in keeping with our preference for chill activities, we also spent an afternoon exploring the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The entrance fee is only £5.45 and it is a truly lovely garden. If you are a fan of looking at pretty flowers, I recommend paying them a visit. 

Knowing we had two months of travel ahead of us made us appreciate the relaxed nature of our time in Cambridge. It was a great place to start our trip – good weather, beautiful scenery, and friends to keep us company. Chad is already itching to go back.

RECOMMENDATIONS

FOOD: Arancini at Aromi; Gelato at Jack's Gelato; Breakfast and a dirty chai at Stir; Tea and scones at The Orchard; Veggie Haggis Wellington at The Red Lion; Street food at Cambridge Market Square; Triangular sandwiches from Marks & Spencer (Chad's fave).

SHOPPING: If you need some fun and unusual gifts for you and your friends, stop by ARK. If you need more typical British souvenirs, pop into Jack's on Trinity.