Planning your trip to Oxford and Cambridge

By John Lee
02:47 PM PDT, April 01, 2009

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THE BEST WAY TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

From LAX, American, United, British, Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic fly nonstop to London. United offers direct flights (stop, no change of plane), and American, Continental, US Airways, United and Delta offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted, round-trip fares begin at $523 but will nearly double by the end of May.

For information on driving to Oxford and Cambridge, check visitbritain.transportdirect.info. Cambridge is a one-hour train ride from London's Kings Cross Station, while Oxford is an hour from London's Paddington Station. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for information. There are no direct Cambridge to Oxford trains, but Stagecoach runs a bus service between the two cities. See www.stagecoachbus.com for information.

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below

from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 44 (country code for Britain) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel du Vin, 17-19 Trumpington St., Cambridge; 1223-227330; www.hotelduvin.com. A sumptuously converted merchant building near Cambridge city center, this boutique hotel combines antique architecture with contemporary flourishes such as Wi-Fi and an excellent bistro. Rooms from $225.

Malmaison, 3 Oxford Castle, Oxford; 1865-268400, www.malmaison.com. There's a swish, modernist feel to the rooms in this high-end boutique hotel -- once Oxford's landmark medieval jail -- plus a cool bar and restaurant combo. Rooms from $247.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Fitzbillies, 52 Trumpington St., Cambridge; 1223-352500, www.fitzbillies.co.uk. An ideal pit stop for lunch soups and salads, this cozy, wood-floored Cambridge nook transforms into a chatty evening dinner spot, when perfect pastas are de rigueur. Dinner main courses from $12.

Fort St. George, Midsummer Common; 1223-354327. This Cambridge pub's idyllic park and river setting is perfect for alfresco summertime sipping. Catch the sunset outside or grab a table inside. Food is hearty pub grub. Dinner from $9.

Grand Café, 84 High St., Oxford; 1865-204463, www.thegrandcafe.co .uk. Not at all grand, this friendly eatery claims to be England's first coffeehouse. It's great for a pit stop for java and cake; it also serves good light lunches. Sandwiches from $9.

Turf Tavern, Bath Place, Oxford; 1865-243235, www.theturftavern.co .uk. An ever-changing array of traditional ales and Oxford's best patio are the main draws at this charming pub, accessed via an alley off New College Lane. Main dishes from $8.

TO LEARN MORE

VisitBritain, (800) 462-2748, www.visitbritain.org and www.visitbritain.com.