Oxford & Cambridge — The University Cities

Oxford — The "City of Dreaming Spires"

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world (since 1096!) and one of England's most beautiful cities. 38 colleges are spread across the city — each its own world of medieval courtyards (Quads), Gothic chapels, and manicured lawns that only Fellows may walk on.

The highlights:

• Bodleian Library — One of the oldest libraries in Europe. The Divinity School (15th century) served as the hospital wing in the Harry Potter films
• Christ Church College — The largest and most famous college: The Great Hall inspired Hogwarts' Great Hall. Lewis Carroll taught mathematics here and invented Alice in Wonderland
• Radcliffe Camera — The iconic round library building, the most photographed building in Oxford
• Ashmolean Museum — The oldest public museum in the world (1683). Free!
• Punting on the Cherwell — Punting on the river: the most academic form of transportation. Try it yourself (£20/hour) or be chauffeured

Cambridge — The Rival

Cambridge (founded in 1209 when Oxford scholars fled after a dispute) is Oxford's eternal rival — smaller, greener, and perhaps even more photogenic. The Backs — the backs of the colleges on the River Cam — offer one of the most beautiful city views in England.

The highlights:

• King's College Chapel — The largest Gothic fan-vaulted chapel in the world. The fan vaulting is so perfect it looks unreal. The Christmas service (broadcast by the BBC) is famous worldwide
• Punting on the Cam — The most famous punting route in the world: under the Mathematical Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and past King's College
• Fitzwilliam Museum — Excellent art museum, free
• The Eagle Pub — Here, Watson and Crick announced the discovery of the DNA structure in 1953. On the ceiling: graffiti by RAF pilots from World War II