TRAVEL: Bath is a world-heritage city on our doorstep but how many of us visit the historic area and look at it through the eyes of a tourist?

Taking a bus or boat ride is a fun and relaxed way to see the sights.

Lots of open-top buses run and information can be found at the Tourist Information Centre in Abbey Courtyard. Most offer a hop-on-hop-off service and tickets that are usually valid for 24 hours.

You can also enjoy a full commentary on the historic sights on a Bath City Boat Trip and experience the thrill of sailing directly into the V' of the famous Pulteney Weir.

If you fancy a leisurely stroll there are plenty of beautiful parks and gardens to explore. In the centre of Bath near the weir, you'll find Parade Gardens with its fantastic flower displays. Overlooking the bridge and weir, it's a great place to picnic in the summer while listening to music from the bandstand.

Victoria Park is the largest park in the city centre and home to a colourful botanical garden. It is also host to the Bath Music Festival from May 19-June 4. Stellar names from the classical scene will be performing, as well as artists playing jazz, folk and world music.

Outside of the arts, Bath is steeped in history from the Roman Baths to the Georgian splendour of the classical architecture.

The majestic arc of the Royal Crescent is the crowning glory of Palladian architecture in Bath. The work of John Wood the Younger, these 30 houses were laid out between 1767 and 1774. Number 1 Royal Crescent is a museum, furnished in the style of the turn of the 19th century.

At the other end of Brook Street is The Circus. This was John Wood the Elder's masterpiece and the inspiration came from models as diverse as the Coliseum and Stonehenge. He wanted to create buildings with all the grandeur of a palace but with the convenience of a row of private houses.

Visit the Building of Bath museum to find out how it grew from a spa town to the most fashionable place outside of London in only 70 years.

The Museum of Costume has an outstanding collection of more than 30,000 objects of fashionable dress dating back to the 16th century.

Jane Austen was one of Bath's most famous residents and there is a centre dedicated to her, which explains the influence that the city had on her writing.

The American Museum is easily reached by bus and houses a world-famous quilt collection as well as exhibitions on early American life.

There are numerous art galleries such as Holbourne House situated in Sydney Gardens and Victoria Art Gallery near Pulteney Bridge.

Bath has an historic abbey which was founded in 1499 and has been restored.

The city also boasts boutique style shops, street cafes and fine dining. Rediscover it on a relaxed daytrip to beautiful Bath.