NOTTINGHAM

 Don't be seduced by tales of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham: Nottingham today is a busy, industrial city. Its Norman castle has virtually disappeared, replaced by a much later mansion housing a good museum and art gallery. In the 18th century, Nottingham expanded rapidly as a lace-making center, and the industry flourishes to this day. Red-brick Victorian warehouses at the Lace Market are redolent of the city's past. Back above ground, the city centre is largely pedestrianised and compact, making Nottingham perfect for relaxed strolling, sight-seeing, and shopping.

Robin Hood * Council House * View from Castle Terrace* University

Sherwood Forest is a pale shadow of its former self. However, in the Sherwood Forest Country Park, you can wander among old oaks and be entertained in the visitor center with fanciful legends connected with the ever-popular philantropic outlaw. Clumber Park, further north, has a 4,000 acres of park and woodland.

Visit Nottingham

PARYS

 A town scenically situated on the banks of the Vaal River and much appreciated by water sports fans. Various picnic spots, resorts and facilities are found along the river and on the islands in the river. One island features a golf course which is accessible only via a suspension bridge. Here the Vaal River flows over a flat rock bed which devides the water into numerous little streams winding their way around green islands, creating a thousand and one little hideaways for the solitary anglers and the restless city soul in need of silence. Parys was given its exotic name by its surveyor who had visions of the Seine winding its way through the French capital when he contemplated his task on the banks of the Vaal. The town has remained a scenic little gem with beautiful gardens, parks and unspoilt nature spots, where silence is still audible.