Strolling around Oxford, you'll be dazzled by the history and variety that you see. Belinda Weber offers some expert tips that will help you make the most of your time there

Take a llama for a walk

You can't actually ride these gentle animals, but they will happily carry your pack as you stroll through the beautiful scenery.

Catanger Llamas offer one-hour farm treks, half-day experiences and full-day treks with a home-made packed lunch included. This activity is not suitable for very young children, but those aged 8-12 can take part for free when accompanied by an adult.

Younger kids will enjoy visiting the mother and baby llamas at the farm. Open all year, booking essential.

Relax at a spa

Take some time out and refresh body and soul with a massage or other treatment at The Spa in the Randolph Hotel.

Built in the cellar of the hotel, the small spa has everything you need for a pampering experience. There are four treatment rooms, set off a candlelit corridor, and a thermal suite with aromatherapy steam room and sauna, as well as a hydrotherapy pool.

The Swedish massage comes highly recommended if you have knots in your shoulders or are feeling stressed.

Hire a canal boat

Whether you fancy hiring a boat for a day or making a full week of it, you'll receive tuition so that you can head off on your own and explore some of the canals.

Suitable of all ages, canal boats can be moored close to village pubs, shops and cycle hire, so that you can explore the Cherwell area at your own pace. Booking is required.

Take a tour round a brewery

Visit the Hook Norton Brewery and discover how traditional ales and stouts are made.

The brewery is powered by a 25 horsepower steam engine that was installed more than 100 years ago, and the family-run business continues to produce award-winning ales.

Deliveries to the local area are still made by Shire horses and the daily tours include on-site beer tasting as well as the chance to buy your favourites at a shop. Tours run from Monday to Friday and last about two hours.

The Ashmolean Museum

Visit the oldest museum in the UK and one of the oldest in the world.

It is home to collections of fine art and antiquities from the civilisations of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to Renaissance Europe and the 20th Century. Check for special events and exhibitions.

Shop till you drop

Oxford has many great shops and markets, and you'll find all your high street favourites.

A bit further out, Bicester Designer Outlet Village attracts millions of visitors every year. Bursting with stylish stores and designer names for the ultimate shopaholic, the village caters for all your shopping needs.

There's even an award-winning eaterie, Carluccio's, a tourist information centre and a playground for the kids!

Pitt Rivers Museum

Kids will love this extraordinary museum, packed full of anthropological treasures from around the globe.

See shrunken heads from Papua New Guinea, find out more about body art and discover more about masks, to name but a few. Development work on the main entrance is being carried out at the moment, but the museum will re-open in Spring 2009.

Where to eat

The restaurant at The Randolph Hotel looks a bit dark and gloomy despite its huge windows, but the food is delicious with a retro feel.

With a good choice of starters and mains, head chef Tom Birks certainly delivers great traditional English cuisine at a reasonable price. Let Maitre D' Giuseppe Vurchio rustle you up a flambe for dessert!

If you don't mind queuing, try Jamie's Italian. You can only book tables for parties of eight or more. Our promised 40-minute wait was actually longer, but with tasty snacks, such as Parma ham and good breads available free at the bar, we happily passed the time!

As you'd expect the food was good, although on the day we visited three of the 12 mains weren't available (and it was a Friday night!) Reasonably priced.

Other family-friendly options include Brasserie Chez Gerard, Carluccio's, Wagamamas and Pizza Express.

Where to stay

The Macdonald Randolph on Beaumont Street is perfectly located in the heart of Oxford.

Built in 1864 and refurbished in 2004, this large hotel enjoys a reputation for traditionalism and comfort. It's large, with 151 bedrooms, but staff are friendly and helpful.

The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, but it fails to stand out in terms of atmosphere. The Morse Bar is a comfortable place for a cocktail or nightcap, and is so-called because of its association with the TV character.

Paul Conway, the bartender, mixes a great cocktail and maintains the friendly atmosphere of the place.

Note the hotel charges residents £25 a day to park a car here.