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Read More Devon and Cornwall
United Kingdom
The West Country has always been one of Britain’s most popular vacation destinations.
This unique area has colourful historic towns and villages, wonderful vistas of constantly changing landscapes, magnificent seascapes and much more to offer.
In Devon (“The English Riviera”), you’ll find that there is more to this spectacular and diverse county than beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. There are National Parks, historic monuments and architecture, rustic villages and strange rock outcrops known as “tors”.
Cornwall was one of the last great bastions of Celtic culture. Its south coast has wild and beautiful landscapes, where a green and gold tapestry of wooded hills drop down to secluded coves and inlets that hide enchanting fishing villages and exotic gardens.
A special feature of this tour will be our 3 dinners at a special collection of pubs. Since the earliest days of British history the pub has been at the very heart of every English community. These evenings out will ensure that you too can experience the warmth and ambiance of this timeless tradition.
Tour Highlights:
• Wells Cathedral - “the most poetic English Cathedral”
• Bath - UNESCO World Heritage site
• Cheddar Gorge - one of England's most iconic and spectacular landscapes
• Clovelly - the timeless village
• Port Isaac – of Doc Martin fame!
• The Eden Project
• Plymouth - the historic maritime city
• Dartmoor National Park
• St. Michael’s Mount and St. Ives
• Exeter - one of England’s oldest cities
* Those joining our tours to Europe must be able to walk fairly long distances and climb stairs easily.
Itinerary / Excursions
We depart for London.
We arrive and transfer to our first class hotel, centrally located in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, for a 3-night stay. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner.
We enjoy a morning walking tour of Bath. Famous for its Roman Spa, gothic Abbey and elegant Georgian architecture, it is considered one of Britain’s most beautiful cities. Afternoon at leisure.
We first visit Lacock village - a favourite location for film producers due to its picturesque and historic streets and cottages. Then we proceed to Wells, also remarkably unspoiled with many historic buildings including the famous 13th century Cathedral, the moated Bishop's Palace and Vicars' Close. We will visit the Cathedral and have time to explore on our own. Tonight’s dinner is at a “quirky” local inn.
Today we explore one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks - Cheddar Gorge and Caves, which features awe-inspiring cliffs and extraordinary subterranean stalactite show caves. After our visit we proceed to our luxury hotel in North Devon for a 2-night stay.
World-famous Clovelly is one of Devon’s gems, offering staggering views across Bideford Bay and a relaxed lifestyle. The historic houses wind their way down the wooded hillside, to the traditional 14th century fishing harbour. No vehicles are allowed down the cobbled streets; goods are transported by sledge, often pulled by donkeys.
Today we explore Cornwall, beginning in Port Isaac - a fishing village on the Cornish coast that is so charming that all visitors fall in love with the place. It is also the home of the famed British series, Doc Martin. Our included lunch will be at one of the pubs used in the filming of the series. We arrive in Newquay for a 4-night stay.
Our excursion to the southwestern tip of the British mainland begins in St. Ives - the famous harbour that has attracted artists and visitors for decades. We also explore the amazing island world of St. Michael’s Mount - site of legend, myth and over a thousand years of incredible history. Tonight we dine in a traditional pub before returning to our hotel.
At leisure in Newquay. Explore the town, nearby Wadebridge and Padstow, or simply enjoy the pool and spa facilities at our hotel.
Today we visit the Eden Project - the world’s largest greenhouses. Tropical and desert environments have been recreated inside the giant biomes, so a single visit can carry you from steaming rainforests to dry deserts. Our afternoon is spent in Charlestown - an unspoiled, original harbour, home to a famous collection of old ships employed in film projects all over the world. Included is a scrumptuous afternoon tea.
Plymouth, unrivalled in maritime history, has been a naval base for hundreds of years. The cliffs along the harbour are armed with forts and batteries from the 17th century to WW2. We will stand at the top of the limestone cliffs to watch the comings and goings on the Sound, and stroll around the cobblestone streets of the Barbican where the Mayflower set sail for America in 1620. Britain’s oldest gin distillery is here, and we will enjoy a tour and tasting! Later we arrive at our hotel in central Exeter - Devon’s premier county town, for a 3-night stay.
We journey through the dramatic Dartmoor National Park, where ponies roam the craggy landscape of forests, rivers, wetlands and strange rock formations. Our tour ends with a delicious dinner at a cozy 140-year-old pub that has long been a local favourite.
Exeter is one of the most vibrant and historical cities in England. Our walking tour will bring to life the stories behind the magnificent Cathedral, imposing Roman Wall and beautiful Quayside. Afternoon at leisure. Exeter was voted one of Britain’s best gastronomic towns by the Good Food Guide, with countless varieties of cuisine available, so tonight’s dinner is on our own.
We proceed to Winchester, England’s ancient capital. There will be time to explore the Great Hall, which for over 700 years has housed the mysterious King Arthur’s Round Table and 11th century Winchester Cathedral, both just a short walk from our hotel. There will be time to explore Winchester on our own. Tonight we enjoy our Farewell Dinner.
We transfer to London for our flight home.
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