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Highlights: This
well-balanced tour features the best
of the UK's southwestern region. It's a cliché to write
that there's something for everyone here but sometimes the cliché
is the most accurate word or phrase to use. For lovers of countryside
there are rolling downs, rugged seascapes, atmospheric moorlands
and the lush, green country that is so representative of England.
For those who enjoy history there are castles aplenty, the King
Arthur connections, the prehistoric and Roman sites, the more
recent war time remains and everywhere the mighty maritime past.
Literature lovers will be thrilled to
see the lands of Thomas Hardy and Daphne Du Maurier. Gourmets
will die for the cream teas, real Cornish pasties and farmhouse
cooking.
This is a real experience. You'll never
forget the narrow country lanes where the hedgerows grow higher
than the cars, the villages where it's difficult for bicycles
to pass let alone motorized vehicles, the thatched cottage hamlets
and small fishing harbours accessible only on foot.
This itinerary combines with 'The Land
of Song' to make the 15 day 'Celtic Connections' tour.
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DAY ONE - SATURDAY
Arrival in London where you'll be met by your guide and transferred
to our tour hotel. You have the day free to enjoy the attractive local
neighbourhood at leisure.
DAY TWO - SUNDAY
Our first day's touring takes us into England oldest counties, Wiltshire
and Hampshire. The purpose of our visit is to see King Arthur's Round
Table at the Great Hall in Winchester, before continuing through the
timeless landscape of Thomas Hardy's Dorset to Honition in Devon. En
route, we'll stop at Cadbury castle, an iron-age, hilltop fortress and
one of the possible sites of Camelot. A further highlight of our day
will be a local stately home such as Montacute House or Stourhead.
DAY THREE- MONDAY
Our routi ng
for the day will offer us great choice. There's the maritime city of
Exeter, the English Riviera, and Plymouth, where we'll see the harbour
from which the Mayflower set sail. Next, we follow the Cornish coast
through delightful fishing villages and harbours stopping en route,
perhaps, to visit the pirate museum at Looe or the shipwreck centre
at St Austell. Readers of Daphne Du Maurier will also enjoy our time
at Fowey and discovering the real Jamaica Inn.
DAY FOUR - TUESDAY
There's so much to see in this region. There are the wonderful harbours
of St Ives and Penzance, the coastal walks along cliff tops and beaches,
the prehistoric village at Chysauster, the famous open-air Minack theatre,
some of the most beautiful gardens in Britain, including the new Eden
Project. There are old lead mining museums, castles and Land's End itself.
And then, of course, we've afternoon cream teas to take and Cornish
pasties to eat! Our flexible touring concept will allow tour participants
to decide on the day's priorities in consultation with their guide.
DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY
Continuing our Cornish adventures. Today we'll spend enjoying the atmosphere
of St Ives. There's plenty to entertain. This is an artists' haven and
you'll delight at the range of local galleries, but perhaps of even
greater interest will be the extension of the prestigious Tate Gallery.
There are also some fine walking opportunities. The sailors or deep
sea fishers amongst you might just find the opportunity of taking to
the water just to good too pass up! You're free to dine independently
in St Ives this evening and to return to our accommodation by local
taxi at your leisure.
DAY SIX - THURSDAY
We turn north, following the north Cornwall and Devon coasts. Our itinerary
today will include Padstow, King Arthur's Tintagel, the impossibly pretty
village of Clovelly (where donkeys are still used to haul goods and
people up and down the narrow cobbled street to the sea) and the Devon
countryside north of Dartmoor and Dartmoor itself.
DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY
We tour today through Somerset. This is a county famed for its cider
apples and so we must, of course, visit a cider farm and sample the
wares! There are also the mystic town of Glastonbury where Arthur is
said to have been buried, and the magnificent Wells cathedral. If time
permits, perhaps we can also visit the massive gorge and caves at Cheddar.
And we'll want to spend some time in the Roman/Georgian elegance of
Bath. It's yet another day when we're spoilt for choice!
DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY
The civic centre of Cardiff is magnificent and will be the showpiece
of a panoramic city tour (which will also feature the Millennium Stadium,
formally known as the Arms Park, Mecca for the millions of Rugby Football
fans worldwide). You'll also enjoy some free time this morning to shop
and to visit the magnificent Cardiff castle.
This afternoon, you board your train or coach for an unaccompanied transfer
back to London.
WHAT'S
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
Your tour price includes all
transportation, accommodation in three star or equivalent
style lodgings. All rooms en suite, unless specifically
informed at the time of booking your tour. Full English
breakfasts on every morning. Three course dinners every
evening. All tips and taxes included on group bills,
excluding those you may wish to give to your guide/companion
and any additional tips you may feel desirous of giving to
locals for exceptional service (your guide will advise). All
entrance fees when accompanied by the guide, excluding any
itemised as optional in the itinerary.
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