WAITLISTED - Canterbury to Cornwall
Our adventure will include all the highlights you have read and dreamed about in southern England, from Canterbury in the east to St. Michael’s Mount in the west. During this 13-day excursion, we will travel by comfortable coach, and stay for three nights each (in one locale, two nights) in small hotels in smaller centres. The itinerary is designed so that no coach trip lasts longer than an hour and a half (with rare exceptions). It is also designed to allow a “Happy Hour” prior to dinner on most evenings. Dinner is most cases will be in the hotels in which we are staying.
INCLUSIONS
- Airfare
- Accommodations
- Admission to all attractions listed above
- Travel by luxury coach
- All breakfasts and dinners
- All tips to driver and guides
- Transportation to and from Toronto Pearson Airport
- Hosted by Paul Knowles, Travel Writer
ITINERARY
Monday, May 15: Transfer from St Marys/Baden to Toronto; Depart Toronto for Gatwick, 10:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 16: Arrive Gatwick, 10:45 a.m.; transfer to coach for travel to Stonehenge.
Depart Gatwick, 11:45 a.m. Arrive Stonehenge, 1:30 p.m. Tour Stonehenge, perhaps the most identifiable prehistoric site in the world, dating back over 4,000 years, and steeped in myth, mystery and magic (Lunch available at Stonehenge restaurant). Depart Stonehenge 3:30 p.m. for Bath. Arrive Bath 4:30 p.m. Dinner and overnight in Bath. In Bath, we will stay and dine at the Royal Hotel.
Wednesday, May 17: Breakfast in Bath; guided tour of the Roman baths, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Britain, including the baths, the adjoining rooms, underground boardwalks through excavated ruins, and more, dating back to 60-70 A.D. Next, enjoy a walking tour of Bath, and a visit to Bath Abbey, a beautiful church that was once a monastery. Lunch at leisure and free time in Bath. Dinner and overnight in Bath.
Thursday, May 18: Breakfast in Bath. Visit to the town of Wells (site of the beautiful Wells Cathedral); Lunch at leisure in Wells, or at Stourhead tea room. Travel to Stourhead House and Garden, a stately home and landscape garden. Dinner and overnight in Bath.
Friday, May 19: Breakfast in Bath; depart by coach for Glastonbury for a guided tour of the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey (mythical burial place of King Arthur and Guinevere); depart Glastonbury and drive through Dartmoor, an iconic, ancient landscape in Devon; visit Morwellham Key, with guided tour of Victorian copper mine and Victorian town; Lunch available at Morwellham pub. Dinner and overnight in Par, Cornwall. In Cornwall, we will stay and dine in Par, at the Royal Inn.
Saturday, May 20: Breakfast in Par; depart by coach for guided tour of the famed Lost Gardens of Heligan, an amazing restoration of authentic Victorian walled gardens, sub-tropical lakes, and towering rhododendrons. Lunch available at Heligan restaurant. Afternoon at The Eden Project, to explore the variety of ecosystems contained in gigantic biodomes. Dinner and overnight in Par.
Sunday, May 21: Breakfast in Par. Explore the coast of Cornwall, including a visit and guided tour of St. Michael’s Mount (a castle on an island in high tide, accessible by boat; or reached walkway in low tide – we’ll be using both methods); Lunch and leisure time in Marazion village; then a stop at Carn Euny, the ruins of a stone age village. Dinner and overnight in Par.
Monday, May 22: Breakfast in Par. Depart 9 a.m. en route east (passing through Dartmoor), visit Exeter cathedral and historic quay. Depart Exeter 1 p.m., arriving – Old Sarum, 2 hours from Exeter, arrive 3 p.m.; depart 4:30 p.m., arrive Salisbury 5 p.m. Lunch at leisure in Exeter. Dinner and overnight in The Chapter House Salisbury.
Tuesday, May 23: Breakfast in Salisbury. Visit to Salisbury Cathedral (the most beautiful cathedral in England, according to our tour leader); lunch at leisure and free time in Salisbury. Dinner and overnight in Salisbury.
Wednesday, May 24: Breakfast in Salisbury. Depart, 9 a.m. – This will be a full day, with stops at National Motor Museum; Portsmouth historic dockyards; lunch at Portsmouth; and Pevensey Castle. We end the day in my favourite town in the south of England, a beautiful town with cobblestone streets, great pubs, and lovely shops: Rye. We’ll be staying at the ancient (1420!) Mermaid Inn.
Thursday, May 25: Breakfast in Rye. Visit and guided tour of the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, built in easily identifiable stages. Lunch at leisure in Canterbury. In the afternoon, a guided tour of Dover Castle, including the underground tunnels used in World War II. This site has features ranging from the time of Caesar to the time of Churchill. Dinner and overnight in Rye.
Friday, May 26: Breakfast in Rye. Visit to Chartwell, country home of Winston Churchill. Tour the house, and also Churchill’s art studio, still home to many of his finest paintings; Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, the most wonderful garden in the U.K.; Lunch available Sissinghurst restaurant. Return to Rye, 3:30 p.m. Free time in Rye. Happy hour at Ypres Pub at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and overnight in Rye.
Saturday, May 27 – Breakfast in Rye. Transfer from hotel to Gatwick airport; lunch at leisure in airport; depart Gatwick at 12:40 p.m., arrive Toronto, 3:40 p.m.; transfer by coach to Baden/St Marys.
Rate per Person in Double Occupancy
$5,917 if paying by e-transfer or cheque. A 3% surcharge will apply to credit card payments.
Rate is based on 22 guests and will increase if fewer guests are booked.
Rate is subject to increase if the exchange rate exceeds $1.75 Canadian dollars to the British Pound.
Proof of out of country medical insurance required.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance recommended. Please request a quote.
Not Included
- Items of a personal nature
- Lunches and alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned as included
