West Country & the Cotswolds
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Arrive London Day at leisure to explore Britain's capital.
Day 3 - London — Runnymede — Salisbury — Stonehenge — Bideford This morning we drive through Windsor Great Park to take a picture of the Castle above a landscape of deer and squirrels in Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was sealed. We continue to Salisbury to view its magnificent Cathedral, boasting the tallest church spire in Britain! From one astounding visit to the next as we stop at Salisbury Plain to visit the ancient and mysterious monoliths of Stonehenge. Finally a drive past Lorna Doone's famous Exmoor marks our arrival in the West Country where we head to the ancient seaport of Bideford, built on two hills above the river Torridge. Tonight we will enjoy a Welcome Drink and Dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Continental Breakfast / Welcome Dinner)
Day 4 - Bideford — Clovelly — Tintagel - Plymouth (2 nights) Our first stop this morning will be the steeply cobbled village of Clovelly with its loveable donkeys and Dartmoor heather. Then via the pretty seaside resort of Boscastle and back into Devon, where we will enjoy a wonderful Devonshire Cream tea this afternoon. Finally we stop in Tintagel, for views of the ruined castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. From here we make our way to the historic naval port of Plymouth. Here we see the Mayflower steps from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to America and the Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Cornish Excursion We drive along the rugged Cornish coastline past smugglers" coves and quaint fishing villages to Land's End the most westerly point of the British mainland. Then we drive to the famous artists" colony of St Ives, filled with galleries and charming houses. There's also the chance to photograph St Michael's Mount near Penzance before a drive across Bodmin Moor — made famous by Daphne du Maurier's "Jamaica Inn" — to return to our hotel. (Full Breakfast)
Day 6 - Plymouth - Bristol Today we head north via the wild and rugged Dartmoor National Park en route to Glastonbury where we visit the Abbey ruins and see the legendary tomb of King Arthur. Then on to the mineral beauty of Cheddar Gorge where we stop to take pictures before arriving in maritime Bristol, city of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, perhaps Britain's greatest historical figure! (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Bristol — Bath — Avebury — Hampton Court - London Our first stop today will be to nearby Roman Bath — a World Heritage site. We include a visit to the Roman Baths and have time to wonder at the magnificent Georgian architecture of the city, before continuing to Avebury. Here we stop to visit Britain's largest and most ancient Stone Circle. On our way back into London we will stop to see the gardens of Hampton Court Palace. Say goodbye to your Tour Director and newly made friends as you are taken to your Trafalgar London hotel. (Full Breakfast)
Day 8 - London - USA We transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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