May 14-21, 2016
Cornwall – a region where enchantment awaits you at every turn. Situated on the southwestern part of England, Cornwall is a land steeped in history and myth, boasting beautiful beaches, quaint towns, ancient castles and modern art. The legendary King Arthur fought passionately for this rugged far-flung land and it certainly will not be difficult to see why. Needless to say, we will also explore the areas made famous by Doc Martin, Poldark Daphne du Maurier and her romantic novels set against the brooding Cornish landscape.
Then to London and nothing need be said about this great city where we will have 3 days of theater, culture and fun.
Includes:
* Private transfer from Heathrow Airport to Cornwall
* Private transfer from Cornwall to London
* 6 nights Accommodations at hotels listed below
* Hotel service charges and VAT taxes
* Breakfast every day in Cornwall and optional supplement for London
* Sightseeing as per itinerary
* Sightseeing entrance fees
Day 1 – Saturday, May 14 – Depart USA for London
Depart this evening so you arrive at Heathrow Airport at about 9 am the next day.
Day 2 – Sunday, May 15 – Arrive in Cornwall
Arrival at Heathrow no later than 9am where we will all meet and be met and driven via a private transfer to our accommodations in Watergate Bay Hotel. The ride will be about 4 ½ to 5 hours, so we can snooze. But this is the best and easiest way to get to our destination. Dinner this evening at the hotel’s new restaurant, Zacrys. Overnight at our hotel.
Day 3 – Monday, May 16 – In Cornwall (B)
After breakfast we meet our guide and depart on our day’s touring that will be scalloped with golden sandy bays, two rugged, but different, coast lines. On one side the Atlantic rolls and pounds upon sweeping surf beaches… and on the other, picturesque fishing villages and harbors are still much as they were when smugglers brought in brandy and other contraband from France and the Channel Islands. Highlights will be:
- The Blue Hills and St Agnes Head. (Poldark country)
- The Godrevy Lighthouse
- St Ives, an ancient fishing town with its narrow streets that retains all the character of yesteryear.
- We drive past the St Ives Tate Gallery (an offshoot of the famous London Tate gallery) and the Barbara Hepworth Museum up and around and back into the town – stopping for coffee/tea
- Next we visit St Michael’s Mount where the Phoenicians came from the eastern Mediterranean to trade wine for tin 2500 to 3000 years ago… and where the Castle and House is still occupied by the family who first owned it in 1649. It’s the UK’s answer to France’s Mt St Michel and was built by the same Monks in 1266
- To Penzance, an ancient market town serving the Lands End peninsular & Mousehole, a very small, very old fishing village clinging to steep cliffs and clustering around a small harbor which can only be described as – well, like a mouse hole!
- From here we head to Merry Maidens, an old pre-historic stone circle with an interesting local story. Onto Lamorna Cave that was used by smugglers in ancient times and was also the village used in Rachel Hores novel, “The Memory Garden” as well as Sam Peckinpah’s movie “Straw Dogs”
- On to the Minack Theatre — a spectacular open air theatre set in a natural amphitheater into the Cliffside, looking out past Logan’s Rock towards The Lizard. The Minack Theatre considered one of the top 10 Amphitheaters in the world
- Continue to Lands End, as Spectacular craggy cliffs almost surround us and stretch back on either side. The wild Atlantic crashes against the cliffs below us … with the Wolf Lighthouse, Longships Lighthouse visible on a clear day and the Isles of Scilly in the far distance on a very clear day
We head back to our hotel at Watergate Bay for our overnight. If time, we will stop at old Geller tin mine, don our hard hats to go down the mine for a visit.
Day 4 – Tuesday, May 17 – In Cornwall (B)
Today we combine the legend of King Arthur that continues to fascinate and attract people from all over the world. Small fishing villages that inhabit sheltered inlets all along this rugged, inhospitable coastline, with spectacular views everywhere including Doc Martin’s Port Isaac (aka Port Wenn in the TV series), and the wild North Coast. Highlights will be:
- Lanhydrock house, a beautiful Victorian house with amazing gardens
- To Tintagel- the evocative remains of a Norman castle conjure spirits of Knights in Shining Armor, Ladies wearing floor length dresses and pointed hats – with a colorful swatch hanging from the top – (and perhaps imprisoned in loft garrets and in obvious distress). And these ruins are built on the foundations of a much earlier stronghold occupied by a Cornish King
- Onto Port Isaac (aka Port Wenn in the Doc Martin TV series). Here we will visit the places from the TV series including the old school house, the Pub, Buttermilk Confections (Mrs Tishall’s Chemist), Fern Cottage (Doc Martin’s House)
- Then onto Padstow. Padstow is situated on the West side of the Camel estuary in North Cornwall. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with wonderful bays and beautiful golden beaches. The town itself has a colorful and ancient history dating from Padstow’s saint of the Dark Ages, to medieval criminals who sought safe haven and famous Elizabethans who set up home in both the 16th and 20th centuries. We will have time to walk the old crooked streets that slope down to the harbor where many fine medieval buildings can still be seen. Today Padstow remains a working fishing port whose produce has been made famous by Rick Stein’s television series and acclaimed Seafood Restaurant
We return to our hotel for a quick change clothes and then head off to dinner at the famed 2-star Michelin restaurant, Nathan Outlaw.
Wednesday, May 18 – To London (B)
After breakfast, an early departure through the Cornwall countryside to London. Upon arrival, we check into our accommodations at the famous TAJ St James Court hotel near Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival, check into our accommodations.
Thursday, May 19 – In London
Free for independent exploration on our own to enjoy London and its theater.
Friday, May 20 – In London
Free for independent exploration on our own for shopping, museum visits and the theater.
Saturday, May 21
Transfer on your own to the airport for your return flight to the USA or stay in Europe on your own.
Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour
** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.
LAND PRICE PER PERSON
Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$1,599 payments via check or money order
Optional Supplements at the St James Court Hotel
$75 per person for upgrade from Classic King room to Executive King room
$60 per person for 3 days of breakfast
INITIAL DEPOSIT
$350 Non-Refundable deposit due on or before January 9, 2016 to hold space. See Terms and Conditions for additional details.
FINAL PAYMENTS
Due on or before March 14, 2016
Travel Insurance
RMC Travel highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.