England's South West
CONTACT ACROSS THE POND VACATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS AT INFO@ATPVACATIONS.COM, OR CALL 310-791-6101
12 Days – from $5,495.00* per person
(based on double occupancy)
Individual Tour +
Your Tour Price Includes:
- Airport transfer via luxury sedan from airport to your hotel, including airport ‘meet and greet’
- 10 nights in 4 ½ to 5 star hotels**
- Full English breakfast, daily
- Seven days car rental luxury sedan (automatic shift car)
- First class BritRail tickets from Plymouth to London
- Thermae Bath Spa Session including massages, and more
- Excellent seats to a West End London theatrical production of your choice
- A one-of-a-kind dining experience at The Purple Carrot at Lewtrenchard Manor in Devon
- Entrance fees/tickets for:
- London Eye Pimm’s Flight
- Stonehenge
- Eden Project
- Visit:
- Bath & Pump Rooms
- Cotswolds
- Westonbirt Arboretum
- Tetbury
- Malmesbury Abbey and Gardens
- Glastonbury Abbey
- Tintagel Castle
- St. Michael’s Mount
- Penzance
- Dartmoor National Park
- Lanhydrock House
- Land’s End
- Luxury airport transfer to London airport upon departure
* (Land only price)
SUMMARY
Day 1 - Departure from U.S. to London, England
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin, 4½ star hotel in London
Day 3 - Full English breakfast, London Eye Pimm's flight, sightseeing as desired, 4½ star hotel in London
Day 4 - Full English breakfast, collect luxury rental car, Stonehenge and visiting nearby village(s), Salisbury Cathedral, 5 star hotel in Bath
Day 5 - Full English breakfast, Roman Baths and Pump Room, Thermae Bath Spa 2 hour session, including massage, 5 star hotel in Bath
Day 6 - Full English breakfast, Glastonbury Abbey, remaining sightseeing on own (suggestions included), 4½ star Manor House Hotel
Day 7 – Full English breakfast, Dartmoor National Park and sightseeing on own, unique dining experience at The Purple Carrot, 4½ star Manor House Hotel
Days 8, 9 and 10 - Full English breakfast daily, sightseeing on own (suggestions included), 4½ star hotel in Cornwall
Day 11 - Full English breakfast, rental car return, first class BritRail tickets to London, premiere seats to top theatrical production, 4½ star London hotel
Day 12 - Full English breakfast, return to airport via luxury sedan with chauffeur
London and the South West of England are regions rich in heritage and culture. The South West, in particular, is known for its connections with legendary, literary, religious, and political figures such as King Arthur, Agatha Christie, John Wesley and Jane Austen to name but a few. It is a region with a magnificent coastline, 2 national parks, 4 World Heritage sites (including well known icons such as prehistoric Stonehenge and Georgian Bath), and the historic Cotswolds. The area is particularly ideal for spring and autumn travel. Enjoy!
Day 1 – Departure – You depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 – Welcome to London – You will be greeted at the airport and depart in a luxury sedan (Mercedes Benz E-Class or similar) and taken to your 4 ½ star centrally located London hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore, at will. (London Hotel: Waldorf Hilton hotel or equivalent.)
Day 3 – Lovely London – After a full English breakfast, you will find there is so much to explore. We will arrange for you to have a flight on the London Eye (with complimentary Pimm’s cocktail). Let us know what you’d like to see – we can arrange tickets ahead of time for you so you can avoid many of the queues. Take in the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, a cruise down the River Thames, or shopping at Harrod’s! In London, there’s always plenty of amazing things to do and see. (London Hotel: Waldorf Hilton hotel or equivalent.)
Day 4 – Bath and Beyond… – Today you will collect your luxury car (Mercedes E220 or similar) and head south west. Your first stop – mysterious and enigmatic Stonehenge. Situated high on Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance. Erected between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC by no less than three different cultures, its orientation on the rising and setting sun has always been one of its remarkable features. Have a look around the quaint village of Amesbury, just 2 miles away. Or, stop in at Salisbury Cathedral, a magnificent 13th century cathedral with Britain’s tallest spire. Situated in the largest medieval close in Britain, it is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings and eight acres of lawns and houses the world’s best preserved Magna Carta (AD 1215) and Europe’s oldest working clock (AD 1386). Then it’s on to the beautiful Georgian town of Bath, where you will check in at your 5-star hotel. Treat yourself tonight at the hotel’s Dower House Restaurant for one of the best meals in town with food that is innovative and elegant. Go on… indulge. (Bath Hotel: Royal Crescent Hotel or equivalent.)
Day 5 – Bath Spa – After breakfast, we recommend a trip this morning to the Roman Baths and Pump Room. The ancient Romans were the first to capitalize on the only natural hot spring in Britain, building a temple and bathing complex more than 2000 years ago. The baths were once one of the finest in the Roman world. View the Georgian grandeur of the Pump House and see the remains of the ancient Roman baths and temple. Later in the day, enjoy a bit of pampering for yourself. We have arranged a 2 hour spa session for you at the world famous Thermae Bath Spa, where you will enjoy the natural thermal waters of the Minerva Bath, an open air rooftop pool with spectacular views over Bath, aroma steam rooms, complimentary use of towel, robe and slippers, a back, neck & shoulders massage and a Reviver facial or a back, neck & shoulders massage and foot massage. After your day of baths in Bath… the evening is yours to enjoy an elegant dinner in or around town, or even join the locals at a good, old-fashioned English pub. (Bath Hotel: Royal Crescent Hotel or equivalent.)
Day 6 – Delightful Devon – This morning, you’ll be on the trail again, heading further south west. Stop by Glastonbury Abbey, one of the oldest religious foundations in Britain, steeped in history and legend. Glastonbury Abbey boasts extensive Abbey ruins, largely destroyed during Henry VIII's Reformation in 36 acres of beautiful parkland. Major features include St. Mary's Chapel, the Abbot's Kitchen, and reputedly the graves of King Arthur and his wife, Guinevere. Another famous legend is that of Joseph of Arimathea, who it is claimed buried the Chalice of the Holy Grail here, and along with his followers, built a settlement and small church in the area. Continue on a beautiful drive to your home for the next 2 nights, the beautiful Jacobean Lewtrenchard Manor. Hidden away in a wooded hollow just beneath the wild tors of Dartmoor, Lewtrenchard is a house virtually untouched by time. The original manor was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but today’s impressive Jacobean dwelling, set in its own shrub filled gardens and surrounded by peaceful parkland, dates from the early 1600’s. (Devon hotel: Lewtrenchard Manor or equivalent.)
Day 7 – Dramatic Dartmoor – Today is a day of exploration. We suggest a visit to Dartmoor National Park. The Park covers an area of 368 square miles - the largest and wildest area of open country in southern England. Throughout the year Dartmoor is an exceptionally beautiful place to visit, with deep wooded gorges, beautiful lake-like reservoirs and tumbling rocky rivers. (Perhaps you’re familiar with Dartmoor as the infamous locale where Sherlock Holmes’ hell hound sought its victims in the “Hound of the Baskervilles”.) After this day of exploration, return to the warmth of a fireplace and a glass of sherry at the Lewtrenchard Manor hotel. Tonight, you will have a unique gastronomic experience in the South West like no other at the Purple Carrot, located in the hotel, itself. A private dining room provides a birds-eye view of the three rosette, state-of-the-art kitchen in action. Your dining experience there will include:
- Eight Course Personalized Menus (pre-arranged with Chef Patron)
- Champagne at the Chef’s Kitchen Bar
- Exclusive Bibendum Wine Cellar- wine matched to compliment each course
- Activity from kitchen captured on cameras and viewed on large flat screen
- Special viewing areas within the room to watch the chefs in action
- One course cooked in front of guests in the room
Why call it Purple Carrot? – purple carrots were one of the original colors of carrots along with red and white. They were first introduced to England country in the 15th century. (The orange pigment was first introduced to make it more acceptable in society as it was recognized as a good cheap source of vegetable.) Calling the room Purple Carrot emphasizes Lewtrenchard’s philosophy about food “going back to nature” and “roots” as 80% of produce used in the Lewtrenchard Kitchen comes directly from the vegetable garden. Purple carrots will obviously feature on the menu too! Purple Carrot is available to book on Friday and Saturday evenings.*** Champagne and canapés are included! (Devon hotel: Lewtrenchard Manor or equivalent.)
Days 8, 9 and 10 – Cornwall’s Coast – This morning, you press on to the final leg south west in your journey. Cornwall is the most south westerly county in England, and is most famous for its stunning scenery. But there is more to Cornwall than its extraordinary views – here you are privy to great local food, intriguing history, fascinating sightseeing and historical traditions. Across the Pond Vacations will provide you with routes, such as a driving trip to Lanhydrock House and Tintagel Castle, the Eden Project (we’ll even include tickets for you!), Lands End, St. Michael’s Mount, and Penzance. You may even wish to extend your stay in this area – there’s so much to see and do! (Just let us know.) Your home for the next 3 nights… Fowey Hall. Fowey Hall was the inspiration behind Toad Hall in “Wind in the Willows” and sits in a spectacular location overlooking the sailing and fishing port of Fowey on the South Cornish coast, within its original walled gardens and with commanding views of the river estuary and far out to sea. The town and the local sandy cove at Readymoney are both a short walk from the hotel, which is also within easy reach of the many superb attractions in Cornwall, including The Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. (Cornwall Hotel: Fowey Hall or equivalent.)
Day 11 – Return to London – You drive east today toward Plymouth where you will return your rental car. Then, it is first class via BritRail back to London. Catch up on your last minute shopping (don’t forget that trip to Harrod’s or Harvey Nichols!). This evening, we thought it might be nice to go out with a bang at a spectacular West End theatrical production**** – your choice of production – we’ll secure the best seats in the house for you! Your final night is back at the 4½ star hotel where you started (unless otherwise requested). (London Hotel: Waldorf Hilton hotel or equivalent.)
Day 12 – Farewell, charming England – Your luxury sedan and chauffeur will await you at your hotel to return you to the airport. We hope you have had a wonderful time exploring this England’s South West!
* Prices from $5,495/pp based on double occupancy. Single and triple occupants will change rate. Final price will be based upon exchange rate at time of booking, and time of year traveling.
** Hotels listed in tour description indicate first choice. Equivalent hotels of same star quality and location supplied if first choice unavailable.
*** If your stay in Lewtrenchard Manor does not fall on a Friday or Saturday night, your package will include the equivalent credit in the hotel’s fine restaurant.
**** Not available Sunday nights – Sunday matinees are available. Alternative evening entertainment can be provided if unavailable.
+ All individual tours can be made into group tours for already assembled groups.
CONTACT ACROSS THE POND VACATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS AT INFO@ATPVACATIONS.COM, OR CALL 310-791-6101
No comments:
Post a Comment