Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to England. From lush green rolling hills to old-world villages, this pretty country surprises and delights at every corner. At 07:30 you’ll be picked up from the hotel in London before making your way along the scenic Great West Way road to Oxford. A city built to be discovered, Oxford is a wholesome image of leather-bound books, libraries, storybook buildings and picnics.
Continue your journey on to the Cotswolds. Just as charming as Oxford, this breathtaking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-coloured stone houses line the winding streets of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colourful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See Bourton-on-the-Water and the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture. Head on an orientation of the city before checking in to your accommodation for the night, the luxury Apex Hotel. End your day in the most British of manners with a traditional Sunday roast at your Welcome Dinner. (DW) Stay: Apex Hotel, Bath.
After a relaxed start you’ll move cities, and countries, as you make your way to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Along the way you’ll visit the Brecon Beacons. A mountain range in South Wales, it is little surprise this striking location is a chosen destination for so many hikers and nature enthusiasts. Its old red sandstone cliffs hold a variety of plant life, including roseroot, green spleenwort and rue-leaved saxifrages, while its range of fauna includes otters, herons, kingfishers and the soaring red kite, which is the national bird of Wales. Visit the Brecon Beacons with Insight Choice. Choose to enjoy a nature walk with a photographer and snapshot Brecon Beacons National Park under its best light.
Alternatively, visit a local kitchen garden for a peak into the freshest seasonal aromatics from the Brecon Beacons. After a morning in the great outdoors, rectify your lethargic bliss with a hearty Farm-to-Table pub lunch, where a delicious seasonal menu with local ingredients will be available. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Cardiff, Wales’ cultural hub. (B/LW) Stay: Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.
Begin your full day exploring Cornwall with a trip to Penzance. Famous for the comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance”, true to the story, its shores just 100 years previous, in the late 18th century, had met real-life pirates. Explore this beautiful destination with your group before moving on to St Ives. Perhaps England’s equivalent of St Tropez, it has long been popular with artists, with galleries and studios lining its fanciful streets. It is also the preferred retreat for British celebrities Gordon Ramsay and Kate Winslet, who both have holiday homes close by.
Your final discovery for the day is Land’s End. A world-famous landmark, you’ll explore Britain’s most southwestern point. From its wild cliffs you can see the Isles of Scilly. Beyond that is the Atlantic Ocean and North America. In the evening, you have the option of heading out for a traditional Cornish meal enjoying the ambience of a local pub. (B) Stay: The Bodmin Jail Hotel, Bodmin.
Visit a manor house, nestled in Devon countryside, and learn about the history of the property. Join the owner for a quintessential Devonshire high tea, with freshly baked scones garnished with seasonal fruits from the kitchen garden. Later, move on to your accommodation for the next two nights, the beautiful Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Restaurant.
This five-star boutique venue is a Red Carnation hotel, owned by the same family as Insight itself. You can expect the same quality of service, elegance and luxury always front of mind. Set within Evershot, which Thomas Hardy used as the inspiration for the fictitious “Evershed,” in his novel “Wessex,” the hotel lives up to its picturesque, storybook setting. With a croquet pitch, falconry, horse riding and shooting just a few of the activities it offers, you will have lots to keep you pleasantly busy. (B/MT/DW) Stay: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Dorset.
Trip Inclusions
- Oxford: See the spires and colleges of this world-famous university town.
- Cotswolds: This breathtaking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-coloured stone houses line the winding streets of the area's most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colourful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See Bourton-on-the-Water and the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture.
- Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
- Cardiff: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the castle and Principality Stadium.
- Glastonbury: Visit the historic Glastonbury Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, its ruins are now registered as a Grade I listed building.
- Exmoor National Park: Visit Exmoor National Park in Somerset, a protected Area of Outstanding Beauty.
- Plymouth: During an orientation tour with your Travel Director, see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel before continuing to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps. Afterward, explore a quaint Cornish fishing village.
- Looe: Journey to the quaint coastal town of Looe. A holiday hotspot in the Victorian era, explore its comely stores and winding streets at leisure.
- Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.
- Dorchester: Experience Devonshire tea with Lady of the Manor Caroline, at her ancestral stately home, Sand House. Learn about some of her family stories over a delicious morning tea.
- Dorchester: Meet with a professional instructor to learn the quintessential English sport of croquet and try out your new skills in a game with your fellow travellers.
- Selborne: Meet Robert Goldsmith, the artist and mastermind behind the world-famous Selborne Pottery. Learn more about how he makes these acclaimed ceramics.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Brecon Beacons: Visit a local kitchen garden for a peak into the freshest seasonal aromatics from the Brecon Beacons.
- Brecon Beacons: Explore the beautiful flora and fauna of the Brecon Beacons on a leisurely hike with a ranger.
- Bath: Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational programme actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- You may purchase transfers from/to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on arrival and departure days, or when additional night accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.
- Bath: After a day exploring the Roman town of Bath, indulge on a Sunday Roast at your Welcome Dinner.
- Brecon Beacons: Indulge on a hearty farm-to-table pub lunch, where a delicious seasonal menu with local ingredients will be available.
- Dorchester: Toast to your travels at a delicious Celebration Dinner at your hotel, Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa.
- Dining Summary: 10 Breakfast (B), 4 Dinner with Wine (DW), 1 Lunch with Wine (LW), and 1 Morning Tea (MT)
- Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 20 or more guests).
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations.
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