From bustling Bristol to the quiet lanes of Devon, from the rugged coasts of Celtic Cornwall to the very English apple orchards of Somerset, the Southwest of England has a flavor all its own, and a distinct accent to match.  It is a land of legend, of craggy cliffs, high moorlands, and secluded wooded valleys; it is a land that in many areas, is conscious of, and proud of, its Celtic past.

Sept 6    Evening flight from New York area to Gatwick International Airport. 

Sept 7     Upon arriving to the UK around noon, we go through customs, collect our luggage, and then are met by our driver and guide.  Once we settle in to our coach and hit the road, we'll head toward Salisbury.  But first we will have the opportunity of visiting the charming town of Winchester, and its formidable cathedral, Europe's longest Gothic church.  It is considered one of the finest in medieval architecture. Then on to Salisbury, a favorite destination with visitors for 800 years or more.  Here the past merges with the present, as you enjoy the delights of the medieval city and beautiful English countryside. The majestic sight of Salisbury Cathedral is one you will not forget.
lst Overnight Salisbury   

Sept  8    Today will be a day to explore this ancient medieval town. Some of the places we might want to see are Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Old Sarum Castle, the Wardrobe, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum or you just might want to relax in the warm atmosphere of the family run guesthouse where we are staying.  Of course, the cathedral itself will be a highlight of our time here.
2nd Overnight Salisbury

Sept  9     And what visit to the Southwest of England would be complete without experiencing Stonehenge, the iconic World Heritage site that has mystified and amazed people for thousands of years.  This ancient enigma keeps everyone wondering what truth lies in those massive stones. Its original purpose is unclear to us, but some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities.  And we can look forward to staying overnight in a warm family run seaside guesthouse!
1^st Overnight Weston Super Mare

Sept 10    Glastonbury Abbey, one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, is on our itinerary for today.  Legend has it that Glastonbury is the cradle of British Christianity, being the first place on the island visited by the missionary "apostle", Joseph of Arimathea. Countless legends tell of the beginnings of Glastonbury Abbey and a mystical kingdom, Avalon.  Later in the afternoon, we will make our way over the charming town of Wells, with its 12^th c. Cathedral, Bishops Palace, and fascinating shops.
2^nd Overnight Weston Super Mare

Sept  11    Leaving this charming seaside town this morning, we continue our journey toward Celtic Cornwall, stopping where the spirit leads us.  We will spend some time in Exeter, known in ancient times as the ˜gateway to the Celtic West".  While here we cannot possibly forego the opportunity to visit the Gothic cathedral of Exeter, and quoting Howard Curnow (who will be our guide while in the Penzance area), "from Salisbury cathedral to Exeter cathedral, that's like travelling from the sublime to the utterly sublime." 
Overnight Exeter

Sept 12    Today we meander through Dartmoor National Park, a beautiful moorland landscape with wooded valleys and wind swept Tors.  It has been said that Cornwall boasts of more saints than were ever enthroned in heaven and St. Petroc being one of the super stars.  We'll now go on to Bodmin and 15^th c. St Petroc's Church, built on the saint's original foundation (St Petroc's reliquary is a highlight of this spot).  A short jaunt up to Padstow will be very worth our time, with remains of old celtic crosses in the area. 
1^st Overnight Penzance

Sept 13    Penzance is surrounded by an area of Celtic culture and outstanding natural beauty. Majestic cliffs, rocky coves, pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear seas await you, not to mention the heather and gorse of the moors.  Early Christian and Bronze Age sites abound, forming a landscape that is the heritage of a proud culture, a source of inspiration for artists, writers and poets (let's not forget Gilbert and Sullivan!).  Howard Curnow will be our guide while here, teaching us all about the legends and history of this rich area.
2^nd Overnight Penzance

Sept 14   Located on the shores of Mount's Bay is the island castle of St Michaels Mount, the "jewel in the crown" of the Penzance area.  There is so much to see and experience here in the Penwith countryside, Trencrom Hill, Mulfra Quoit, Men an Tol, Lanyon Quoit, Merry Maidens stone circle, Geever Mine and the Church of St John Baptist in Pendeen.
3rd Overnight Penzance

Sept 15    We have to make our journey northward today, but there will still be opportunities to stop for photo ops along the way, or even do some last minute shopping.
Overnight near Gatwick

Sept 16    A mid-day flight will return us to the USA.  We hope you enjoyed this trip to   Cornwall and the Southwest. Perhaps we will see you on another one of our Celtic Journeys.  Take care of yourselves.  God Bless.

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