Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
7 Days
TBC
From Only £1,649.00
Lying just off the coast of Cornwall, enjoy the slower pace of life and old-world charm from our base in Hugh Town.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
After your departure, we travel south through Devon, making a stop en route before continuing into Cornwall to our overnight hotel.
An early start today as we head to Penzance to board the Scillonian ferry. During our crossing, you will enjoy a unique perspective of some of Cornwall's most iconic coastline, sailing past quaint fishing villages, impressive lighthouses and towering cliff tops - look out for famous landmarks such as the world-renowned open-air Minack Theatre, Porthcurno Cove and the Land's End peninsula, as well as marine wildlife-spotting from the deck. We arrive in St Mary's around lunchtime and transfer to the St Mary's Hall hotel in Hugh Town, the island's 'capital', where you'll stay for the next four nights.
Following breakfast today, enjoy a three-hour escorted walking tour around St Mary's, which will provide an insight into the highlights and daily life on the archipelago's largest island. Enjoy free time exploring Hugh Town this afternoon, home to various shops, galleries and restaurants.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Hugh Town, escaping everyday stresses to return to a gentler way of life where old-fashioned values are championed. Situated between two beaches, which are both a short walk from our hotel, perfect for taking in the tranquillity and mild climate, thanks to the Atlantic's gulf stream. Alternatively, you may enjoy a wildlife safari boat trip searching for the local puffins, seals, rare seabirds and dolphins. If you decide to explore further afield, why not visit one of the beautiful neighbouring islands? St Mary's is known as the 'Gateway to the Isles of Scilly', so island-hopping is easy with local boat trips departing from the quayside. With five inhabited islands to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice! <br /><br />NB. Suggested optional boat trips are bookable directly in the resort. They are not included and are subject to availability.<br />
Today's included excursion takes us by boat to the privately owned island of Tresco. Here, we include visiting the world-famous Abbey Gardens, Scilly's sub-tropical gem, with free time to explore at your own pace. Flourishing just twenty-eight miles off the coast of Cornwall, Tresco Abbey Garden was established around the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey and is home to over twenty thousand plants from over eighty countries and every Mediterranean climate zone. Watch out for red squirrels and golden pheasants meandering by, marvel at magnificent sculptures in shady glades, and browse haunting echoes of island shipwrecks in the enchanting Valhalla Figurehead Museum.
With a leisurely start to the day, we check out and start our journey home this afternoon. Upon arriving in Penzance, our coach will be waiting to take us to our overnight hotel.
After breakfast, we continue our journey home back by coach.
Based around an elegant townhouse, built initially by Count Leon de Ferrari and surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean gardens, St Mary's Hall Hotel offers contemporary style and comfort blended into a traditional setting. Each room has a flat-screen TV, a well-stocked complimentary room tray, natural formula toiletries and a hairdryer.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
Wifi
Gardens
A laid-back 19th-century hotel conveniently situated right by the water’s edge with great sea views and just 5-minute walk from the harbour. The modern rooms have Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with DVD players and tea/coffeemaking facilities.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
Wifi
Seaview terrace
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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