Walking tour of Cornwall - South West England Romantic stretches of coastline and picturesque fishing villages

Day 1: Switzerland - Lille

From Basel, the journey leads through southern Alsace, past the Vosges and on to Lille, the capital of French Flanders close to the Belgian border.

The last boarding point in Switzerland is Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse, at 09.15.

Day 2: Lille - Bournemouth

After breakfast, you set off towards northern France to the port city of Calais. You cross to Great Britain on board a ferry. Shortly before arrival, be sure to take a look at the Cliffs of Dover, the tall white chalk cliffs. The coach then continues along the south coast of England towards Bournemouth. On the way, you will visit the mysterious 5,000-year-old stone circle of Stonehenge. The basic pattern of this enigmatic collection of standing stones consists of an outer ring and an inner horseshoe of sandstone blocks. The largest of the standing stones is 6 m high and extends 2.5 m into the ground. Towards evening, you will reach Bournemouth.

Day 3: Jurassic Coast - Cornwall

Your first walk takes you along the spectacular Jurassic Coast. The coastline stretches 150 km from Exmouth to Swanage and was the first natural site in England to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides its impressive rock and coastal formations, the coast is best known as a site for fossils. You begin your walk at Burton Bradstock with wonderful views of Burton Cliff and East Cliff, and walk westwards towards West Bay. Afterwards, you travel by coach to St Austell in Cornwall.

(Walking time approx. 2.5 - 3 hrs)

Day 4: Dartmoor National Park

Excursion to the mystical and expansive Dartmoor National Park. The landscape here is as dramatic as the weather and has played the leading role in numerous films. From the little village of Postridge, you set out on a varied walk through Dartmoor National Park. Unspoilt moorland, babbling waterfalls and the clapper bridges, bridges built from granite slabs, characterise this legendary area. Semi-wild Dartmoor ponies and sheep roam everywhere across the lush green meadows and heaths. (Walking time approx. 2.5 hrs)

(Walking time approx. 2.5 hrs)

Day 5: Mevagissey - Lost Gardens

A relaxed day in Cornwall. Today you walk close to the hotel along the South West Coast Path to the little fishing harbour of Mevagissey - a town straight out of a picture book. You will enjoy not only the view of the dramatic coastline, but also of the "Cornish Alps" - the snow-white spoil heaps from 19th-century clay mining. In the afternoon, in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, you will discover peach trees and pineapple plants, and venture into the jungle and the Lost Valley. (Walking time approx. 2 hrs.

Day 6: Land's End - St Ives

(Optional excursion) to the westernmost point of England. You walk along an attractive coastal path to Land's End. On the return journey, you will visit the charming fishing village of St Ives. (Walking time approx. 1.5 hrs)

Day 7: Tintagel - Clovelly - Bristol

Today you walk along the cliffs with views of Tintagel. From the cliff top, you have a fantastic view of the castle ruins where, according to legend, King Arthur was born (no stop for visiting). The coach then continues to the best-known village on the west coast, the fishing village of Clovelly. On foot, you descend from the cliffs along steep cobbled lanes to the romantic harbour, past painted houses with gardens full of flowers. Drive via Bideford and Barnstaple, where the road turns away from the sea, towards Bristol. Towards evening, you will reach Bristol. (Walking time approx. 3 hrs)

Day 8: Bristol - Dover - Lille

Drive past London to Dover. Before you begin your journey to France, you will go on one last walk in the Dover area, enjoying the enchanting view of the "White Cliffs of Dover". Your walk leads you from the little village of St Margaret's along the coast, past the South Foreland Lighthouse to the "White Cliffs of Dover" visitor centre. Crossing to Calais and drive through northern France to Lille.

(Walking time approx. 1.5 hrs)

Day 9: Lille - Switzerland

Return journey from Lille across France to Metz in Lorraine and through Alsace back to Switzerland.