Recommend May 2012 - (Page 50)

continued from page 48 According to McNulty, Lynott Tours—founded in 1970—is a company specializing “in travel to Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. We create one-of-a-kind packages for groups and individuals, believing that a vacation can only be a success if it’s custom-tailored to ﬁt the requirements and preferences of each individual.” Both Lynott and Gindroz consider Devon and Cornwall standout destinations that enthrall visitors who want to experience the beauty of an area considered to be England unplugged. Reaching Devon and Cornwall from London is made easier through the efﬁciency of First Great Western, the high-speed railway company that links London’s Paddington Station to Exeter St. Davids, the Devon depot that is the gateway to the counties (prices range anywhere from approximately $55 to $110, depending on departure time and coach class). The Royal Seven Stars Hotel (rates from about $130 to $200 per night dbl) is a marvelous, contemporary and graceful property that manages to retain the character of its ancient pedigree. cornwall Cornwall, separated from Devon by the River Tamar, is an unexpected treat. Its population is a tad over half-million, but grows to more than 5 million sun-worshipping beach-goers in summer. A charming small town feeling prevails in the county of Cornwall captivating visitors. Newquay, for example, is a miniature ﬁshing port with a picturesque appeal that far outweighs its small footprint. The Headland Hotel, with 96 luxury rooms including 11 suites (rates run from approximately $350, per night dbl to about $500) sits on a dramatic bluff overlooking Newquay’s Fistral Beach and beﬁts its label as “a sanctuary by the sea.” This is a marvel that opened its doors in 1900 to instantly become a favored seaside retreat for royal guests like Edward VII who was a frequent visitor. The hotel was turned into a hospital for wounded RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain during World War II. But don’t let its history fool you. The Headland is an utterly 21st century property gushing sophistication and style. Coastal Cornwall has a multitude of attractions, including St. Michael’s Mount, a dot of an island that is England’s version of Mt. St. Michel in France. Here one will ﬁnd a number of marvelous towns like St. Ives where the festive mood of summer is a year-round affair. A ﬁshing village at heart, St. Ives is home to Boskerris (it means “Place on the Hill” in Cornish), one of the premier hotels in the area. A boutique, Mediterranean-style jewel built in the 1930s, Boskerris is presently a family-owned establishment with striking ocean views that look like they came out of an iMax screen. After having undergone a 3-year restoration, Boskerris is an elegant hotel where pampering guests seems to be the order of the day. Rates vary with the season, but generally run during the low season from $180 per night dbl to about $325. ■ Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Heritage Tours to Europe (July 2011) devon Exeter is a delightful, clean and historic city in Devon of about 120,000 where one ﬁnds accommodations ranging from small family-run inns to sparkling hotels with the ambiance of large museums. The city has a long history paralleling that of southern England, as it was founded by the Celts, conquered by the Romans, and nearly ﬂattened by the Luftwaffe in World War II. There are castles within the city, and its guildhall is reputed to be the oldest such building in England. But modern travelers will take pleasure in its easy, laid-back atmosphere. Exeter’s standout hotel is the 53-room ABode Hotel, once known as the Royal Clarence, centrally located across from the cathedral built in 1050. The rooms (rates go from approximately $220, to about $470 pp per night dbl) have undergone full remodeling and feature ultramodern amenities. Its kitchen is manned by Exeter native son and Michelin-rated chef Michael Caines who specializes in dishes featuring Devon regional specialties. The ABode is a feast for the eye as well as for the palate. It does not disappoint. A few days in Devon bring out a sense of tranquility ideal for unwinding after hectic London. Villages and towns straight out of an English travel log pop out unexpectedly to delight with their trademark hedgerows, narrow humpback bridges and the inevitable spire of a church breaking the horizon. Totnes, a town as old as England, is a photogenic destination on the banks of the River Dart. It is a traditional English market town imbued with warmth even in bleak winter. Its center is a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets full of shops and galleries. Legend has it that Totnes was the ﬁrst home of Brutus of Troy, the mythical founder of Britain. There’s even a granite stone that residents claim belonged to him. This town is well anchored in the past, yet it’s ﬁrmly planted in the present. It is constantly rated as one of the “world’s funkiest towns” by an irreverent travel guide. contact information ABode Hotel: abodehotels.co.uk/exeter Boskerris: boskerrishotel.co.uk Bovey Castle: boveycastle.com First Great Western: ﬁrstgreatwestern.co.uk Gindroz & Company: (917) 522-9593; gindrozandco.com Headland Hotel: headlandhotel.co.uk Lynott Tours: (800) 221-2274; lynotttours.com Royal Seven Stars Hotel: royalsevenstars.co.uk VisitBritain: (212) 850-0338; visitbritain.com or visitbritaintrade.com 50 may 2012 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.abodehotels.co.uk/exeter http://boskerrishotel.co.uk http://www.boveycastle.com http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk http://www.gindrozandco.com http://headlandhotel.co.uk http://www.lynotttours.com http://www.royalsevenstars.co.uk http://www.visitbritain.com http://www.visitbritaintrade.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Worldwide Traveler
Viking Longships Invade European Waters
In Chile: Going to Extremes
India Travel Planner 2012
Devon & Cornwall: England's Peerless Destinations
Israel & Jordan: The Wellspring of Spirituality
Top Golf Resorts: North America
Top Golf Resorts: Caribbean & Bermuda
Top Golf Resorts: Mexico

Recommend May 2012