Food Makes A Tasty Finish To ExploreGB Fam
The counties of Devon and Cornwall in England were the featured destinations of a recent overland journey by 16 Canadian tour operators taking part in this year’s ExploreGB fam trip and trade show event.
The five-day program gave the reps insight to the wide variety of attractions available in these two south-western counties, ranging from the rugged landscapes of Dartmoor National Park, to the nautical attractions of Plymouth city, to more pastoral pursuits in Cornwall. The short trip demonstrated the diversity of potential activities available to travellers in this very scenic corner of England.
For instance, award-winning guides used their time with the group to demonstrate the stark beauty of Dartmoor. They said that mysterious standing stones from the same time period as Stonehenge could be seen by those willing to spend a few hours hiking through the rolling wilderness of the park.
On the other hand, the narrow cobblestoned streets of Plymouth, on the coast of Devon, were the setting for a tour that illustrated significant points of history for the city. These include its role as the launch point for the earliest sailing voyages of settlers to America in 1420. The anniversary of this world-changing journey will be celebrated as part of the Mayflower 400 event.
The opportunity to experience the burgeoning culinary scene in Cornwall was kicked off by a visit to the pioneering Tregothnan Tea Plantation. The operators there are developing tea strains that are unique to the location, and have have established themselves near to the serenely isolated Coombe Village.
More pioneering efforts were demonstrated by the vineyards and winery at Trevibban Mill Vineyard and Orchard, also in the Cornish countryside. While tastings of wines and ciders are its specialty, Trevibban is able to offer a satisfying lunch of cold meats, cheeses, breads and vegetables.
Given these culinary experiences, travellers may be inspired to try their hand at preparing a meal themselves, using foods sourced from Cornish farm producers, and from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This can be accomplished at the Rick Stein’s Cookery School, where would-be chefs watch a meal be assembled, and are then are given the ingredients to do the same. Bon appetit!
Go to www.visitbritain.com for more.
In the photo
Lynda Falcone of Visit Britain (l.) joins Diane Pothan of CIT Tours (c.) and Karen Burwood of DH Tours during a visit to the Trevibban Mill Vineyard and Orchard in Cornwall, while on the recent ExploreGB Canadian educational trip.
