In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower set sail from this very spot, carrying 102 Pilgrims across the Atlantic to what would become New England — a voyage that helped shape the founding story of the United States. Today the exact departure point is marked with a simple stone archway on the historic Barbican waterfront, easy to walk right past if you didn't know what you were looking at, and remarkable when you do.

Tumbling down a steep valley to a tiny, perfectly preserved harbour, Polperro is the kind of Cornish village that looks almost too pretty to be real — whitewashed cottages, narrow lanes too small for cars, and fishing boats bobbing in the tiny harbour below. It's a gentle downhill walk to the water (and a slightly firmer uphill walk back, so pace yourself), with plenty of cosy pubs and cafés for lunch along the way.

Today we're stepping off the well-worn path to spend some time in Tavistock — a real hidden gem, and a little treat we love sharing with our guests. This handsome Devon market town holds UNESCO World Heritage status as part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, in recognition of the copper and tin mining industry that shaped the whole region. Wander the Pannier Market, the elegant Victorian Guildhall, and the ruins of the old Benedictine Abbey around which the town grew.

Housed in a beautiful former church, The Treasury is a genuinely special setting for our final dinner together as a group — soaring Gothic arches, warm candlelight, and a proper meal to mark the end of an incredible sixteen days. Take a moment tonight to look around the table: strangers just over two weeks ago, and now the people you'll be telling these stories to for years to come.

Before we get to the practical bit — a genuine thank you. Behind every early breakfast, every bag loaded and unloaded, every long driving day through rain and sunshine, every safety check before we set off, every last-minute change of plan, and yes, even these itinerary pages you've been reading all trip — there's been a lot of quiet work going on to make this tour run as smoothly as it has. We're glad you've enjoyed it, and we've loved every minute of showing it to you.