A British family's eagerly anticipated holiday to the picturesque coasts of Cornwall turned into an epic 18-hour international ordeal after a catastrophic booking error sent them to the wrong country entirely.
The Andrews family, from the West Midlands, had dreamed of a relaxing half-term break exploring Cornwall's stunning beaches and charming villages. Instead, they found themselves on a frantic 1,800-mile dash across Europe when they discovered their 'Cornwall' accommodation was actually in Spain's Catalonia region.
The Moment of Truth
The nightmare began when they arrived at Malaga Airport, expecting a simple transfer to the British coastline. "We got in the hire car, put the address into the Sat Nav and it said 11 hours to destination," the shocked mother recounted. "That's when we realised something was terribly wrong."
Instead of the familiar Cornish landscape, they found themselves facing a gruelling cross-continental journey from southern Spain to northern France, followed by a channel crossing and another long drive through England.
The Marathon Journey Begins
Faced with impossible flight costs exceeding £2,000 to return immediately, the desperate family embarked on an extraordinary road trip. Their marathon journey included:
- An 11-hour drive from Malaga to northern France
- A cross-channel ferry crossing
- An additional 7-hour drive through England to reach the actual Cornwall
- Total travel time: 18 exhausting hours
The family's Spanish detour cost them an extra £1,200 in unexpected expenses, turning their dream holiday into an expensive nightmare that left them exhausted before their proper vacation had even begun.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
This travel disaster serves as a stark warning to all holidaymakers about the importance of double-checking booking details. The family now urges others to:
- Always verify the country designation when booking
- Check airport locations carefully before travel
- Confirm all accommodation details with the provider directly
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance for unexpected emergencies
Despite the rocky start, the family managed to salvage their holiday, proving that even the worst travel disasters can't keep determined Brits from their Cornwall getaway.
