Tour Overview
Wales is a country of great geographical variation with long stretches of attractive and often rugged coastline. North Wales is one of the most popular tourist areas in the British Isles, with many lively coastal resorts. Inland, the region of Snowdonia has long been popular with walkers and climbers. The scenery of mid-Wales includes rich farming valleys, the broad sandy sweep of Cardigan Bay and rolling hill country. South Wales is mainly known for its industrial heritage but the western part of the coast between Carmarthen Bay and St David’s is similar to that of the more pastoral west country of England, and backed by some equally beautiful countryside.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Manchester, England – Llandudno, WalesArrive Manchester Airport and transfer across the border into Wales to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Bodysgallen Hall Hotel Day 02: North Wales
Spend the day exploring North Wales. Your first point of call will be Conwy Castle, a multi-turreted stronghold that was built by Edward I. You can explore almost all sections of the castle and its walls and enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline. Travel further along the coast to Snowdonia National Park, another area of exceptional national beauty with Mount Snowdon at its heart. The area was once famous for its slate mining and you will enjoy a unique experience where you will take a train deep into one of the disused mines to an underwater lake. Bodysgallen Hall Hotel (B) Day 03: North Wales – Dolgellau
Spend the day discovering Wales. Cross the impressive Britannia Bridge to Anglesey Island where you will visit Beaumaris Castle, built by Edward I as the last link in the “iron belt” of fortifications around North Wales. Also visit Wales’ most significant castle, Caernarfon. The castle has had a bloody and symbolic past, and has been the site of the investiture of every Prince of Wales since 1284. Then you will travel to the village of Portmeirion, a fantasy village based on the Italian town of Portofino, and the setting for many films and the TV series, “The Prisoner”. After sightseeing travel the short distance to Dolgellau where you will stay overnight. Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel (B) Day 04: Dolgellau – Cardiff
Drive through one of the most beautiful areas of Wales today, Cardigan Bay and Pembroke National Park. See Aberyswyth, a traditional 19th century seaside resort. Also stop in St. David’s, the UK’s smallest city with a population of 6000 people. The patron saint of Wales, St. David, set up a monastic community here in AD 550 becoming one of the most important Christian shrines. Visit the 12th century cathedral and the stunning ruins of the 13th century Bishop’s Palace. Continue along the stunning coastline of the Pembrokeshire National Park, the country of Dylan Thomas, Wales’ greatest poet and author of “Under Milk Wood”. Continue to your hotel near Cardiff for check-in and overnight. St. Mellons Hotel (B) Day 05: Cardiff
Spend the day discovering the area in and around Cardiff. Dominating Cardiff is Cardiff Castle, founded on Roman and Norman walls. The exterior is now a riot of Victorian Gothic design and is more stately home than defensive castle. Continue out of Cardiff to the Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans, an open-air museum that depicts how the people of Wales lived, worked and spent their leisure time over the last five hundred years. Finally today travel to Caerphilly to visit the stronghold that is Caerphilly Castle, dating back to 1268. Return to your hotel in Cardiff Bay. St. Mellons Hotel (B) Day 06: Cardiff – Tintern – London
Travel with your driver-guide into the heart of Wales, through the beautiful Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacon mountain range. Visit the ruins of Tintern Abbey, one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales. The present-day remains are an amalgam of several phases of construction spanning 400 years. You will then be taken the short distance across the Severn Bridge into England, and your driver-guide will bid you farewell at Bristol Parkway Station. You will have confirmed First Class seats on the express train bound for London. The journey takes just 1 hour 30 minutes. Upon arrival into London’s Paddington station you will be met at the train door and transferred to your hotel. Hilton London Mews Hotel (B) Day 07: Depart London
Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for your departing flight. (B)
