The Wonders of Wales
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,299
DELUXE | SMALL GROUP: Enjoy a week exploring Wales with its ancient castles, beautiful natural countryside, coastal scenery, old houses and traditions of afternoon teas and male voice choirs. You will be surprised at the many contrasts in this comparatively small land.
Join one of our unique small group Back-Roads touring experiences (maximum 18 participants) that includes specially selected accommodations, transportation in purpose built Mercedes Benz Sprinters, sightseeing, special culinary experiences and a knowledgeable Tour Leader.
Commence your tour of Wales in Cardiff, first exploring Cardiff Bay and then visiting the interesting National History Museum of Wales. Next travel to Caerphilly Castle dating back to the 13th Century with its medieval fortifications. Then comes a unique visit to the Welsh coalmining valleys where you will go down a working mine and also learn about the history of coalmining in Wales. Finally arrive at the Brecon Beacons National Park and stay for 2 nights in Crickhowell with its 17th Century stone bridge.
The next day, travel to Caerleon with its Roman legionary fortress, one of only 3 in Britain. Continue through the Wye Valley with its outstanding natural beauty. Visit here Tintern Abbey dating back to the 12th Century. Later learn about Wales’ wine industry.
Leave Crickhowell and visit Cwm Hir Hall with its 12 acres of beautiful gardens and its eccentric collection of artifacts. Next travel to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest and highest in the UK. Later enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at Cefn Park where the owners and their ancestors have lived for 200 years. The present owners will regale you with stories about their ancestors. Eventually arrive at the city of Conwy for a 2 night stay. Head immediately to the nearby resort of Llandudno to hear a concert given by a traditional male voice choir.
The next day is at leisure in Conwy.
The following morning travel to Canaerfon Castle, the most famous castle in Wales. Then head to the Lleyn Peninsula which juts out into the Irish Sea with its steep cliffs and rugged rocks. Visit a Heritage Centre and endeavour to learn a few words of the Welsh language while having tea here. Arrive eventually at the Snowdonia National Park, the largest in Wales for overnight.
The following day, travel to St. David’s on the coast. En route, stop at Aberaeron, a charming Regency town and also at the Pembroke Coastal National Park. Overnight in St. David’s.
The next morning, visit the attractive walled seaside resort of Tenby after which continue to Cardiff where your tour of Wales ends.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,299
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Cardiff
After meeting the group in Wales’ vibrant capital, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: The Coal Exchange Hotel (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Cardiff - Brecon Beacons
Following a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll venture through the dramatic Welsh Valleys to Brecon Beacons National Park, stopping at the 13th-century Caerphilly Castle along the way. Afterwards - if time allows - we’ll delve into Welsh mining heritage at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. This evening, another delicious group dinner awaits us at our hotel.
Accommodation: The Bear Hotel (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Brecon Beacons - Llangollen - North Wales
Today’s itinerary will take us further north along the border regions of Mid Wales to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the longest and highest structure of its kind (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, we’ll pass by the mesmerising Valle Crucis Abbey before pausing for an afternoon tea together at a charming local tearoom. Upon our arrival along the rugged North Welsh Coast, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.
Accommodation: Empire Hotel (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Nights |
North Wales - Nant Gwrtheyrn and Snowdonia National Park - North Wales
Continuing our journey today, we’ll have a brief photo opportunity at the village with the longest place name in Europe - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch - before moving on to the fascinating Llanberis Slate Mine. After enjoying a demonstration and stroll around the museum, it’s onwards to the Welsh Language Heritage Centre in Nant Gwrtheyrn - where we’ll flex our language skills with a lesson in tongue-twisting Welsh pronunciation. This evening, settle into a cosy pub and practise those new-found linguist skills!
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
North Wales
After an eventful few days, today you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the nearby towns of Llandudno and Conwy. How you choose to spend the day is up to you - but we recommend visiting the imposing Conwy Castle and taking a look at the medieval town walls. Later, you could uncover the self-proclaimed “smallest house in Great Britain” along the picturesque quay - which also plays host to an abundance of cosy cafes and traditional pubs perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon. Tonight, we’ll reconvene back at our hotel for another included group dinner.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|
North Wales - Snowdonia National Park including Portmeririon - West Wales
Buongiorno! We’ll begin our day in Italiano style this morning at whimsical Portmeirion. Designed in the 1920s to replicate an Italian village, its quirky pastel-hued houses, classical mansions and maze-like gardens are straight from the pages of a storybook. Then, we’ll take in the breathtaking landscapes of the Welsh countryside in comfort and style with a historic steam train ride. Travelling around horseshoe bends, through mountain tunnels and along cliff edges – there’s no better way to discover the region’s lush green pastures, glittering lakes and magnificent forests. Our day will end in picturesque West Wales - where you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure.
Accommodation: The Falcondale (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
West Wales including Tenby
This morning, we’ll admire the verdant rolling hills of the Welsh countryside as we set a course for the picture-perfect fishing village of Tenby. Perched on a headland and surrounded by Norman-built walls, we’ll have time to explore the medieval village streets and array of cafes and stores at our own pace. History-rich Pembrokeshire is our oyster this afternoon; there are plenty of hidden gems to discover! Upon returning to our hotel, we’ll don our best outfits for tonight’s final group dinner. Here’s to an incredible journey!
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|
West Wales - Cardiff
After breakfast, it’s back to Cardiff we go! This morning we’ll make the scenic drive south towards the capital, where we’ll pay a visit to St Fagans National Museum of History - Wales’ most popular heritage attraction - before our tour comes to a close.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2023: May 5, 19; June 9, 30; July 14, 28; August 11; September 1, 15, 222
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights in first-class accommodations
- 8 day small group (max 18 guests) including:
- Professional driver/tour leader
- Mini-coach transportation with air conditioning
- Entrance fees to Cadw, St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life, Big Pit National Coal Museum, Caerleon Castle, Abbey Cwm Hir Hall and Caernarfon Castle
- Afternoon tea at Cefn Parks Victorian Kitchen
- Welsh wine tasting experience
- Welsh language lesson
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 4 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not specifically indicated
- Driver/tour leader gratuity (at own discretion)
- Items of a personal nature
- Entrance fees not listed in the inclusions
- Incidental expenses
- Pre and post tour accommodation
- Transfers (not stated in the itinerary
- Visa fees if applicable
OTHER INFORMATION:
Blue Roads Touring have hand-picked an extensive portfolio of quality properties across Europe and to ensure the very best experience on each of our tours, hotels may vary to those listed in this itinerary.
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Please note, due to COVID-19, all 2021 and 2022 itinerary's are subject to change without prior notice. Finalized itineraries will be confirmed no later than 3 weeks prior to departure. Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
22 Sep 2023
