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The Celtic Fringe (15 days tour)
Wales is perhaps one of the least well known of the British Isles' many treasures. If your image of the country is limited to the coal mining areas of 'How Green was my Valley', it's time to think again.
Wales can boast a greater variety of culture, history and scenic beauty than virtually any other part of the country. Stone Age temples, Roman fortresses, 12th century castles and romantic ruined abbeys. Sheep covered hills, breathtaking mountains, rugged coastline and mile long sandy beaches. Steam trains, woollen mills and slate mines. Thatched cottage villages, welcoming farmhouses and quaint harbours. Dylan Thomas, male-voice choirs, Druids and the second oldest language in Europe.
Crossing the Irish Sea from Wales follows a route taken by the ancient Celts almost 3000 years ago. We’ll discover Irish characters, drinks, landscapes and more on our tour of the Southeast of Ireland, the Wicklow Mountains and, of course, Dublin. As in Wales, bi-lingualism between an ancient Celtic tongue and modern day English is omnipresent. Yet, life on the western shores of the Irish Sea is quite different. We’ll discover many traits of character uniquely Irish, a country steeped in the Catholic religion, a young country with an old history.
This tour provides a great insight into our Celtic heritage, one of the oldest surviving cultures in Europe, and allows us to experience some of the most magnificent landscapes anywhere in the British Isles.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
DAY ONE - MONDAY
The day is yours to recover from the rigours of your flight. The hotel is situated in an attractive neighbourhood of the city so you may enjoy local exploration. Dinner is not included tonight.
NIGHTSTOP London
DAY TWO - TUESDAY
Taking our quickest route from London west, we cross into Wales via the Severn Bridge. Our first stop is at Chepstow, on the River Wye. The town's castle was the first Norman stone castle in Wales and it stands on the cliff top overlooking the Wye. We'll take time to explore the castle and the town and perhaps take a spot of lunch before travelling up the Wye Valley to Monmouth, via Tintern Abbey, one of the most beautifully situated ruins in the country. The border town of Monmouth was the birthplace of Henry V and Mr Rolls of Rolls Royce fame. It boasts an interesting museum dedicated to Admiral Horatio Nelson, and a 13th Century fortified bridge gateway, the only one remaining in the United Kingdom. Our next port of call is at Caerleon, known to the Romans as Isca. This was the home of the 2nd Augustinian Legion, one of the three permanent legionary bases in Britain. We'll see the remains of some of the troops' barracks as well as the amphitheatre, the only one completely excavated in Britain. From here, we head to our base for the next two nights.
NIGHTSTOP near Cardiff
DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY
Today's leisurely tour will be spent exploring the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. We will visit the market town of Cowbridge, where the actor Anthony Hopkins went to school. The Valley of the Kings and Merlin's school is next on the agenda, as we visit Llantwit Major, once one of the most important and influential centres of learning in British Christendom. From here, it is but a short drive to the spectacular coastline at Nash Point, where shipwreckers lured ships to their destruction, and smugglers landed their contraband. If the weather is good, we might take the opportunity to have a picnic on the cliff top. We'll follow the coastal road round to Southerndown with its beautiful sandy beach - maybe we'll have time for a paddle before we move on. Ogmore Castle, dating from the 13th Century is next. Here we'll cross the River Ewenny on ancient stepping-stones and, following a footpath; we'll end up in the picture postcard thatched roof village of Merthyr Mawr. This evening, if available, there is an optional visit to a Welsh Cultural Banquet to enjoy Welsh music, Welsh humour (in English) and traditional Welsh food. Alternatively, perhaps we'll take a time travel trip back to the 1600s at Llancaiach Fawr Manor.
NIGHTSTOP as above
DAY FOUR - THURSDAY
Leaving industrialised South Wales behind; we’ll head for Swansea and the Gower Peninsula. This small 18 by 5-mile peninsula contains some of the most unspoilt and beautiful scenery in South Wales. Via the seaside town of Oystermouth with its 13th Century castle which occupies the summit of a small hill above the town we’ll reach The Mumbles, where we'll promenade on the Victorian pier and visit the lifeboat station. After some more explorations of the Gower Peninsula, we continue our journey west, to Merlin’s town of Carmarthen, today a thriving market town and the centre for Welsh-speaking West Wales. After exploring this interesting town, we move on to Laugharne, where Swansea-born Dylan Thomas lived for 16 years. He described Laugharne as "this timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town..." Many characters from his poem 'Under Milk Wood' were based on local people. We'll follow a cliff walk to visit his house and hear of his life and works. From here, it’s not far to Pembrokeshire and our base for the next night.
NIGHTSTOP Pembrokeshire
DAY FIVE - FRIDAY
Crossing the Preseli Mountains from whence, it is thought, some of Stonehenge’s boulders came; we'll find one of the finest megalithic monuments in Britain, Pentre Ifan. This striking burial chamber dates from around 3000-4000BC. Our next stop is at St. David's. It was here that the patron saint of Wales was born and lived. There'll be time for you to explore this fascinating little town with its cathedral and bishop's palace, before heading to the ferry port for our crossing to Ireland. Our nightstop for two nights will be in County Wexford.
NIGHTSTOP County Wexford
DAY SIX - SATURDAY
First on our itinerary is Kilkenny, one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Ireland. It has been called 'the marble city' from the fine and long-quarried limestone in the area. Two of the most impressive local buildings are the ancient castle, dating back to 1192 and having connections with the Norman conqueror, Strongbow, and the magnificent Cathedral of St. Canice which, despite the damage done by Cromwell's troops, is one of the finest unruined churches in the country. Continuing our journey south, we next visit Jerpoint Abbey, founded in 1180 where we'll find some interesting carvings and ornate 13thC tombs. Then to Waterford, famed the world over for its magnificent crystal ware. The town itself contains a few items of interest such as the 12thC Reginald Tower, where a prize exhibit is the sword and mace of King John (aye, 'bad' King John of Robin Hood fame). Nearby is the Waterford Glass factory, which we'll visit and watch various stages of the manufacture of this fine cut glass and crystal. A highlight of the day will be Dunmore East. This is a pretty little harbour, which offers lovely sea views. On to Kilmore Quay, a lovely Co. Wexford village. From the shore, we’ll be able to see the Saltee Islands from the shore, today the home of some 3 million birds from 47 species.
NIGHTSTOP County Wexford
DAY SEVEN - SUNDAY
It’s as if the Lake District had been brought to your doorstep; the Wicklow Mountains are the beautiful ‘backyard’ of Dublin’s fair city. An area that has long exercised an attraction on those seeking solitude and contemplation. Monks settled here as early as 545 AD. Birdsong, the sound of running water and remains of ancient monastic life remind us of the sanctity this area must have held for those who sought to live here. Passing through the Wicklow Gap, we’ll enter into the secluded and seductive valley of Glendalough. Remains of an 11th century cathedral, several churches and a 110ft (33m) round tower are all that’s left of the monastic settlement that called this area home. Given Ireland’s bounty of natural beauty, Glendalough must surely be one of its loveliest retreats. Heading back north towards Dublin, we’ll also pay a visit to Powerscourt with its splendid landscaped gardens embracing the erstwhile 18th century mansion (destroyed by fire in 1974). Nearby are Powerscourt Falls, the highest waterfalls in Ireland (270ft or 90 metres).
NIGHTSTOP Dublin or Wicklow Mountains
DAY EIGHT - MONDAY
Today is D-Day, the day to discover Dublin (www.visitdublin.com). You may wish to meander in this eminently walkable city. It means so many things to many people: it is a city of writers, a city that is the symbol for Irish nationalism, a city of talkers, of pubs of music, of Georgian architecture. A city of shifting moods, often in two moods at once, hustle and bustle in one street, quiet admiration and contemplation in another, and always there is talk of this and that.
Full of churches and full of pubs, Dublin nourishes the spirit and the soul. The River Liffey provides a convenient as well as historical axis along which to orientate one’s visit.
NIGHTSTOP Dublin or Wicklow Mountains
DAY NINE - TUESDAY
Following the ferry crossing to the Isle of Anglesey - once known as 'Mona', the mother, as it used to supply all of North Wales with wheat - our first stop this morning is at the town with the longest name in the English language, known today as Llanfair PG! The handsome resort town of Beaumaris is also on today's itinerary - it is from here that we get some spectacular views across the Menai Strait towards the mainland before we make our way across to Caernarfon. Its castle is undoubtedly the most famous in Wales, as it was the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969. You will have free time to explore this bustling town. Finally, our journey back to base takes us through the breathtaking scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.
NIGHTSTOP Snowdonia, North Wales
DAY TEN - WEDNESDAY
A leisurely day begins with a visit to the enchanting Italianate village of Portmeirion. It was created by Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1925 - 1972 and stands in a stunning spot on its own wooded peninsula next to the tidal sands of Traeth Bach. We'll explore the village before moving on deeper into the Snowdonia National Park. Depending on time, we'll lunch in the beautiful wooded village of Beddgelert and hear the sad story of how the village came to get its name. We are now in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park - if the weather is fine, we'll be able to see Snowdon, the highest peak south of Scotland. This afternoon we'll visit the slate caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Here we'll learn about the underground world of the Victorian slate miner. On the surface is a Victorian village, where, if you wish, you may call at the 'Old Bank' to exchange your money into Victorian coinage, for use in the shops. The day would not be complete without a ride on the world's oldest passenger carrying narrow gauge railway. A Welsh woollen mill is also planned today.
NIGHTSTOP as above
DAY ELEVEN - THURSDAY
The North Wales coast has been a magnet for holidaymakers from Merseyside and beyond for over one hundred years. The mediaeval town of Conwy with its impressive castle, the seaside resort of Llandudno with its pier and elegant promenade, Penrhyn Castle, or the beautiful Bodnant gardens, and the Vale of Clwyd are all on today’s itinerary.
NIGHTSTOP as above
DAY TWELVE - FRIDAY
Leaving North Wales behind us, we head back down into mid-Wales. Much of the countryside we'll pass through is open moorland, scored by the occasional river valley. We have a long drive this morning before our first stop at the town of Llanidloes, with its striking black and white half-timbered 16th Century market hall. Continuing our journey south, we pass through the charming spa towns of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, taking lunch where appropriate. We'll end our day's touring at the wonderful border town of Hay-on-Wye, the used book capital of the world. Our hotel is in the centre of town, so you will have plenty of opportunities to explore in depth.
NIGHTSTOP Hay-on-Wye
DAY THIRTEEN - SATURDAY
The charming market town of Brecon is first on today's agenda. Here we'll take time to visit an unusual museum before following the River Usk to the town of Abergavenny. The Romans had a fort here, but the earliest evidence of Abergavenny's history is the Norman castle founded in 1090. Continuing our explorations, we take a breath-taking drive through the Black Mountains to a 14th Century priory, now a private pub set in unbelievable majesty and miles from anywhere. We'll try to visit the unique Partricio church, if time permits. Also on today's itinerary will be hidden Border castles and the oldest pub in Wales!
NIGHTSTOP Hay-on-Wye
DAY FOURTEEN - SUNDAY
Today, we'll drive to the lovely city of Gloucester. A highlight of our visit will be a tour of the magnificent cathedral, a tour of Gloucester's restored Victorian docks and a visit to the shop Beatrix Potter used as a model for her 'House of the Tailor' story. From Gloucester we drive through the honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, stopping at quaint and photogenic sites en route. Two will stand out in particular, Burford and Minster Lovell. Whether Spring, Summer or Autumn, the flower-filled gardens and rolling hills make this one of England's most picturesque areas. Eventually, we'll arrive back into London where you will be dropped off at our west London hotel base. Dinner not included.
NIGHTSTOP London
DAY FIFTEEN - MONDAY
You will be transferred to your airport of departure.
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