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South Wales Heritage Trail
4 days/3 nights from London
This superb, short tour of Wales will introduce you to the very best of South Wales. Focusing on one area of this wonderful country, you’re sure to have a personal, in-depth experience. It's the ideal tour for those who really want to get off the beaten track on the discovery trail, using the country’s rich literary heritage as our guide.
Wales was the land or words long before it became the 'Land of Song.' Welsh poetry dates back to the 6th century and the first tales of King Arthur appear in Welsh literature. The roll-call of modern writers who have influenced the wider world includes Richard Llewelyn, Roald Dahl, Bruce Chatwin and of course, Dylan Thomas.
Wales is quite a source of inspiration. Share in the vision of Wordsworth standing before the majesty of Tintern Abbey or Francis Kilvert walking the paths between Hay and Clyro. Explore some remnants of the past, Roman and Norman remains, spectacular castles, settlements and reminders of the gritty industrial age.
These few, fun filled days will introduce you to a land of words, to a land of inspiration, to weavers of magic tales. Their words provide us the ‘road map’ to explore the history and heritage of this rich land. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, some of the Celtic magic might just rub off!
“I never realized that Wales was such a beautiful country…tour of Wales was a revelation. Traveling with the small group of us in our trusty mini-van was definitely the way to see it! Thanks… I'll be back for Cornwall and Devon next year.” Jessie Strom (2004)
"I'm so pleased that I've finally discovered Wales. It's my 51st country and few of the 50 preceding ones can beat it for such variety. My only regret is that I didn't take the longer tour!" Martha Coffey (2006)
Tour Dates:
2 – 5-Oct, 2011
8 - 11 April, 2012
30 Sep - 3-Oct, 2012
Tour Rate: $1499 USD per person in twin/double room; $175 USD single supplement
What your tour price includes: Your accommodation for 3 nights while on the tour including both full breakfasts and dinners. Your price also includes all entrance fees to attractions, transportation, services of driver/guide-companion and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide.
Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, London city tours, London attraction passes and London transport passes are not included but can be added to your package as you wish. Ask us for details.
We have regional Wales tours and custom designed itineraries available throughout the year including scheduled tour Sacred Places, South Wales and Pembroke.
Those interested in a longer holiday in Wales may choose to link this short tour with the North Wales: Celts & Gardens tour.
Contact us for availability: specialgrouptours@yahoo.com
This tour begins and ends in London. You will be picked up from your London hotel at approximately 09:00.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day One Sunday
From London, we will travel via the pretty Chiltern Hills, an area teeming with literary heritage, to historic Gloucester. Here, we’ll see Gloucester Cathedral and can explore children’s literature connections with Harry Potter, Beatrix Potter and Humpty Dumpty.
This afternoon, some lovely borders scenery in this ‘undiscovered’ region of Wales, we may find time for some hidden Border castles and the oldest pub in the country. Our destination is Hay on Wye, called the ‘World’s Largest Used Book Centre’ where even the castle dungeon is lined with books. If you can’t find that book you’ve been searching for here, chances are you just won’t find it anywhere! Those interested in some walking, your guide will be on hand to assist you with some options.
NIGHTSTOP: Hay-on-Wye/Brecon
Day Two Monday
A unique day today sees us following the ‘Dylan Thomas Trail,’ affording us the opportunity of touring one of the UK’s nicest areas, the Gower Coast. We will spend time in the village of Laugharne. This was Dylan Thomas’ village, the inspiration for Under Milk Wood, where we’ll see his famed boat house writing studio, home and grave. Our day will also feature the city of Swansea and we can explore a few other legends of Welsh literature including the great Celtic tradition that gave birth to the Arthurian legends.
NIGHTSTOP: Bridgend/Newport
Day Three Tuesday
Today, a leisurely day including the city of Roald Dahl, the Capitol city of Cardiff and the open-air Museum of Welsh Life in the village of St Fagans. This fascinating mirror of hundreds of years of Welsh life embraces dozens of authentic buildings, removed from all corners of the country and painstakingly and faithfully rebuilt and refurbished here. Houses, churches and chapels, a mill, bakery, pubs and even a school, have been wonderfully preserved. You can easily imagine the life of times of Dylan Thomas during time here.
Later, we’ll meander through the once gray and hard world of the Welsh mining Rhondda Valley, now transformed, but a time so memorably captured in the great novel of industrial Wales, How Green Was My Valley and inspiration for many of Alexander Cordell's terrific historical novels.
NIGHTSTOP: Bridgend/Newport, as Above
Day Four Wednesday
We’ve many more lovely places to see on our final day! There’s the scenic Wye Valley, the breathtakingly beautiful setting for Bruce Chatwin's 'On the Black Hill,' Chepstow Castle, the first Norman stone castle in Wales and the area where Harry Potter author JK Rowling grew up. There’s also the romantic Tintern Abbey, inspiration for one of William Wordsworth's loveliest poems.
Alas, we must take our leave of the “Land of the Red Dragon,” crossing the river Severn back across the border but first we may enjoy a short visit to the now small village of Caerleon, named after the camp of the Roman Legions. Perhaps up to 6000 Romans were based here almost 2000 years ago! The imposing remains of that camp can be seen including the barracks, the only complete amphitheatre in Britain, Roman baths and the remains of a Roman port.
NIGHT STOP: London (not included in the package but available for a supplemental fee.)
Please Note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we do our utmost to include all properties, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to visit due to change in opening times, days.
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