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Village Life In Wales Interesting, Unhurried, Friendly... Our “Village Life in Wales” tour is designed for inveterate travelers who know the true character of a country is best found in its provinces, on its country lanes, in the village pub and on its 'village green'. Our unique tour focuses on Wales' lush well-kept countryside, picturesque villages, fine gardens, medieval castles, its rich culture and heritage but most of all we meet people who make their livelihood in the countryside. We travel in a very comfortable ‘mini-coach’ with a maximum of 12 passengers, taking us where the large coaches can’t. Our Home base is the mountain village of Betws y Coed, Welsh for “Chapel in the Woods”. The village was built almost entirely of stone and slate quarried from the mountains of Snowdonia and became a holiday destination with the arrival of the railway in 1868. The village is still a favorite haunt all year round for those who love the outdoor life. Naturalists, anglers, artists & photographers can be seen any day gathered at the village's heart, the famous Pont-y-pair (Bridge of the Cauldron). Special Features:
Tour Dates: Spring 2008: April 11th and May 9th.
2008 Prices: $2869 USD per person sharing twin/double room What's Included:
Not Included:
TENTATIVE TOUR ITINERARY: DAY 1 - Your guide, Idwal, will pick you up at your Manchester hotel and drive to Betws y Coed, arriving at our hotel in time for a light lunch. There will be light lunch served at the hotel at 1:00 followed by free time until 4:00 when you will meet your guide and traveling companions at a welcoming reception in the residents lounge, This is an ideal opportunity to review the week's itinerary and for general discussion. Your guide will take you on a short walking familiarisation tour of the town before dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 2 - Our route today takes us through the Lledr Valley to view Dolwyddelan Castle. The castle occupies a magnificent location high above the valley, built by Wales's most powerful medieval prince, Llywelyn 'the Great', ruler of Snowdonia between 1210 and 1240. A little further along we leave the coach and board one of 'The Great Little Trains of Wales' on a 12-mile scenic journey from the mountains to the village of Minffordd where we board the coach again for the short journey to the village of Portmeirion. Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis built Portmeirion in the period between 1925 and 1975 primarily to show how 'the development of a naturally beautiful site need not lead to its defilement'. Portmeirion welcomes visitors both for the day and to stay the night, either in the Hotel Portmeirion on the shore, in the cottages that make up the village, or in Castell Deudraeth overlooking the estuary. Our journey continues to Beddgelert, one of Snowdonia's prettiest villages. This village stands amongst the wooded hillsides at the southwestern gateway to the central peaks of Snowdonia. We will have a little free time to browse the craft shops, taste Cadwaladrs' homemade ice cream before our drive back through the Nant Gwynant pass and the rocky heights of Snowdonia. (B,D) DAY 3 - Morning at leisure. Our hotel is located near to St Mary's Anglican parish church built in 1873; they hold bilingual services at 11:00. At 1:30 we depart for a drive through the dramatic Llanberis Pass, an area of Snowdonia that welcomes thousands of rock climbers, mountaineers and hikers every year. At the foot of the pass is the quarrying town of Llanberis where we visit the Welsh Slate Museum. This most Welsh of Welsh industries, the Museum building is situated in the Victorian workshops built in the shadow of Elidir Mountain, site of the vast Dinorwig quarry. Here we see a demonstration of the ancient craft of splitting and dressing the slate ready for the roof. We return in good time for an early diner before attending a traditional Sunday night Male Choral Concert at St Mary's Church. (B,D) DAY 4 - The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) off the north-west coast of Wales, is separated from the mainland by a 12-mile long stretch of water known as the Menai Strait. Access to the island is by means of two picturesque bridges, the original, a Thomas Telford masterpiece built in 1826 is the Menai Suspension Bridge and in 1850, Robert Stephenson constructed the Britannia Bridge specifically to take the railroad to the island that would connect with ferry crossings to Ireland from the port of Holyhead. Anglesey was known as Mam Cymru ('Mother of Wales') during the middle ages because its fertile fields formed the breadbasket for the north of Wales. Firstly, we visit Penmon located on the south east of the island. This is peaceful and secluded where we can enjoy visiting the somber ruins of the Monastery, the ancient church of St Seiriol (1120 1170) and the Holy Well that dates back to pre Christian times. Just down the road is Beaumaris an historic town and the site of the last castle built by Edward 1 in 1296. A stroll through this old town is a walk through history and an ideal place to have lunch. We then drive to Llangefni, a market town in the centre of the island to visit Oriel Mon (Anglesey Art Gallery) The Oriel is a show place for local artists and craftspeople; it is also a fascinating museum illustrating the island's history, culture and wildlife. The gallery's origins date back to 1981 when a large collection of the work of Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe OBE. RA. (1901 1979) was bought at a Christie's auction house in London by Anglesey Borough Council. Tunnicliffe, although not a native of the island had his studio in the south-west corner of Anglesey where he worked for 35 years, becoming one of the most famous wildlife artists of his generation. No visit to the Island is complete without the obligatory photo stop and visit to the shop at Llanfairpwllgwyngychgogerychwyrndrobwyllllandusulioggogogoch the smallest village with the longest name in the world so we are led to believe! After dinner at a local restaurant, we travel over to the village of Bethesda to visit the Penrhyn Male Voice Choir at rehearsal. This choir is one of Wales' oldest choirs formed in 1880 and has traveled widely. (B,D) DAY 5 - Our day begins with a visit to Elaine and Morgan who are fifth generation of the Williams family at Trefriw Woolen Mill. The business, established in 1859, manufactures traditional Welsh bedspreads and tweeds. Morgan will give a short talk about the history of the mill followed by a weaving demonstration on a Dobcross loom. Just down the road is the home of Vicky Buxton and Phil Owen in remote woodland by the Porth Llwyd Falls where Vicky has her pottery studio and workshop. Phil is involved with various art projects involving wood, metals and enamels. This is followed by a visit to the historical town of Llanrwst. One of its many attractions is its three- arched bridge, (b 1636) believed to be the work of Inigo Jones. Nearby is 'Tu Hwnt i'r Bont' a former 15th century courthouse restored by the National Trust and is one of the best 'Traditional Tea Rooms' in Wales serving mouth-watering home baked scones and the Welsh delicacy, 'Bara Brith. After lunch, we visit Gwydyr Castle just on the outskirts, the ancestral home of the powerful Wynne family, descendants from the kings of Gwynedd. Unusually perhaps, it's not the history of the house that is so important to today's visitors as is understanding and appreciating the gigantic restoration project undertaken by the present owners Judy Corbett and Peter Welford to restore the crumbling building, an account of which is beautifully written in Judy's book 'Castles in the Air'. (B,D) DAY 6 - Hidden away in a former mill in the tiny village of Ysbytty Ifan is a thriving cottage industry, an unique service by a group of five local women, all farmers' wives to provide the complete Celtic Wedding Service which they've named Cwlwm (knot in English). These individuals have their own special talent: Eirian for stationery and card;, Angharad is the harpist; Ela designs and makes the dresses; Hafwen for the 'perfect gifts and Eleri takes charge of the catering. We will meet Eleri who will demonstrate the making of the traditional 'Welsh Cakes'. We'll join her for morning coffee and enjoy tasting the cakes. We journey up the valley to Llangwm to meet farmer Aled Owen on his traditional 700-acre mountain farm to enjoy a sheep dog demonstration with his 'world champion dogs'. Learn about the technique of shearing and enjoy the 'Ram Parade', see the different breeds and learn about their characteristics. This is followed with lunch on the farm. We continue the day's travels with a visit to Llangollen, the picturesque town in the Dee valley of north east Wales that 'Welcomes the World' in July each year when it hosts the International Music Festival. There will be a little free time in the town before journeying along the Canal system in a horse- drawn barge. (B,L,D) DAY 7 - Departing for Llandudno, one of the classic British seaside resorts. Its wide promenade, elegant Victorian facades all perfectly framed on a curving bay between the Great and the Little Orme headlands. We drive to the summit of the Great Orme to enjoy spectacular views of the town and Snowdonia Mountains in the distance, and then, onwards to Conwy a town dominated by the most impressive of all the Welsh castles. This town has also a wealth of other historic houses most notably, Plas Mawr the 'Great Hall' built between 1576 and 1585 for an influential Welsh Merchant along with a fine church founded in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary and all Saints. Here we accompany a local historian for a private tour of these historic sites. the World's most spectacular garden set high above the Conwy River, Bodnant was created in the early years of the 20th century by the 2nd Lord Aberconwy. Below five Italianate-style terraces and formal lawns are a wooded valley, stream and wild garden. Superb mature trees are a notable feature and include native trees over two hundred years old, as well as Britain's largest sequoia. The national collections of Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Eucryphias are all held at Bodnant Garden. We visit a country pub for our farewell dinner. (B,D) DAY 8 - After breakfast we depart Betws y Coed, with visits to Bodellwyden Castle and the Marble Church where many Canadian soldiers from WW1 are buried, before time in the walled city of Chester. Then to Manchester for our last overnight. Dinner not included tonight. (B) DAY 9 - Transfer to Manchester airport for flight home.(B)
Inclusive Tours, Excursions, Activities and Special Features:
Some Guest Feedback: We just returned from the U.K. last night and felt I had to let you know how much we enjoyed the tour with Idwal. I can't say enough about how great the trip was, Idwal had put so much thought into the planning and it was all perfect. The Gwydyr Hotel was a delight, I am sure we could have had more modern rooms in the Best Western down the road but it could not have matched the courtesy, friendliness and cuisine of the Gwydyr, just the hotel was an experience not to be missed. My husband was a little apprehensive about the tour, but all of Walter's apprehensions disappeared the first day. If you ever need to use us as a reference for the tour please do not hesitate to call on us. ” D.Jones, Toronto
“Idwal was absolutely first rate – accommodating nature, entertaining, knowledgeable and a cautious driver on those tricky roads. We had an excellent group and lots of stimulating conversation. I loved the Gwydyr Hotel and the characters who worked and stayed there. Someone commented that it was like “Fawlty Towers.” At one point I mentioned to Idwal that I felt as if I was in a novel. It was such a treat to leave at 9-9:30 and arrive back in time for some free time before dinner. The mini-bus was ideal for our jaunts. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to visit Wales a second time. Betws y coed was the perfect base.” B.Nair, Toronto
This tour is operated by Country Lane Tours |
