This tour begins in London and finishes in Manchester.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day One South Wales
We will depart from our Central London meeting point at approximately 9:00 and make our way across the border into Wales, speeding our way with a rare bit of motorway driving. Our first destination in ‘The Land of Song’ is Chepstow, a scenic town on the River Wye. The town’s castle was the first Norman stone castle in the country, set on a cliff top overlooking the valley.
Nearby is Tintern Abbey, one of the most beautifully situated ruins in the country and inspiration for one of William Wordsworth’s loveliest poems.
If we have time, we might also see Caerleon, former base of the Roman legion. Here are the remains of some of the barracks and amphitheatre, the only one completely excavated in Britain.
NIGHTSTOP: Newport/Bridgend area, South Wales
Day Two South Wales
We will start our lovely day in the open-air Museum of Welsh Life near the village of St Fagans. This fascinating mirror reflects hundreds of years of Welsh life. Dozens of authentic buildings have been transplanted from all corners of the country, painstakingly and faithfully rebuilt here. Houses, churches and chapels, a mill, bakery, pubs and even a school, have been wonderfully preserved.
This afternoon we explore the verdant Vale of Glamorgan, meandering through some of the market towns. Our day can include the Valley of Kings where the wizard Merlin was schooled, Llantwit Major with its religious connections, perhaps along the rugged coastline where smugglers lured ships to the rocks or maybe cross a river by 13th century stepping stones. Spoilt for choice!
NIGHTSTOP: South Wales as above
Day Three South Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park is our main destination, yet another area of stunning Welsh scenery. There’ll be a welcome in these hillsides as the traditional song goes. Rhigos Mountain is home to the sole surviving deep Welsh coal mine and there’s the wonderful market town of Abergavenny. Host to an amazing annual Welsh Food Festival, the market origins were in cattle. This place has roots as far back as the Iron Age. If we’ve whisky enthusiasts aboard, we can include a stop at Penderyn Distillery, a one-of-kind Welsh libation. For 2014, they’ve a special line celebrating Dylan Thomas.
Our way back to our accommodation will take us through the Rhondda Valley. The history of this region is memorably captured in the great novel of industrial Wales How Green Was My Valley and in Alexander Cordell’s terrific historical novels.
NIGHTSTOP: South Wales as above
Day Four Dylan Thomas Trail
This morning, if there’s an interest and as we’re near, we may call into Margam to see ancient crosses and inscribed stones including the Great Cross of Conbelin. The 12th Century Christian relics are built upon older Celtic remains.
Most of our day will spent exploring the Dylan Thomas Trail in Swansea and Laugharne. Swansea, where Dylan was born and raised, offers many fine tributes to the author. We can see his Birthplace Museum and the Man and Myth exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre.
Further along the coast, Laugharne is a charming town. Dylan Thomas described it as “this timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town…” Here we can follow the cliff walk to his Boathouse, enjoying the stunning views over the estuary, and perhaps raise a glass to Wales’ favourite poet in the newly refurbished Brown’s Hotel.
This afternoon, via Merlin’s town of Carmarthen, we continue our way west and our base for these two evenings.
NIGHTSTOP: West Wales
Day Five West Wales
Most of our day will be a lovely scenic drive around the wonders of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Walking opportunities abound here too! Crossing the Preseli Mountains, we’ll find one of the finest megalithic monuments in Britain. Deservedly famous, Pentre Ifan is Pembrokeshire’s flagship ancient site. The chamber is set on the side of Carn Ingli and overlooks sweeping Newport Bay.
St David’s is another place on our day’s agenda, where the patron saint of Wales was born and lived. Set in a valley below the tiny city, the splendid St David’s Cathedral and Bishops Palace have an inspiring atmosphere. Nearby St Nons is another fine place of spiritual heritage. It is said that the waters here hold curing powers.
NIGHTSTOP: West Wales, as above
Day Six West Wales
We’ll be exploring the mystical West Wales coastline, alternative rugged and pretty with its small harbours, quaint towns and ancient remains. Some claim this is the land of King Arthur and his ‘Holy Grail.’ Our route will take us through the university town of Aberystwyth and Owain Glyn Dwr’s Machynlleth; along our way we can discuss these legendary Welsh heroes.
Arriving North, our accommodation for the next few days will be either the lovely Victorian seaside town of Llandudno or the walled castle town of Conwy.
NIGHTSTOP: Llandudno/Conwy area, North Wales
Day Seven ND North Wales
Today, you will have the whole day to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure. Your guide will be on hand for an optional walking tour and advice for the day’s options but what you do today is totally YOUR choice!
The local City Sightseeing hop-on/hop-off bus and ample public transport make getting around easy. Choose to spend the day around Llandudno and Conwy. Alternatively, you can hop the train to the English town of Chester or garden lovers may opt for a visit to Bodnant Gardens. Called “one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK”, spanning some 80 acres, Bodnant is situated in a scenic locale above the River Conwy.
Llandudno is an elegant Victorian seaside resort. The pier is a lovely place for a walk, dotted with cafes. There’s a theatre, the flower-filled promenade and pretty Victorian buildings that face the sea. The town boasts a funicular railway that you may choose to ride to the top of the Great Orme for splendid views of the Snowdonia countryside. The charming town of Conwy is another option for your free day. Conwy’s wall was erected in the 12th Century by Norman conquerors, with the massive castle dominating one corner.
Chester is another walled city, founded by the Romans along the River Dee. There’s a fine cathedral, Roman remains including part of an amphitheatre and shopping opportunities in the unique mediaeval ‘rows.’
Spoilt for choice! Dinner is not included tonight for flexibility’s sake.
NIGHTSTOP: North Wales, as above
Day Eight North Wales
We will make our way through the stunning landscape of Snowdonia National Park. This park is one of dominating peaks, the highest in England and Wales, featuring narrow mountain passes, flowing stream, cascading waterfalls, sheep-covered uplands and verdant, hidden valleys. Certainly, an ancient Welsh culture and language still thrives here today.
Our day will include a steam train journey through the mountains on a half-gage railway.
Later, the group can choose a visit to the great slate mine at Blaenau Ffestiniog, or copper mine at Sygun or a woollen mill. Small group touring allows for flexibility and input from the guests so you can create your own adventure!
NIGHTSTOP: North Wales, as above
Day Nine North Wales
The iconic castle of Caernarfon, a fairy tale like structure built as part of Edward I domination programme of the 13th Century, is our first port of call today. Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales’s 641 castles. The castle’s majestic persona is no architectural accident, it was designed as the dream castle, ‘the fairest that ever man saw’ of Welsh myth and legend.
The rest of our day will be spent discovering the Isle of Anglesey. This ancient and mystic island offers an astounding wealth of attractions including prehistoric burial chambers, Celtic and Viking settlements, fabulous flora and fauna, and the village with the World’s longest name – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrndrobwllllandysilliogogogoch.
Spring and summer turn Anglesey into a giant rock garden, carpeted with flowers of every hue. The island’s geography is a natural haven for wildlife with its wildly contrasting variety of sheer cliffs, sheltered coves, estuaries, dunes, wetlands and woodlands. If we’re lucky, we may just catch sight of puffins, guillemots, seal colonies or perhaps some dolphins glimpsed from the shore. Fingers crossed and cameras ready for the possibility!
NIGHTSTOP: North Wales, as above
Day Ten North Wales
For our final day together, more wonderful scenery is in store! We’ll drive via Lake Bala to Llangollen, the small town that ‘Welcomes the World’ each year as host to the Wales International Music Festival.
Also today is Chirk Castle. This castle, built in the time of Edward I, has been home to the Myddleton family for over 500 years. Featuring some of the best gardens in Wales, the estate was landscaped in the 18th Century.
Alas, our adventures in the Land of Song must come to an end and we must make our way into Manchester, arriving by 18:00. Accommodation is separate tonight, available for the appropriate supplemental fee.
Please note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to unforeseen changes in opening days or times.
