Duration: 7 Days
Take a trip to Wales and escape to the beauty and history of “The Land of Castles“ on this guided vacation. Leave the bustle of London for the green landscapes of England’s countryside, visiting Stonehenge and Bath en route to Wales.
Spend two nights in Cardiff, with plenty to see around Welsh capital city, including fascinating St. Fagans National Museum of History and fairytale Cardiff Castle. On the way to North Wales, drive through beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park and stop in the pretty towns of Brecon and Builth Wells. Meet locals who have a strong culture and heritage and still speak a Celtic language natively. Overnight in Llangollen where you might wish to take a stroll along the Victoria Promenade.
You’ll travel through Snowdonia National Park via Betws-y-Coed and on to Caernarfon, famous for its enormous medieval castle and have some time to spend in its vibrant shops, cafés, and traditional pubs. On your way to England’s Manchester, stop in Chester and take photos of its 16th century Tudor buildings traditionally constructed from oak with the timbers stained with black tar. Spend the last night of your escorted tour in Manchester where you gather with your traveling companions, and raise a glass to this Welsh adventure.
See why this escape through Wales’s beauty and history is made even better without the crowds of the high season on your affordable, guided Welsh holiday.
Welcome to London! Meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
ON THE TOWN IN LONDON
LONDON Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SITES England's national treasure of St. Paul's Cathedral is home to a spectacular array of art from delicate carvings to gilded dome murals and modern works of art. As the seat of the Bishop of London, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London, where notable remembrances have been served here, including Queen Victoria's jubilee, birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II, and funerals of luminaries like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
MYSTERIOUS STONES & SPA CITY
STONEHENGE Take a guided visit.
BATH Visit the elegant Georgian city. (B) 176 mi / 284 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Ponder the who, what, why, and how of Stonehenge, one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world. Its sheer size and sophisticated architectural design have earned its legendary reverence as the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Although its original purpose is a mystery, the concentric monuments hold spiritual significance for people from around the world who gather at the massive stone circles to celebrate the summer solstice.
PRIDE OF WALES
CARDIFF Visit Globus Local Favourite St. Fagans National Museum of History and Cardiff Castle. Free time this afternoon. (B) 16 mi / 26 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
NATIONAL TREASURE Explore the open-air National Museum of History in St. Fagans, where you will see many historic buildings brought from all over Wales and learn about architecture, culture, agriculture and lifestyle of the Welsh people - from the world of a 230,000-year-old Neanderthal child to modern day.
WELSH DRAGONS, DAFFODILS & CASTLES
Drive through stunning Brecon Beacons National Park.
BRECON Stop at a market town.
BUILTH WELLS Stop at a village known for its 12th century castle.
LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque village, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. (B) 137 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
UNIQUE SPOT Medieval towns? Tick. Rolling green hills? Tick. Waterfalls? Tick. Romantic castles? Tick. In fact, there are 17 castles and palaces scattered in towns and on remote hills of Brecon Beacons Park. Explore one of Wales' three national parks, connect with nature and hear about Welsh turbulent history.
FROM PRINCE TO KING
Drive over spectacular Llanberis Pass and through Snowdonia National Park.
BETWS-Y-COED Stop at the gateway to Snowdonia.
CAERNARFON Visit the city where the castle saw the investiture of King Charles III as Prince of Wales in 1969.
CHESTER Stop at the medieval cathedral city.
MANCHESTER Free time in the evening. (B,D) 174 mi / 280 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
UNESCO SITE Caernarfon is a royal town known for its mighty 13th century castle.
It is also a seaside resort and a stronghold of Welsh culture and heritage.
SAFE TRAVELS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
