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This tour starts in Bristol, England and ends in Cardiff. We will visit all three of Wales National Parks: Snodownia, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Brecon Beacons. It visits all the main attractions along the way and includes trips to the Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey, Caerleon Roman Town, Swansea and Gower, St. David's, the Preseli Hills, Harlech Castle, Mount Snowdon and the Llanberis Pass, Caernarfon World Heritage site, Conwy walled town, Hay on Wye Booktown and the Black Mountains. Accommodation is in 2 and 3 star hotels, Inns and B&Bs (all with private facilities)
SEP 16 - THE HISTORICAL MYSTERIES OF WALES
From Bristol we will travel the beautiful Wye Valley and journey back through the ages exploring some of the Celtic, Roman and Medieval wonders of Wales including:
Caerleon - The city of the Legions was one of 3 principal military bases in Roman Britain, then called Isca Silurium. It was the headquarters form AD75 of the Elite Second Legion.
We will peruse the remains of this Roman military town including its amphitheatre, baths, fort, barracks and museum. Caerleon has been associated with King Arthur's Camelot and the amphitheatre is thought by many to be the site of the mystical Round Table. Chepstow Castle - This stunning fortress, perched dramatically above the river Wye is the earliest stone castle in Wales. It stands as a legacy to the impact of the Normans.
Tintern Abbey - A majestic medieval ruin set in the heart of the beautiful Wye Valley, Tintern is one of the largest Cistercian abbeys in the world. A favourite location for artists and for the poet William Wordsworth, the abbey is an ideal place to stop for a picnic on the banks of the River Wye.
Raglan Castle - A remarkable Late-Medieval castle surrounded by imposing defences, Raglan's ruins span many centuries and have many a story to tell.
The attractions are mainly situated in the Wye Valley which will be our route from south into mid Wales.
SEP 17 - MOUNTAINS ADVENTURE
An opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles, within the Brecon Beacons National Park. There we find dramatic mountain ranges, beautiful valleys and rivers, timeless villages and historic market towns. Continuing into the heart of the Black Mountains will take us through the Gospel Pass, an ancient pilgrims' route to St. David's, which has incredible views of the Wye Valley. We will take time to stop at Llanthony Priory, a medieval ruin that was chosen as a monastic site because of its isolation. The former abbot's residence is now a tiny pub set in the grounds - an opportunity for refreshments and an ideal location for a picnic. After navigating the Gospel Pass we will have the opportunity to visit Hay-on-Wye, 'The Town of Books'. The border town is famous for its second-hand bookshops and specialist map and print shops. It also claims to be independent from both England and Wales and every year elects its own king.
SEP 18 - PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK, PRESELI HILLS AND ST. DAVID'S
Today we drive through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the British Isles. The beautiful moorland to a sea-edged plateau of rugged cliffs with beaches stretching below. We will visit to the birthplace of the patron saint of Wales, the city of St. David's (Britain's smallest city) and a journey through the beguiling Preseli Hills, an area of great Prehistoric interest. Ancient trade routes run through these hills that are scattered with prehistoric hill forts, standing stones ad burial chambers. From here, in around 1500 BC, the bluestone megaliths that form the inner circle of Stonehenge were quarried. We will make a stop at Laugharne, the town that the poet and writer Dylan Thomas wrote much of his famous works, Laugharne also thought to be the inspiration for his most famous play 'Under Milkwood' and there will be an opportunity to see the house and writing shed where such works are written, along with some of his favourite watering holes (pubs)!
SEP 19 - TREGARON & RHIANNON'S WELSH GOLD CENTRE
Today we travel from the Teifi Valley where we will pass by Cenarth Falls, a beautiful stretch of the famous salmon river where the salmon can sometimes be seen leaping the falls to journey upstream. This is also the home of the Coracle Centre which explains how these very ancient fishing vessels are still used to catch fish on the Teifi and Towy rivers in west Wales. Arrival at Tregaron in time for lunch and a free afternoon where you will have the opportunity to visit Rhiannon's Welsh Gold Centre where local craftspeople produce traditional Celtic designs using rare Welsh gold.
For birding enthusiasts - just north-east of the town is a Visitors centre for the once rare, but resurgent Red Kites which can often be seen here.
The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) a majestic aerobatic bird of prey with a 2-metre long wing span was once common across the UK and even afforded royal protection in the middle ages. Through conservation efforts there are now more than 300 pairs of Red Kites breeding in the Tywi and Cothi valleys of mid-Wales.
SEP 20 - SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK
A journey northwards into the dramatic scenery of
Snowdonia in the heart of north Wales. We will have
the opportunity to visit some of the most imposing
castles in Europe including Harlech and Caernarfon
and have the chance to see breathtaking scenery
such as the Llanberis Pass, Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed.
SEP 21 - TRAVELLING THE NORTH COAST
A journey through the beautiful Conwy Valley
to the remarkable medieval walled town of
Conwy and the Victorian coastal resort of
Llandudno. We will also visit the beautiful
island. of Anglesey across the famous Menai
Bridge from the mainland and visit the town
with the longest place name in Europe and
see some of the island's magical prehistoric
and medieval sites.
SEP 22 - TRAVEL BACK TO CARDIFF
Today we travel Cardiff via the stunning
scenery of mid-Wales and the ancient pilgrim's
route through the 'pass of the cross'. Keep your
eyes peeled for Red Kites - if time permits and
we are interested we can stop at the Red Kite
feeding station at Rhayader - a guaranteed
Red Kite viewing area.
Single supplement 20%
Includes:
- all transportation form pick up in Bristol on September 16 to drop off in Cardiff on September 22.
- Twin accommodation throughout the itinerary in
- 2 and 3 star hotels and B & Bs.
- Fully escorted by local professional guide Mike Davies of Dragon Tours
