CELTIC FRINGE
Mystic Wales & Eastern Ireland
15 day tour inc. arrival/departure days
Wales is perhaps one of the least well known of the British Isles’ many
treasures. If your image of the country is limited to the coal mining area
of ‘How Green was my Valley’, it’s time to think again.
Wales can boast a greater variety of culture, history and scenic beauty
than virtually any other part of the country. Stone Age temples, Roman
fortresses, 12th century castles and romantic ruined abbeys. Sheep covered
hills, breathtaking mountains, rugged coastline and mile long sandy beaches.
Steam trains, woollen mills and slate mines. Thatched cottage villages,
welcoming farmhouses and quaint harbours. Dylan Thomas, male-voice choirs,
Druids and the second oldest language in Europe. Crossing the Irish Sea from
Wales follows a route taken by the ancient Celts almost 3000 years ago.
We’ll discover Irish characters, drinks, landscapes and more on our tour of
the Southeast of Ireland, the Wicklow Mountains and, of course, Dublin. As
in Wales, bi-lingualism between an ancient Celtic tongue and modern day
English is omnipresent. Yet, life on the western shores of the Irish Sea is
quite different. We’ll discover many traits of character uniquely Irish, a
country steeped in the Catholic religion, a young country with an old
history. This tour provides a great insight into our Celtic heritage, one of
the oldest surviving cultures in Europe, and allows us to experience some of
the most magnificent landscapes anywhere in the British Isles.
One departure only: Aug 2 to Aug 16, 2003
Price: $2399. Single supplement: $425
DAY ONE - SATURDAY
You'll be met at the airport of arrival by your Transfer Driver and be
delivered to our West London Hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to
recover from the rigours of your flight. The hotel is situated in an
attractive neighbourhood of the city so you may enjoy local exploration, or
take the underground to a city centre area. Dinner is not included tonight.
DAY TWO - SUNDAY
Taking our quickest route from London west, we cross into Wales via the
Severn Bridge. Our first stop is at Chepstow, on the River Wye. The town's
castle was the first Norman stone castle in Wales and it stands on the cliff
top overlooking the Wye. We'll take time to explore the castle and the town
and perhaps take a spot of lunch before travelling up the Wye Valley to
Monmouth, via Tintern Abbey, one of the most beautifully situated ruins in
the country. The border town of Monmouth was the birthplace of Henry V and
Mr. Rolls of Rolls Royce fame. It boasts an interesting museum dedicated to
Admiral Horatio Nelson, and a 13th Century fortified bridge gateway, the
only one remaining in the United Kingdom. Our next port of call is at
Caerleon, known to the Romans as Isca. This was the home of the 2nd
Augustinian Legion, one of the three permanent legionary bases in Britain.
We'll see the remains of some of the troops' barracks as well as the
amphitheatre, the only one completely excavated in Britain. From here, we
head to our base for the next two nights.
DAY THREE - MONDAY
Today's leisurely tour will be spent exploring the beautiful Vale of
Glamorgan. We will visit the market town of Cowbridge, where the actor
Anthony Hopkins went to school. The Valley of the Kings and Merlin's school
is next on the agenda, as we visit Llantwit Major, once one of the most
important and influential centres of learning in British Christendom. From
here, it is but a short drive to the spectacular coastline at Nash Point,
where shipwreckers lured ships to their destruction, and smugglers landed
their contraband. If the weather is good, we might take the opportunity to
have a picnic on the cliff top. We'll follow the coastal road round to
Southerndown with its beautiful sandy beach - maybe we'll have time for a
paddle before we move on. Ogmore Castle, dating from the 13th Century is
next. Here we'll cross the River Ewenny on ancient stepping-stones and,
following a footpath; we'll end up in the picture postcard thatched roof
village of Merthyr Mawr. This evening, if available, there is an optional
visit to a Welsh Cultural Banquet to enjoy Welsh music, Welsh humour (in
English) and traditional Welsh food. Alternatively, perhaps we'll take a
time travel trip back to the 1600s at Llancaiach Fawr Manor.
DAY FOUR - TUESDAY
Leaving industrialised South Wales behind; we’ll head for Swansea and the
Gower Peninsula. This small 18 by 5-mile peninsula contains some of the most
unspoilt and beautiful scenery in South Wales. Via the seaside town of
Oystermouth with its 13th Century castle which occupies the summit of a
small hill above the town we’ll reach The Mumbles, where we'll promenade on
the Victorian pier and visit the lifeboat station. After some more
explorations of the Gower Peninsula, we continue our journey west, to
Merlin’s town of Carmarthen, today a thriving market town and the centre for
Welsh-speaking West Wales. After exploring this interesting town, we move on
to Laugharne, where Swansea-born Dylan Thomas lived for 16 years. He
described Laugharne as "this timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town..."
Many characters from his poem 'Under Milk Wood' were based on local people.
We'll follow a cliff walk to visit his house and hear of his life and works.
From here, it’s not far to Pembrokeshire and our base for the next night.
DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY
Crossing the Preseli Mountains from whence, it is thought, some of
Stonehenge’s boulders came; we'll find one of the finest megalithic
monuments in Britain, Pentre Ifan. This striking burial chamber dates from
around 3000-4000BC. Our next stop is at St. David's. It was here that the
patron saint of Wales was born and lived. There'll be time for you to
explore this fascinating little town with its cathedral and bishop's palace,
before heading to the ferry port for our crossing to Ireland. Our nightstop
for two nights will be in County Wexford.
DAY SIX - THURSDAY
First on our itinerary is Kilkenny, one of the oldest and most
interesting towns of Ireland. It has been called 'the marble city' from the
fine and long-quarried limestone in the area. Two of the most impressive
local buildings are the ancient castle, dating back to 1192 and having
connections with the Norman conqueror, Strongbow, and the magnificent
Cathedral of St. Canice which, despite the damage done by Cromwell's troops,
is one of the finest unruined churches in the country. Continuing our
journey south, we next visit Jerpoint Abbey, founded in 1180 where we'll
find some interesting carvings and ornate 13thC tombs. Then to Waterford,
famed the world over for its magnificent crystal ware. The town itself
contains a few items of interest such as the 12thC Reginald Tower, where a
prize exhibit is the sword and mace of King John (aye, 'bad' King John of
Robin Hood fame). Nearby is the Waterford Glass factory, which we'll visit
and watch various stages of the manufacture of this fine cut glass and
crystal. A highlight of the day will be Dunmore East. This is a pretty
little harbour, which offers lovely sea views. On to Kilmore Quay, a lovely
Co. Wexford village. From the shore, we’ll be able to see the Saltee Islands
from the shore, today the home of some 3 million birds from 47 species.
DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY
It’s as if the Lake District had been brought to your doorstep; the
Wicklow Mountains are the beautiful ‘backyard’ of Dublin’s fair city. An
area that has long exercised an attraction on those seeking solitude and
contemplation. Monks settled here as early as 545 AD. Birdsong, the sound of
running water and remains of ancient monastic life remind us of the sanctity
this area must have held for those who sought to live here. Passing through
the Wicklow Gap, we’ll enter into the secluded and seductive valley of
Glendalough. Remains of an 11th century cathedral, several churches and a
110ft (33m) round tower are all that’s left of the monastic settlement that
called this area home. Given Ireland’s bounty of natural beauty, Glendalough
must surely be one of its loveliest retreats. Heading back north towards
Dublin, we’ll also pay a visit to Powerscourt with its splendid landscaped
gardens embracing the erstwhile 18th century mansion (destroyed by fire in
1974). Nearby are Powerscourt Falls, the highest waterfalls in Ireland
(270ft or 90 metres).
DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY
Today is D-Day, the day to discover Dublin. You may wish to meander in
this eminently walkable city. It means so many things to many people: it is
a city of writers, a city that is the symbol for Irish nationalism, a city
of talkers, of pubs of music, of Georgian architecture. A city of shifting
moods, often in two moods at once, hustle and bustle in one street, quiet
admiration and contemplation in another, and always there is talk of this
and that. Full of churches and full of pubs, Dublin nourishes the spirit and
the soul. The River Liffey provides a convenient as well as historical axis
along which to orientate one’s visit.
DAY NINE - SUNDAY
Following the ferry crossing to the Isle of Anglesey - once known as
'Mona', the mother, as it used to supply all of North Wales with wheat - our
first stop this morning is at the town with the longest name in the English
language, known today as Llanfair PG! The handsome resort town of Beaumaris
is also on today's itinerary - it is from here that we get some spectacular
views across the Menai Strait towards the mainland before we make our way
across to Caernarfon. Its castle is undoubtedly the most famous in Wales, as
it was the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales
in 1969. You will have free time to explore this bustling town. Finally, our
journey back to base takes us through the breathtaking scenery of the
Snowdonia National Park.
DAY TEN - MONDAY
A leisurely day begins with a visit to the enchanting Italianate village
of Portmeirion. It was created by Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1925 -
1972 and stands in a stunning spot on its own wooded peninsula next to the
tidal sands of Traeth Bach. We'll explore the village before moving on
deeper into the Snowdonia National Park. Depending on time, we'll lunch in
the beautiful wooded village of Beddgelert and hear the sad story of how the
village came to get its name. We are now in the heart of the Snowdonia
National Park - if the weather is fine, we'll be able to see Snowdon, the
highest peak south of Scotland. This afternoon we'll visit the slate caverns
at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Here we'll learn about the underground world of the
Victorian slate miner. On the surface is a Victorian village, where, if you
wish, you may call at the 'Old Bank' to exchange your money into Victorian
coinage, for use in the shops. The day would not be complete without a ride
on the world's oldest passenger carrying narrow gauge railway. A Welsh
woollen mill is also planned today.
DAY TWELVE - WEDNESDAY
Leaving North Wales behind us, we head back down into mid-Wales. Much of
the countryside we'll pass through is open moorland, scored by the
occasional river valley. We have a long drive this morning before our first
stop at the town of Llanidloes, with its striking black and white
half-timbered 16th Century market hall. Continuing our journey south, we
pass through the charming spa towns of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells,
taking lunch where appropriate. We'll end our day's touring at the wonderful
border town of Hay-on-Wye, the used book capital of the world. Our hotel is
in the centre of town, so you will have plenty of opportunities to explore
in depth.
DAY THIRTEEN - THURSDAY
The charming market town of Brecon is first on today's agenda. Here we'll
take time to visit an unusual museum before following the River Usk to the
town of Abergavenny. The Romans had a fort here, but the earliest evidence
of Abergavenny's history is the Norman castle founded in 1090. Continuing
our explorations, we take a breath-taking drive through the Black Mountains
to a 14th Century priory, now a private pub set in unbelievable majesty and
miles from anywhere. We'll try to visit the unique Partricio church, if time
permits. Also on today's itinerary will be hidden Border castles and the
oldest pub in Wales
DAY FOURTEEN - FRIDAY
Today, we'll drive to the lovely city of Gloucester. A highlight of our
visit will be a tour of the magnificent cathedral, a tour of Gloucester's
restored Victorian docks and a visit to the shop Beatrix Potter used as a
model for her 'House of the Tailor' story. From Gloucester we drive through
the honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, stopping at quaint and
photogenic sites en route. Two will stand out in particular, Burford and
Minster Lovell. Whether Spring, Summer or Autumn, the flower-filled gardens
and rolling hills make this one of England's most picturesque areas.
Eventually, we'll arrive back into London where you will be dropped off at
our west London hotel base. Dinner not included
DAY FIFTEEN - SATURDAY
You will be transferred to your airport of departure. |
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