Wales, the Land of Song

Celtic heritage, stunning scenery and unique culture

9days including arrival and departure

Considering this is one of the UK's gems, it's surprising that the country is not over-run with tourists! Luckily, the glories of Wales still remain a largely undiscovered secret and it's ideal for the real back-roads experience. This tour (which can be combined with the Cream Teas and Pasties tour of Devon and Cornwall) introduces you to the lovely principality of Wales and provides unforgettable memories and experiences.

We have a tour that includes romantic, fairy-tale castles, steam trains, spectacular mountain scenery, wild coastline, literary connections, historic homes and gardens, fantastic museums, ancient mystic Celtic sites and last but certainly not least, the unique Welsh cultural life that encompasses language and of course, song!

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2003

Price: US$1299 Single Supplement: US$345

Day One - Friday

Arrival in London where you'll be met and transferred to our tour hotel. You have the day free to enjoy the attractive local neighbourhood at leisure.

Day Two - Saturday

The civic centre of Cardiff is magnificent and will be the showpiece of a panoramic city tour (which will also feature the Millennium Stadium, formally known as the Arms Park, Mecca for the millions of Rugby Football fans worldwide). You'll also enjoy some free time this morning to shop and to visit the magnificent Cardiff castle

This afternoon we see the superb cathedral at Llandaff, before arriving at the open-air Museum of Welsh Life in the nearby village of St Fagans. This fascinating mirror of hundreds of years of Welsh life embraces dozens of authentic buildings, removed from all corners of the country and painstakingly and faithfully rebuilt and refurbished here. Tonight, if it's running, we'll attend a Welsh Male Voice Choir practice to hear some superb singing and meet some new friends.

Day Three - Sunday

Leaving Glamorganshire 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. Close by is The Mumbles, where we'll promenade on the Victorian pier and visit the lifeboat station. 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. 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.

Day Four - Monday

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 we continue our explorations. Further highlights of the day will include seeing farmhouse cheese being made and visiting a centre where the unique boat of this region, the coracle, is still made and used.

Day Five - Tuesday

Was this the real land of Arthur, for all that the Cornwall legend claims? It is certainly possible that this great warrior who united a people against Saxon invaders was indeed a Welsh prince. We'll learn about another, one who definitely lived, Owain Glyn Dwr and visit the site of his 15th century parliament at Machynlleth. We'll also be exploring the west Wales coastline, alternative rugged and pretty with its small harbours. Then there's the Victorian resort and university harbour town of Aberystwyth. And finally, the impressive hill side castle at Harlech.

Day Six - Wednesday

A leisurely day absorbing the stunning mountain scenery of 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'll be able to see Snowdon, the highest peak south of Scotland. This afternoon we'll visit the slate caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog and learn about the underground world of the Victorian slate miner. A Welsh woollen mill is also planned today and, if time permits, Caernarvon and perhaps Conwy or Beaumaris on the isle of Anglesey.

Day Seven - Thursday

Leaving North Wales behind us, we drive into mid-Wales. Much of the countryside we'll initially pass through is open moor-land, scored by the occasional river valley. Our drive to Lake Vyrnwy could not be more of a back-roads route through rolling hills and sheep-covered moors. We'll take morning tea beside the lake before continuing through further scenic beauties to Welshpool. One of the highlights of our visit to this market town will be to Powis castle. Owned and lived in by old Welsh aristocracy, you'll get a good idea of the wealth and opulence that once distinguished all our grand homes.

Finally, to Hay on Wye. The used book capital of the world and a paradise for the reader! Here, even the old cinema and castle dungeons have been converted to used-book shops! It is not surprising that this is now the location for one of the the UK's principal literary festivals.

Day Eight - Friday

Day Nine - Saturday Transfers to your departure airport. This has been a magnificent tour and by the end you'll appreciate both why the original Celts, like Arthur, and his descendants since have fought so hard to maintain their cultural heritage against so many invaders over the centuries.