Wales: The Land of the Dragon

Regional departure or Home Connect service, then to Llandudno for a three-night stay. Enjoy dinner this evening.

Today we enjoy a scenic drive into the Snowdonia National Park and journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Trains depart from Llanberis Station and cross two viaducts, travel past majestic waterfalls and through amazing rock-littered landscapes, and to the summit.

This afternoon, we stop at medieval Conwy, home to the smallest house in Great Britain. You will have free time to explore and, if you'd like, you can visit the impressive castle (entrance not included). Built by Edward I in the 13th century, this fortress is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe. Visitors can climb its towers for panoramic views of the town and estuary. There is also picturesque harbour in Conwy, where you can watch fishing boats and enjoy fresh seafood.

We start our journey along the North Wales coastline and visit Anglesey. Crossing the Menai Strait, we call at Llanfair PG, the village with the longest name in the country, and pretty Beaumaris, which boasts one of Edward I’s most beautiful castles. This captivating seaside town has a mix of medieval, Georgian and Victorian architecture. Stroll along the seafront, continue through the charming streets and admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Beaumaris Castle (entrance not included), built between 1295 and 1330.

This afternoon, we stop at historic Caernarfon, famous for its majestic castle built by Edward I, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town itself has many independent shops, galleries and pubs just waiting to be explored!

This morning, we leave North Wales behind and begin our journey south, stopping in the pretty village of Betws-y-Coed. Considered the "Gateway to Snowdonia", enjoy a stroll around the village and stop at one of the cafés before we head to Aberystwyth.

Located in Cardigan Bay, Aberystwyth offers a scenic promenade and two beaches. From here, we board the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway and journey to Devil's Bridge. This takes around an hour and showcases breathtaking scenery through the Welsh countryside.

We disembark at Devil’s Bridge which, according to legend, was originally built by the Devil himself. As the story goes, an old woman’s cow wandered across the river. The Devil agreed to build the bridge so the woman could retrieve her cow, in exchange for the soul of the first being to cross the bridge. However, he was tricked by the canny old woman, who threw bread across the bridge. Her dog ran after it, thus becoming the first ‘being’ to cross.

It is likely that the bridge, which spans the Afon Mynach (Monk’s River), was constructed in the 11th or 12th century. The second bridge was built in 1753, and the top bridge was put in place in 1901. The three bridges are Grade II-listed as a remarkable succession of three superimposed bridges.

Our coach will then collect us and we will continue our journey south to Carmarthen and our hotel for a four-night stay.

After a busy few days of sightseeing, today is free for you to relax in the hotel or explore Carmarthen at your own pace.

Carmarthen is considered the oldest town in Wales. It has a rich Roman heritage and links to the Arthurian legends as the birthplace of Merlin. Why not explore the ruins of the historic castle (entry not included) or visit the Carmarthenshire museum? There is also a traditional indoor market, where you can find unique gifts and local crafts.

Today we explore Pembrokeshire, visiting one of the most iconic seaside towns in Wales, Tenby. We enjoy a cruise (approx. 1hr 15mins), departing from the harbour and taking in some of Pembrokeshire’s most dramatic offshore islands, such as Caldey and St Margaret's.

You will then have free time in Tenby to explore at your leisure, The pedestrian-friendly centre is filled with independent shops, art galleries, and cosy cafés to enjoy, as well as lots of spots to purchase fish and chips or locally-made ice cream.

This morning we visit historic Pembroke, known for its royal legacy and medieval charm. The magnificent castle was the birthplace of King Henry VII and is one of the most complete Norman castles in the UK. You will have free time to explore the town at leisure.

We also visit beautiful St Davids, Britain’s smallest cathedral city. Its city status was bestowed in the 16th century when a town with a cathedral was considered a city by the English Crown. The policy was abolished in the 1800s, but the late Queen Elizabeth II granted city status once again in 1994, in recognition of the rich history and heritage.

St Davids is home to a wide selection of historic attractions, including the beautiful cathedral and the ruins of The Bishop’s Palace. The quaint streets are regularly dressed in bunting and are flanked by cute cages, boutiques and galleries.

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