| Scottish Dream Tours Presents 13 Day Castle, Pub and Tearoom Tour of Wales May 17th - 29th, 2010 13 Days of Wales: The Bridge Tea Rooms in Bradford-On-Avon, Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle, Open Top Bus Tour of Cardiff, Castle Coch, Museum of Welsh Life, Gwalia Tea Rooms, Gower Peninsula and The Mumbles, Tudor Merchant's House in Tenby, Medieval Coaching Inn Downtown Tenby, Pembroke Castle, Brecon Beacons, Carreg Cennen Castle, , Hay-on-Wye and Llanthony Priory, Powis Castle, Old Station Tearoom, Harlech Castle, Snowdonia North Wales, Betws-y-Coed, Ty Gwyn Historic Coaching Inn, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, St. Tudno Hotel Tearoom, 14th Century White Lion Inn in Llanelian and more! This is a small intimate tour of Wales limited to 8 - 10 people in order to make for a more enjoyable experience. Keeping the tour size to a minimum does not limit us as to where we can go and what we can do. We will stay in small homey guest houses, country house hotels and coaching inns. Our meals will be taken in old world inns, medieval pubs, unique tearooms and intimate seaside cafés and restaurants. Wales has more castles per square mile than any other place in the British Isles and I have chosen but a few of the many that are on my must see list. The history is truly astounding and to be able to take meals in 12th, 13th & 14th century establishments is bordering on the unbelievable. From a Mediaeval Banquet in Cardiff to the Gower Peninsula, which was the first part of Britain to be named an Area of Outstanding Beauty. And from Pembrokeshire to the Brecon Beacons we will see all the glory of South Wales. And from Powis to the Snowdonia National Park and Anglesey Island to Colwyn Bay and Offa's Dyke Path we will see the wild beauty of North Wales. 13 Days of Spectacular castles, important historical sites, ancient pubs,medieval coaching inns and intimate tearooms. Tour includes full breakfast each morning, all lunches, teas and dinners as listed in the itinerary. Escorted minibus with guide. Luggage handling. All sightseeing including entrance fees. All accommodation. All taxes and service fees. No hidden costs. Sold out! |
Day 1 - May 17th, 2010 - You will be met at London Heathrow Airport but our adventure starts in South Wales
and Monmouthshire. Along the way we stop at The Bridge Tea Rooms in Bradford-On-Avon for Afternoon
Tea. We then continue to Wales where we are off to the capitol city of Cardiff. After getting settled into our
accommodation we will gather for a Welcoming Dinner in Cardiff to kick off this tour. Overnight Cardiff. (L,D)
Day 2 - After a good Welsh breakfast we will visit Castle Coch. The name means Red Castle in Welsh and is truly a fairytale
creation designed by William Burges for the 3rd Marquis of Bute. This afternoon we will return to Cardiff where you will
board an Open Top Bus complete with guide for a Tour of Cardiff City with hop on and off service taking in Cardiff
Castle, National Museum and Gallery, Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay. This evening we visit Cardiff
Castle for a Medieval Banquet. Overnight Cardiff. (B,D)
Day 3 - After breakfast it is off to the Museum of Welsh Life, an open air Celtic village within 100 acre parklands. The
village includes worker's cottages, farmhouses, a tollhouse, a chapel, an old schoolhouse and a Tudor mansion. Our journey
then finds us driving along the southern coast of Wales to the Gower Peninsula and The Mumbles, a seaside resort and
picturesque fishing village where we will Stop for Tea. Then it is off to Carreg Cennen Castle, one of the most
spectacularly sited Welsh castles. Spell-binding views are waiting to be experienced from the sharp hilltop upon which the
castle sits. Indeed, Carreg Cennen dominates its surroundings. Dinner and Overnight Carmarthenshire. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Following a hearty breakfast we travel to Tenby in Pembrokeshire. Tenby is a coastal town steeped in ancient
history surrounded by an imposing stone wall, built in the 13th century. While here we will visit the Tudor Merchant's
House, a 15th century relic of Tenby's prosperous seafaring days. Traditional Fish & Chips on the Wharf in Tenby.
After lunch we drive to the village of Manorbier taking us through some of the most scenic parts of Pembrokeshire winding
dramatically along leafy hedged lanes towards the coast. Then we are off to Pembroke and Pembroke Castle. Mighty
Pembroke Castle impresses by its sheer size and dominance of location. Pembroke is a Norman stronghold dating to the time
of William the Conqueror, however most of the present castle dates from the 13th century. Dinner and Overnight
Carmarthenshire. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Our first stop of the today is the St. David's where St. David's Cathedral has been the dominant presence since
the 12th century and was a popular pilgrimage destination throughout the middle ages. From here we drive along Cardigan
Bay and the beautiful Cardiganshire Coast and then to Gerddi Cae Hir Gardens which is probably West Wales' best
kept secret. Situated just a few miles from the coast the gardens sit comfortably in the gentle surrounding countryside. Our
coastal drive takes us next to the lovely village of Aberystwyth. We will take Afternoon Tea in this seaside university
before an afternoon and evening free to enjoy the city. Overnight Aberystwyth. (B,L)
Day 6 - Today our coastal drive will take us further north to Harlech and Harlech Castle. As if its spectacular situation,
foreboding might, and great power were not sufficient to ensure the fame of this magnificent castle, Harlech is also
inseparably linked in Welsh myth with the tragic heroine of Branwen, the daughter of Llyr, of the Mabinogion. We
then travel through the beautiful Snowdonia Region of Wales on our way to Betws-y-Coed. You will want the
afternoon free to enjoy this lovely Snowdonian village. Dinner at the Ty Gwyn Hotel in Betws-y-Coed tonight.
Overnight Betws-y-Coed. (B,D)
Day 7 - Following breakfast our first visit of the day is Caernarfon Castle. Caernarfon is architecturally one of the most
impressive of all of the castles in Wales. Most impressive of all is the Eagle Tower crowned by its triple cluster of turrets. We
will stop in Llandudno for Afternoon Tea before a visit to Conwy Castle. Words cannot do justice to Conwy Castle
it is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. Conwy's well-preserved castle wall helps the town
maintain a medieval character lost by other Welsh castle-towns over the years. Dinner at the White Lion Inn in
Llanelian. Ale has been served on the site of the White Lion Inn since the year 722! Overnight
Betws-y-Coed. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - On our way east today we stop at the Glassblobbery near Corwen. The studio offers all sorts of glass animals,
glass flowers, glass dragons and other glass sea creatures all hand made at the studio. There is also work on show by other
artists and craftsmen using other materials. Then on to Llangollen, a lovely village nestled along side the River Dee.
Afternoon Tea in Llangollen before we depart from picturesque Llangollen Wharf on the canal boat "Thomas
Telford" and enjoy two hours of peaceful cruising along the stunning Dee valley. A live commentary from the
skipper gives history, local knowledge and up to date gossip along the way. Dinner and Overnight Llangollen. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - After breakfast this morning we visit Chirk Castle, occupied virtually continuously as a castle and stately home for
almost 700 years, sits on a hilltop with its best views over the Ceiriog Valley to the south. This afternoon we visit Powis
Castle, a stately country house mansion rich in history. This red stone building has been in almost continual occupation
since the 13th century. Prince Charles stays here when in Wales and you can even view his bedroom! We will have Tea in
the Garden Tearoom before visiting the castle. Next visit is Hay-on-Wye and Llanthony Priory. Llanthony was one
of the earliest houses of Augustinian Canons to founded in Britain and is famous for its wild and beautiful setting. Dinner
on your own in Tintern. Overnight Tintern. (B,L)
Day 10 - After breakfast our journey starts in Tintern with Tintern Abbey. The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of
the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was
founded on 9 May 1131. Next stop is Raglan Castle. This 15th century castle is characterized by pale, almost yellowish
sandstone from Redbrook on the Wye river, three miles away. Afternoon Tea at Llansantffraed Court Hotel in
Abergavenny. Our next stop is Chepstow Castle, superbly set high upon its river cliff above the Wye, Chepstow still
guards one of the main river crossings from southern England into Wales. Few castles in Britain tell the story of medieval
fortification, from beginning to end, as does this mighty stronghold. Dinner and Overnight Tintern. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Our first stop this morning is Gloucester and Gloucester Cathedral. There has been a religious site here for
over 1300 years and the current cathedral was begun in the year 1078. Our next stop is near Oxford where we will stop for
Afternoon Tea and a Tour of Blenheim Palace. Enjoy a relaxing tea at the home of the 11th Duke of
Marlborough, set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland. The tea is served in the Indian Room, which overlooks the
stunning Water Terraces and Fountains. Our last stop of the day is the Royal Borough of Windsor. Dinner on your
own in Windsor. Overnight Windsor. (B,L)
Day 12 - This morning you will start the day in Windsor with an Open Top Bus Tour of the City. Next is a visit to
Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle has been home of the British Monarchy for almost a thousand years, and the largest
inhabited castle in the World. It has been suggested that it was built on the site of a Celtic camp where King Arthur lived.
The rest of the afternoon free until we meet up for Dinner and then a Performance at the Theatre Royal in
Windsor. The Theatre Royal has gained a reputation for the quality of its productions and is currently one of Britain's
leading theatres. Overnight Windsor. (B,D)
Day 13 - After our last hearty breakfast, we travel to Heathrow Airport in London to prepare for our journey home.(B)
and Monmouthshire. Along the way we stop at The Bridge Tea Rooms in Bradford-On-Avon for Afternoon
Tea. We then continue to Wales where we are off to the capitol city of Cardiff. After getting settled into our
accommodation we will gather for a Welcoming Dinner in Cardiff to kick off this tour. Overnight Cardiff. (L,D)
Day 2 - After a good Welsh breakfast we will visit Castle Coch. The name means Red Castle in Welsh and is truly a fairytale
creation designed by William Burges for the 3rd Marquis of Bute. This afternoon we will return to Cardiff where you will
board an Open Top Bus complete with guide for a Tour of Cardiff City with hop on and off service taking in Cardiff
Castle, National Museum and Gallery, Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay. This evening we visit Cardiff
Castle for a Medieval Banquet. Overnight Cardiff. (B,D)
Day 3 - After breakfast it is off to the Museum of Welsh Life, an open air Celtic village within 100 acre parklands. The
village includes worker's cottages, farmhouses, a tollhouse, a chapel, an old schoolhouse and a Tudor mansion. Our journey
then finds us driving along the southern coast of Wales to the Gower Peninsula and The Mumbles, a seaside resort and
picturesque fishing village where we will Stop for Tea. Then it is off to Carreg Cennen Castle, one of the most
spectacularly sited Welsh castles. Spell-binding views are waiting to be experienced from the sharp hilltop upon which the
castle sits. Indeed, Carreg Cennen dominates its surroundings. Dinner and Overnight Carmarthenshire. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Following a hearty breakfast we travel to Tenby in Pembrokeshire. Tenby is a coastal town steeped in ancient
history surrounded by an imposing stone wall, built in the 13th century. While here we will visit the Tudor Merchant's
House, a 15th century relic of Tenby's prosperous seafaring days. Traditional Fish & Chips on the Wharf in Tenby.
After lunch we drive to the village of Manorbier taking us through some of the most scenic parts of Pembrokeshire winding
dramatically along leafy hedged lanes towards the coast. Then we are off to Pembroke and Pembroke Castle. Mighty
Pembroke Castle impresses by its sheer size and dominance of location. Pembroke is a Norman stronghold dating to the time
of William the Conqueror, however most of the present castle dates from the 13th century. Dinner and Overnight
Carmarthenshire. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Our first stop of the today is the St. David's where St. David's Cathedral has been the dominant presence since
the 12th century and was a popular pilgrimage destination throughout the middle ages. From here we drive along Cardigan
Bay and the beautiful Cardiganshire Coast and then to Gerddi Cae Hir Gardens which is probably West Wales' best
kept secret. Situated just a few miles from the coast the gardens sit comfortably in the gentle surrounding countryside. Our
coastal drive takes us next to the lovely village of Aberystwyth. We will take Afternoon Tea in this seaside university
before an afternoon and evening free to enjoy the city. Overnight Aberystwyth. (B,L)
Day 6 - Today our coastal drive will take us further north to Harlech and Harlech Castle. As if its spectacular situation,
foreboding might, and great power were not sufficient to ensure the fame of this magnificent castle, Harlech is also
inseparably linked in Welsh myth with the tragic heroine of Branwen, the daughter of Llyr, of the Mabinogion. We
then travel through the beautiful Snowdonia Region of Wales on our way to Betws-y-Coed. You will want the
afternoon free to enjoy this lovely Snowdonian village. Dinner at the Ty Gwyn Hotel in Betws-y-Coed tonight.
Overnight Betws-y-Coed. (B,D)
Day 7 - Following breakfast our first visit of the day is Caernarfon Castle. Caernarfon is architecturally one of the most
impressive of all of the castles in Wales. Most impressive of all is the Eagle Tower crowned by its triple cluster of turrets. We
will stop in Llandudno for Afternoon Tea before a visit to Conwy Castle. Words cannot do justice to Conwy Castle
it is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. Conwy's well-preserved castle wall helps the town
maintain a medieval character lost by other Welsh castle-towns over the years. Dinner at the White Lion Inn in
Llanelian. Ale has been served on the site of the White Lion Inn since the year 722! Overnight
Betws-y-Coed. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - On our way east today we stop at the Glassblobbery near Corwen. The studio offers all sorts of glass animals,
glass flowers, glass dragons and other glass sea creatures all hand made at the studio. There is also work on show by other
artists and craftsmen using other materials. Then on to Llangollen, a lovely village nestled along side the River Dee.
Afternoon Tea in Llangollen before we depart from picturesque Llangollen Wharf on the canal boat "Thomas
Telford" and enjoy two hours of peaceful cruising along the stunning Dee valley. A live commentary from the
skipper gives history, local knowledge and up to date gossip along the way. Dinner and Overnight Llangollen. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - After breakfast this morning we visit Chirk Castle, occupied virtually continuously as a castle and stately home for
almost 700 years, sits on a hilltop with its best views over the Ceiriog Valley to the south. This afternoon we visit Powis
Castle, a stately country house mansion rich in history. This red stone building has been in almost continual occupation
since the 13th century. Prince Charles stays here when in Wales and you can even view his bedroom! We will have Tea in
the Garden Tearoom before visiting the castle. Next visit is Hay-on-Wye and Llanthony Priory. Llanthony was one
of the earliest houses of Augustinian Canons to founded in Britain and is famous for its wild and beautiful setting. Dinner
on your own in Tintern. Overnight Tintern. (B,L)
Day 10 - After breakfast our journey starts in Tintern with Tintern Abbey. The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of
the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was
founded on 9 May 1131. Next stop is Raglan Castle. This 15th century castle is characterized by pale, almost yellowish
sandstone from Redbrook on the Wye river, three miles away. Afternoon Tea at Llansantffraed Court Hotel in
Abergavenny. Our next stop is Chepstow Castle, superbly set high upon its river cliff above the Wye, Chepstow still
guards one of the main river crossings from southern England into Wales. Few castles in Britain tell the story of medieval
fortification, from beginning to end, as does this mighty stronghold. Dinner and Overnight Tintern. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Our first stop this morning is Gloucester and Gloucester Cathedral. There has been a religious site here for
over 1300 years and the current cathedral was begun in the year 1078. Our next stop is near Oxford where we will stop for
Afternoon Tea and a Tour of Blenheim Palace. Enjoy a relaxing tea at the home of the 11th Duke of
Marlborough, set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland. The tea is served in the Indian Room, which overlooks the
stunning Water Terraces and Fountains. Our last stop of the day is the Royal Borough of Windsor. Dinner on your
own in Windsor. Overnight Windsor. (B,L)
Day 12 - This morning you will start the day in Windsor with an Open Top Bus Tour of the City. Next is a visit to
Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle has been home of the British Monarchy for almost a thousand years, and the largest
inhabited castle in the World. It has been suggested that it was built on the site of a Celtic camp where King Arthur lived.
The rest of the afternoon free until we meet up for Dinner and then a Performance at the Theatre Royal in
Windsor. The Theatre Royal has gained a reputation for the quality of its productions and is currently one of Britain's
leading theatres. Overnight Windsor. (B,D)
Day 13 - After our last hearty breakfast, we travel to Heathrow Airport in London to prepare for our journey home.(B)
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