Want to tour the back roads of southern Wales but don't want to join a large coach group? Looking for a little flexibility and spontaneity in your itinerary? Do you have a few days to really get deep into the Welsh countryside?

This superb four day tour will introduce you to the very best of South Wales, while affording you a glimpse of England's West Country. It's the ideal tour for those who really want to get down the back roads on the discovery trail. The group size is limited, travel is by comfortable minivan and accommodation in a traditional Welsh country farmhouse, vineyard or manor house. You'll see fabulous history, wonderful scenery, and visit with local people.

With a maximum group size of 11 and a university educated guide/driver, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

Seasonal
April 16 to November 05, 2008
Wednesday

Departure Point:

See "Departure Time" field

Departure Time:

• Royal National Hotel (nearest underground: Russell Square) - 8:15am
• Corus Hotel (nearest underground: Lancaster Gate) - 8:25am
• Grosvenor Thistle (nearest underground: Victoria Station) - 8:30am
• Holiday Inn Kensington Forum (nearest underground: Gloucester Road) - 8:40am
• Chiswick Hotel (nearest underground: Turnham Green) - 9:00am

Return details:

Tour returns to original point of departure at approximately 6:00pm (Day 4)

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick up is available from The Royal National, Corus Hotel, Grosvenor Thistle, Holiday Inn Kensington Forum and Chiswick Hotel. Please advise your preferred pick-up point at the time of booking

Itinerary:

Day One:

Leaving London early, you can shake off the city dust using the M40 freeway to speed up the journey to wonderful Wales. The route will give you a glimpse of the beautiful English Cotswolds as you head for the Royal Forest of Dean, bordering Wales, and the stunning Wye Valley. There will be a lunch stop beside the river Wye. What better introduction to Wales, "Land of Song", than the imposing 12th century Norman castle of Chepstow Chepstow Castle. and the romantic Tintern Abbey (inspiration for one of William Wordsworth's loveliest poems). Time permitting you can see the fallen walls of the once mighty Roman city of Caerwent, reputed by some to be the home of the great King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Your accommodation base for the next 3 nights is a 17th century working Welsh Farmhouse, imposing country manor or vineyard.

Day Two:

The civic center of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, is magnificent by world standards and it 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). Continue to 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. Houses, churches and chapels, a mill, bakery, pubs and even a school, have been wonderfully preserved.

This afternoon, explore the verdant Vale of Glamorgan, choosing from the market town where Sir Anthony Hopkins went to school, the Valley of Kings where the wizard Merlin was schooled, rugged coastline where smugglers lured ships to the rocks, and cross a river by 13th century stepping stones.

Day Three:

Today will either begin or end in the once grey and hard world of a Welsh mining valley, now transformed, but a time so memorably captured in the great novel of industrial Wales, "How Green Was My Valley". Climb the rim of the saucer of the coal-seam bearing, Rhigos Mountain to view the sole surviving deep Welsh coal mine and the breathtaking scenery of the Brecon Beacons, the next calling point. The market town of Brecon could be your lunch stop (where there's an interesting military museum ), or perhaps Wales's oldest inn, used by the infamous "Hanging Judge" Jefferies as a court room. View the remote and atmospheric ruins of Llantony Priory and a historic "hidden" rural church. Depending on time, visit Abergaveny and its cattle market or the historic town of Monmouth, well-known to Admiral Nelson, Mr Rolls of Rolls Royce and Henry V.

Day Four:

On the way back to London you will visit the mysterious ancient standing stones of Avebury and the amazing Silbury Hill. But this will only be after a final memorable morning in Roman Wales. The now small village of Caerleon was named after the camp of the Roman Legions - perhaps up to 6,000 Roman legionaries were based here almost 2,000 years ago. The imposing remains of that camp remain and can be visited and include the barracks, the only complete amphitheater in Britain, the Roman baths, and the remains of a Roman port.

Leave the land of the Red Dragon, crossing the river Severn before heading east and experiencing a spectacular exit from Wales. The drive back to London sees you passing through some of England's timeless West Country scenery.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• Entrance fees
• University-educated driver/guide
• Hotel drop off (central London hotels)
• Three nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner
• Hotel pick up (selected hotels as listed in "Departure Time" field)

Exclusions:

• Optional gratuities
• Food and drinks, unless specified

Hotel list:

All properties are chosen on the basis of style, friendliness of welcome, location, historical interest and cooking. All are three star but may include 17th century working farm houses, 17th century coaching Inns, pubs, guest houses, small family run hotels and manor houses.

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
• Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of departure in which case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
• Tour is operated in English unless otherwise specified
• Maximum group size is 11

Terms and Conditions:

A 100% cancellation penalty applies if cancelled 15 days or less prior to travel date.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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