Private Guided Tours of Wales

 

Private Tours of Wales

You need 7 days or more to do it all, but here are two specials itineraries - one north and one south, and an 8 night tour of all Wales..
Castles, Mountains & Gardens
North Wales Private Tour

4 Day First Class Private Guided Tour of Wales. This tour of North Wales may be combined with our Welsh Dragon tour, a tour of South Wales.

Day 1 London-Ruthin, North Wales Travel.

Take the AM train from London to Manchester (approx. 2 1/4 hours). Meet your driver and depart for your tour of Wales. Cross the border for this afternoon's special treat: Take the scenic route over Horseshoe Pass for stay at historic Ruthin Castle. RUTHIN CASTLE With many of its black and white half-timbered buildings huddled around the market square, Ruthin still has something of a medieval flair. Here, you will find the old court house and prison. St. Peter's Church contains 500 oak panels in the roof, a gift from Henry VII. Ruthin Castle was built in 1150, and contains a dungeon, a drowning pool, whipping pit, and it is said a ghost known as the Grey Lady. Not to worry though. The Castle also contains lovely bedrooms and boasts superb cuisine. You may choose to relax and enjoy a medieval feast of your ancestors - a world of gallant knights, gracious ladies, feasting and merriment in the candelit setting reminiscent of days gone by. Enjoy period singing and good humor all in traditional costume while dining on succulent food, wine and mead.

Day 2 Ruthin - Snowdonia

Visit towns with tongue twisting names like Llanfairpwyllgwyngyll. You travel along the picturesque coast to Conwy, one of Edward I's defenses. Sited on a broad, precipitous rock, the castle, built in 1283 has been the scene of many dramatic historical events. Edward was besieged here, and the chapel was the scene of the betrayal of Richard II to Henry of Lancaster. The outer walls are 15 feet thick. Continue your journey at the National Trust’s 100-acre Bodnant Garden - a ‘must see’ place for every true garden lover. The setting is breathtaking, with views down to the River Conwy and across to Snowdonia. Beautiful Bodnant has five Italianate terraces and manicured lawns leading down to a wooded valley with a sparkling stream running through a secluded wild garden. Continue through the rugged scenery of the Snowdonia National Park to Portmeirion. Patrick McGoohan's enigmatic television series, " The Prisoner" was filmed on location at Portmeirion. This unique village is set on its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdonia. It was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it. It’s an architectural fantasy with beautiful planting on a wooded hillside. This extraordinary village is surrounded by the wild ‘Gwyllt’ gardens, which contain many rare Himalayan flowering trees.

Day 3 Explore Snowdonia

Wales is known for spectacular Snowdonia National Park, a greener, more gentle beauty. Travel the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain's only public rack and pinion railway or the Llanberis Lake Railway, a lakeside trip on a narrow gauge steam train, with views towards Snowdon. A breathtaking drive through the Snowdonia National Park and Aberglaslyn brings you to Llechwedd Slate Caverns, where you experience a close-up exploration of the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain. Slate-splitting demonstrations by hand-craftsmen revealing the skills and artistry of generations of quarry workers. The perilous ups and downs of a 19th century incline plane, a unique restoration of the machinery which transported slate. Board the miners tramway for a ride into caverns of huge proportions with explanations by a local guide. Return to Portmeirion.

Day 4 Caernarvon - Llangollen - London

This afternoon meander the Welsh-speaking town of Caernarvon, home of the first ever Prince of Wales. Finally, return by way of charming Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen. In July, the streets of this small Welsh village are filled with the sound of music from the International Musical Eisteddfod. The town's old stone bridge dates from 1345 and is acclaimed as one of the three beauties of Wales. Llangollen has had some notable citizens, among them the eccentric "Ladies of Llangollen" who wore masculine dress and were often mistaken as men. Visit Plas Newydd, their timbered black and white home. Around 1778 it became fashionable to visit them and among their guests were the Duke of Wellington and Sir Walter Scott. End the day late afternoon in Manchester, with a return train trip to London.

Wales is not represented on the British Flag. The standard of Wales consists of a red dragon on a green and white background. The Union flag is composed of the red upright cross of St. George on a white background; the white diagonal cross of St. Andrew on a blue background; and the red diagonal cross of St. Patrick on a white background. This represents England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.

Price Includes:

• Train from London to Manchester round trip
• Deluxe private car/minicoach transportation
• Driver/guide throughout
• First-class accommodations for 3 nights; room with private bath
• Ruthin Castle Hotel 1 night, Portmeirion Hotel 2 nights
• 3 breakfasts (B)
• All taxes and service charges
• Sightseeing at added cost : Plas Newydd at Llangollen, Llechwedd slate caverns, Caernarvon Castle, Llanberis Lake Railway, Bodnant Garden, Conwy Castle
• Special Features: Scenic highlights: Horseshoe Pass, Snowdonia National Park, Portmeirion, picturesque Llangollen

Daily departures, just for your party. Rate per person, based on sharing a twin room.
Welsh North-private tour of Wales

Wales North - Private Tour
# persons	2	4	6
3 nights	2,722	1,802	1,495

Did you know? Welsh Place Names Place names tell a story in Wales. Some prefixes or stems appear time and time again: Aber - This denotes the mouth or confluence of a river, or a small stream. Betws - A house of prayer. Llan - a church or parish Ty - a house

South Wales Private Tour

4 Day First Class Escorted tour of South Wales.

Included Highlights: an introduction to the very best of South Wales and South West England. You'll see fabulous history, wonderful scenery and visit with local people. 3 breakfasts, minibus coaching with driver/guide, accommodations and sightseeing.

Day 1 - London- Cardiff Train from London Paddington to Cardiff (2 hours). We head for the Art collection at the National Museum & Gallery is one of the finest in Europe. Five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world, including one of Europe's best collections of Impressionist works. Our accommodation is in the Vale of Glamorgan, one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, with lovely villages and bustling market towns, yet it is only a 15 minute drive from the centre of Wales' vibrant capital city, Cardiff. The Vale of Glamorgan is the Valley of Kings where the wizard Merlin was schooled.

Day 2 - St. David's - Tenby Wales' smallest city, St. Davids was founded by the Welsh patron saint in 550 and is one of the most enchanting and evocative places in Britain. St Davids Cathedral is Wales' holiest place and has been drawing pilgrims for a millennium and a half. In medieval times, it was declared that two pilgrimages to St. Davids were the equivalent to one to Rome and three the equivalent of one to Jerusalem itself. The 12th century cathedral is hidden in a grassy hollow and was carefully designed so that it was hidden from invaders! The stone cottages along the high street, today house craft shops and galleries. Tenby is a town in Pembrokeshire, lying on Carmarthen Bay. Probably originating as a Viking settlement, and now is a popular seaside resort. Attractions in Tenby include the 13th-century town walls, the Five Arches , the 15th-century St Mary's Church, the Tudor Merchant's House, a museum and art gallery. Boats sail from Tenby's harbor to Caldey Island, while St Catherine's Island is linked to the town at low tide.

Day 3 - St. Fagans - Welsh Mining Valley - Brecon Beacons Visit the open-air Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans, with its carefully restored buildings and exhibits on Welsh culture. The Museum shows how the people of Wales lived, worked and spent their leisure time over the last five hundred years. The Museum stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th century manor house generously donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. Experience the scenic beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the characteristic Welsh Valleys, while exploring the historical and industrial heritage of South Wales. View the sole surviving deep Welsh coal mine and the breathtaking scenery of the Brecon Beacons, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. Stop on the way to witness remains of the industrial past - including the opportunity to descend 300 feet into a coal mine! (B)

Henry M Stanley of Livingstone fame was born in St Asaph in Clwyd.

Day 4 - Caerlon Roman Camp - London Follow the path of Romans, Normans and Cistercian monks along the border of Wales - fought over by the Celts and Anglo-Saxons and romanticized by Turner and Wordsworth. Visit Caerleon Roman fort, with its baths and amphitheater - believed to have become one of legendary King Arthur's courts. This morning is spent at the village of Caerleon named after a Roman Legion camp. Visit the barracks, a complete amphitheater, Roman baths and the ruins of a Roman port. Take the train back to London. (B)

Price Includes:

• Train from London to Cardiff round trip
• Deluxe private car/minicoach transportation
• Driver/guide throughout
• First-class accommodations for 3 nights; room with private bath
• Cardiff at Park Inn 1 night - Tenby -Lamphey Court Hotel - 1 night Peterstone Court, Brecon Beacons
• 3 breakfasts (B)
• All taxes and service charges
• Sightseeing :
• Special Features: National Museum & Gallery, St Davids Cathedral, St Mary's Church, Caerleon Roman fort, Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans, Welsh coal mine
• Scenic highlights: Brecon Beacons National Park, 13th-century Tenby, lovely villages and bustling market towns

Daily departures, just for your party. Rate per person, based on sharing a twin room.
Daily departures, just for your party
Wales South - Private Tour

Wales South - Private Tour
# persons	2	4	6
3 nights	2,722	1,802	1,495

8 day tour of Wales - Welsh Explorer








Wales is known only as former home to Sir Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton, Catherine Zeta Jones, but also for the scenic beauty of Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks. Journey through Wales by private car, enjoying a narrow-gauge steam through gorgeous countryside, with more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Europe and unique locations like Portmeirion – or the beautiful gardens of Bodnant.

Day 1 London/Ruthin, North Wales Take the AM train from London to Manchester (approx. 2 1/4 hours). Meet your driver and depart for your tour of Wales. Cross the border for this afternoon’s special treat: Take the scenic route over Horseshoe Pass for stay at historic Ruthin Castle. With many of its black and white half-timbered buildings huddled around the market square, Ruthin still has something of a medieval flair. Here, you will find the old court house and prison. St. Peter’s Church contains 500 oak panels in the roof, a gift from Henry VII. Ruthin Castle was built in 1150, and contains a dungeon, a drowning pool, whipping pit, and it is said a ghost known as the Grey Lady. Not to worry though. The Castle also contains lovely bedrooms and boasts superb cuisine. On certain days, enjoy a medieval feast of your ancestors - a world of gallant knights, gracious ladies, feasting and merriment in the candelit setting reminiscent of days gone by.

Day 2 Conwy/Betws-y-coed You travel along the picturesque coast to Conwy, one of Edward I’s defenses. Sited on a broad, precipitous rock, the castle, built in 1283, has been the scene of many dramatic historical events. The outer walls are 15 feet thick. Continue your journey to Bodnant Garden - a ‘must see’ place for every true garden lover. The setting is breathtaking, with views down to the River Conwy and across to Snowdonia. Beautiful Bodnant has five Italianate terraces and manicured lawns leading down to a wooded valley with a sparkling stream running through a secluded wild garden. Continue through the rugged scenery of the Snowdonia National Park to charming Betws-y-Coed. (b)

Day 3 Explore Snowdonia Wales is known for spectacular Snowdonia National Park, a greener, more gentle beauty. Travel the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain’s only public rack and pinion railway or the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway. Continue to the unique architectural fantasy village of Portmeirion, where "The Prisoner" was filmed. It was created by Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it. (b)

Day 4 The coastal route to Cardigan
You wind your way down the coast to Cardigan Bay. Delightful beaches, rugged cliffs, rural and coastal footpaths, and charming towns and artists villages are yours to explore. (b)

Day 5 St. Davids/Tenby Wales’ smallest city, St. Davids was founded by the Welsh patron saint in 550 and is one of the most enchanting and evocative places in Britain. St Davids Cathedral has been drawing pilgrims since medieval times. The 12th century cathedral is hidden in a grassy hollow and was carefully designed so that it was hidden from invaders! The stone cottages along the high street, today house craft shops and galleries. Tenby in Pembrokeshire, lying on Carmarthen Bay, probably originated as a Viking settlement, and is now a popular seaside resort. Attractions in Tenby include the 13th-century town walls, the Five Arches , the 15th-century St Mary’s Church, the Tudor Merchant’s House, a museum and art gallery. Boats sail from Tenby’s harbor to Caldey Island, where the monks make perfume. (b)

Day 6 Mines/Mountains/Cardiff Experience the scenic beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the characteristic Welsh Valleys, while exploring the historical and industrial heritage of South Wales. The Brecon Beacons, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. Stop on the way to witness remains of the industrial past - including the opportunity to descend 300 feet into a coal mine! Stay in Cardiff. (b)

Day 7 Museum of Welsh Life Excursion Visit the open-air Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans, with its restored buildings and exhibits on Welsh culture. The Museum shows how the people of Wales lived, worked and spent their leisure time over the last five hundred years. The Museum stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th century manor house generously donated by the Earl of Plymouth. Then, head for the Art collection at the National Museum & Gallery in Cardiff, one of the finest in Europe. It contains five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics, including one of Europe’s best collections of Impressionist works. (b)


Day 8 Caerlon Roman Camp/London Follow the path of Romans, Normans and Cistercian monks along the border of Wales - fought over by the Celts and Anglo-Saxons and romanticized by Turner and Wordsworth. Visit Caerleon Roman fort, with its baths and amphitheater - believed to have become one of legendary King Arthur’s courts. Visit the barracks and the ruins of a Roman port. Take the train back to London. (b)

Includes:
• Train from London round trip • Deluxe private car/minicoach transportation • Driver/guide throughout (1 person) • 7 breakfasts (b) • All taxes and service charges • Special Features: Scenic highlights: Snowdonia National Park, Portmeirion • Accommodations for 7 nights; room with private bath • Ruthin Castle Hotel (1 night) • Betws-y-Coed Tan-y-Foel (1 night) • Snowdownia Portmeirion Hotel (1 night) • Cardigan B&B (1 night) • Tenby Penally Abbey (1 night) • Cardiff Radisson Blu (2 nights) • Sightseeing at added cost

Depart any day. Land only cost in USD. Rates per person sharing a twin.

RATE PER PERSON MAY-SEP	2	4	6
2013	5706	3720	3058

Sighseeting admission fees are at added cost



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