7-Night Essential Wales Experience

Day 2

Accommodation

Charming Coach Inn - Crickhowell, Wales

Room Type: Double / Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.30am.

Daily Itinerary

Brecon Beacons National Park & Caerphilly Castle

Following a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set off in search of the Wales of old. Our first stop? St Fagans National Museum of History, Wales’ most popular heritage attraction. Continuing our journey, we’ll venture through the dramatic Welsh Valleys to Brecon Beacons National Park, stopping at the 13th-century Caerphilly Castle along the way. This evening, another delicious group dinner awaits us at our hotel. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Overnight Location

Crickhowell, Wales

On the map: Crickhowell is a picturesque town nestled in the beautiful Usk Valley, to the south of the Black Mountains, the eastern range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The town and its surrounding villages have attractions that are enticements for all visitors to this wonderful corner of Wales.

A settlement has existed here at least since iron-age settlers built a fort on the top of Crug Hywel, also called Table Mountain after its flat top. In the town, a motte and bailey castle, the remains of which still exist, were built by the Normans.

Day 3

Accommodation

Llandudno Bayside Hotel - Llandudno, Wales

Room Type: Double / Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.00am.

Daily Itinerary

UNESCO World Heritage Site & Afternoon Tea

Today’s itinerary will take us further north along the border regions of Mid Wales to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the longest and highest structure of its kind (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We’ll have the opportunity to visit the mesmerising Valle Crucis Abbey before pausing for an afternoon tea together at a charming local tearoom. Upon our arrival along the rugged North Welsh Coast, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure. Breakfast included. 

Overnight Location

Llandudno, Wales

On The Map: Llandudno is a coastal resort, town, located on the north coast of Wales. 

Llandudno, known as the 'Queen of the Welsh Resorts', is the largest seaside resort in Wales. The town's name is derived from its patron saint, Saint Tudno. Llandudno's immaculate seafront, perfectly framed by two headlands, is a seaside classic. The town's award-winning pier (pictured), dates from 1878. At 2,295 feet, the pier is the longest in Wales, and is a Grade II listed building. Llandudno Town has managed to retain its grand Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, in spite of modern development. The Great Orme Tramway was completed in 1902, and is the only cable-hauled public road tramway in Britain. The tram climbs to an altitude of 1 mile (with a tram-change halfway up!), and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and coastline. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and even the Lake District! If you wish to delve deeper into the region's history, a visit to the Great Orme Copper Mine is a must. 4,000 years old, its discovery in 1987 dramatically changed historian's views about Bronze Age society. It is thought to be the largest prehistoric mine ever discovered, anywhere in the world.

Day 4

Accommodation

Llandudno Bayside Hotel - Llandudno, Wales

Room Type: Double / Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.00am.

Daily Itinerary

Llandudno & Conwy Castle

After an eventful few days, today you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the nearby towns of Llandudno and Conwy. How you choose to spend the day is up to you – but we recommend visiting the imposing Conwy Castle and taking a look at the medieval town walls. Later, you could uncover the self-proclaimed “smallest house in Great Britain” along the picturesque Quay – which also plays host to an abundance of cosy cafes and traditional pubs perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon. Breakfast included.

Overnight Location

Llandudno, Wales

On The Map: Llandudno is a coastal resort, town, located on the north coast of Wales. 

Llandudno, known as the 'Queen of the Welsh Resorts', is the largest seaside resort in Wales. The town's name is derived from its patron saint, Saint Tudno. Llandudno's immaculate seafront, perfectly framed by two headlands, is a seaside classic. The town's award-winning pier (pictured), dates from 1878. At 2,295 feet, the pier is the longest in Wales, and is a Grade II listed building. Llandudno Town has managed to retain its grand Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, in spite of modern development. The Great Orme Tramway was completed in 1902, and is the only cable-hauled public road tramway in Britain. The tram climbs to an altitude of 1 mile (with a tram-change halfway up!), and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and coastline. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and even the Lake District! If you wish to delve deeper into the region's history, a visit to the Great Orme Copper Mine is a must. 4,000 years old, its discovery in 1987 dramatically changed historian's views about Bronze Age society. It is thought to be the largest prehistoric mine ever discovered, anywhere in the world.

Day 5

Accommodation

Beautiful Stylish 4-Star Hotel - Portmeirion, Wales

Room Type: Double/Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.30pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.00am.

Resident guests of the Hotel Portmeirion do not pay for admission to the village. All rooms and cottages in The Village have a designated parking space as close as possible to the accommodation.

Daily Itinerary

Welsh Language Lessons!

Continuing our journey today, we’ll have a brief photo opportunity at the village with the longest place name in Europe – Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch – before moving on to the fascinating Llanberis Slate Mine. After enjoying a demonstration and stroll around the museum, it’s onwards to the Welsh Language Heritage Centre in Nant Gwrtheyrn – where we’ll flex our language skills with a lesson in tongue-twisting Welsh pronunciation. There will be plenty of time to practise your new-found skills over our included dinner in Portmeirion tonight! Breakfast and Dinner included.

Overnight Location

Portmeirion, Wales

Portmeirion is a tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, and is now owned by a charitable trust. His creative vision for an Italianate-style, private peninsula village on the Snowdonia coast resulted in a charming tourist destination with a Mediterranean feel.

 

The village is located in the community of Penrhyndeudraeth, on the estuary of the River Dwyryd, 2 miles (3.2 km) south east of Porthmadog, and 1 mile (1.6 km) from the railway station at Minffordd, which is served by both the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway and Arriva Trains Wales (Cambrian Line).

 

Portmeirion has served as the location for numerous films and television shows, and was "The Village" in the 1960s television show The Prisoner. 

Portmeirion is open to day visitors every day of the year except Christmas Day. Hours of opening: 09:30 - 17.30  Shops close at 17.30. Cafes are open 10.00 - 17.00. 

Portmeirion has a admission charge for adults, concessions and children aged 5 - 15 years.  Children under 5 do not pay an admission charge. Resident guests of the Hotel Portmeirion, Castell Deudraeth and Portmeirion's Self-catering cottages do not pay for admission to the village.

Day 6

Accommodation

Country House Hotel - Lampeter, Wales

Room Type: Double / Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.00am

Daily Itinerary

Snowdonia National Park

Today we’ll take in the breathtaking landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in comfort and style as we enjoy a steam train ride along the historic Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. The oldest independent railway company in the world – gaze upon the lush green pastures, glittering lakes, magnificent forests and rushing waterfalls of the national park as we travel around horseshoe bends, through mountain tunnels and cruise along cliff edges. Our day will end in picturesque Pembrokeshire – where you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure. Breakfast included.

Overnight Location

Lampeter, Wales

On the Map: Lampeter is a town and electoral ward in Ceredigion, Wales, at the confluence of the Afon Dulas with the River Teifi.

Lampeter is the smallest university town in the United Kingdom. It was established as a market borough in medieval times and has been the focus of the farming community in the area to this day. This essential stop on your visit to West Wales allows you to enjoy the ambience of a largely unspoiled Welsh market town. Stroll through the grounds of the University with its neo gothic style Old Building, modelled on the Oxford quadrangle or ramble down High Street to see historic architecture including an 18th Century coaching inn and the Town Hall, which now houses the Welsh Quilt Centre.

Day 7

Accommodation

Country House Hotel - Lampeter, Wales

Room Type: Double / Twin

Check in policies:

Check-in time is after 3.00pm on your day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11.00am

Daily Itinerary

Picture Perfect Tenby

This morning, we’ll set a course for the picture-perfect fishing village of Tenby. Perched on a headland and surrounded by Norman-built walls – we’ll have plenty of time to explore the medieval village streets and array of cafes and stores at our own pace. Upon returning to Pembrokeshire, enjoy some leisure time before we don our best outfits for tonight’s final group dinner. Here’s to an incredible journey! Breakfast and Dinner included.

Overnight Location

Lampeter, Wales

On the Map: Lampeter is a town and electoral ward in Ceredigion, Wales, at the confluence of the Afon Dulas with the River Teifi.

Lampeter is the smallest university town in the United Kingdom. It was established as a market borough in medieval times and has been the focus of the farming community in the area to this day. This essential stop on your visit to West Wales allows you to enjoy the ambience of a largely unspoiled Welsh market town. Stroll through the grounds of the University with its neo gothic style Old Building, modelled on the Oxford quadrangle or ramble down High Street to see historic architecture including an 18th Century coaching inn and the Town Hall, which now houses the Welsh Quilt Centre.

Day 8

Daily Itinerary

Return to Cardiff

After breakfast, it’s back to Cardiff we go! From Pembrokeshire, we’ll make the scenic drive along Wales’ west coast. When we reach the capital, our tour will come to a close. Breakfast included.

You'll be arriving late in the day to Cardiff so you may need to add a post night in Cardiff depending on your flight's departure time. Please ask your Authentic Expert should you like help facilitating this.