Depart London, using the M40 freeway we speed our journey to wonderful Wales. En-route catch a glimpse of the beautiful English Cotswolds as we head for the Royal Forest of Dean, bordering Wales, and the stunning Wye Valley. We have a lunch stop beside the river Wye. What better introduction to Wales, "Land of Song", than the imposing 12th century Norman castle of Chepstow Castle. and the romantic Tintern Abbey. If time permits we'll also see the fallen walls of the once mighty Roman city of Caerwent, reputed to be the home of the King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Overnight in a 17th century working Welsh Farmhouse, imposing country manor or vineyard depending on the time of year.

The civic centre of the Welsh capital - Cardiff - is magnificent by world standards. It will be the showpiece of a panoramic city tour featuring the Millennium Stadium, formally known as the Arms Park. We continue our journey 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. In the 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 we'll cross a river by 13th century stepping stones. Overnight in South Wales.

Today we 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. We'll 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, our next calling point. 'There'll be a welcome in these hillsides' sing the Welsh. The market town of Brecon could be our lunch stop or perhaps Wales's oldest inn, used by the infamous 'Hanging Judge' Jefferies as a court room. We'll also view the remote and atmospheric ruins of Llantony Priory and a historic 'hidden' rural church. Depending on time, we'll also be visiting Abergavenny and its cattle market or the historic town of Monmouth, wellknown to Admiral Nelson, Mr Rolls of Rolls Royce and Henry V. Overnight in South Wales.

The now small village of Caerleon was named after the camp of the Roman Legions - perhaps up to 6000 Roman legionaries were based here almost 2000 years ago. The imposing remains of that camp remain and include the barracks, the only complete amphitheatre in Britain, the Roman baths, and the remains of a Roman port. Depart the land of the Red Dragon, crossing the river Severn heading east and experiencing a spectacular exit from Wales. On the way back to London we'll visit the mysterious and ancient standing stones of Avebury and the amazing Silbury Hill. Arrive London late afternoon. Be sure that you have made arrangements for accommodation in London as, at times, it can very difficult to find a room at the last moment.

Note:
A pre-tour passenger pick-up charge of approx. $30 per party applies when London accommodation is other than a hotel nominated by Back Roads Touring and a higher charge applies if your hotel is located outside central London. All passengers are returned to their central London hotel after each tour. Pre & Post Tour accommodation offers available on application.