South Wales Red Dragon

The landscape of rolling hills, towering peaks and plummeting waterfalls together with medieval castles, deep mines, roads old and new and ground-breaking modern architecture all reflect a history of the conquest, exploitation yet amazing resurgence of an indomitable people. Back-Roads will take you on a spectacular journey through this mystical land where you will discover its unique Celtic heritage, delicious local food and awe-inspiring vistas. It may be a small country, however, it's landscape is incredibly varied - with three National Parks and a beautiful coastline. The local culture remains quite distinctive with the Welsh having retained their own national identity, language and history.

Day 1 Brecon Beacons
We enter Wales via one of the splendid new bridges across the River Severn but quickly go back 2000 years to when Caerleon was the capital of a Roman Province; its barracks, baths and amphitheatre are all still there to visit. We learn about Celtic history and cultural heritage, and then we explore Wales’s industrial development, at the country’s most popular heritage attraction – St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life. We then bring ourselves up to date with a panoramic tour of the capital, Cardiff, and of the recently reclaimed Cardiff Bay and Docks area, boasting the marvellous Millennium Centre and Assembly Building. Then, after a drive to our hotel in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons. Tonight bask in more local hospitality as we enjoy our first evening dinner together. (D)
Overnight accommodation: The Bear Hotel, South Wales or similar

Day 2 Brecon Beacons
Today we go from the lowest to the highest, from the depths of the Big Pit to the highest road in the country. From barbarity to culture; lunch at the Inn where rebels were hung from the beams, then to afternoon tea in the town where every other shop is a quaint bookstore. As no vehicle larger than a Back-Roads coach can navigate the country roads in this region, we relish a true ‘Back-Roads Experience’ as we return to our traditional accommodation nearby. (B)
Overnight accommodation: The Bear Hotel, South Wales or similar

Day 3 Conwy
We journey through Brecon itself and along the Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells to Tregaron – recently voted Britain’s most scenic drive. We travel westward to the holiday resort of Aberystwyth and the Ceredigion Heritage Coast before continuing on through the heart of Wales. We visit the eccentric Portmeirion, a stunning village created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis using a combination of rescued architectural follies and specially designed buildings from around the world to create a beautiful place that does not ruin its natural environment. Some might recognise it as the location for the original hit TV series The Prisoner. Catch the first glimpse of the mountains as we visit Ty Mawr Wybrnant, a traditional stone-built upland farmhouse nestled in the beautiful Conwy Valley where you may see how people lived in times before electricity and home comforts. Walk along the local woodland trail and enjoy this pristine area of Wales. We will continue our journey to the attractive Victorian village Betws-y-Coed, set amongst a perfect outdoor setting with cascading waterfalls, hill-top lakes, river pools and ancient bridges. (B/D)
Overnight accommodation: Castle Hotel or Royal Oak, Conwy or similar

Day 4 Conwy

Today’s venture throuh Snowdonia National Park takes us through rugged landscape to tales from history as we visit the sites where King Edward I of England conquered the Welsh Princes with the help of his new castles at Caernarfon and Conwy. Both medieval castles stand as evocative monuments to those times and serve as powerful reminders of the king’s dominance in North Wales. We cannot visit Wales without passing the small famous town with a long name (hope we spell it correctly!) Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. We continue with a spellbinding climb to the summit of the Great Worm (Orme to the locals) to admire the stunning views over the Irish Sea and Snowdonia. We return to our accommodation passing through the Conwy Valley, with a pleasant stop at Bodnant Gardens en route. (B)
Overnight accommodation: Castle Hotel or Royal Oak, Conwy or similar

Day 5 Shrewsbury
We take one last circuit of Snowdonia, to admire its dramatic scenery and perhaps take a short walk along one of its mountain trails before returning to the coach for our drive over the Llanberris Pass, then southward to the spectacular lake at Bala before arriving at Powis Castle, home to the Earl of Powis and noted for its attractive gardens. From here it is but a short hop over the border to England and to the market town and birthplace of Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury. (B/D)
Overnight accommodation: The Lion, Shrewsbury or similar

Day 6 Stratford – Upon – Avon
After a morning stroll through this town of cobbled streets, old castle and timbered houses on to the home of England’s famous playwright, Shakespeare’s Stratford-Upon-Avon. Explore the town and visit one of the houses associated with Shakespeare’s time (Anne Hathaway’s cottage is a favourite). We continue through the English countryside through the pretty Chiltern Hills and past Chequers, the official home of the Prime Minister, past villages that inspired Roald Dahl and the film locations from British films and television shows such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Midsomer Murders. Our tour then concludes in London. (B)