11 Days
Wales is ‘the hidden gem’ of the United Kingdom – home to a plethora of majestic castles, towering mountains, verdant countryside and a coastline that is widely recognised as one of the world’s finest.
Your once-in-a-lifetime journey exploring this extraordinary country commences in the heart of North Wales and follows an incredible trip of discovery from playing with puffins on the Pembrokeshire coast to exploring a famous local farm in the company of a best-selling author. Take an in-depth look at the Welsh way of life and fall under the spell of this enchanting and captivating country.
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Dream Escape’s recommended programme could include the following experiences:
Your accommodation choice will be handpicked especially for you from the Dream Escape Accommodation Collection
The Wales Millennium Centre is the city’s newest landmark and the beating heart of the arts in Wales.
About an hour’s drive from Swansea is the Dylan Thomas Boathouse. Along with his family he lived here between 1949 and 1953, the last four years of his life. It was in this house he wrote many major pieces of work. Set in a cliff overlooking the Tâf Estuary, it occupies a magical location – you can feel and see the inspiration all around.
Caernarfon Castle has been a military stronghold since Roman times. Additionally, it has been a seat of government and royal palace. The castle now houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Wales’ oldest regiment. Here Prince Charles was invested Prince of Wales in 1969.
Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece. Here Edward and his architect James of St George took full advantage of a blank canvas: the ‘beau mareys’ or ‘beautiful marsh’ beside the Menai Strait. This was to be their crowning glory, the castle to end all castles. In 1300, Edward was distracted by a rebellion led by William Wallace. He ordered an invasion of Scotland and building stopped. (Wallace was captured and executed in 1305).
Tenby is a walled seaside town tucked away on the western side of Carmarthen Bay. Here, you will meet a privately reserved local guide who will take you on a walking tour of the town, discussing its rich and fascinating history: Henry VII sailed into exile from here during the infamous War of the Roses and, later, the town was visited by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War.
Enjoy a privately guided walk of Brecon Beacons National Park, which covers over 500 square miles. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but it has an impressive cultural heritage. Noted attractions include the weathered remains of Carreg Cennen Castle. If you are feeling brave and strong of foot, take a trip down the underground tunnel to see the natural cave that lies buried deep in the castle rock. It was used a storeroom but was also the dungeon.
Reserved privately, a wildlife RIB adventure provides the perfect means to explore. As you bounce over the waves, spot Pembrokeshire’s famous puffins, which lay claim to being the largest colony in southern Britain. Thousands breed here. They are easy to spot; brightly coloured and waddling about comically with mouthfuls of gleaming sand eels. In the water, travelling companions may include dolphins, porpoises and, if you are lucky, minke and blue whales.
Enjoy a very special visit to a local farm found in the hills above Llanfairfechan in Snowdonia, for a true, authentic taste of Welsh hospitality. From its scenic position, you can enjoy fantastic views of Carneddau Mountain Range from a different perspective. You will be warmly welcomed by the farmer who has farmed this land for over 350 years. He is also a best-selling author and has often featured in the media to discuss his role and passion for Welsh farming.
An early start is required this morning as you step aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway for the 1085m climb to the summit. Pushed by an original Swiss locomotive from 1896, the journey up will take around one hour and you will have 30 minutes at the summit to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Welsh countryside before returning to sea level.
The youngest capital city in Europe, Cardiff was granted the status in 1955 and has since flourished, offering visitors an eclectic blend of history and the contemporary. Here, you can visit the superb Cardiff Castle, a spectacular monument, which has been beautifully and lavishly restored, gifted to the people of Cardiff in 1947 by the 5th Marquess of Bute or, alternatively, the Wales Millennium Centre, the city’s newest landmark and the beating heart of the arts in Wales.
Snowdonia National Park was forged by fire and sculpted by ice, the stunning scenery was born millions of years ago in volcanic turbulence; the towering mountains left behind have been altered successive by Ice Ages to create the dramatic landscape we see today. Covering over 800 sq miles, it delivers a land of soaring mountains, deep valleys, placid lakes, tumbling streams and gushing waterfalls, it offers a new vista at every turn.
Conwy is a World Heritage town and possibly one of the country’s most underrated historic towns. It’s brooding medieval castle is a stern guardian. This, along with a string of well-preserved walls complete with more than 20 towers and three gateways, provides an almost unbroken shield, wrapping themselves around narrow streets stuffed with historic buildings.
The third of three National Parks in Wales, The Brecon Beacons National Park covers over 500 sq miles. Not only, incredibly beauty, it has an impressive cultural heritage. Being so close to the border between Wales and England, it’s fair to say that many a territorial struggle has taken place and to this day, magnificent ruins dot the landscape offer a stark reminder.
St Davids is named after the patron saint of Wales, Saint David. It is the smallest city in Britain with a population of just over 1,600. City status was awarded in 1995 by Queen Elizabeth II because of the presence of the cathedral; in reality it is a small attractive village.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park covers approx. 240 sq miles. Taking centre stage is the first national walking trail in Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It is a 186-mile meander mostly at cliff level, past evocative Neolithic monuments and ancient castles. It passes 56 stunning beaches and 14 harbours. This westerly outpost of Wales reaching out into the Celtic Sea is famed for its beauty so much so that a third of the county has been designated as Britain’s only coastal national park. Its beaches rank among the world’s best while the renowned coastal path allows unfettered access to its wild headlands, rocky peninsulas and much more.
