Wales, Nature & Culture

On arrival in Cardiff, your guide will meet you for a transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is devoted to a first immersion in the Welsh capital. You will discover Cardiff Castle, a medieval jewel in the heart of the city, and the lively Victorian arcades of the historic centre. A stroll along Cardiff Bay gives you a first glimpse of the city's architectural renewal, between the Millennium Centre Opera House and the redeveloped quayside.

Overnight in Cardiff.

You leave Cardiff to head north into the Brecon Beacons National Park. This landscape of open moorland, waterfalls and rounded peaks offers an accessible walk for all abilities, with a stop near the falls at Sgwd yr Eira, where you can walk behind the waterfall. In the afternoon, return south via Abergavenny, with a visit to Raglan Castle, a fifteenth-century fortress with spectacular ruins.

Overnight in Cardiff or the Brecon Beacons.

Head west to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, one of the wildest and most unspoilt coastlines in the UK. You will explore the cliffs and coves of Saint Govan's Head, before reaching the charming town of Tenby, with its colourful houses and authentic fishing port. In the afternoon, visit Pembroke Castle, an imposing Norman fortress and birthplace of King Henry VII, whose ramparts overlook a steep-sided river.

Overnight in Pembrokeshire.

A day devoted to the north, immersing you in authentic Welsh culture. You will cross the valleys of the centre of the country to reach the foothills of Snowdonia, a landscape of glacial lakes and deep forests. A stop at Llanberis allows you to discover the remains of the Dinorwig slate quarries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a poignant testimony to the industrial and human history of Wales. In the late afternoon, drive to the village of Betws-y-Coed, the green gateway to the National Park.

Overnight in Snowdonia or en route to Cardiff.

A gradual return to Cardiff with a final stop at Caerphilly Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in the UK, surrounded by an imposing moat and a timeless atmosphere. Transfer to your departure point according to schedule.

End of programme.