2019 Heart of Wales and England 8 Days/7 Nights

HEART OF WALES & ENGLAND 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS / 11MEALS

Day 1: LONDON ARRIVAL & ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your London hotel. Take a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks. Stop at St Paul’s Cathedral to tour the awe-inspiring interior. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group.


Day 2: INDEPENDENT TOURING IN LONDON
Explore London at your own pace on an independent Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour to see the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and more. You may also take a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms. Or you might choose to visit Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. The evening is free for dining on your own. .
(B)

Day 3: STONEHENGE, BATH & CARDIFF CASTLE BANQUET
Head to Salisbury Plain to view the huge monoliths of Stonehenge and, in the visitor center, learn about how they were built over 4,500 years ago. Visit the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since Roman times. Travel into Wales to tour Cardiff Castle, then enjoy a fun Welsh banquet with entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 4: TRAIN RIDE & WELSH SCENERY
Enjoy a panoramic drive around Cardiff to view the principal features. Continue through the Brecon Beacons National Park and through rural Wales with its picturesque countryside. Take in the beauty of the Snowdonia National Park. A narrow-gauge train ride will take you through the heart of the region to admire mountain scenery. Head to your hotel in Caernarfon where you might choose to take a gentle walk through the ancient streets after dinner.
(B, D)

Day 5: NORTH WALES & SNOWDONIA
Visit the National Slate Museum, which highlights the region’s former slate industry at its height in Victorian times. Pause for photos of Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Stroll in the quaint village of Betws-y-Coed. Stop in Conwy and take a walk through the narrow medieval streets to see the smallest house in Britain. Tour the walls and battlements of 13th-century Caernarfon Castle.
(B, D)

Day 6: LLANGOLLEN & SHAKESPEARE’S STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Head to the charming village of Llangollen and take a look around this typical Welsh settlement with many quaint tearooms and shops. Then head across the English border to enjoy the picturesque town of Bridgnorth, with attractive black and white houses. Take a panoramic tour of Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, with an exhibition about his life and work, before walking through the house where he was born. Later, enjoy a cruise along the River Avon.
(B, D)

Day 7: COTSWOLDS & WINDSOR CASTLE
Take in the gentle hills of the Cotswolds, renowned for its pretty cottages and colorful gardens. Stop in Broadway, typical of the lovely old villages in the region. Take a walking tour through Oxford to learn about the famous colleges and enjoy lunch on your own. Tour Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences, to see the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel. In the evening, take a brief stroll around the compact and historic town of Windsor with a local guide.
(B)

Day 8: TOUR ENDS IN WINDSOR
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Admire the beauty of Snowdonia National Park as a narrow-gauge train takes you through the heart of the region.
• Gain insights into the histories of Conwy, Oxford and Windsor as your local guide recounts facts and local lore on walking tours of these towns.

Trip Highlights:

• Caernarfon Castle

  Caernarfon Castle

  Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of the castles throughout Wales. Begun in 1283 by Edward I, Caernarfon was constructed not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and palace. Explore its huge walls and towers as you learn about its history and use from your guide.
• Cardiff Castle

  Cardiff Castle

  Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, Cardiff Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.
• Roman Baths

  Roman Baths & Pump Room

  Around Britain’s only hot springs, the Romans built the finest religious spa in northern Europe. This great temple and bathing complex still flows with natural hot water. See extensive remains and a Roman museum of international significance as well as the 18th century Regency influence
• St Pauls Cathedral, London

  StPauls Cathedral, London

  The present cathedral, built by Britain's most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth to have stood on the site. It was built between 1675 and 1710 and services began in 1697. See the breathtaking view of the Nave and the many treasures contained within the walls of the cathedral.
• Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  This carefully restored 16th century half-timbered house in Stratford-upon-Avon is where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years. See an exhibition on Shakespeare and his times before walking through the house, now restored to look at it would have been in his day.
• Snowdonia Train Ride

  Train Ride in Snowdonia

  Snowdonia is the mountainous region in North Wales with Mount Snowdon being the highest peak. A narrow-gauge rail trip is fun and will show you some of the glorious mountain scenery.
• Stonehenge

  Stonehenge

  Stonehenge is probably the most important prehistoric monument in Britain. The circle of vast monoliths date from about 3,100 B.C. and are built from bluestone, sarson and Welsh sandstone. It is aligned with the summer solstice and is believed to have been built for lunar and solar worship.
• Tower of London

  Tower of London

  Founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, the tower has played an important part in English history for the past millennium. See the White Tower, dating from 1078, view the priceless Crown Jewels and learn about all the monarchs associated with the Tower.

Dining Experiences:

• 7 breakfasts (B) and 4 dinners (D) including a lively Welsh Banquet in Cardiff Castle on most departures.

Hotels:

• GB-LON-HIT | London (2)
• IE-DUB-BHB | Cardiff (1)
• GB-GYD-CEL | Caernarfon (2)
• GB-STV-SHH | Stratford-upon-Avon (1)
• GB-BKS-MAC | Windsor (1)