Royal Mint, Brecon Mountain Rail & Bristol Harbour Cruise

The wonderful landscapes of South Wales are home to a wealth of historic treasures and lush, green spaces. We enjoy a visit to the Royal Mint Experience, where we go behind the scenes and follow the journey of a coin, from blank to bank, and travel through spectacular landscapes on one of the most popular railway routes in Wales. With a visit to the vibrant Welsh capital of Cardiff also included, this trip offers the best of glorious South Wales.What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel- 4 nights at the Holiday Inn, Newport (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to the Royal Mint Experience, Cardiff- Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park- Cruise around Bristol Harbour

Itinerary
Included ExcursionsThe Royal Mint Experience & CardiffWe start the day with a visit to the Royal Mint Experience on the outskirts of Cardiff, an interactive exhibition about how coin production works. We watch workers mint coins and discover fascinating facts about the coins in our pockets, giving us a wonderful insight into one of the UK's oldest institutions.We return to the hotel via the bustling Welsh capital of Cardiff, with its beautiful Victorian shopping centres and quirky market. Cardiff Castle is right in the heart of the city and offers a truly remarkable site with a history that spans over 2,000 years (entrance not included).Brecon Mountain Railway & Brecon Beacons National ParkWe head to Pant, a small village near the Welsh border, where we board our vintage train and take a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway, which follows part of the original route of the 1859-built Brecon & Merthyr Railway. We travel through beautiful Brecons scenery and along the full length of the sparkling Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau, the summit of the original line. We descend the mountain, making a short stop in Pontsticill for refreshments before returning to Pant via stunning Abergavenny.On the way back to the hotel we enjoy a scenic coach drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park, allowing us to admire the spectacular landscapes from a different perspective. Shaped by the Ice Age, there is no shortage of dramatic scenery in this stunning National Park.Bristol Harbour CruiseWe sit back and relax on a cruise around Bristol Harbour. Once a bustling dock where sailors and merchants would trade goods and set sail for voyages, Bristol Harbourside is now a world-class attraction, complete with many restaurants and bars. We discover its fascinating history and contemporary culture on our leisurely cruise, with onboard commentary and then enjoy some free time in lively Bristol.

Bristol Harbour Cruise
From the exploratory adventures of John Cabot to the cut-throat campaigns of Blackbeard, the waters of Bristol harbour have played host to many a legendary figure in its ancient history and have been integral to developing the city into the thriving metropolis it is today.Take the opportunity to step into the shoes of these seafaring trailblazers on our Bristol Harbour Cruise, complete with a full commentary so you can discover all there is to know about these storied waters, while offering a unique perspective on the city itself from the water.Hotel
Holiday Inn, NewportJG3 ratingThe Holiday Inn, Newport is ideal for our stay. All the comfortable en-suite rooms feature a flat-sceen TV, free WiFi and tea and coffee-making facilities and the hotel offers a restaurant, indoor pool and fitness centre.Hotel RatingJG3 ratingHotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.