4* South Wales - Gower Peninsula & The Seaside City

Enjoy a relaxing South Wales break with a day out on the glorious Gower Peninsula (Y Gwyr), the 15-mile thumb of land which was designated the UK's first official AONB in 1956. Get to know Swansea (Abertawe), the Seaside City, with a gentle cruise along the River Tawe, time to explore the Marina with the excellent National Waterfront Museum and maybe pop into the largest indoor market in Wales. On the 5-day tour, take a ride on a heritage railway through the handsome rural landscapes of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)Highlights
- Hotel for 3 or 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage- Included excursions as stated- Guided tour of Gower Peninsula (all tours)- Welsh Cream Tea at Gower Heritage Centre (all tours)- 90-minute river cruise on 'Copperjack' (all tours)- Free time in Swansea Marina / Centre (all tours)- Return ride on Brecon Mountain Railway (5-day tour only)- Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons (5-day tour only)

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head to the South Wales coast with a stop en-route in the historic walled border town of Chepstow which sits on the Welsh side of the River Wye. Arrive in South Wales for your 3 or 4 night stay DBB\n\nDay 2 - 3 (or 4) - At leisure in South Wales with two or three included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nMumbles & Gower Peninsula (all tours)\nStart the day on the other side of Swansea Bay in Mumbles, the 'Gateway to Gower' and much-loved seaside retreat of Swansea dwellers. Full of character with its lighthouse and famous Victorian pier, a visit to Mumbles is a charmingly old-fashioned delight - plenty of independent boutiques and quirky galleries too. Then head off to the Gower Heritage Centre, a rural life museum with a 12th century water powered mill, cider press and artisan craft shops. A local guide will take you on an exploration of the peninsula, a world of its own, pointing into the Bristol Channel. The region is fringed with sweeping yellow bays and precipitous cliffs whilst bracken heaths dot the interior where tiny villages, castle ruins and curious churches can be found. Enjoy a Welsh cream tea before returning to the hotel.\n\n'Copperjack' Cruise and Swansea Marina (all tours)\nOn a gentle 90-minute boat trip along the River Tawe with on-board commentary, sit back and relax to discover Swansea's historic, industrial heritage and how it became known as 'Copperopolis', whilst viewing the passing scenery and river bank wildlife. There is step free access to the boat form the quayside via a sloping wooden pontoon and the boat is level throughout with a toilet on board. There is a bar on board for drinks and snacks. Disembark in Swansea Marina with time to admire the different vessels moored there. There is a flat path all around the Marina with several cafes and eateries and a couple of bridges to cross form one side to the other. You may like to visit the excellent National Waterfront Museum (entrance FOC), which tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Later on you may like to visit historic Swansea Market, the largest indoor market in Wales and crowned as Britain's Best Large Indoor Market 2024! Open daily except Sunday (08.00 - 17.00), you'll find a fantastic selection of specialist stalls offering everything from fresh, local produce and delicious food to antiques and bespoke gifts.\n\nNB River cruise subject to prevailing tidal conditions\n\nBrecon Beacons & Mountain Railway (5-day tour only)\nAll aboard the Brecon Mountain Railway which runs from Pant, 3 miles north of Merthyr Tydfil, to Torpantau following part of the route of the original Brecon & Merthyr Railway which closed in 1964. The journey takes you through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The return trip lasts about 90 minutes with a stop by Pontsticill station and Reservoir and time to visit the locomotive workshop at Pant station. Then take a scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park which encompasses some of the finest and most varied scenery in Southern Wales. Hills of grass and rock tumble and climb around river valleys that lie between sandstone and limestone uplands, peppered with lakes and villages. Make a stop in Brecon, the picturesque market town in the Usk Valley famed for its Georgian architecture\n\nReturn Day - After breakfast head homewards with plenty of Welsh memories. Arrive in your hometowns early evening.4* Hotel
Mercure Swansea Hotel\nSet amongst landscaped gardens with tranquil lake views, this modern, low-rise 4* hotel is well located for exploring the nearby hills and coast. \n\nIt offers contemporary style together with a brasserie style restaurant, bar and fitness centre. Smart guestrooms feature flatscreen TV, high speed WiFi and tea / coffee making facilities. \n\nSome rooms have views over the grounds and lake. There is no lift but there are ground floor rooms.\n\nSingles are double / twin for sole use