2025 - Wales in a Nutshell

For a small country, Wales certainly packs a lot in! Come and experience the very best of this little Celtic land (just 180 miles long and 60 miles wide) on this two-centre holiday, packed full of inclusions and entrances. You can expect beautiful scenery and every changing landscapes as you travel from south to north, from mountains to coastline, from national parks to unique gardens, from small villages to colourful towns. Enjoy some of Wales' most popular attractions and destinations including Llandudno, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Portmeirion, Aberglasney Gardens, Tenby and Llancaiach Fawr Manor. Croeso i Gymru! Welcome to Wales!Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 6 nights with breakfast & dinner- (3 nights Carmarthen / 3 nights in Caernarfon)- Porterage & welcome tea / coffee on arrival at both hotel- Excursions and visits as stated- Return ride on Snowdon Mountain Railway- Entrance to Portmeirion- Entrance to Aberglasney Gardens- Entrance & tour to Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Wales in a Nutshell
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head west, with a comfort stop en-route for refreshments, before arriving at your hotel later today in legendary Carmarthen on the banks of the River Tywi, the oldest town in Wales. Carmarthen is proud of its Roman origins as well as its links with the Arthurian legends of Merlin (the wizard is said by some to have been born here). The town's castle ruins have a colourful history of being besieged by the English, and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt in 1215. Check into the 3* Ivy Bush Hotel for the next 3 nights with welcome drink, welsh cakes and porterage. DBB with entertainment on two evenings.\n\nDay 2 - 3 At leisure in Carmarthen with two included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nAberglasney Gardens & Tenby\nAfter breakfast, enjoy a visit to Aberglasney Gardens, one of the finest gardens in Wales, set in a serene and beautiful location. Aberglasney was made famous by the BBC television series 'A Garden Lost in Time' which followed its restoration. At its heart lies a fully restored Elizabethan Cloister Garden that is the only surviving example of its kind in the UK today. Explore its 10 acres with over 20 different garden styles from formal to woodland, right through to exotic and modern along with the fully restored ground floor of Aberglasney's grade II listed mansion which has been home to many a colourful character over the last 500 years. The centre of the mansion is now covered by a glass roof and is home to the 'Ninfarium', Aberglasney's award winning sub-tropical indoor garden, where plants grow amongst the ruinous remains. The tearooms are idyllically located overlooking the Pool Garden.\n\nThis afternoon, head to the beautiful seaside resort of Tenby. The winding streets and picturesque harbour are adorned with brightly coloured houses which add to the charm of this lovely seaside town. Tenby enjoys a wonderful location, sitting on a headland with beaches either side or the main part of the town is encircled by its Norman-built walls. The old fashioned narrow cobbled streets are filled interesting shops, quaint cafes, ice cream parlours and cosy pubs.\n\nLlancaiach Fawr Manor & The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)\nToday's visit is to the must-see Llancaiach Fawr Manor, a living history museum and a Grade 1 listed building built in the mid-16th century, which featured in ITV Wales Coast & Country (Series 11 Episode 10). Your guided tour provides a first-person interactive experience as you step back in time to the turbulent times of the Civil War and explore Llancaiach Fawr with Colonel Edward Prichard's servants, dressed in period costumes. NB Due to the age of the building floors (flagstone and oak) are uneven in places\n\nThis afternoon 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 before heading back to Carmarthen\n\nDay 4 - Check out of the hotel this morning and depart Carmarthen for a scenic drive to the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth, where you might like to stroll along the promenade passing the beach, marina and brightly coloured Victorian seafront buildings. The seafront also boasts the oldest pier in Wales (it was built in 1864), which offers the fabulous vantage point of the town.\n\nThen it's time to head to one of Wales' most popular attractions, Portmeirion Village. Situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, this is where the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series, The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award-winning restaurants. Discover the exotic Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lily-covered lake. Uncover secret sites like the Dog Cemetery, Tangle Wood, Ghost Garden and Shelter Valley. Admission included. NB There are some steep hills and uneven paths\n\nContinue your journey to historic Caernarfon, a special place and a favourite of Celtic Princes and Roman Emperors. The town was famously fortified by King Edward I and was represented by Lloyd-George, the fiery Welsh Prime Minister of Britain during the First World War. Check into 3* Celtic Royal Hotel with a welcome drink whilst porters take your luggage to your rooms. DBB with one night entertainment\n\nDay 5 - 6 At leisure in Caernarfon with two included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nSnowdon Mountain Railway & Llanberis\nTake a once in a lifetime adventure on the Snowdon Mountain Railway which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is Britain's only narrow-gauge rack and pinion railway, starting from Llanberis and travelling 4.7 miles to the summit of Snowdon, a place of legend 1.085 metres above sea level. One of the world's greatest panoramas is revealed on arrival at the summit. Hafod Eryri, the UK's highest visitor centre, has spectacular panoramic views to the valleys below and from here you can venture to the cairn, where on a clear day the views stretch out as far as Ireland. May be a steam or diesel engine. After making the return trip back to attractive Llanberis village enjoy time a little time at leisure to take a stroll (approx. 15 min) to the National Slate Museum (Entrance FOC). The Llanberis Lake Railway operates daily in August with regular departures from Llanberis station (return trip approx. £10.50 pp in 2024)\n\nLlandudno & Caernarfon\nToday, head off to lovely Llandudno, one of the most popular seaside towns in North Wales - 'The Queen of Welsh resorts', Llandudno. There will be time to enjoy its beautiful Victorian architecture, Edwardian elegance and wonderful promenade. Llandudno is situated between the Great and Little Orme headlands, which perfectly frames the beautiful seafront as well as the longest pier in Wales (2295 feet, 700 metres). Enjoy an included a ride to the top of the Great Orme on the beautifully restored tram.\n\nEnjoy time at leisure this afternoon back in Caernarfon. The town has a regal air and historic charm about it especially around Palace St, Castle Sq and Hole in the Wall St. Within the cobbled lanes of the old walled town are some fine Georgian buildings and an interesting waterfront - it is truly the Celtic Heart of Wales. Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has undergone a large scale conservation project which includes a new accessible viewing platform via a glass lift and a new cafe. It is open daily 10.00 - 16.00 with entrance approx. £12.50 pp in 2024. \n\n\nDay 7 - After breakfast head homewards with plenty of Welsh memories. Arrive in your hometowns early eveningHotels 3 nights Carmarthen / 3 nights in Caernarfon
\n\nIVY BUSH ROYAL HOTEL, CARMARTHEN (3 nights)\nOnce the favoured retreat of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, this 3* historic hotel is located on the outskirts of Carmarthen, just a 10-minute walk to the town centre. All bedrooms are simply furnished in a traditional style and equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is an informal restaurant, a traditional, cosy, pub-style bar, a comfortable lounge with large armchairs and sofas, and an outside terrace. There is a lift to all floors, but there are steps to some rooms from the lift. There is also a sauna and gym\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCELTIC ROYAL HOTEL, CAERNARFON (3 nights)\nThe popular 3* Celtic Royal Hotel is within walking distance of Caernarfon's walled town and famous castle. Contemporary guestrooms are of a good standard and make the perfect, comfortable retreat following a day exploring the area, all with TV, hairdryer and tea / coffee making facilities. The Celtic Royal Hotel features an air- conditioned gym, 16 metre indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Lift to all floors. The restaurant is bright and spacious and there is pub-style bar offering comfortable seating. There are also several cosy lounges with plenty of sofas and armchairs. Single rooms are double for sole use.