PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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With its distinctive blend of Welsh language and Celtic culture, Wales is like no other country in the United Kingdom. You’ll fall in love with its beautiful natural landscapes—from soaring mountains to stunning coastline and national parks—and revel at imposing Welsh castles. On this captivating private tour through deep green valleys, past majestic mountains and along an unforgettable coastline, we’ll go high and low in search of Wales’ most iconic sights. Join us as we walk the ancient lands of Celts and Romans, immersing ourselves in age-old local traditions as we go.

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Day 1) Cardiff

Depart London Heathrow Airport for Cardiff. Visit Tintern Abbey, former Cistercian Abbey on the Welsh side of the River Wye which marks the border with England. Arrive at the New House Country House Hotel for a three-night stay. Situated on the fringes of Cardiff, New House Country House Hotel nestles amongst the Welsh hills, close to Castel Coch and Caerphilly Castle and only a short distance from Cardiff and St. Fagan’s National Museum. 

 

Day 2) Caerphilly, Cardiff Castle & St. Fagan’s National Museum

Today visit the mediaeval Castle of Caerphilly, Cardiff Castle, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion of medieval origin, and St. Fagan’s National Museum, an open-air museum in Cardiff chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the Welsh people. 

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Day 3) Tredegar House & Brecon Beacons

Whole-day excursion to the Brecon Beacons visiting Tredegar House along the way. Visit Hay-on-Wye, home to the Hay-on-Wye Book Festival, littered with book shops—secondhand and new. Continue along the Gospel Pass, home to canals, waterfalls, red kites and natural beauty to Lanthony Priory. 

 

Day 4) Castle Coch & Gower Peninsula 

Depart for Castle Coch, a 19th-century Gothic Revival Castle of Norman origin (alternatively, visit in Swansea the Dylan Thomas Centre, which exhibits the life and work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas) and the Gower Peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty with cliffs, beaches and bays, including the picturesque village of Mumbles. This afternoon, arrive at Penally Abbey for a two-night stay. 

 

Day 5) Pembrokeshire & St. David’s

Whole-day excursion to Pembrokeshire including a scenic tour of the coast, Pembroke Castle and in St. David’s, visit the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. 

The 12th century St Davids Cathedral is Wales’ most iconic religious site and sits tucked away in a sheltered vale beside the River Alun. You learn about the history of St Davids, visit the impressive Treasury collection and visit the brooding Gothic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace on the opposite bank of the river.

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Day 6) Tenby & Aberystwyth

This morning, explore Tenby, probably the most iconic and well-visited seaside town in Wales. Steeped in ancient history and surrounded by an imposing medieval stone wall. This afternoon, continue to Aberystwyth for an overnight stay at the Gwesty Cymru Hotel, located on the seafront. Arrive in time to explore some of the town.

 

Day 7) Scenic Steam Train Ride in Snowdonia

This morning, depart for Portmeirion, passing the imposing Cader Idris mountain on route. Portmeirion is a tourist village designed and built between 1925 and 1975 in style of an Italian Riviera village. Alternatively, you may visit Harlech Castle, a garrison castle built by Edward I. Arrive Porthmadog by lunchtime, from where you’ll depart on a scenic-steam-train ride through the stunning scenery of Snowdonia National Park to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. You’ll then continue to the Castle Hotel, Conwy for a three-night stay, located within the town walls.

 

Day 8) Caernarfon Castle & Isle of Anglesey

Today, visit Penrhyn Castle, a country house designed in the style of a Norman Castle, and Caernarfon Castle, part of the system of English garrison castles that Edward I built to enforce English rule over North Wales 700 years ago. Next visit Segontium, a Roman stronghold that passed into Welsh legend. On your return to Conwy, make a short excursion across the Menai Bridge to Beaumaris on Anglesey, a pretty seaside town with views to Snowdonia. 

 

Day 9) Conwy & Bodnant Garden

This morning, explore Conwy including the Castle, Plas Mawr Mansion and Aberconwy House. Your hotel is within the town walls and all these visits are just steps away. This afternoon, visit Bodnant Garden, overlooking the Conwy Valley towards the Carneddau mountains. Founded in 1874 and developed by five generations of one family.

 

Day 10) Manchester Airport or return to London

Depart for Manchester Airport for onward journey or return to London.

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