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WALES & SOUTHWEST ENGLAND

13 DAYS, 12 NIGHTS | Castles of North Wales, Snowdonia, Anglesey, Bath, Cornwall, Devon, Salisbury & Stonehenge 
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  Included with this private tour:

  • 12 nights of hotel accommodation

  • 12 full Welsh or English breakfasts

  • 6 three-course gourmet dinners

  • Your very own professional driver-guide and luxury vehicle

  • All entrance fees

  • Flexible itinerary

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 Just a few tour highlights:

  • Hay-on-Wye

  • Castles of North Wales

  • Snowdonia steam train journey in 1st class

  • Bath

  • St. Michael's Mount

  • Cornwall

  • Devon

  • Stonehenge

  • Lands End

  • Agatha Christie's Greenway House

                        2024 Prices 

 

Subject to availability, you may choose your own travel dates. 

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All prices are per person in US dollars includes hand-picked Superior and Luxury Boutique lodging and based on sharing a room for double occupancy.

 

From $6,890 per person (group of 6 people)

From $7,890 per person (group of 4 people)

From $9,890 per person (group of 2 people)

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Want a luxury private tour? This tour can be customized to your wishes or offered with 5-star luxury boutique option. Simply email or call us with your specifics and we'll plan a program that's right for you. 

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

 CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

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Superior Boutique

In this category we have hand-picked five-star guest houses or smaller luxury hotels. These lodgings are often family owned and offer a truly unique, authentic and welcome atmosphere where you are more likely to engage with local people than in a higher-end hotel. Some tours involve a mixture of both Superior and Luxury Boutique.

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Luxury Boutique 

Through years of experience we have hand-picked luxury boutique hotels which are not only very comfortable in the traditional sense, but as importantly offer gourmet food, and an ambience of lasting memory. All our hotel choices are of unique character, range from 4-star to 5-star, and are either downtown, or enjoy a spectacular rural or village setting. 

Our detailed offer to you will specify the hotels recommended.

 

PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Discover both Wales and Southwest England on this 13-day private tour! Fall in love with Wales and its unique blend of the Welsh language and Celtic culture. You'll be drawn in by the beautiful natural landscapes of Wales—from the majestic mountains to the vast coastline and stately Welsh castles. You'll also discover the beautiful Southwest of England, from the vibrant Roman city of Bath to the beautiful coastal areas of Cornwall and Devon. On this private tour of both Wales and Southwest England, you'll walk the ancient lands of Celts and Romans, immersing yourselves in age-old local traditions along the way.

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Day 1) Peckforten Hills

Depart London for the Peckforten Hills in Cheshire, gloriously unspoiled countryside close to Wales, for an overnight stay at a quintessentially English country inn. With views towards North Wales, this hidden treasure offers 12 rural-chic bedrooms and is a retreat for locals and visitors alike, championing delicious, honest, homecooked food. Tonight, a welcome dinner awaits you.

 

Day 2) Caernarfon Castle, Isle of Anglesey & Conwy 

Today, depart for the north coast of Wales and the lovely coastal town of Caernarfon for a visit to Caernarfon Castle, part of a system of English garrison castles that Edward I built to enforce English rule over North Wales 700 years ago. Then, take a short excursion across the Menai Bridge to Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey, a pretty seaside town with views to Snowdonia, where you can enjoy lunch. This afternoon, arrive in the castle-topped town of Conwy for a two-night stay at the Castle Inn within the mediaeval city walls and with many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the inn. You’ll visit Conwy Castle and Plas Mawr Mansion, the finest surviving Elizabethan town house in Britain.

 

Day 3) Penrhyn Castle & Snowdon Mountain Railway

This morning, visit Penrhyn Castle, a neoclassical castle with beautiful interiors and stunning surroundings. This afternoon, continue on a scenic journey of Snowdonia. Stop for lunch in the picturesque mountain village of Beddgelert. Climb the Pen-y-Pass. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you travel to the summit of Mount Snowden on the Snowdon Mountain Railway Train, described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.

 

Day 4) Clwydian Range & Dee Valley

This morning, explore the beautiful Clwydian Range & Dee Valle where you will cross the 19th century Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on a skippered narrowboat. Enjoy lunch in the pretty village of Llangollen. Continue your journey through Wales to the idyllic Wye Valley in the heart of the Welsh countryside. Arrive in Hay-on-Wye for an overnight stay at a local inn. 

 

Day 5) Hay on Wye & Bath

Today, explore the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, a village littered with book shops both secondhand and new and home to the renowned Hay-on-Wye Book Festival. Continue along the Gospel Pass—home to canals, waterfalls, red kites and natural beauty—to Lanthony Priory where you will have lunch. From the Brecon Beacons, continue southwards and leave Wales across the Severn Bridge to England. Arrive in Bath for a two-night stay.

 

Day 6) Bath

This morning, explore Bath on a private-guided tour. You will learn about Jane Austen’s time and life in in this fine Georgian city. Afterwards, enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant interiors of the Pump Room, built between 1789-1799, and the setting of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. You’ll then visit the Roman Baths, the well-preserved thermae constructed in 70 AD by the Romans. You will have some spare time for shopping afterwards or relax at the hotel. This evening, enjoy an excursion to the picturesque village of Castle Combe, surrounded by outstanding beauty, for dinner, included. 

 

Day 7) Montacute House & Bedruthan Steps

This morning, depart Bath for Montacute House, a fine Elizabethan manor with landscaped gardens, where you’ll also be able to enjoy lunch. This afternoon, continue to the dramatic Bedruthan Steps on the beautiful Cornish Coast where there will be an opportunity to walk along the cliffs and admire the pirate coves below. Next, head to the charming historic port of Padstow for a stroll and casual supper at Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips restaurant., included. Rick Stein is an English celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television presenter. This evening, continue to Marazion for a three-night stay at a four-star seafront hotel boasting magnificent views of St Michael’s Mount.

 

Day 8) St. Michael’s Mount, Mousehole & Porthcurno 

Start the day visiting the famous St Michaels Mount, steeped in fascinating history, with amazing views over Mounts Bay, and still the family home of the St Aubyns. With its little fishing harbor and tidal causeway, the Mount holds plenty to see and explore. This afternoon, visit the pretty fishing village of Mousehole, explore the Merry Maidens, a unique Neolithic Stone Circle created thousands of years ago, visit the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, of strategic importance to the allies during WWII, and Land’s End, at the westernmost point of Cornwall. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant, included this evening.

 

Day 9) Cornwall

This morning, explore the Tin Coast, a stretch of coastline that forms the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. The Tin Coast is a place defined by the Cornish mining industry. Tin and copper have been hauled here for over 2000 years. Ruined engine houses and chimneys now frame the landscape creating a very special atmosphere, including at Botallack, filming location of Poldark. This afternoon, visit the picturesque historic fishing village of St. Ives home to the Tate St. Ives, where you’ll discover 100 years of art, celebrating how West Cornwall has welcomed and inspired artists. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel.

 

Day 10) Trelissick & Dartmoor

Depart Marazion for Trelissick House & Gardens, a welcoming country house and garden set on an estate with stunning maritime views and lovely woodland walks. You’ll then cross the nearby estuary on the King Harry Ferry and continue to St. Mawes where you’ll first visit the castle, among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's artillery fortresses, with spectacular views out to the English Channel and have time to enjoy lunch in this pretty harbor town. This afternoon, depart for Devon where you’ll explore the wilds of Dartmoor, home to wild ponies, sheep, and stone bridges. Spend tonight at either a gastro pub and restaurant with rooms in Tavistock or at a luxury manor house with fine dining surrounded by beautiful countryside.

 

Day 11) Agatha Christie’s Greenway

Today, depart the Cornish Arms for Agatha Christie’s country home, Greenway. Located on the wooded banks of the River Dart in Devon, Greenway is the setting for some of Christie’s most famous stories. You can inspect some of her very own treasures and see the famous boathouse, where, in Dead Man’s Folly, Poirot’s case takes an unexpected twist. This afternoon, arrive in Shrewton for two-night stay at a beautiful historic house near Stonehenge with a fine dining restaurant, where dinner is included tonight.

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Day 12) Stonehenge & Salisbury

Visit nearby Stonehenge—a World Heritage Site and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe—where you will walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors.  Explore the ancient landscape on foot and step inside the Neolithic Houses to discover the tools and objects of everyday Neolithic life. Visit the world-class exhibition and visitor center with 250 ancient objects and come face-to-face with a 5,500-year-old man. This afternoon, visit the Cathedral City of Salisbury where you will enjoy a private-guided tour with visits to Salisbury’s mediaeval quarter, Cathedral Close, the Cathedral itself and more. The Cathedral is famous for its rich lore and towering Gothic spire and includes one of four original copies of the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that first established that everyone was subject to the law. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner.

 

Day 13) London Heathrow

Depart to London Heathrow Airport for your return flight or a transfer to your choice of hotel in London.

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Wales - August 2023

In early August of 2023 we went on a 10-day tour of Wales with Hugh Barnes of Wanderlust.  We had told Hugh what towns, scenic areas, castles, and stately homes we wanted to see some months ahead, and he seamlessly planned the trip!  If there were any places which were not as worthy to fit into our time, he let us know.  He also chose wonderful hotels for us to stay in, two of them large manor houses with gorgeous views, converted into hotels.  The rooms were spacious and comfortable.  The breakfasts and dinners were included, and the food was outstanding!...Hugh made sure to book two 3-day stays during the trip, so we could relax a bit while still moving around to see all that we wanted to see. Hugh was unfailingly on time and in a good mood.  He found out when there were blocks in the route, and would work out another way around.  Hugh has a good personality and was very easy to be with.  He is a great problem solver!  We had forgotten a raincoat at the previous hotel, and he arranged to have it sent to the next hotel, and took us to a nice outfitters store to purchase another one to use in the meantime.  He scheduled a guide for us for a walking tour of St. David’s, Tenby, and Pembroke Castle.  Most of the other castles and stately homes were either self-guided tours or had people stationed to answer questions about the rooms.  One of Hugh’s invaluable skills was somehow to plan the day so that you were entertained but not too overwhelmed, and he was able to pace the activities and schedule different types of places to see during the day so that the scenery and castles were varied.  The beauty of a private tour, of course, was that we could do the activities we enjoy the most. The Mercedes van was very comfortable...We were so thankful to have Hugh to plan our trip and drive us.  He took the anxiety out of planning, trying to find our way— especially driving on the left!— and scheduling, really all of the hard parts of any trip, and we could relax and enjoy Wales.  We are planning another trip with Hugh next summer, this time to southwest Ireland, and we very much look forward to his expertise in planning, finding wonderful hotels, and taking us through another beautiful country.  

Elinor and Tom J., Georgia

 

South West England - June 2023

First off, the itinerary you created for us was wonderful. The hotels/accommodations were excellent. While they were all different and quite unique on their own, the common features were very comfortable accommodation, excellent service from all involved and wonderful food.  We found that each hotel had its own personality. Our two tour guides, Daniel and Lorna, were exceptionally knowledgeable, funny, full of great stories and anecdotes and a pleasure to be around. The structure of the tour was indeed excellent. Nick was exceptional. He added so much to our tour. He was always knowledgeable, witty and constantly searched out extra information to enhance our visits to various sites. He also knew when to gives us our own space when we needed it. We thoroughly enjoyed his company and it was quite emotional for Anne and me when we said goodbye. I would give Nick 6 out of 5 stars and have him host our next private tour adventure with Wanderlust Private Tours. So thank you for making our 50th Wedding Anniversary Tour such a wonderful experience. We created some amazing memories!
Neil C,, Canada 

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England's West Country 

Every aspect of our trip's planning and execution demonstrated your dedication to superior customer service. While the itinerary, accommodations and restaurant selections exceeded our expectations, it was your attention to every detail that stands out. 

Peter & Trisha Palmer, Pennsylvania

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