The Wonders of Wales

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Cardiff


Cardiff

Tour summary

8 days

Wales

11 meals

18 guests (max)

Luxury minicoach

Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy

7 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation

7 nights

Soak in the wonders of Wales on this captivating journey through emerald green valleys and along a breathtaking coastline. Feel the rhythmic heartbeat of a historic steam train ride,  savour the classic flavours of a traditional afternoon tea and admire the distinctive beauty of a medieval palace, whose ruins whisper tales of time gone by – what makes Wales so unique is yours to discover.

Tour highlights

  • Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea served in a delightful tearoom at the edge of Snowdonia National Park
  • Embark on a steam train ride through the spectacular scenery of the Rheidol Valley
  • Discover the majestic Gothic architecture of the Bishop’s Palace in St Davids 

Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Cardiff (Wales)

After meeting the group in Wales’ vibrant capital, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel.

After meeting the group in Wales’ vibrant capital, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel.

Included today

Accommodation

Parkgate Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Dinner

Day 2 - Cardiff – Brecon Beacons

Following a hearty breakfast at our hotel we’ll venture through the dramatic Welsh Valleys to Brecon Beacons National Park. We’ll stop off at the impressive Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths which date back to AD 74.  Afterwards – if time allows – we’ll delve into Welsh mining heritage at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. This evening, another delicious group dinner awaits us at our hotel.

Following a hearty breakfast at our hotel we’ll venture through the dramatic Welsh Valleys to Brecon Beacons National Park. We’ll stop off at the impressive Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths which date back to AD 74.  Afterwards – if time allows – we’ll delve into Welsh mining heritage at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. This evening, another delicious group dinner awaits us at our hotel.

Included today

Accommodation

The Bear Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 3 - Brecon Beacons – Llangollen – North Wales

Today’s itinerary will take us further north along the border regions of Mid Wales to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the longest and highest structure of its kind (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, we’ll pass by the mesmerising Valle Crucis Abbey before pausing for an afternoon tea together at a charming local tearoom. Upon our arrival along the rugged North Welsh Coast, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.

Today’s itinerary will take us further north along the border regions of Mid Wales to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the longest and highest structure of its kind (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, we’ll pass by the mesmerising Valle Crucis Abbey before pausing for an afternoon tea together at a charming local tearoom. Upon our arrival along the rugged North Welsh Coast, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.

Included today

Accommodation

Empire Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 4 - North Wales

There’s plenty of free time to explore the nearby towns of Llandudno and Conwy today. How you choose to spend the day is up to you – but we recommend visiting the imposing Conwy Castle and taking a look at the medieval town walls. Later, you could uncover the self-proclaimed “smallest house in Great Britain” along the picturesque quay – which also plays host to an abundance of cosy cafes and traditional pubs perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon.

There’s plenty of free time to explore the nearby towns of Llandudno and Conwy today. How you choose to spend the day is up to you – but we recommend visiting the imposing Conwy Castle and taking a look at the medieval town walls. Later, you could uncover the self-proclaimed “smallest house in Great Britain” along the picturesque quay – which also plays host to an abundance of cosy cafes and traditional pubs perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon.

Included today

Accommodation

Empire Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 5 - North Wales – Snowdonia National Park – West Wales

Continuing our journey today, we’ll have a brief photo opportunity at the village with the longest place name in Europe – Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch – before moving on to Caernarfon Castle. After exploring its impressive medieval battlements and uncovering fascinating historic tales, we’ll journey through breathtaking Snowdonia National Park towards the Rheidol Valley to soak up its stunning landscapes aboard a historic steam train. Travelling around horseshoe bends, through mountain tunnels and along cliff edges – there’s no better way to discover the region’s lush green pastures, glittering lakes and serene forests. Finally, we’ll venture onwards to our hotel where we’ll discuss the day’s events over a delicious group dinner.

Continuing our journey today, we’ll have a brief photo opportunity at the village with the longest place name in Europe – Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch – before moving on to Caernarfon Castle. After exploring its impressive medieval battlements and uncovering fascinating historic tales, we’ll journey through breathtaking Snowdonia National Park towards the Rheidol Valley to soak up its stunning landscapes aboard a historic steam train. Travelling around horseshoe bends, through mountain tunnels and along cliff edges – there’s no better way to discover the region’s lush green pastures, glittering lakes and serene forests. Finally, we’ll venture onwards to our hotel where we’ll discuss the day’s events over a delicious group dinner.

Included today

Accommodation

The Falcondale (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 6 - West Wales – Pembrokeshire

Ready for more intriguing local heritage? We'll kick things off this morning by paying a visit to the National Wool Museum to learn more about the booming Welsh wool industry during the 19th century. Then, it’s time to jump back even further in time at the highly atmospheric Castell Henllys Iron Age Village. Wander around reconstructed, thatched-roof roundhouses and learn the secrets of surviving in the prehistoric era from friendly villagers. Finally, our day will end in picturesque Pembrokeshire – where you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure.

Ready for more intriguing local heritage? We'll kick things off this morning by paying a visit to the National Wool Museum to learn more about the booming Welsh wool industry during the 19th century. Then, it’s time to jump back even further in time at the highly atmospheric Castell Henllys Iron Age Village. Wander around reconstructed, thatched-roof roundhouses and learn the secrets of surviving in the prehistoric era from friendly villagers. Finally, our day will end in picturesque Pembrokeshire – where you’ll have the evening to spend at your leisure.

Included today

Accommodation

Wolfscastle Country Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 7 - Pembrokeshire, including Tenby and St Davids

This morning we’ll admire the verdant rolling hills of the Welsh countryside as we set a course for the picture-perfect fishing village of Tenby. Perched on a headland and surrounded by Norman-built walls, we’ll have time to explore the medieval village streets and array of cafes and stores at our own pace. Later, we'll stop off at lovely St Davids – Britain’s smallest city – to discover the ruins of the magnificent Gothic Bishop’s Palace. Upon returning to our hotel, we’ll don our best outfits for tonight’s final group dinner. Here’s to an incredible journey!

This morning we’ll admire the verdant rolling hills of the Welsh countryside as we set a course for the picture-perfect fishing village of Tenby. Perched on a headland and surrounded by Norman-built walls, we’ll have time to explore the medieval village streets and array of cafes and stores at our own pace. Later, we'll stop off at lovely St Davids – Britain’s smallest city – to discover the ruins of the magnificent Gothic Bishop’s Palace. Upon returning to our hotel, we’ll don our best outfits for tonight’s final group dinner. Here’s to an incredible journey!

Included today

Accommodation

Wolfscastle Country Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 8 - Pembrokeshire – Cardiff

After breakfast, it’s back to Cardiff we go! This morning we’ll make the scenic drive south towards the capital, where we’ll pay a visit to St Fagans National Museum of History – Wales’ most popular heritage attraction – before our tour comes to a close.

After breakfast, it’s back to Cardiff we go! This morning we’ll make the scenic drive south towards the capital, where we’ll pay a visit to St Fagans National Museum of History – Wales’ most popular heritage attraction – before our tour comes to a close.

Included today

Meals
  • Breakfast

Things we think you'll love

A view of the National Coal Museum in Wales, also known as the Beamish Museum.
Signature moment

A coal miner's tale

Dig deep into the past as we venture a mighty 300 feet underground for a tour of the Big Pit - a one-time working mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site - with a former coal miner who'll share his stories of life and work in these tunnels.

A steam engine train, embarked on the Rheidol Valley Tour.

Steam train ambles

See hues of green everywhere as you settle in a classic steam train and amble through Rheidol Valley - bag yourself a good seat!

A view of St Davids Cathedral in Wales, a grand cathedral in Britain's smallest city.

Powerful palace ruins

Rewind the clock to a time of towering columns and arched stained glass windows at the ruins of St Davids Bishop's Palace.

Read the reviews

Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo

5

Anonymous October 2024

This tour provided me with background information on the history, society and culture of Wales through the ages; from Neolithic dolmen and Roman occupation to English ********** and modern self...

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4

Alison Br October 2024

Excellent driver guide input but felt bit long due to it being round trip, bus travel periods would need more stops of interest so not as long between stops. Comfort stops good timing tho.
Personally...

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5

Jerry Va October 2024

The Wonders of Wales tour greatly exceeded our expectations. Terry, our guide was very knowledgeable and brought great insights into every destination on the tour. Dmitri, our driver made the trip...

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5

Catherine Sm October 2024

My first time using Blue Roads. The Wonders Of Wales was excellent..
Love the small group, you get to know everyone, made friends with all. We had a great bunch!!
Our tour guide Terry was excellent...

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5

Anonymous September 2024

Wales was even more beautiful than we thought. So green and our tour director and coach driver were ever helpful and interesting.

4

Anonymous September 2024

Amazing scenery and a great look back at the history of Wales. Our guide had good local knowledge and spoke Welsh. He was not great at communication and we often were just left to see places on our...

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4

Anonymous September 2024

Beautiful scenery, competent guide, bus too small for 18 people and driver drove too fast

5

Anonymous September 2024

It mostly depends on the guide. Neil was excellent.

5

Anonymous September 2024

The only tour that covers most of Wales. A beautiful country and language with a lot of history. Blue-Roads transport can get into places the large buses can't. A maximum of 18 people with plenty...

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5

Anonymous September 2024

We had a great time and recommend anyone to experience this tour.

5

Anonymous September 2024

Good pacing, wonderful tour leader and driver. Liked the small group size and the selected accommodations.

5

Anonymous September 2024

Great trip. Truly on the back roads a small villages.

5

Lynn Bl September 2024

Right amount of days and activities. Good tour, knowledgeable, polite, problem solving leader, would be better with local guides versus being on our own. Nice having drinks in opening meeting but...

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2

Anonymous September 2024

Chose Back Roads because of previous experience in 2018, but very disappointed with company post Covid. Driver personable, guide personable and helpful but both lacking local knowledge/history....

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5

Cheryl Ev September 2024

Terry and Ashley were great. They helped me with my disability. The places we stayed were great. Where we went was interesting. I had family from there.

2

Anonymous September 2024

Very disappointed with the tour as previous experience with Blue-Roads has been excellent. The tour leader & driver were lovely people, however the lack of local knowledge & history was very obvious...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Great tour much enjoyed

5

Patricia Ma August 2024

I enjoyed the Wonders of Wales tour very much. Excellent tour guide Terry and driver Vince. I worked it out that the price is about the same as if we had done it all ourselves. Back Roads had...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Amazing experience made even more special by the tour leader, the bus driver and the other 15 people who accompanied us. So many interesting things to see and experience. Accommodation was excellent...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Fantastic experience visiting places and Blue-Roads we would never have otherwise gone. Friendly people and nothing was too much trouble. Totally recommend for anyone wanting to experience genuine...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Excellent tour. Well-paced and provided the opportunity to see much of the countryside and historical sights of Wales. Very good itinerary and would recommend to anyone interested undertaking a tour...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Brilliant tour, exploring many amazing sites in Wales, as our tour guide said, it was just “a small taste of Wales, there is much more to explore. The tour stops along the way gave the opportunity...

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5

Anonymous August 2024

Amazing scenery. Great variety of places to visit and things to do. Tour guide, Terry, was exceptional.

5

Joyce Ha August 2024

Tour leader Terry was very welcoming at the meet and greet, an excellent guide with lots of historical; political and general knowledge: Shared his life experiences that were relevant to the tour. The...

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5

Jacob Fe June 2024

Beautiful landscapes, interesting sights including castles, churches, Roman ruins and beachside towns and an interesting railroad excursion. Included dinners were excellent as were the picturesque...

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5

Anonymous June 2024

The tour was well organized and our tour guide Terry Gibson was the best. He was very personable, knowledgeable and concerned that everyone on the tour was having a good experience. The pace was...

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5

Monica La June 2024

The itinerary, tour director, hotels and food were all great!!!!

5

Anonymous May 2024

Efficiently organised and run.
Guide Terry was excellent and was at all times caring, calm and courteous, as well as imparting his considerable knowledge.
Accommodation was generally excellent....

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5

Anonymous May 2024

An absolutely wonderful tour- covered so much in a very enjoyable, well organised manner with a fabulous tour guide.

5

Joy Ki May 2024

We had a terrific 8 day tour with Blue-Roads. Small group of likeminded people keen to learn about Wales.
Our tour guide Terry was outstanding- knowledgeable, amusing, encouraging our questions and...

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5

Anonymous May 2024

Excellent trip with interesting visits and a great guide.

4

Helen Co May 2024

We stayed at excellent hotels where the food was wonderful and staff extremely helpful and friendly. The pace was vey good, not rushed at most times. We had some authentic experiences. We really...

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5

Michael Ho October 2023

Fantastic hotels, and meals great value for money. Everything was done for us we just had to enjoy ourselves

4

Anonymous September 2023

“Pass by the mesmerizing” - If it’s mesmerizing, why pass by? The Welsh Language Center did not offer a lesson, merely an excuse to visit a dramatic spot. I thought Portmeirion was a weird anomaly....

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5

Olive Ca September 2023

Wales is a beautiful country & I thoroughly enjoyed its beauty. Snowdonia NP was my favourite scenic destination & Llandudno was a wonderful place to spend time & to explore Conway from, loved it...

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5

Anonymous August 2023

Beautiful country steeped in history every place I toured was exceptional and equal on all levels

5

Susan Re August 2023

Wales is a hidden gem, the history is interesting, the locations picturesque

5

Anonymous August 2023

The tour was affordable for what was included. really got my money's worth on this tour.

5

Marian Na August 2023

Jeremy was excellent guide - showed good understanding of how to tailor commentary etc to group. Tan, the bus driver was a great driver and went the extra mile for members of group. Pace of tour was...

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5

Fred Du August 2023

Outstanding value for the scope of the tour.. Blue Roads provided all the information required for an enjoyable tour.

5

Lex Ni July 2023

good value for money as so much was included

5

Anonymous June 2023

Well worth the money. Accomodations were perfect and the provided meals were more than I expected.

5

Robin Ho June 2023

The blend of history and beautiful landscapes along with lovely villages and friendly Welsh people made for a week of delightful discoveries.

5

Kathleen Ba June 2023

Excellant tour. Something for everyone with a very knowledgable and kind guide who went out of his way to meet everyone's needs. The driver was excellent and his personal knowledge of the area added...

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5

Denise La June 2023

Loved the scenery and variety of experiences plus the pace of the tour was great

4

Sally Wi June 2023

the cost increase was a bit more than I expected but realise that with Covid 19 most things have increased and it is still value for money.

5

Anonymous June 2023

We feel we got excellent value for our costs.

5

Anonymous June 2023

see previous statement...

5

Leanne Cl May 2023

No complaints all good recommended it.

5

Lyn Ni May 2023

Just what I said above covers it

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 Contact us on [email protected]

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Trip notes icon
Download tour notes

Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.

FAQs

Wales neighbours the Atlantic Ocean, so its maritime climate means changeable, wet weather that’s generally mild. We suggest packing for variable weather conditions – layers, an umbrella and a trusty raincoat will be essential.  

 

While we do cover ground in our minicoach to maximise our time, some of the best discoveries are made on foot! As a result, we ask that you are comfortable with walking small hills in order to make the most of our journey through Wales together.  

All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!

Download tour notes

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