Wonderful Wales For Women

Day 5 - June 17 - Welsh Quilt Center, Coracle Center, Nevern Church                                                                               Early departure this morning as you travel south through the Snowdonia National Park and the University town of Aberystwyth to Lampeter. Visit the unique Welsh Quilt Center where you will meet Jen Jones its founder.  Jen has been rescuing old Welsh quilts for years. 

This afternoon stop at the Coracle Center in nearby Canarth. or the National Museum of Wool. Coracles are the round or oval flat bottom boats used on the rivers in Wales.  Continue north to Pembrokeshire to visit Nevern Church with its 9th Century Celtic Cross and the fascinating Pentre Ifan Cromlech, 3-4000 BC, made of the same Preseli "Bluestones" which also found their way to Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain nearly 200 miles away.  Check in to the beautifully appointed St. Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot overlooking Carmarthen Bay.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Saundersfoot    B D

Day 6 - June 18 - Pembrokeshire coast,  St Davids, Fishguard 
Depart after breakfast for St. Davids where we visit the magnificent Cathedral and Bishop's Palace.  It is Britain's smallest city in terms of both size and population and the final resting place of Saint David, the country's patron saint.  Continuing northward, visit a 100 year old working woolen mill, MelinTregwynt, found in a remote wooded valley.  There has been a mill on this site sine the 17th century, when local farmers would bring their fleeces to be spun into yarn and woven into fine Welsh wool blankets.  Visit an outstanding art gallery, Workshop Wales Gallery, nestled in the heart of the Strumble Head Peninsula, with the Irish Sea on one side, Pembrokeshire National Park on the other.   In Fishguard you will have the opportunity to view the "Last Invasion Embroidered Tapestry".  This tapestry is 30 meters (almost 33 yards long) and is embroidered in 178 different colored wools.  It was made by over seventy local people and contains a wealth of fascinating details of the 1797 French Invasion of this portion of Wales. Meet the tapestry's designer - Audrey Walker.  Enjoy a Fish & Chips supper, the best in Wales, in the village of Saundersfoot this evening.
Overnight:  Saundersfoot   BD

Day 7 - June 19 - Dylan Thomas's Boathouse, National Botanic Gardens, Aberglasney Gardens 
Depart Saundersfoot to travel eastwards towards Cardiff, Wales' capital city.  As 2014 was the centenary of Wales' best known poet - Dylan Thomas, we stop at the village of Laugharne to visit The Boathouse (once his home but now a museum), his writing shed and Brown's Hotel where a local actor will present a selection of his stories and poems in the bar.  Visit the National Botanic Garden near Carmarthen before continuing to the beautifully restored Aberglasney Gardens.  Over the years I have watched these gardens and buildings come from ruins and recently voted one of the top formal garden in the UK. Ending today in Cardiff.  Our final two nights will be at the 5-star, superbly located Cardiff Hilton Hotel. 
Overnight:  Cardiff   B                                                                       Video : Aberglasney Gardens 
 
Day 8 - June 20 - Last Full Day in Wales, Museum of Welsh Life, National Museum of Wales                                            
Start you final day in Wales by visiting the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans where you shall be entertained by an informal talk given by an expert in the Welsh Woolen industry. This is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales' most popular heritage attraction, it stands in the grounds of the magnificent St. Fagans Castle, a late 16th century manor house. Option of lunch at the Wales Millennium Center.  Next visit the nearby National Museum of Wales to see the museum's fascinating collection of French impressionist paintings and other outstanding collections.  Balance of afternoon for personal sightseeing in Cardiff Bay or some last minute shopping in the charming Victorian arcades or modern malls.  Enjoy tonight's Farewell Dinner.
Overnight:  Cardiff   B D                                                                          

Day 9 - June 21 - Transfer Day, Tintern Abbey, London

Say farewell to Wales as we head to London.  On the way visit the magnificent Tintern Abbey ruins in the lovely Wye Valley. The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales, the abbey was founded in 1131. This afternoon continue to London and the end of this exciting tour.


We suggest that you make plane reservations for the following day.  We will be happy to reserve a London hotel for you for this night.  Please remember, if you book your own flights, you will fly into Manchester Airport and depart from Heathrow.

OR.....Join us for a 2-3 day tour extension in London.  Itinerary to be posted shortly.
 
OR......Let us help you with plans to explore other parts of England or Europe.