Itinerary Details
Avanti Destinations: Bite of Wales
Day 1 Cardiff
Arriving in Cardiff , you'll pick up your rental car and check into your hotel. You'll meet your guide for the "Lunch and Landmark" tour. During the tour you will be guided around the city center and Cardiff Bay, passing beautiful parks and key landmarks including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, the National Assembly of Wales - Senedd and the Millennium Centre. Lunch will follow where you'll have the opportunity to taste Welsh signature foods. The remainder of the day is free for independent sightseeing or just relaxing. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cardiff, (L)
Day 2 Cardiff
After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of Principality Stadium and get an insight of the inner workings of this 74.000 seat stadium. This is the home of the revered Wales National Rugby team. You'll view the dressing rooms and experience what the players feel as you walk down the tunnel toward the hallowed pitch (field). Late in the day, explore the fairy tale fortress known as Cardiff Castle. Enjoy panoramic city views from the top of the Norman Keep. Following the tour, you'll be a guest at a typical Welsh banquet. It's a relaxed and informative evening, enjoying the best of Welsh entertainment amid medieval surroundings.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cardiff, (B, D)
Day 3 Cardiff
Today, you'll embark on a couple of culinary tours that are famous to this region. First, meet your guide for a "Cardiff Tasting" walking tour, taking you around the city center to sample a variety of local cuisines including continental meats, cheeses, cockles, laverbread, and Welsh beverages. We'll be stopping at retail shops as well as the Cardiff indoor market. Save some room for your afternoon tour of the Blaenavon Cheddar Company. This family run business produces award-winning cheddar as well as soft Welsh goat's cheese. At the end of the tour, you'll be able to sample many of them. The remainder of the day is free to explore the shops and dinner will be on your own this evening.
Centrally Located Hotel In Cardiff, (B)
Day 4 Cardiff, Brecon
After a leisurely breakfast, take the 70 minute drive through the majestic Brecon Beacons to Brecon, a scenic town nestled on the River Usk. On a side note, you'll likely pass through the town of Pontypidd; birthplace of Thomas Woodward, more recognized by his stage name; Tom Jones. After checking into your hotel, you can visit the nearby Brecon Cathedral. Originally built as a fortification in 1094, this former Benedictine priory was the only walled cathedral in Wales. Dinner on your own this evening and there will be a surprising multitude of options in this town.
Centrally Located Hotel In Brecon, B
Day 5 Brecon
After breakfast, meet your driver-guide for a full day tour of Brecon Beacon. You'll take the Brecon Beacon Railway into the national park through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Resevoir before climbing to Torpantau. The climb reveals glacially formed mountains and abundant waterfalls. You'll visit the "Big Pit", the famous National Mining Museum of Wales, where you can embark on an underground tour of the mine. You will discover how this part of the world became the heart of the Industrial Revolution. There will be time allotted for lunch before moving on to wonderful views of the countryside from the dizzy heights of the Black Mountains. You'll return to Brecon in late afternoon, and dinner at your leisure this evening.
Centrally Located Hotel In Brecon, B
Day 6 Brecon
Late morning, you'll have a guided Smokery tour providing insight into the process of smoking and curing meats. This will be followed by a tutored tasting of award winning smoked foods along with specially selected accompaniments. In the afternoon, we'll stop at the White Castle Vineyards situated in the rolling countryside of Monmouthshire. In their 16th century croft barn, you'll sample selected varietals that are compatible with the soil and climate of this area. Our last stop will be at the Penderyn Distillery. During the 1 hour tour, you'll discover how their award winning whisky is made, as well as sampling some of their products including gin and vodka. Returning to your hotel, dinner will be on your own this evening.
Centrally Located Hotel In Brecon, B
Day 7 Brecon
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive to return the car to Cardiff and on to your next Avanti Destination!
Centrally Located Hotel In Brecon, B
