Southern Cities of Wales

Day 1

Your tour begins in Newport, south-east Wales – the most recent town to achieve city status in Wales and host of The Ryder Cup 2010. Newport’s gem is Tredegar House – one of the finest examples of restoration architecture in Wales. Discover what life was like for those ‘above and below’ stairs as well as explore the beautiful walled gardens, orangery and spectacular stable block.

Proceed west towards Cardiff – Europe’s youngest capital city. Built on the fortunes of coal, the legacy of its wealth lives on – from the Castle’s glorious jumble of architectural styles via the grandeur of the Civic Centre to the sublimity of Llandaff Cathedral.

The bustling city’s ample charms has something for everyone: museums, art galleries, castles, intriguing Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades as well as modern shopping centres. The sports enthusiast will delight in touring the majestic Principality Stadium (formerly known as Millennium Stadium) – one of the finest sporting venues in Europe. The National Museum Cardiff in the Civic Centre is one of the UK’s best museums, housing one of the finest collections of Impressionist paintings in Europe.

Continue to Cardiff Bay and wander around Mermaid Quay with its shops and restaurants and don’t miss the Wales Millennium Centre – the international performing arts centre for Wales. Or why not visit The Doctor Who Experience the first ever interactive Doctor Who exhibition that invites visitors to star in their very own Doctor Who adventure. Overnight Cardiff city centre/Vale of Glamorgan area.

Day 2

Head west down the M4 to Swansea, the birthplace of the great writer and poet Dylan Thomas. He famously called Swansea an “ugly, lovely town” and there are many attractions here. There’s the Dylan Thomas Trail that finishes at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Glynn Vivian Gallery and for sheer atmosphere and great bargains visit Swansea’s oldest and largest indoor market.

Traditional Welsh food including laverbread, cockles from nearby Penclawdd and Welsh Cakes can be bought here. The National Waterfront Museum tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Overnight Swansea/mumbles/Gower Peninsula area.

Day 3

Swansea sits at the gateway to the beautiful Gower Peninsula – Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sit, gaze and enjoy the picturesque scenery with an ice cream or a cup of tea. Maybe take a stroll along the protected coastline to Worm’s Head, Gower’s western tip.

For castles lovers, remember to include a visit to Oxwich or Weobley Castle and pop into the Gower Heritage Centre – a 12th century water powered cornmill and craft centre. Overnight Swansea/mumbles/Gower Peninsula area.

Day 4

Leaving Swansea, head west to visit your final city on this tour. The smallest city in Britain and the spiritual capital of Wales, St Davids is more of a bustling village despite its full city status. Take time to explore the magnificent cathedral which nestles in a grassy hollow before exploring the beautiful coastline of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

You can either walk, cycle or take an exhilarating boat ride out to one of the offshore islands to see the range of seabirds such as cormorants, puffins and guillemots that live there. Time it right and you’ll even catch sight of a seal or two playing in the cool blue waters! Overnight St.Davids/harverfordwest area.