Planning your Wales travel in 2012 Wales tours from tour operators in North America This document includes escorted group tours and independent (self-drive or chauffeur-driven) tour options to Wales. Escorted walking and hiking tours .............................. page 1 Escorted Horse-riding tours ........................................ page 2 Escorted special interest tours .................................... page 2 Escorted small group / minibus tour ............................ page 3 Escorted coach tours .................................................. page 4 Independent travel with guided day excursions .......... page 4 Independent travel with private guide ......................... page 4 Escorted Wales and England tours............................. page 5 Independent travel – car and hotel combos ................ page 6 Independent travel – walking and hiking ..................... page 6 Independent travel – flight, car and hotel combos....... page 7 Independent travel – golf vacations ............................ page 8 Independent travel – custom travel ............................. page 10 One of the best ways to see Wales is to join an escorted group tour. Let someone else do the driving while you enjoy an in-depth and insider view of an amazing country, meeting local people and getting off-the-beaten-path. Independent travelers have three great options: Rent a car and book a self-drive vacation for the freedom to explore Wales at your own pace. Travel by train to Cardiff where you can join guided day excursions to neighboring regions. Or, for the most customized touring experiences, hire your own driver-guide or chauffer.
ESCORTED WALKING AND HIKING TOURS The Wayfarers (USA and Canada) July 8, 2012 and August 26, 2012 - - “Pembrokeshire Coast” is a seven-day walking tour taking in parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and meeting the Welsh Poet Laureate Gillian Clarke. http://www.thewayfarers.com/walking-tours/uk-walking-tours/pembrokeshire-coast/ "We’re very excited to offer this walk in Pembrokeshire. We have been touring Wales for over 20 years, and we've had our eye on this lovely region of Pembrokeshire for years. Coastal walks are particularly popular and encompassing the literary theme was a natural fit for us with a visit to Dylan Thomas' boathouse, Gillian Clarke reading her award winning poetry and with author and artist Pamela Petro hosting, we think it will be the walk of the year!" Judy Allpress, The Wayfarers
Country Walkers (USA) May 13, 2012; June 10, 2012 and September 9, 2012 - - “Wales: Snowdonia & the Northern Coast” is a seven-day walking tour including visits to castles, gardens and steam heritage railway and the Snowdonia National Park. http://www.countrywalkers.com/Find+a+Tour/By+Destination/Europe/Wales/Wales:+Snowdonia +&+the+Northern+Coast 1
ESCORTED HORSE-RIDING TOURS Hidden Trails Hidden Trails offer a choice of three horse-riding tours available on multiple dates from April through October. Choose from: Black Mountain Ride, National Park Ride or Trans Wales Ride. http://www.hiddentrails.com/country/Wales.aspx Equitrekking Travel (USA) Weekly departures from May through September - - “Welsh Countryside Ride” is a seven-day horse-riding vacation in the beautiful Cambrian Mountains area of South Wales http://www.equitrekkingtravel.com/destinations/view/welsh_countryside_ride/
Equitours (USA) Bi-weekly departures from April through September - - “Welsh Mountain Trail” is a seven-day horse-riding vacation in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons National Park. http://www.ridingtours.com/horseback_riding_destinations/wales.cfm
ESCORTED SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS Road Scholar (USA) May 5, 2012 and August 9, 2012 departure dates - - “Digital Photography in Snowdonia” is a 12day tour. Photographer Jan Chipps provides expert tutelage exploring diverse landscapes of North Wales. http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/programdetail.asp?rowid=1%2D41AVV3 May 16, 2012 and September 6, 2012 departure dates - - “Celtic Wales: Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire” is an 11-day tour exploring the distinct Welsh identity from language and choirs to prehistoric monuments, myths and legends. http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/programdetail.asp?rowid=1%2DVE2TC July 17, 2012 departure date - - “Castle, Canal and Mountain Adventure: Intergenerational Wales” is an 11-day tour ideal for young learners (aged 9-11) traveling with parents or grandparents. http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/programdetail.asp?rowid=1%2D46F3T8
Shakespeare’s Daughters (USA) TBC 2012 - - “The Hay Festival Tour” is a 10-day tour taking in one of the world’s biggest book festivals in Wales as well as the Welsh and English literary sites connected with Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and William Wordsworth. http://shakespearesdaughters.com/tours/guardian-hay-literary-festival-tour/
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ESCORTED SMALL GROUP MINIBUS TOURS Special Group Tours (USA) September 19, 2012 - - “Sacred Places: South Wales and Pembrokeshire” is a six-day tour of spiritual heritage sites of Christian and Celtic interest. This tour can be combined with the “North Wales: Celts and Gardens” tour. http://www.specialgrouptours.com/html/wales_tours.html April 8, 2012 and September 30, 2012 - - “South Wales Heritage Trail” is a four-day tour departing from London covering the highlights of South Wales with a special literary focus. This tour can be combined with the “North Wales: Celts and Gardens” tour. http://www.specialgrouptours.com/html/wales_tours.html April 4, 2012 and September 26, 2012 - - “North Wales Celts and Gardens” is a four-day tour departing from Manchester covering the highlights of North Wales. This tour can be combined with the “South Wales Heritage Trail” and “Sacred Places” tours. http://www.specialgrouptours.com/html/wales_tours.html Multiple departure dates - - “Village Life in Wales” is an eight-day tour covering the best of North Wales focusing on local village life. http://www.specialgrouptours.com/html/wales_tours.html
DHTour (Canada) May 10, 2012 - - “Land of My Fathers” is a spectacular 12-day vacation covering the whole country lead by Welshman, Idwal Jones. http://www.dhgrouptours.com/motorcoach-tours/details/land-of-my-fathers/ April 15, June 10 and September 2, 2012 - - “Village Life in Wales” is a 10-day tour showcasing North Wales and the Snowdonia National Park, meeting locals and experiencing real Welsh life. http://www.dhgrouptours.com/motorcoach-tours/details/village-life-in-wales/ 18 departure dates in 2012 – “Welsh Wales” is a tour which spends three nights in London and nine nights in Wales, giving a great flavor of the country. http://www.dhgrouptours.com/motorcoach-tours/details/welsh-wales1/ “We are very excited about our Wales scheduled tour line-up for 2012. Our "Wales Land of my Fathers" is likely the most comprehensive tour of Wales you will ever find, escorted by a very enthusiastic Welshman! Additionally, we offer other guided tours of Wales plus city break packages in Cardiff. We also specialize in custom tours for individuals or groups.” Sherry Fraser, DHTour
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Discover Europe (USA) April 19, 2012 - - “Wales and the Welsh Borders” is a ten-day tour flying into Manchester to explore North Wales, Pembrokeshire and the Wye Valley. http://www.discovereuropeltd.com/pdf/0419WWB.pdf (Acrobat PDF document) Teachers Travel (Canada) 2012 - - “South Wales Rover” is a seven-day tour, based for a week in the Brecon Beacons National Park with an itinerary exploring the region. http://www.teacherstravel.com/touring/britain/Rover%20Tours/wales.htm
ESCORTED COACH TOURS Senior Tours (Canada) Fall 2012 - - “Wales Fall 2011” is a 16-day tour flying out of Canada. It covers the entire country, including: Cardiff, Tintern Abbey, listening to a male voice choir, Gower Peninsula, Tenby and Pembrokeshire, waterfalls that inspired Wordsworth, the Victorian resort of Llandudno, Portmeirion and a canal boat ride over the Pontcysllte Aqueduct. www.seniortours.ca
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL WITH GUIDED DAY EXCURSIONS Lynott Tours (USA) Over 30 departure dates in 2012 - - “Welsh Discovery” is a five-day tour of Cardiff and South Wales which explores locations connected with Dylan Thomas, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones and Tom Jones. The capital city, Cardiff, provides the perfect base for this tour as you take day excursions to surrounding highlights of South Wales each day. http://www.lynotttours.com/b-wales2.htm
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL WITH PRIVATE GUIDE Kensington Tours (USA and Canada) Choose from a wide variety of suggested itineraries which can be customized for individuals, couples or small groups. Enjoy a convenience of pre-booked transfers and driver-guide services for a relaxing personal vacation. http://www.kensingtontours.com/Travel/Europe/Western-and-Scandinavia/Wales
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ESCORTED TOURS: WALES COMBINED WITH ENGLAND Celtic Journeys (USA) TBC, 2012 - - “Wales and the Cotswolds” is an eight-day tour which includes three days in Wales exploring Conwy, Hay-on-Wye and the Snowdonia National Park. http://www.celtic-journeys.com/wales.htm CIE Tours (USA) Multiple departure dates in 2012 - - “Heart of Wales and England” is a nine-day coach tour which includes three days in Wales as well as time in London, Bath and The Cotswolds. http://www.cietours.com/us/escorted_tour/2012/heart_of_wales_8d/
DH Tour (Canada) 16 departure dates in 2012 – “Red Dragon” is a tour which spends five nights in London, one in England and four in Wales, providing an introduction to Wales with a few other highlights. http://www.dhgrouptours.com/motorcoach-tours/details/red-dragon-of-wales1/ Undiscovered Britain (USA) May 12, 2012 - - “London and Wales” is an eight-night tour which spends four days in and around London before traveling through the English Cotswolds to spend three nights in Wales. This tour provides highlights of London and England while introducing first-time visitors to Wales. http://www.undiscoveredbritain.com/tours/#4 Tauck World Discovery (USA) 17 departure dates in 2012 – “England, Scotland & Wales” is a 14-day tour which spends two nights at the Portmeirion Hotel in Wales showcasing parts of the Snowdonia National Park and the town of Caernarfon with its famous castle. http://www.tauck.com/tours/europe-tours/great-britain-and-ireland-tours/england-travel-gb2012.aspx
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Explore Wales on a self-drive, city break or rail tour in 2012 - Independent travel from North American tour operators Explore Wales at your own pace, yet with the reassurance and planning-ease of booking with a tour operator.
RENTAL CAR, TOURING, CITY BREAK AND HOTEL PACKAGES Royal Scottish Tours (Canada) “Roam Around Wales” is a package which includes seven nights’ accommodation which you choose from a selection of hotels or B&Bs throughout Wales, seven-day car rental, breakfast daily and a touring map of Britain and Wales. A suggested itinerary allows you to take in many of Wales’ highlights at your own pace. http://www.royalscottishtours.com/11_pb_roam_around_wales.html Avanti Destinations (USA) Avanti Destinations can help book your Wales vacation. Whether you choose to stay in the capital city of Cardiff to explore South Wales or in majestic Ruthin Castle Hotel to explore North Wales, Avanti can take care of the arrangements. They can also arrange your stay in any of the Welsh Rarebits collection – a selection of around 50 independent hotels across the country. Dedicated sales agents can plan your vacation, call toll-free 1-800-422-5053. http://www.avantidestinations.com/EVWeb/ProdGuide.jsp?Type=country&CId=208 DHTour (Canada) “Cardiff City Break” offers the chance to stay in Wales’ capital city, Cardiff, located just two hours from London. Three or six –day packages include a sight-seeing tour and the option of full-day excursions to explore the Wales countryside, culture and heritage. http://www.dhgrouptours.com/hotel-packages/cardiff-city-breaks/
INDEPENDENT WALKING AND HIKING Teachers’ Travel (Canada) As part of their “famous trails of Britain” series, Teachers’ Travel offer the chance to walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path on a six-night independent itinerary. http://www.teacherstravel.com/Independent%20Britain/Pembrokeshire%20Coast.htm
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FLY – DRIVE – HOTEL PACKAGES Go-Today.com (USA) “Camelot - The Magic of London and Wales” is a special six-night package inspired by the new original series, Camelot, now on Starz. The package includes rental car with unlimited mileage, round-trip flights (excluding taxes and fees), six nights’ accommodation, three day pass to visit castles in Wales, and breakfast daily. http://www.go-today.com/STW/STWProduct.aspx?Theme=GT&ProductCode=UK-WALCAMELOT “Fairytale Castles of Wales” is a six-night package allowing you to castle-hop in Wales! The package includes rental car, round-trip flights into Manchester (excluding taxes and fees), six nights’ accommodation, three day pass to visit castles in Wales and breakfast daily. http://www.go-today.com/STW/STWProduct.aspx?Theme=GT&ProductCode=UK-WALCASTLE “Tales of a Royal Wedding - London and Wales” is a special package for the year that HRH Prince William of Wales marries Kate Middleton. The package includes rental car with unlimited mileage, round-trip flights (excluding taxes and fees), three nights in London, three nights staying in a Welsh castle, entry to royal palaces in London and to castles in Wales and breakfast daily. http://www.go-today.com/stw/STWProduct.aspx?Theme=GT&ProductCode=UK-WAL-ROYAL “Gems of Wales” is a six-night package with hotel stays across the country, allowing you to really explore off-the-beaten-path. The package includes rental car with unlimited mileage, round-trip flights into Manchester (excluding taxes and fees), six nights in Wales, entry to Welsh castles and breakfast daily. http://www.go-today.com/stw/STWProduct.aspx?Theme=GT&ProductCode=UK-WAL-GEMS
European Destinations (USA) Plan a self-drive vacation combining London with Wales’ towns and cities: Cardiff, Swansea, Caernarfon and Llandudno; perfect locations to explore the surround Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks. http://www.europeandestinations.com/Wales_Vacations.aspx Celtic Tours (USA) Plan a self-drive vacation choosing from ten locations throughout Wales to create your custom itinerary. http://www.celtictours.com
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GOLF, RENTAL CAR AND HOTEL PACKAGES Golf Holidays International (USA) “North and South Wales Foursome Special” is a package combining the best golf of North and South Wales for two couple traveling together. It includes three nights in South Wales and four nights in North Wales in two double or twin rooms, five rounds of golf, breakfast daily and fullsize car rental (seating seven). http://www.golfholidaysintl.com/-pl-27-special-WALES-.htm “Escorted Golf Vacation to Wales” is a special nine-day tour of Wales which features nine nights’ luxury accommodations, nine rounds of golf, rental car and the services of a tour representative during the entire trip. Departure dates for the escorted golf vacation are April 20, 2012 and September 8, 2012. http://www.golfholidaysintl.com/-dest-WASO-producttype-S*-.htm Ultimate Golf Vacations (Canada) Ultimate Golf Vacations can customize a self-drive golf holiday. They suggest staying in either North Wales or South Wales in order to take short day trips to nearby world-class links courses. http://www.ultimategolf.ca/golf-vacations/europe/wales Other golf tour operators selling Wales on request: Adventures in Golf (USA) http://www.adventures-in-golf.com/wales.html Absolutely Golf & Travel (USA) http://www.agtgolftours.com Britannia Golf (USA) http://www.britanniagolf.com/wales.htm Celtic Golf (USA) http://www.celticgolf.com/Wales Fairways to Heaven Golf (USA) http://www.f2hgolf.com/f2h-golf-travel-Wales.aspx Fore Seasons Golf Tours http://www.fsgtours.com/wales.htm Golf International (USA) http://www.golfinternational.com Golf on Tour (USA) http://www.golfontour.com/walesGolf.html Golfpac International (USA) 8
http://www.golfpacinternational.com/intl/index.cfm/action/showl/loc/England-Wales/ The Golf Travel Co. (USA) http://www.europegolftours.com/wales/index.htm Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions (USA) http://www.haversham.com/page/526-21343.htm Hidden Links (USA) http://www.hiddenlinksgolf.com/golf-wales.html InterGolf Vacations (USA) http://www.intergolfvacations.com/dest_england_wales.shtml Irish Links Tours and Travel (USA) http://www.irishlinkschampionship.com/wales.asp Owenoak International (USA) http://www.owenoak.com/wales.html Perry Golf (USA) http://www.perrygolf.com/destinations/eng_start.shtml Pioneer Golf (USA) http://www.pioneergolf.com/wales.htm Premier Golf (USA) http://www.premiergolf.com/england_and_wales_courses.html Round Ball Golf Tours (USA) http://www.roundballgolf.com/tours.cfm?id=12&name=WALES Scots American Travel Advisors (golf vacations) (USA) http://www.scotsamerican.com Value Golf Vacations (USA) http://www.valuegolfvacations.com
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Tour operators offering custom Wales packages Destinations Ireland and Beyond (USA) http://www.destinations-ireland.com/travel-destinations/wales/ Distinctive Journeys http://www.distinctivejourneys.com European Destinations (USA) http://europeandestinations.com/Wales_Vacations.aspx Lynott Tours (USA) http://www.lynotttours.com/b-wales.htm Perfect Journeys (USA) http://www.perfectjourneys.com/wales.html Simply Nice Tours (USA) http://www.simplynicetours.com STA Travel http://www.statravel.com/travel-wales.htm Undiscovered Britain http://www.undiscoveredbritain.com
Please note: The inclusion of any operator/handler does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorsement of their services. Any reliance you place on the details presented here is at your own judgment.
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