Welsh History & Culture: Cardiff, Narberth & Snowdonia - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cardiff, Explore

Welcome to Wales! You'll start the trip in Cardiff, the nation's capital and its largest city. Situated on a tranquil bay, Cardiff is full of museums and monuments, including a medieval castle in the city center. On a driving tour, you'll see these major sights, including Cardiff Castle, the National Museum (which has the largest collection of impressionist art outside Europe), and Cardiff Bay. If there's time, you'll also go on an excursion down the coast to a Victorian town on the seaside. Then head back to your hotel in Cardiff to get some rest. 

Day 2: Discover St. Fagans National Museum

Spend some time today at St. Fagans National Museum, a world-class outdoor museum where special buildings from all over Wales have been relocated. You'll tour the magnificent St. Teilo’s Church, filled with Catholic Tudor murals, carvings, and altars. Explore traders' homes and period farmhouses originating from different areas of Wales. See the castle that hosted the last jousting tournament in Wales, and marvel at castles that have changed from medieval fortifications to stately Elizabethan homes.

Day 3: Experience the Charm of Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is world-renowned for the breathtaking seascapes along its extensive coastal path. Walk along soft sandy beaches, passing wooded valleys and lily ponds, on your way to Café Mor, where you'll dine on fresh lobster rolls and watch the Atlantic waves crashing. Take a boat to Skomer Island to see a puffin colony, or to the enchanting Caldey, a holy island inhabited by Cistercian monks. You'll overnight in Narberth.

Day 4: Visit Pembroke Castle

The remarkable Pembroke Castle plays an important role in the story that saw Henry Tudor crowned the King of England. Take a castle tour and discover the tower where Henry was born to the young Margaret Beaufort, wife of Edmund Tudor. Explore the walled town of Tenby and trace the route of the tunnel that allowed Henry and his uncle Jasper to escape from St. Mary’s Church to the harbor, then safely to exile in France. Visit the little cove where Henry landed upon his return to Wales, en route to meet Richard III at Bosworth Fields, and admire the Tudor Merchant House near the Tenby quayside.

Day 5: Go Trekking & Kayaking

You'll continue hiking and exploring the area today. Make time to visit tiny St. David's, home to a spectacular cathedral. Trek along the top of the rugged Preseli Hills, dotted with prehistoric sites and offering panoramic views across Pembrokeshire and the coastline. Kayaking and birdwatching are also possible. Tonight you'll eat at Coast Restaurant in Saundersfoot, famed for its local seafood menu and glorious views across Carmarthen Bay.

Day 6: Discover Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park occupies a unique place in Welsh history, tradition, and culture. Surrounded by magnificent medieval castles, its unique mountainscapes feature tumbling rivers and a dramatic coastline. Today you'll explore the park and experience a traditional British seaside tradition—walking out on the Victorian Llandudno Pier, which extends seemingly forever into the sea.

Get to know the beautifully preserved medieval town of Conwy, home to the 13th-century Conwy Castle. Walk around the castle walls and take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. If you'd like, go on a boat tour or a guided hike this afternoon. Or you can just relax in an open-air pub and enjoy the unique atmosphere. Another option is to ride the train to the top of Mount Snowdon to view the extraordinary panorama across this historic land of myth and legend. This is the adventure capital of Wales, so mountain biking, canoeing, gorge scrambling, and canyoning are also possible.

In the evening, visit a pub to sample wild foraged foods and local specialties like lamb and lobster on the last night of the trip.

Day 7: Depart Wales