tour of ireland and wales, the Celtic Fringe

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - SUNDAY
You'll be met at the airport of arrival by your Back-Roads Transfer Driver and be delivered to our West London Hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to recover from the rigours of your flight. The hotel is situated in an attractive neighbourhood of the city so you may enjoy local exploration, join one of Back-Roads city tours (optional) or take the underground to a city centre area. Dinner is not included tonight.	London
DAY TWO - MONDAY
Taking our quickest route from London west, we cross into Wales via the Severn Bridge. Our first stop is at Chepstow, on the River Wye. The town's castle was the first Norman stone castle in Wales and it stands on the cliff top overlooking the Wye. We'll take time to explore the castle and the town and perhaps take a spot of lunch before travelling up the Wye Valley to Tintern Abbey, one of the most beautifully situated ruins in the country. Our next port of call is at Caerleon, known to the Romans as Isca. This was the home of the 2nd Augustinian Legion, one of the three permanent legionary bases in Britain. We'll see the remains of some of the troops' barracks as well as the amphitheatre, the only one completely excavated in Britain. We'll finish our day with time in the Captial city of Cardiff, where we'll stay this evening.	nr Cardiff
DAY THREE - TUESDAY
Our first stop this morning is the National Folk Museum at St Fagans. This open-air park has literally scores of historic buildings set in acres of parkland. We continue our journey west, with a brief stop at Swansea's Mumbles and Gower coast for lunch before continuing to Merlin’s town of Carmarthen, today a thriving market town and the centre for Welsh-speaking West Wales. After exploring this interesting town, we move on to Laugharne, where Swansea-born Dylan Thomas lived for 16 years. He described Laugharne as "this timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town..." Many characters from his poem 'Under Milk Wood' were based on local people. We'll follow a cliff walk to visit his house and hear of his life and works. From here, it’s not far to Pembrokeshire and our base for the next night.	Pembrokeshire
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
Crossing the Preseli Mountains from whence, it is thought, some of Stonehenge’s boulders came, we'll find one of the finest megalithic monuments in Britain, Pentre Ifan. This striking burial chamber dates from around 3000-4000BC. Our next stop is at St. David's. It was here that the patron saint of Wales was born and lived. There'll be time for you to explore this fascinating little town with its cathedral and bishop's palace, before heading to the ferry port for our crossing to Ireland. Our nightstop for two nights will be in County Wexford.	County Wexford
DAY FIVE - THURSDAY
First on our itinerary is Kilkenny, one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Ireland. It has been called 'the marble city' from the fine and long-quarried limestone in the area. Two of the most impressive local buildings are the ancient castle, dating back to 1192 and having connections with the Norman conqueror, Strongbow, and the magnificent Cathedral of St. Canice which, despite the damage done by Cromwell's troops, is one of the finest unruined churches in the country. Continuing our journey south, we next visit Jerpoint Abbey, founded in 1180 where we'll find some interesting carvings and ornate 13thC tombs. Then to Waterford, famed the world over for its magnificent crystal ware. The town itself contains a few items of interest such as the 12thC Reginald Tower, where a prize exhibit is the sword and mace of King John (aye, 'bad' King John of Robin Hood fame). Nearby is the Waterford Glass factory, which we'll visit and watch various stages of the manufacture of this fine cut glass and crystal. A highlight of the day will be Dunmore East. This is a pretty little harbour, which offers lovely sea views. On to Kilmore Quay, a lovely Co. Wexford village. From the shore, we’ll be able to see the Saltee Islands from the shore, today the home of some 3 million birds from 47 species.	County Wexford
DAY SIX - FRIDAY
It’s as if the Lake District had been brought to your doorstep, The Wicklow Mountains are the beautiful ‘backyard’ of Dublin’s fair city. An area that has long exercised an attraction to those seeking solitude and contemplation. Monks settled here as early as 545 AD. Birdsong, the sound of running water and remains of an ancient monastic life remind us of the sanctity this area must have held for those who sought to live here. Passing through the Wicklow Gap, we’ll enter into the secluded and seductive Valley of Glendalough. Remains of an 11th century cathedral, several churches and a 110ft (33m) round tower are all that’s left of the monastic settlement that called this area home. Given Ireland’s bounty of natural beauty, Glendalough must surely be one of its loveliest retreats. Heading back north towards Dublin, we’ll also pay a visit to Powerscourt with its splendid landscaped gardens embracing the erstwhile 18th century mansion (destroyed by fire in 1974). Nearby are Powerscourt Falls, the highest waterfalls in Ireland (270ft or 90 metres).	Dublin
DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY
Today is D-Day, the day to discover Dublin (www.visitdublin.com). You may wish to meander in this eminently walkable city. It means so many things to many people: it is a city of writers, a city that is the symbol for Irish nationalism, a city of talkers, of pubs, of music, of Georgian architecture. A city of shifting moods, often two at once: hustle and bustle in one street, quiet admiration and contemplation in another, and always there is talk of this and that. Full of churches and full of pubs, Dublin nourishes the spirit and the soul. The River Liffey provides a convenient as well as historical axis along which to orientate one’s visit. Dinner is not included this evening to offer you soem flexibility should you wish to attend a traditional Irish night or the threatre.	Dublin
DAY EIGHT- SUNDAY
Tour participants on the one week 'Celtic Experience Mini-Tour' fly back to London, or home, today. Following the ferry crossing to the Isle of Anglesey - once known as 'Mona', the mother, as it used to supply all of North Wales with wheat - our first stop this morning is at the town with the longest name in the English language, known today as Llanfair PG! The handsome resort town of Beaumaris is also on today's itinerary - it is from here that we get some spectacular views across the Menai Strait towards the mainland before we make our way across to Caernarfon. Its castle is undoubtedly the most famous in Wales, as it was the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969. You will have free time to explore this bustling town. Finally, our journey back to base takes us through the breathtaking scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.	Snowdonia
DAY NINE - MONDAY
A leisurely day begins with a visit to the enchanting Italianate village of Portmeirion. It was created by Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1925 - 1972 and stands in a stunning spot on its own wooded peninsula next to the tidal sands of Traeth Bach. We'll explore the village before moving on deeper into the Snowdonia National Park. Depending on time, we'll lunch in the beautiful wooded village of Beddgelert and hear the sad story of how the village came to get its name. We are now in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park - if the weather is fine, we'll be able to see Snowdon, the highest peak south of Scotland. This afternoon we'll visit the slate caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Here we'll learn about the underground world of the Victorian slate miner. On the surface is a Victorian village, where, if you wish, you may call at the 'Old Bank' to exchange your money into Victorian coinage, for use in the shops. The day would not be complete without a ride on the world's oldest passenger carrying narrow gauge railway. A Welsh woollen mill is also planned today.	Snowdonia
DAY TEN - TUESDAY
The North Wales coast has been a magnet for holidaymakers from Merseyside and beyond for over one hundred years. The mediaeval town of Conway with its impressive castle, the seaside resort of Llandudno with its pier and elegant promenade, Penrhyn Castle, or the beautiful Bodnant gardens, and the Vale of Clwyd are all on today’s itinerary.	Snowdonia
DAY ELEVEN - WEDNESDAY
Leaving North Wales behind us, we drive into mid-Wales. Much of the countryside we'll pass through is open moorland, scored by the occasional river valley. We have a scenic drive this morning before our first stop at the town of Llanidloes, with its striking black and white half-timbered 16th Century market hall. Continuing our journey south, we pass through the charming spa towns of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, taking lunch where appropriate. Late afternoon sees us in the charming market town of Brecon where we'll have time to explore the local museums and cathedral.	Brecon
DAY TWELVE - THURSDAY
The most famous used-book capital of the World, Hay-on-Wye, is first on today's agenda. Here, even the castle dungeon has been turned into a book store! If you can't find that book you've been searching for here then you'll not find it anywhere! Continuing our explorations, we take a breath-taking drive through the Black Mountains. This is possibly the prettiest drive on our whole tour. Also on today's itinerary will be hidden Border castles and the oldest pub in Wales! Alas, as the afternoon progresses, it's time to turn east and head back towards London, where we'll reach early evening. Dinner not included.	London
DAY THIRTEEN - FRIDAY
You will be transferred to your airport of departure or perhaps take an easy day before joining either one of our minitours or another extended tour. Depending on which departure you join, this tour can be combined with 'Cream Teas - Cornwall & Devon', the Chelsea Flower Show Garden Tour', or our four-day mini-tour of 'The Heart of England'.