Glorious Gower & The Brecon Beacons

Enjoy a South Wales break with a day out on the glorious Gower Peninsula (Y Gwyr), the 15-mile thumb of land which was designated the UK's first official AONB in 1956. Take a ride on a heritage railway through the handsome rural landscapes of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). NEW for 5-day tour Immerse yourself in true Welsh history and heritage with the Mint and Mine experience for a true baptism into the wonderfulness that is Welshness!Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage- Tea / coffee after dinner- Included excursions as stated- Guided tour of Gower Peninsula- Welsh Cream Tea at Gower Heritage Centre- Return ride on Brecon Mountain Railway- Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons- Entrance & guided tour of the Welsh Coal Mining Experience (5-day tour only)- Entrance & guided tour of the Royal Mint (5-day tour only)

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head to the South Wales coast with a stop en-route in the historic walled border town of Chepstow which sits on the Welsh side of the River Wye. Arrive in South Wales for your 3 or 4 night stay DBB\n\nDay 2 - 3 (or 4) - At leisure in South Wales with two or three included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nMumbles & Gower Peninsula (all tours)\nStart the day on the other side of Swansea Bay in Mumbles, the 'Gateway to Gower' and much-loved seaside retreat of Swansea dwellers. Full of character with its lighthouse and famous Victorian pier, a visit to Mumbles is a charmingly old-fashioned delight - plenty of independent boutiques and quirky galleries too. Then head off to the Gower Heritage Centre, a rural life museum with a 12th century water powered mill, cider press and artisan craft shops. A local guide will take you on an exploration of the peninsula, a world of its own, pointing into the Bristol Channel. The region is fringed with sweeping yellow bays and precipitous cliffs whilst bracken heaths dot the interior where tiny villages, castle ruins and curious churches can be found. Enjoy a Welsh cream tea before returning to the hotel.\n\nBrecon Beacons & Mountain Railway (all tours)\nAll aboard the Brecon Mountain Railway which runs from Pant, 3 miles north of Merthyr Tydfil, to Torpantau following part of the route of the original Brecon & Merthyr Railway which closed in 1964. The journey takes you through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The return trip lasts about 90 minutes with a stop by Pontsticill station and Reservoir and time to visit the locomotive workshop at Pant station. Then take a scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park which encompasses some of the finest and most varied scenery in Southern Wales. Hills of grass and rock tumble and climb around river valleys that lie between sandstone and limestone uplands, peppered with lakes and villages. Make a stop in Brecon, the picturesque market town in the Usk Valley famed for its Georgian architecture\n\nMint & Mine (5-day tour only)\nFollow in the footsteps of the miners who once worked at the Lewis Merthyr Colliery, right in the heart of the Rhondda Valley - the 'Home of Coal.' A visit to the unique Welsh Coal Mining Experience is truly memorable and the interactive tour is led by guides who all worked the coal mines of the Rhondda Valleys when they were young. Hear fascinating tales of mining life as you are led through the mine, from the lamp room to the pithead to underground, by the very same men who once worked in perilous conditions. Hold on tight as your visit ends with an exciting 'virtual experience'. (Tour is approx 90 mins). Next stop is the Royal Mint where, together with a guide, you will go behind the scenes and uncover the Royal Mint's 1,100-year history. Discover first-hand how coins are made following the journey from a blank to a bank - experience the sights, sounds and smells of thousands of glistening new coins, hot off the press.\n(NB Reasonable amount of walking required today. Some uneven surfaces and steps at the Welsh Coal Mining Experience).\n\nReturn Day - After breakfast head homewards with plenty of Welsh memories. Arrive in your hometowns early evening.4* Hotel
Mercure Swansea Hotel\nSet amongst landscaped gardens with tranquil lake views, this modern, low-rise 4* hotel is well located for exploring the nearby hills and coast. \n\nIt offers contemporary style together with a brasserie style restaurant, bar and fitness centre. Smart guestrooms feature flatscreen TV, high speed WiFi and tea / coffee making facilities. \n\nSome rooms have views over the grounds and lake. There is no lift but there are ground floor rooms.\n\nSingles are double / twin for sole use