Wales in a Nutshell

For a small country, Wales certainly packs a lot in! Come and experience the very best of this little Celtic land (just 180 miles long and 60 miles wide) on this brand new two-centre holiday. You can expect beautiful scenery and every changing landscapes as you travel from north to south, from mountains to coastline, from national parks to unique gardens, from small villages to colourful towns. Enjoy some of Wales' most popular attractions and destinations including Llandudno, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Portmeirion, Aberglasney Gardens, Tenby and Llancaiach Fawr Manor. Croeso i Gymru! Welcome to Wales!

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.New Tour for 2024
- Hotel for 6 nights with breakfast & dinner- (3 nights in Llanberis // 3 nights in Carmarthen)- Porterage & welcome tea / coffee on arrival at both hotel- Glass of wine with last night dinner in Llanberis- Excursions and visits as stated- Return ride on Snowdon Mountain Railway- Entrance to Portmeirion- Entrance to Aberglasney Gardens- Entrance & tour to Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Wales in a Nutshell
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head west, with a comfort stop en-route for refreshments, before arriving at your hotel later today in the very heart of Snowdonia for your 3-night stay. Check in with a welcome drink whilst porters take your luggage to your rooms. DBB (Glass of wine included with last night dinner)

Day 2 - 3 At leisure in Snowdonia with two included excursions

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Snowdon Mountain Railway & Llanberis
Take a once in a lifetime adventure on the Snowdon Mountain Railway which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is Britain's only narrow-gauge rack and pinion railway, starting from Llanberis (directly opposite the hotel) and travelling 4.7 miles to the summit of Snowdon, a place of legend 1.085 metres above sea level. One of the world's greatest panoramas is revealed on arrival at the summit. Hafod Eryri, the UK's highest visitor centre, has spectacular panoramic views to the valleys below and from here you can venture to the cairn, where on a clear day the views stretch out as far as Ireland. May be a steam or diesel engine. After making the return trip back to attractive Llanberis village enjoy time at leisure in the hotel or take a stroll (approx. 15 min) to the National Slate Museum (Entrance FOC). The Llanberis Lake Railway operates daily in August with regular departures from Llanberis station (return trip approx. £10 in 2023)

Llandudno & Anglesey
Today, head off to lovely Llandudno, 'The Queen of Welsh resorts', Llandudno, where there will be time to enjoy its beautiful Victorian architecture, Edwardian elegance, wonderful promenade and the longest pier in Wales (2295 feet). While there you may like to take a ride to the top of the Great Orme on the beautifully restored tram (not included - approx. £11 return in 2023). In the afternoon, continue your Welsh odyssey along the coast to the Menai Bridge and over the Menai Straits to Anglesey and the town of Beaumaris. The castle, with its perfectly symmetrical concentric lines of fortification, is regarded by many as the finest Edwardian castle in Wales. Take a stroll through this pretty seaside town, home to a Victorian pier, pastel painted houses and a wide range of shops, tea rooms and pubs. En-route back to the hotel, make a brief stop at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch station (otherwise known as Llanfairpwll for short) for a quick photo of the longest name in Britain!

Day 4 - Check out of the hotel this morning and head to one of Wales' most popular attractions, Portmeirion Village. Situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, this is where the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series, The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award-winning restaurants. Discover the exotic Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lily-covered lake. Uncover secret sites like the Dog Cemetery, Tangle Wood, Ghost Garden and Shelter Valley. Admission included. NB There are some steep hills and uneven paths

Continue later today with a scenic drive via the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth and onto legendary Carmarthen on the banks of the River Tywi, the oldest town in Wales. Carmarthen is proud of its Roman origins as well as its links with the Arthurian legends of Merlin (the wizard is said by some to have been born here). The town's castle ruins have a colourful history of being besieged by the English, and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt in 1215. Check into your hotel for the next 3 nights with welcome drink and porterage. DBB

Day 5 - 6 At leisure in Carmarthen with two included excursions

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Aberglasney Gardens & Tenby
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Aberglasney Gardens, one of the finest gardens in Wales, set in a serene and beautiful location. Aberglasney was made famous by the BBC television series 'A Garden Lost in Time' which followed its restoration. At its heart lies a fully restored Elizabethan Cloister Garden that is the only surviving example of its kind in the UK today. Explore its 10 acres with over 20 different garden styles from formal to woodland, right through to exotic and modern along with the fully restored ground floor of Aberglasney's grade II listed mansion which has been home to many a colourful character over the last 500 years. The centre of the mansion is now covered by a glass roof and is home to the 'Ninfarium', Aberglasney's award winning sub-tropical indoor garden, where plants grow amongst the ruinous remains. The tearooms are idyllically located overlooking the Pool Garden.

This afternoon, head to the beautiful seaside resort of Tenby. The winding streets and picturesque harbour are adorned with brightly coloured houses which add to the charm of this lovely seaside town. Tenby enjoys a wonderful location, sitting on a headland with beaches either side or the main part of the town is encircled by its Norman-built walls. The old fashioned narrow cobbled streets are filled interesting shops, quaint cafes, ice cream parlours and cosy pubs.

Llancaiach Fawr Manor & The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
Today's visit is to the must-see Llancaiach Fawr Manor, a living history museum and a Grade 1 listed building built in the mid-16th century, which featured in ITV Wales Coast & Country (Series 11 Episode 10). Your guided tour provides a first-person interactive experience as you step back in time to the turbulent times of the Civil War and explore Llancaiach Fawr with Colonel Edward Prichard's servants, dressed in period costumes. NB Due to the age of the building floors (flagstone and oak) are uneven in places

This afternoon 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 before heading back to Carmarthen

Day 7 - After breakfast head homewards with plenty of Welsh memories. Arrive in your hometowns early eveningHotels 3 days in Llanberis / 3 nights in Carmarthen

ROYAL VICTORIA HOTEL, LLANBERIS (3 nights)
Cradled between two lakes Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris as well as the Welsh mountains the hotel's location is quite simply breath taking. Few hotels can command such wonderful views as the 3* Royal Victoria Hotel which is conveniently located directly opposite the Snowdon Mountain Railway and just a 10-minute walk away from the town centre. All guestrooms are well decorated and equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea / coffee making facilities. Single rooms are compact. The large restaurant is stylish and bright and there is a relaxing, cosy pub-style bar with comfortable seating. There is also an elegant lounge and beautiful gardens. There is a lift to most floors







IVY BUSH ROYAL HOTEL, CARMARTHEN (3 nights)
Once the favoured retreat of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, this 3* historic hotel is located on the outskirts of Carmarthen, just a 10-minute walk to the town centre. All bedrooms are simply furnished in a traditional style and equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is an informal restaurant, a traditional, cosy, pub-style bar, a comfortable lounge with large armchairs and sofas, and an outside terrace. There is a lift to all floors, but there are steps to some rooms from the lift. There is also a sauna and gym

Hotels
• Royal Victoria Hotel (Llanberis) - View Information