New vacation packages to Wales for 2010
Being based out here in New York, part of my job is to help American and Canadian tour operators plan vacation packages to Wales. It’s great news for Wales with the operators using local guiding and tour companies in Wales for expert local knowledge, as well as a range of hotels and attractions. I read recently that nine per cent of the workforce in Wales works in tourism; and I’m pretty sure we have some of the best tour guides in the world.
I’m really excited about 2010 as we have some fantastic travel packages to Wales. I thought I’d share some with you so that if you or your friends are thinking of visiting this year you’ve got some options to think about...
Kate Carrigan has become a good friend of ours as her company, Special Group Tours, is an absolute expert on Wales in America. Kate helps a lot of American groups with very special off-the-beaten path vacations. For the first time, Kate is running her own touring vacation, which means that anyone can join it whether an individual traveler or a couple. Special Group Tours’ 9-day tour, "Wales, Land of Song," departs from London on May 10th and includes nine nights’ accommodation with breakfast and most dinners, entry to attractions, and transportation and guided travel throughout Wales. The cost is US $2,699 per person based on double or twin hotel rooms. The tour takes in the Snowdonia National Park, a steam train journey, time in Cardiff, and seeing prehistoric tombs, Roman remains, walled cities, castles and a male voice choir.
Last year we worked with a fantastic television show: Equitrekking. Host, Darley Newman went horse-riding on the Llŷn Peninsula and Brecon Beacons National Park. She was so inspired by Wales, that Equitrekking Travel has launched a horse-riding vacation in Wales working with Lesley Jones at Caeiago Riding Centre. The seven-day riding and sightseeing package in Carmarthenshire can be put together for one person or a group of up to 12, with the best months May through September. The touring sounds great, with riders heading through the Cambrian Mountains to see Carreg Cennen Castle visiting local pubs and sights.
Denure Tours are our new tour operator friends up in Canada, although we first met Harry Simmons, when he was busy planning their 12-day coach tour of Wales last year. Basically, it will be a large coach tour with great camaraderie among travelers, traveling the length and breadth of Wales. The tour, titled “Fall in Love with Wales” starts September 10th from London and includes 10 nights accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, guided tours of tons of places, canal boat and heritage train rides and much more. The cost is US $3,150 a person.
We asked Harry what his favorite part of planning their 12-day Wales tour was last year: “For twenty five years I have had the pleasure of researching and planning DeNure Tours holidays to Britain and Europe. But the time spent in Wales last year planning the itinerary for our 2010 twelve day vacation “Fall in Love with Wales” has been some of the most enjoyable time spent anywhere. Standing on the coastal path at St. David’s on a day when the sun reflected off a turquoise sea and whose swelling waves trimmed the rocks with lace, I looked along the cliffs decorated with a myriad of colorful wild flowers. This is just one of many views in Wales that will stay with me forever.”
Back in the US, and Lynott Tours (rhymes with “why not”) are running a whole selection of Wales trips. This one is really neat: for US $1,490, they arrange for you to arrive in Cardiff by train and spend five days in and around Wales’ capital. There’ll be some time to explore Cardiff itself, but it’s mostly taking day excursions out to explore South Wales… the Brecon Beacons and Penderyn whisky visitor center; Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey; and Swansea and Gower including dinner with a local Welsh family. They have 31 departure dates throughout the year, so this one’s got great flexibility.
Brian Moore International Tours are this year offering two new self-drive packages, one from north to south and the other from south to north. Both take in the capital city Cardiff, the Welsh coastline and historic castle towns of North Wales. Staying in historic boutique 'Welsh Rarebit Hotels'.
There are quite a few more American tour companies running vacation packages, tours and hikes this year too. Check our vacation package deals section here and our tour operator section here. An exciting year though! ...Phew, and I didn't even mention the Ryder Cup one in this blog post did I!