Wales - Land of the Red Dragon Myths - Legends - Surprises

Day 1: Switzerland - Rotterdam

Drive through Alsace to Rotterdam. Embarkation on a P&O ferry for the crossing to England. On board, restaurants and cafés will take care of your needs (overnight on board).

Day 2: Hull - Wales

Disembarkation in Hull. You cross England to reach Wales. Just before the border, you arrive in Chester, a modern city with medieval charm, striking black-and-white half-timbered houses and a long Roman city wall of red sandstone. The unique "Rows" are two-tier galleried arcades with numerous shops and pedestrian walkways above, ideal for a leisurely stroll.

Day 3: Conwy - Bodnant Garden

Excursion to the small town of Conwy, whose castle is a masterpiece of medieval fortress architecture. On the well-preserved town walls, you can walk almost all the way around the historic town centre and enjoy fine views of the town, the sea and the surrounding hills from some of the 22 towers. You will visit the extensive Bodnant Garden, one of the loveliest in Britain. The upper part consists of terraced gardens, lawns and trees, while the lower part drops steeply into a stream valley, where it turns into a splendour of magnolias, camellias and roses.

Day 4: Mount Snowdon

(Optional excursion) In the morning, you will visit the imposing Caernarfon Castle. It was in this stately castle that Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in a solemn ceremony in 1969. You will then ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway up to the highest point in Wales. Britain's only rack railway climbs approx. 1000 m over a length of about 7.5 km, taking you to just below the summit of Snowdon, which stands at 1085 m. Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia National Park. Drive to Llanberis. The rugged beauty of the Llanberis mountain range and the twin lakes of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris shape the landscape. Slate was originally quarried here, but since the decline of this industry the village has lived off tourism.

Day 5: Llandudno - South Wales

Drive to Portmeirion, a small village in Italianate style, built by an eccentric architect. Besides the architectural sights, you can also explore subtropical Victorian pleasure gardens and woodland covering 70 acres, offering wonderful views of the sea and rich flora. You then follow the Welsh coast to Aberystwyth, whose sheltered position on Cardigan Bay and Victorian seafront promenade make it a popular seaside resort. Via Cardigan, you reach Burton on the banks of the Cleddau Ddu on the south coast of Wales.

Day 6: Pembrokeshire Coast Park

The mighty castle complex of Pembroke was the birthplace of Henry VII, a Welshman and founder of the Tudor dynasty. Pembroke provides the perfect backdrop for any knightly film. In the Middle Ages, St David's was a much sought-after pilgrimage destination, as two visits to St David's were said to equal one to Rome. In this town of 1,500 inhabitants, you will find the cathedral well hidden and perfectly sheltered from the Welsh weather in a small stream valley. In the afternoon, you will take a break on the shores of the magnificent Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Europe.

Day 7: Pembroke - Cardiff

In the morning, you will get to know Brecon Beacons National Park. With a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales. The Welsh capital, Cardiff, has entered the new millennium with great verve. The industrial port has been transformed into the Millennium Waterfront, and the city has proudly built its new parliament.

Day 8: Cardiff - Harwich

At Chepstow, you cross the Severn and leave Wales. When people think of England, the Cotswolds are probably the first thing that comes to mind. This area of gentle limestone hills is England straight out of a picture book. You will visit Castle Combe, one of the prettiest villages in Britain. Honey-coloured stone houses, a medieval church and a few small shops and cafés make Castle Combe a wonderful place. Passing around London, you reach Harwich for the ferry crossing to the Netherlands. (Overnight on board).

Day 9: Rotterdam - Switzerland

Return journey from Rotterdam to Switzerland.