Wales, Oxford & Windsor

We begin our journey to Wales arriving in the heart of Cardiff, where we’ll spend the next two nights and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Included Meals Dinner

Overnight The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff View All

In Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, our morning starts with a walking tour of the city centre where we visit Cardiff Castle, one of Wales’s leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Our guided tour will walk us through this extraordinary Victorian Gothic mansion, and you will discover a story 2,000 years in the making. This evening you will be entertained by the finest of Welsh talent, including a Welsh harpist, presenting the beautiful music of Wales, its poetry, language and stories. Dinner is ethically and locally sourced by first-class chefs, who also provide fine dining for the Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Assembly.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff View All

We travel to Pembrokeshire, nestled in the south-west corner of Wales. Our first stop is in the popular seaside town of Tenby, where you will have free time to explore its charming harbour and picturesque seafront. We then continue to St Davids, Britain’s smallest city. Despite its modest size, it boasts a magnificent cathedral, set beside the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace – founded by Wales’s patron saint, St David. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of influential medieval knights, and a shrine to St David himself. Later we arrive in Aberystwyth, where we spend the night.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight The Gwbert Hotel, Aberystwyth View All

Today starts our journey to North Wales, we step into the Welsh Legends Maze and wander through a living storybook, where ancient myths, mischievous fairy folk and the voices of long-ago bards whisper through every leafy turn… Here, the magic of the ancient Welsh book of tales, The Mabinogion bursts into life. After we enjoy a Welsh lunch. You will have free time to meander through the Craft Centre, set against a densely wooded backdrop in this very special part of Mid Wales, in the foothills of southern Snowdonia, the centre is in the Dyfi UNESCO World Biosphere, the only Biosphere in Wales. It’s this very special area that inspires creative things to do Mid Wales and fuels quality craftsmanship by our artists.

Afterwards we arrive in Betws-y-Coed, set in a beautiful valley in the Snowdonia Forest Park. We spend the next 2 nights here.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y Coed View All

We start the day at a family farm, where we experience a sheep dog training demonstration, and the family discusses 370 years of farming, sustainability, traditions, heritage, beliefs and wool production. We make our way to Conwy, where we visit Plas Mawr, the magnificent 16th century town house, said to be the finest standing houses of its era and you will have time on your own to explore. Making our way back to BYC we stop in Llanrwst to explore Gwydir Castle and Gardens, regarded as one of the finest Tudor houses in Wales, the castle was formerly the ancestral home of the powerful Wynn family.

The historic gardens are amongst the very few in Wales accorded Grade 1 listed status

This evening, take some time to relax and explore the charming village of Betws-y-Coed on your own.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y Coed View All

Heading back to south Wales, we enjoy a day of outstanding scenery. Our journey includes a stop in Shrewsbury – named one of ‘The Happiest Places to Live in England’ in 2025. Known for having one of Britain’s best high streets and as the birthplace of Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury holds a unique connection to one of history’s most transformative scientific figures. You will have free time to explore the town before we arrive in Abergavenny. This lively market town, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, was named one of Conde Nast’s top 10 places to visit in the UK in 2021. Here you will have time to discover this gem on your own. Tonight, we dine at the hotel, which has won 2 AA rosettes for the standard of its cuisine.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny View All

We bid farewell to Wales and make our way back into England. Our journey takes us through the Cotswolds, England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where we stop in a couple of villages that are quite simply, quintessentially English. We’ll enjoy an included pub lunch before arriving at our centrally located hotel in Oxford where we will spend the next 2 nights.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight The Randolph Hotel, Oxford View All

Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, is home to over 1,500 listed buildings, the oldest University in the English-speaking world, the historic Bodleian Library, and a charming covered market dating back to 1774. A favourite location for filmmakers, the city has also inspired countless famous writers over the centuries. Our walking tour will take in some of the highlights and include a tour of Christchurch College, the largest of Oxford’s colleges. Alice in Wonderland was written there by Lewis Carroll, and you will also see the areas where Harry Potter and Inspector Morse were filmed. You will have the afternoon and evening free to take in some shopping on the High Street. Or perhaps you may want to enjoy a pint at one of Oxford’s historic pubs: The Bear, the city’s oldest; The Eagle and Child, famously frequented by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis; or The Turf Tavern, thriving since the 16th century.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight The Randolph Hotel, Oxford View All

Leaving Oxford, we have a short drive to Windsor. The Royal Borough thrives on its royal patronage, rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and beautiful natural scenery. You will have an introductory walk with your Tour Manager, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of His Majesty The King as well as a venue for ceremonial and state occasions. The castle spreads over the equivalent of 269 tennis courts and is more like a fortified town. It contains the magnificent State Apartments, furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection. You will have free time to explore Windsor before enjoying a farewell dinner and raising a toast to an unforgettable tour of Wales and England!

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Windsor View All

Your tour concludes this morning. Breakfast arrangements will vary based on your departure time. We wish you a safe journey home and thank you for travelling with RIT. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon.  

Included Meals Breakfast