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VILLAGE LIFE TOUR
Llanfairpwllgwyngychgogerychwyrndrobwyllllandusulioggogogoch
– the smallest village with the longest name in the world
translates as "The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near
the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio's of the red cave".
"We
just returned from the U.K. last night and felt I had to let you know how much
we enjoyed the tour with Idwal. I can't say enough about how great the trip was,
Idwal had put so much thought into the planning and it was all perfect. The
Gwydyr Hotel was a delight, I am sure we could have had more modern rooms in the
Best Western down the road but it could not have matched the courtesy,
friendliness and cuisine of the Gwydyr, just the hotel was an experience not to
be missed. My husband was a little apprehensive about the tour, but all of
Walter's apprehensions disappeared the first day. If you ever need to use us as
a reference for the tour please do not hesitate to call on us. ”
D.Jones, Toronto
“Idwal was absolutely first rate
– accommodating nature, entertaining, knowledgeable and a cautious
driver on those tricky roads. We had an excellent group and lots of
stimulating conversation. I loved the Gwydyr Hotel and the characters
that worked and stayed there. Someone commented that it was like “Fawlty
Towers.” At one point I mentioned to Idwal that I felt as if I was in a
novel. It was such a treat to leave at 9-9:30 and arrive back in time
for some free time before dinner. The mini-bus was ideal for our jaunts.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to visit Wales a second time. Betws y
coed was the perfect base.”
B.Nair, Toronto
Idwal L. Jones.
Idwal spent 28 years in the financial services
industry before finding out that he was not really suited to a desk
job. Alongside signing up on a degree course in tourism at the
University of Wales Bangor in1994 he, and his wife Gwyneth, founded
Country Lane Tours, which they operate from their base in rural
Snowdonia. Idwal’s great passion is music, particularly Welsh Male
Choral singing and, as a long standing member and past chairman of
the Penrhyn Male Voice Choir, he has toured widely in Europe and
North America. As a true Welshman, a fluent Welsh speaker, who’s
always lived in Wales and has a passion for everything Welsh, Idwal
is the ideal person to introduce you to the delights of Wales.
Day 1 Friday – Activities and Excursions
Arrive at our hotel any time
after 12.00 noon free time to unpack and relax until 4.00 when you will meet
your guide and traveling companions for tea in the residents lounge, this is an
ideal opportunity to review the week’s itinerary and for general discussion.
Your guide will take you on a short walking familiarisation tour of the town
before dinner.
Day 2 Saturday – Activities
and Excursions
Our route today takes us through the Lledr valley to
view Dolwyddelan Castle. The
castle occupies a magnificent location on a ridge set against the rugged
backcloth of Moel Siabod. It was built between about 1210 and 1240 by Wales's
most powerful medieval prince, Llywelyn the Great, ruler of Snowdonia. A little
further along we leave the coach and board one of ‘The Great Little Trains of
Wales’ on a 12 mile scenic journey from the mountains to the sea. We board the
coach again at Minffordd for the short journey to the village of Portmeirion. Welsh
architect Clough Williams-Ellis built Portmeirion in the period between
1925 and 1975 primarily to show how 'the development of a naturally beautiful
site need not lead to its defilement'. Portmeirion welcomes visitors both for
the day and to stay the night, either in the Hotel Portmeirion on the shore, in
the cottages that make up the village, or in Castell Deudraeth overlooking the
estuary. The journey continues to Beddgelert, one of Snowdonia’s
prettiest villages. This village stands amongst the wooded hillsides at the
south-western gateway to the central peaks of Snowdonia. We will have a little
free time to browse the craft shops, taste Cadwaladrs’ home made ice cream
before our drive back through the Nant Gwynant pass and the rocky heights of
Snowdonia.
Day 3 Sunday – Activities and
Excursions
Morning at leisure. Our hotel is located near to St Mary’s
Anglican parish church build by local builder Owen Gethin Jones in 1873; they
hold bilingual services at 11.00. At 1.00 we depart for a drive through the
dramatic Llanberis Pass, past sheer rock slabs and huge boulders, an area
of Snowdonia that welcomes thousands of rock climbers, mountaineers and hikers
every year. At the foot of the pass is the quarrying town of Llanberis where we
visit the Welsh Slate Museum. This most Welsh of Welsh industries', the
Museum building is sited in the Victorian workshops built in the shadow of
Elidir Mountain, site of the vast Dinorwig quarry, there are regular
demonstrations on the old craft of splitting and dressing the slate ready for
the roof. We return in good time for an early diner before attending a
traditional Sunday night Male Choral Concert at St Mary’s church.
Day 4 Monday – Activities and
Excursions
On
the Isle of Anglesey
The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) is situated off the north-west
coast of Wales and is separated from the mainland by a 12 mile long stretch of
water known as the Menai Strait. Access to the island is by means of two
picturesque bridges the original, a Thomas Telford masterpiece built in 1826 is
the Menai Suspension Bridge and in 1850 Robert Stephenson constructed the
Britannia Bridge specifically to take the railroad to the island which would
connect with ferry crossings to Ireland from the port of Holyhead. Anglesey was
known as Mam Cymru ('Mother of Wales') during the middle ages because
its fertile fields formed the breadbasket for the north of Wales. Penmon:
This small corner of the island was described by one of our previous traveler as
the ‘most peaceful place on earth’. A secluded area with views over the Menai
Straits we view the somber ruins of the Monastery, the ancient church of St
Seiriol (1120 –1170) with its fine collection of Celtic Crosses and the Holy
Well which date back to pre Christian times. Just down the road is Beaumaris
another historic town and the site of the last castle built by Edward 1 in 1296.
A stroll through this old town is a walk through history and an ideal place to
have lunch. We then drive to Llangefni, a market town in the centre of the
island to visit Oriel Mon – (Anglesey Art Gallery) The Oriel is a show
place for local artists and craftspeople; it is also a fascinating museum
illustrating the island's history, culture and wildlife. The gallery's origins
date back to 1981
when a large collection of the work of Charles Frederick
Tunnicliffe OBE. RA. (1901 –1979) was to be
auctioned by Christie's in London. Tunnicliffe had his studio at
Malltraeth on the Cefni estuary
at the south-west corner of Anglesey, where he worked for 35 years, becoming one
of the most famous wildlife artists of his generation.
No visit to the Island is complete without the obligatory
photo stop and visit to the shop at
Llanfairpwllgwyngychgogerychwyrndrobwyllllandusulioggogogoch – the smallest
village with the longest name in the world – so we are led to believe!!
This Welsh town's name translates as "The church of St. Mary in the hollow
of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio's of the red cave".
Day 5 Tuesday – Activities
and Excursions
Our day begins with a visit
to Elaine and Morgan
who are fifth generation of the Williams family at Trefriw Woolen Mills. The
business, established in 1859, manufactures traditional Welsh bedspreads and
tweeds starting with the raw fleece. An introductory talk by Morgan in the
blending shed describes the history of the mill, and how the raw wool is
processed and the various products which are manufactured. Weaving on a Dobcross
loom is demonstrated by Morgan with an explanation of the weaving process. Just
down the road is the home of Vicky Buxton and Phil Owen in remote woodland by
the Porth Llwyd Falls where Vicky has her pottery studio and workshop. Vicky
makes a large selection of ceramics, from a full range of domestic and
decorative stoneware and porcelain to more unusual pieces for home and garden.
Phil is involved with various art projects involving wood, metals and enamels.
This will be followed by a visit
to the historical town of Llanrwst. One of its many attractions is its
three- arched bridge, (b 1636) believed to be the work of Inigo Jones, being a
market town it’s the place for the farmers to meet and exchange gossip at the
regular weekly livestock auction. Nearby is ‘Tu Hwnt i’r Bont’ a former 15th
century courthouse restored by the National Trust and is now considered to be
one of the best ‘Traditional Tea Rooms’ in Wales serving mouth-watering home
baked scones and the Welsh delicacy, ‘Bara Brith After lunch we visit Gwydyr
Castle the ancestral home of the powerful Wynne family, descendants from the
kings of Gwynedd. Unusually perhaps, it’s not the history of the house that is
so important to today’s visitors as is understanding and appreciating the
gigantic restoration project undertaken by the present owners Judy Corbett and
Peter Welford to restore the crumbling building, an account of which is
beautifully written in Judy’s book ‘Castles in the Air’. (We strongly recommend
to our guests to obtain a copy of this book to read in advance of the visit ISBN
0-091-89731-9 published by randomhouse.co.uk)
To end the day we visit Bodnant Garden, often
described as one of the World’s most spectacular gardens set high above the
Conwy River. Bodnant was created in the early years of the 20th
century by the 2nd Lord Aberconwy. Below five Italiante-style
terraces and formal lawns are a wooded valley, stream and wild garden. Superb
mature trees are a notable feature and include native trees over two hundred
years old, as well as Britain’s largest sequoia. The national collections of
Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Eucryphias are all held at Bodnant.
Day 7 – Wednesday Activities and Excursions
Hidden away in a small
village in Snowdonia is a thriving ‘cottage industry’ which came about when five
farmers wives came together to set up an unique business which they named ‘CWLWM’
(knot in English) They provide a complete Celtic Wedding service: Eirian
for stationery and cards, Angharad is the harpist, Ela designs and makes the
dresses, Hafwen for the ‘perfect gifts and Eleri takes charge of the catering.
We’ll meet Eleri who will demonstrate the making of the traditional ‘Welsh
Cakes’ we’ll join her for morning coffee and enjoy tasting the cakes. We
journey up the valley to Llangwm to meet
farmer Aled Owen on his traditional 700 acre mountain farm to enjoy a sheep dog
demonstration with
his ‘world champion dogs’. Learn about the technique of shearing and
enjoy the ‘Ram Parade’, see the different breeds and learn about their
characteristics. This will be followed by lunch on the farm. We continue the
day’s travels with a visit to Llangollen, the picturesque town in the Dee valley
of north east Wales that ‘Welcomes the World’ in July each year when it hosts
the International Music Festival, there will a little free time in the
town before journeying along the Canal system in a horse drawn barge.
Day 7 – Thursday – Activities and
Excursions
At 11.00 we depart for Llandudno, one of the classic
British seaside resorts with its wide promenade, elegant Victorian facades all
perfectly framed on a curving bay between the Great and the Little Orme
headlands. We drive to the summit of the Great Orme to enjoy spectacular views
of the town and Snowdonia Mountains in the distance, then onwards to Conwy. Few
sites convey the essence of the middle Ages better than the medieval walled town
of Conwy with its mighty castle and narrow cobbled street; we take a tour
of the castle and the walls. On our way back we visit a country pub for our
farewell dinner.
Day 8 – Friday – Tour ends
after breakfast.
Village Life in
Wales Tour Inclusions:
Seven nights at the 3
star Gwydyr Hotel, Betws y Coed.
Traditional or buffet
style breakfast daily.
Five
three course dinners at the hotel.
One dinner on the
Isle of Anglesey
Lunch at the sheep
farm.
Lunch at hotel on
arrival
Private reception.
Farewell dinner at
country pub.
Free car parking at
the hotel.
Inclusive
Tours, Excursions. Activities and Special features:
Visit to Dolwyddelan
castle.
Travel on the Narrow
gauge Ffestiniog Railway.
Visit village of
Portmeirion.
Visit the Welsh Slate
Museum at Llanberis.
Sunday night Concert
featuring a Male Voice Choir.
Visit St Seiriol
Church at Penmon.
Visit Oriel Mon
(Anglesey art Gallery)
Visit Gwydyr castle,
Llanrwst.
Visit Bodnant Garden.
Visit CWLWM and enjoy
tea and cake
Visit traditional
mountain sheep farm.
Enjoy a ride on a
horse-drawn barge.
Journey to the summit
of the ‘Great Orme’ headland.
A tour of Conwy
Castle, Church and Plas Mawr
Visit
male Voice Choir at Rehearsal
No
early starts, rarely before 9.00
Please note
there are five not six VLIW tours in 08, these are the revised
dates
2008 Tour
Departure Dates & Prices
April 11th
- May 9th - June 6th -
July 11th - September 12th
Pricing:
GBP 949.00
Optional extra: Manchester Airport
return transfer including visit to the historic City of Chester £75.00
p.p
How to get to Betws y Coed?
AIR:
Manchester International Airport and John Lennon Airport, Liverpool;
transfer time by car to hotel is around one and half hours.
RAIL:
Virgin railways operate direct trains from London Euston to Llandudno
Junction a journey of 4 hours, onwards to Betws y Coed by train or by
car it’s a half hour journey.
ROAD:
Follow signs to the A 55 expressway travel west leave at Junction 19 and
follow the A 470 signposted for Betws y Coed.
PRIVATE CAR / TAXI:
Transfer can be pre-arranged
ENQUIRY FORM
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