The Highlights of Swansea, the Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula Sunday 3rd – Thursday 7th October 2021
SWANSEA The waterfront City of Swansea is situated on Swansea Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. A wonderful holiday destination with miles of beaches covered in golden sands, medieval castles, craft shops, rolling hills and world-class museums.
4* Swansea Marriott Hotel In the bustling Maritime Quarter on the enchanting Swansea Bay, the Swansea Marriott Hotel captures the charm and beauty of its Gower surroundings. All guest rooms feature private bathroom with shower/bathtub, hairdryer, AC, safe, Smart TV with premium channels, telephone, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea making facilities, smoke free hotel has a restaurant, a bar/lounge, an indoor pool, sauna and a fitness centre. WiFi in public areas is free. There is a lift to all floors.
Sunday 3rd October We depart Nottingham area this morning and travel to Hay on Wye the small town famous the world over for books and one of the gems along the River Wye. The river flows gracefully along the north western edge of Hay and abuts the England Wales border. We discover its many quirky delights by browsing at the numerous second-hand bookshops and antique shops and looking around the various independent clothing, food and craft places. There are many restaurants, cafes and old-world pubs for lunchtime refreshments. There is no better setting to enjoy a stroll along the river bringing delight by the green surroundings, the rolling hills of Radnor, the uninterrupted Brecon Beacons National Park and Black Mountains. This afternoon we continue to Swansea and the Marriott Hotel where we check in to your accommodation with time to relax before dinner this evening.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com
Monday 4th October After breakfast, the morning is free to discover the bustling Maritime Quarter on the enchanting Swansea Bay. Take a leisurely stroll on the promenade overlooking the beach to the Marina complex where part of it provides berths for privately owned leisure boats. Located here too is the National Waterfront Museum with free admission telling the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Visitors can soak up the history with a breathtaking mix of old and new in the city's rapidly developing maritime quarter. The square surrounded by the Museum, the old Pump House and shopping area contains a statue of Dylan Thomas. A fascinating exhibition, which is free admission, on the life and works of Dylan Thomas is in the stunning building, formerly the city's Guildhall. Fans of Swansea's most famous poet will be enthralled to view this exciting exhibition. Another short walk finds us in Swansea City Centre offering a great variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, it boasts entertainment and leisure venues including markets, museums, galleries, a castle and even an indoor tropical hot house. The indoor market is the largest in Wales. This afternoon we join our coach for a short drive to the Mumbles surrounding yourself in the history and tradition that this area is steeped with. There is a Lighthouse built in 1794, and a Victorian Pier. Oystermouth Castle is also well worth a visit, sitting on a hilltop with fabulous views overlooking the sea. There is a range of shops, independent boutiques and quirky galleries, shops selling handmade crafts and exquisite handmade chocolates. To complete your visit sample some of the town’s world-class ice-cream, which flavour will you choose? Dinner is served at the Hotel this evening. Tuesday 5th October This morning we travel to St David's, Britain’s smallest Cathedral City in Pembrokeshire, lying on the River Alun. It is the resting place of Saint David, Wales's patron saint, and named after him. An optional visit can be made to the famous cathedral, which dates back to the 6th century and was founded by St David himself. It is well worth staying for a locally sourced lunch at The Refectory, too. The pretty town with its quaint streets has cafes, boutiques and galleries for refreshments and browsing the shops. St David’s Peninsula has some of the most magnificent coastal scenery set in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com
After lunch we continue our return journey to the town of Carmarthen situated on the river Towy some eight miles north of its estuary. Although a small town it lays claim to being one of, if not the oldest town, in Wales and has evolved around its sturdy Roman defenses with a rich blend of modernity woven into its mystical and gladiatorial heritage. It is probably best known for its legendary connections to Merlin and its Roman Heritage, but it is certainly not a town that is stuck in the past. It boasts two modern shopping centers with all the best of the high street at St Catherine’s Walk and Merlin’s Walk. On a visit to Carmarthenshire County Museum you will learn about the Arthurian legends of Merlin the wizard who is said by some to have been born here. The free museum is packed with plenty more treasures including mammoth bones, Roman gold and Egyptian artefacts. Start a history trail at the Roman Amphitheatre near Priory Street, for a rare peep at the lost civilization that first settled here, before exploring the ruins of the 12th-century castle on Notts Square, which once protected this area above Carmarthen Bay. Take a walk along Picton Terrace to see its elegant Regency houses, just one sign of how this town has prospered down the centuries. Wander around the stalls championing local produce in the striking modern Carmarthen Indoor Market before heading to Carmarthen Park, a glorious park near to the town centre. Dinner is served at the Hotel this evening.
Wednesday 6th October Today we travel to the town of Pembroke steeped in history, and probably the best known as the birthplace of Henry VII born Henry Tudor at Pembroke Castle in 1457. The towns centerpiece is its magnificent Norman Castle, standing proudly at the head of a rocky ridge and surrounded on three sides by water. It is one of the finest and best- preserved strongholds in the country. Main street, which runs the length of the old town, is ideal for strolling and browsing. There are several interesting Tudor and Georgian houses, two historic churches, and a pleasant mixture of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. This afternoon we visit Tenby a delightful little harbour town and seaside resort, and it would be difficult to find a setting more picturesque. The town has some of Pembrokeshire's best beaches and home to many restaurants, shops, cafes and pubs all linked by cobbled streets. Tenby's hilltop position led to its early settlement as a Welsh stronghold, which was replaced in medieval times by a Norman Castle and walled town. Part of the town walls still survive to this day, but a ruined tower is the only remains of the castle. Walk along Tenby’s South Beach toward Giltar Point and the start of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path for fantastic views of Caldey Island or wander along to the picturesque harbour built into a corner on North Beach, between the old medieval walled town and castle hill. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com
Thursday 7th October We depart the Hotel and Swansea this morning and travel to the Royal Mint near Cardiff. We begin with a guided tour, The Royal Mint Experience, you will learn more about the history of The Royal Mint, and you will see the special coins and rare historical memorabilia that the exhibition holds. There are six different zones to explore at your leisure and visitor hosts will be ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have. Hot and cold refreshments are available from 9:30am to 5pm in the café (hot food is served until 2:30pm), with plenty of comfortable seating. The menu contains a variety of options, including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan dishes. We continue our journey home to the Nottingham area with short breaks for your comfort arriving early evening. Tour includes: Door to door taxi/minibus, Executive coach travel with courier/hostess service, 4 nights, dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4*Swansea Marriott Hotel Swansea Maritime Quarter, full excursion programme including a visit to Hay on Wye, Swansea town centre and the Maritime Quarter the Mumbles, the City of St David’s Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, the town of Pembroke, the seaside resort of Tenby and guided tour The Royal Mint Experience Cardiff. Tour extras: Any fees, fares, lunches or refreshments en-route are not included in the above tour.
Tour costs from: £460.00 per person based on twin/double room Single room supplement: £120.00 Deposit: £100.00 per person
PLEASE NOTE: The above itinerary may be subject to change – terms and conditions are available on request and we recommend that as our clients you take out insurance against any eventuality, medical or otherwise on all our holidays on booking. “Sharpes of Nottingham” are members of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK Ltd. This is a government approved consumer protection scheme. This ensures that in relation to the coach package holidays described in this brochure (or website) that the clients' monies are protected by a Bond which may be called upon in the unlikely event of the Member’s Insolvency. Clients are recommended to inspect the current membership certificate at our registered office or alternatively go to www.bch-uk.org or telephone 0207 240 3131 to confirm current membership. Your attention is also drawn to the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Trading Charter that will apply to these coach package holidays. All Coach Holidays within this publication are subject to the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Trading Charter. A copy of the Trading Charter will be issued with all booking confirmations. Alternatively, either request a copy of the Trading Charter from the head office or view online at Sharpes of Nottingham Website.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com