Washington and Lee University
This lovely, informative exploration of Wales begins at Snowdonia National Park, where mountains enclose fertile valleys of deepest green.The park’s Welsh name, Eryri, means place of the eagles. Our lodging will be a venerable manor house at the valley’s edge. We’ll tour the splendid Harlech Castle overlooking Cardigan Bay, visit a typical Welsh farm to watch the farmer’s remarkable sheep dogs at work, and travel the famed Ffestiniog Railway up the side of a mountain. We’ll also survey Welsh history and explore a nature reserve on the Isle of Anglesey, site of the grand Beaumaris Castle. A special bonus in this outstanding itinerary is an afternoon with the renowned travel writer Jan Morris, whose travels began with Sir Edmund Hillary at Everest and continued throughout the world prior to her recent retirement to her home cottage in her native land.
Along with its scenic landscape and rich cultural traditions, Wales is noted for its historic castles. We’ll explore several that vividly recall the conquerors and defenders of centuries past: Dolwyddelan, Gwydir, Conwy, and Caernafon. Most of these massive structures were built as fortifications against the invading forces of King Edward I, others erected by those forces to protect their conquest. At the restaurant of the renovated Castell Deudraeth, we’ll be guests for a dinner featuring fresh local specialties.
Leaving Snowdonia for the seacoast of South Wales, we’ll spend several nights at a resort in the Vale of Glamorgan. Here, we’ll visit the Big Pit Coal Mining Museum and the Outdoor Museum of Welsh Folk Life for a broader awareness of Welsh traditions. In Cardiff, we’ll witness the revival of the city’s waterfront, a project inspired by the harborfront renewal in Boston, and take an evening stroll to enjoy the twinkling lights and the bobbing ships in Cardiff Bay.
There’s much more, including a Roman fort and the magnificent 17th-century Tredegar House, where we’ll discover the ways of Welsh society both upstairs and downstairs. We’ll return from our wide-ranging Welsh sojourn with insight as well as memories of this proud, beautiful land.
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