South Wales by Steam

Our holiday begins at our hotel in Swansea, where we meet our Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers, checking in to our hotel for the next five nights. After settling in, you're at leisure to start exploring before dinner with the rest of your group this evening. Set amid the rolling hills and golden sands of Swansea Bay, the city is an ideal base for exploring South Wales.

Just a short walk from your hotel is the city centre which has a vibrant atmosphere and historic charm. You could head to the popular Indoor Market, which has over 100 stalls, to sample a variety of local delicacies. Wander past the shops, cafes, and restaurants that line the bustling streets, or maybe enjoy a bracing walk along the seafront.

We meet up again for dinner this evening at our hotel.

• Dinner

This morning, we are introduced to the beautiful countryside of South Wales on the Brecon Mountain Railway. A coach transfers us to the village of Pant to board the heritage railway for a round trip. On the journey through dramatic landscapes, the vintage steam locomotive winds through leafy countryside and alongside the Taf Fechan Reservoir. The train continues, climbing to the summit of the original line, Torpantau, high in the Brecon Beacons, where we can look out at the wild vistas from the observation carriages.

Back in Pant, we board the coach to St Fagans. The museum stands on the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle and Gardens, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth in 1948. With time at leisure, you are free to explore over 2,000 years of Welsh history on display, and see craftspeople demonstrating their skills in this remarkable living museum. There's time to find some lunch independently, before the coach takes us back to the hotel ahead of dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is at leisure to discover Swansea at your own pace. You could find out more about the city's rich cultural history at the fascinating Swansea Museum, or step back to the 1800s at the National Waterfront Museum which celebrates the industrial and maritime history of Wales.

If you're a poetry fan, you could visit the Dylan Thomas Centre which is dedicated to the life and works of the literary giant. Nearby these attractions, the Swansea Bay waterfront has many shops and cafes where you could enjoy lunch and try a traditional Welsh dish like rarebit or laverbread.

Alternatively, you could venture beyond the city centre. The enchanting Clyne Gardens offers a quiet and relaxing day amidst beautiful flora. A collection of magnificent parks, the gardens are blooming with rare and exotic plants - the perfect escape from the city.

This evening we gather back at our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we transfer to Abergwili Junction for a journey on the Gwili Steam Railway*. This preserved heritage line takes us on a round trip beside the River Gwili, passing rocky outcrops and the Gwili Falls. Our group is treated to a 'Welsh Elevenses' - tea or coffee, and traditional Welsh cakes.

We continue by coach to the Gower Peninsula's stunning coastline. This scenic headland juts into the Bristol Channel, creating a stretch of rugged cliffs, woodlands and sandy beaches. In 1956, this was the first place in the UK to receive the title of 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

Along the coast lies Mumbles, a pretty seaside town with a delightful name. With time here at leisure, you could walk up to the 18th-century Lighthouse, stroll along the Victorian Pier, or visit Oystermouth Castle which sits on a hilltop with fabulous views overlooking the sea.

You could try some 'fresh off the boat' seafood, or an ice cream from one of the Welsh-Italian ice cream parlours. The coach takes us back to our hotel with time to relax before dinner.

*Some departures on this journey will be operated by diesel

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we visit the tiny city of St David's. Named after the patron saint of Wales, this is Britain's smallest city and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Here we visit the city's iconic 12th-century cathedral, built from sandstone and set in a wild and beautiful part of St David's - the site of a church since the 6th century.

This afternoon, our coach takes us to the charismatic seaside town of Tenby where there's time to explore at leisure. Surrounded by 13th-century walls and known for its sandy shores, pastel-hued houses, and winding cobbled streets, the town is steeped in history. You could sample some local fish and chips for lunch, the perfect accompaniment to a day spent exploring the magnificent Welsh coast. Later this afternoon, the coach takes your group back to the hotel in time for dinner this evening.

Please note: on the May 25th departure, we will not tour the cathedral due to its annual music festival. However we will experience the Coffee Concert - Organ Scholar Recital on the 1883 Father Willis organ at 11:00, which forms part of the cathedral's festival programme. An organ scholar recital will be performed by Llewelyn Blezard-Greenwell, which offers a relaxing and cultural experience for all.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our South Wales holiday draws to a close this morning. After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to our Tour Manager, fellow travellers and new friends.

After checking out, you could make your way home or continue to explore more of wonderful Wales independently. Wherever you head to next, the impressions of this unspoilt region of the British Isles are certain to remain with you.

• Breakfast