Best of Wales: Cardiff, Brecon Beacons, Llandudno & Conwy - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cardiff, Tour Tintern Abbey & Transfer to the Brecon Beacons

Welcome to Wales! Once your flight lands in Cardiff, find your driver, and transfer to your hotel to settle in before it's time to explore Tintern Abbey. Cistercian monks founded Tintern Abbey in 1131; all that remains now of this once-thriving monastery is a romantic ruin lost in time. Discover the Abbey's Gothic arches, a testament to pre-Reformation monastic wealth and power. The finest features are the ornate tracery, which once contained windows. The remains of cloisters, the infirmary, chapter house, refectory, latrines, and a complex system of drains and sewers are all visible and easy to explore and understand.

Following the tour, spend more time around Monmouthshire, which happens to be a beautiful place for scenic walks. Consider the Devil's Pulpit, which takes you up on the valley edge and offers spectacular views of Tintern. You can also reach this point via Offa's Dyke Trail, a north-to-south route on the old Welsh-English border. Or, perhaps go for a nice hike along a wooded bank colored with vibrant wildflowers beside the River Wye. 

Visit a pub in Rhayader for dinner before heading to your accommodation in the Brecon Beacons to get some rest.

Day 2: Discover the Brecon Beacons

Today's tour is about the Brecon Beacons. Begin the journey traveling toward the Epynt and then onto Pen y Crug Hillfort above Brecon. From there, take in a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Usk Valley. Then, travel to the largest hillfort in South Wales, Hillfort of Garn Goch, with a staggering internal area of 28 acres (11 ha) surrounded by massive stone walls. Though most have collapsed, they're still imposing—the considerable burial cairn is one of the main features.

Then, drive and explore Pen y Crug, a thriving community that once lived in round mud huts with thatched roofs. Only a few miles away are the ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle standing on a limestone knoll. The castle boasts a spectacular location overlooking Black Mountain in the western corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The castle is believed to have been built by the Welsh Prince Rhys Ap Gruffydd in the 12th and 13th centuries. If you're feeling adventurous, explore a tunnel that takes you under the castle. Remember to take a flashlight! 

Day 3: Explore Central Wales & Castle Visits

Today you're off to explore Central Wales. Start by passing Wolf's Leap, home to three Irish-inspired bridges and the famous Devil's Staircase. Take a slight detour to Soar y Mynydd Chapel, which is said to be the most remote in all of Wales. Then, walk along an impressive boardwalk and on to Twm Sion Catti's Cave (the Welsh Robin Hood). 

Next, drive to Llandovery through the picturesque countryside before stopping to admire the Llandovery Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. View the ruin on top of a rocky hillock overlooking Afon Brân. Next, have some lunch before heading to Powis Castle, a medieval Welsh fortress with gardens, a parkland, and a deer park. Inside Powis is the Clive Museum, home to a collection of Indian and Far East artifacts. The drive north into Snowdonia National Park is laced with stunning forests, mountain passes, and deep valleys.

Day 4: Tour the Northern Coast, Snowdonian Mountain Railway & Caernarfon

Today, get ready to explore Anglesey and the northern coast, where many castles reside. As for the coast, there's a reason that Llandudno has been crowned the "Queen of Welsh Resorts." Its upscale appeal starkly contrasts the wild edges of the Isle of Anglesey, where the waves crash along the South Stack and the breezes eddy around clifftop barrows. This part of Wales offers plenty of opportunities for surfing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, powerboating, paddleboarding, walking, and birdwatching. So whether you're interested in watersports, scenic strolls, or nature, you'll want to seize the day.

Next, take a two-hour, once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. Trains depart from Llanberis Station and begin their climb up Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, a journey experienced by some 12 million travelers since 1896. Its stunning scenery and awe-inspiring views make it quite a memorable afternoon activity in North Wales.

The last stop of the day is a tour of Caernarfon Castle, recognized worldwide as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. This fortress-palace on the River Seiont has been grouped with Edward I's other castles at Conwy—Beaumaris and Harlech—as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In terms of the sheer scale and architectural splendor, Caernarfon reigns supreme. After the eventful day, the evening is yours to enjoy back in Llandudno.