Alison Weir Tours
Wales: The Red Dragon Tour
OVERVIEW
WALES: THE RED DRAGON TOUR
9 nights: 2nd to 11th September 2026
Wales is a country in the southwest of Great Britain, forming part of the United Kingdom. A popular tourist destination, it is largely mountainous, its highest peak being Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and the scenery is spectacular. It also boasts a diverse coastline, including the Gower Peninsula and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Wales has a rich Celtic heritage, with its own language (Welsh) and unique traditions. It's known as the "land of song" and is famous for its castles, myths, and legends. The capital and largest city is Cardiff. Wales has its own devolved government and parliament (the Senedd), but some political decisions are still made by the UK government.
Wales truly is castle country, with more than 400 to visit. Some have been lived in continuously for a thousand years, while others are battle-scarred forts, preserved as the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe. Many are native Welsh castles, built by Welsh royal dynasties, while others were constructed by various invading forces throughout history.
Over the years Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon of Cadwaladr, the legendary King of Gwyned from whom the Tudors claimed descent, has become a symbol of Wales, with various interpretations seen on the shirts of its national sports teams, its food exported around the world - and flying proudly over its towns and cities.
You will be staying in luxury hotels and travelling by luxury coach. As always, you will be guided by Alison Weir and her team of experienced historians, namely Sarah Gristwood and Nicola Tallis (who will be sharing a role, with Nicola accompanying the tour from Day 1 to Day 4, and Sarah from Day 5 to Day 10), Julian Humphrys, Michael Jones and guest historian Nathen Amin.
There will also be special guest speakers.
The tour will begin and end at Cardiff, which is easily accessed by direct trains from London.
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights:
St David’s Hotel, Cardiff CF10 5SD 5* (151 rooms)
2 nights:
Lamphey Court Hotel, Pembrokeshire SA71 5NT 4* (39 rooms)
5 nights:
The Quay Hotel, Deganwy LL31 9DJ 4* (80 rooms)
VISITING
Chepstow Castle
Tretower Court and Castle
Raglan Castle
Goodrich Castle
Cardiff Castle
St Fagan’s National Museum of History
Carmarthen Castle
Lamphey Bishop’s Palace
Carew Castle
Pembroke Castle
Aberystwyth, town and castle
Harlech Castle
Caernarfon Castle
Gwydir Castle
Conwy Castle
Plas Mawr, Conwy
Rhuddlan Castle
Beaumaris Castle
Plas Newydd
Penrhyn Castle
Portmeirion
National Shrine of St Winfride, Holywel
Chester Cathedral
INCLUDED MEALS (5 dinners, 2 lunches)
Welcome buffet lunch at the St David’s Hotel, Cardiff
Drinks and dinner at the St David’s Hotel, Cardiff
Drinks and dinner at Lamphey Court Hotel
Drinks and dinner at The Quay Hotel, Deganwy
Drinks and dinner at Bodnant Welsh Food
Gala farewell drinks and dinner at Palé Hall
Lunch at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel