The Lake District & Wales: A Nature Adventure

Today you explore the beautiful heart of the Lake District, by water and on foot. You cruise on Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, gliding past wooded shores and grand houses with the fells rising all around, perhaps aboard a classic heritage steamer. You visit Grasmere, the beloved home of the poet William Wordsworth, seeing Dove Cottage where he wrote much of his finest verse, and tasting the famous Grasmere gingerbread. You explore the world of Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit, at pretty Hawkshead or Near Sawrey, delighting younger travellers. You take in the tranquil villages and shining waters that inspired great writing. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour a Lakeland supper. Rest well, for tomorrow you take to the fells.

Today you head out onto the fells for a day of walking amid glorious Lakeland scenery. With your guide you drive to the pretty town of Keswick, on the shores of beautiful Derwentwater, ringed by mountains, and set out on a fell walk suited to your group. You might climb the popular ridge of Catbells, with its glorious views over lake and mountain, take an easier lakeside or valley walk, or, for the ambitious, tackle a stretch towards Helvellyn or mighty Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. You walk amid heather and tumbling becks, past grazing Herdwick sheep, breathing the pure mountain air. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, pleasantly tired. This evening, enjoy a well-earned dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey into Wales and the mountains of Snowdonia.

Today you leave the Lake District and journey into North Wales and the mountains of Snowdonia. Travelling south through beautiful countryside and along the coast, you cross into Wales and reach the charming walled town of Conwy, dominated by its mighty medieval castle rising above the estuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you explore the battlements and the narrow streets within the ancient walls. You continue into Snowdonia (Eryri), a magnificent national park of soaring peaks and deep valleys, pausing in pretty Betws-y-Coed, nestled among wooded hills and waterfalls. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in the heart of Snowdonia. This evening, savour hearty Welsh cooking and mountain hospitality. Rest well, for tomorrow you climb, or ride the railway up, the highest mountain in Wales.

Today you enjoy the mountains and thrills of Snowdonia. You conquer Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales, either climbing on foot by one of its dramatic paths with your guide, or riding the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway, which climbs to the summit for breathtaking views over mountain and sea. In the afternoon the adventurous take on the thrilling ziplines of Zip World, home to the fastest zipline in the world, soaring high above old slate quarries, or explore underground trampolines and adventure courses, delighting families and thrill-seekers alike. Gentler options include a scenic walk or a heritage railway. The scenery and thrills are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation. This evening, savour a Welsh supper. Rest well, for tomorrow you visit a mighty castle and journey to Cardiff.

Today you explore more of Wales before journeying south to Cardiff. You visit mighty Caernarfon Castle, the magnificent fortress and walled town built by Edward the First, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the place where the Prince of Wales is invested, exploring its towers and ramparts. You may also visit fairytale Portmeirion, the whimsical Italianate village created on a wooded peninsula, with its colourful buildings and gardens. Then you journey south through the beautiful heart of Wales, perhaps through the wild Cambrian Mountains or the Brecon Beacons, to Cardiff, the lively Welsh capital. As the day ends, you settle into your Cardiff hotel. This evening, explore the city's lively dining scene or its revived waterfront. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the Welsh capital and the Brecon Beacons.

Today you explore Cardiff, the lively Welsh capital, and the wild countryside nearby. You visit Cardiff Castle, a remarkable fortress in the heart of the city, with its Roman walls, Norman keep and lavish Victorian-Gothic interiors created by the Marquess of Bute. You explore Cardiff Bay, the revived waterfront with its striking Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd and lively restaurants, and stroll the elegant Victorian arcades. In the afternoon you head into the Brecon Beacons National Park, a beautiful land of green mountains, waterfalls and rolling moorland, perhaps walking to a cascade or gazing from a high pass. The city and countryside are a wonderful contrast. As the day ends, you return to Cardiff. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating your journey. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in the lively Welsh capital, perhaps a last stroll around Cardiff Bay, some shopping in the Victorian arcades, or a final look at Cardiff Castle, you are transferred to the airport, or onward to London, for your departure. You leave having experienced the very best of the Lake District and Wales, a Windermere cruise and the literary landscapes of the Lakes, fell walking above Derwentwater, the summit of Snowdon and the ziplines of Zip World, the mighty castles of Conwy and Caernarfon, fairytale Portmeirion, and lively Cardiff with the Brecon Beacons. The images stay vivid long after you land, the shining lakes and green fells, the railway climbing Snowdon, the ramparts of Caernarfon, and the waterfalls of the Beacons. The Lakes and Wales offer beauty and adventure in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of return.