Transfer from Chester to Conwy. Guided visit of Conwy Castle. Transfer to the Llyn Peninsula. “Town of the Giants” Bronze Age hill fort; 3 miles, easy to moderate, 1,000-ft elevation gain and loss

Your tour of Wales begins in the charming English town of Chester. This gateway to northern Wales is rich in history and houses some of England’s best-known Roman ruins. Transfer to Conwy where a local guide gives you a tour of the Castle. This imposing structure was built by English King Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as part of a ring of castles constructed to contain the Welsh. It is set high on a hill overlooking the medieval walled town of Conwy with views of the sea on one side and of the Snowdonia Mountain range on the other. After completing your tour of the castle, and after eating lunch in a local tea room you depart for the lovely Llyn Peninsula, which stretches out into the Irish Sea. Walk the trail to visit the ruins of a Bronze Age hill fort, which provides an excellent vantage point of the entire peninsula. Situated atop a heather-covered plateau, the site is known as “Town of the Giants” and retains intact stonewalls up to 12-feet high in places and other evidence of pre-Roman inhabitants. After descending from the hilltop, transfer to the whitewashed fishing village of Aberdaron, situated at the most western tip of the peninsula. See the 12th-century church of St. Hywyn located close to the beach and next to your hotel. It is said that at times the locals could not hear the service due to the wind and waves.

Tonight eat fresh local seafood at the hotel and enjoy the view from its panoramic seaside terrace (weather permitting!).

Boat trip to Bardsey Island; Storws via Lighthouse to the Abbey; 3-4 mies, easy to moderate

Today’s excursion starts off on foot from your hotel to board a local boat, going just under 2 miles offshore in the Irish Sea, for a walk and visit of wild and sacred Bardsey Island, the “island of 20,000 saints”—in Welsh “Ynys Enlli” means “island of the currents,” while its English name is “island of the bards.” An important religious site since the construction of a monastery in 516, this island of just over a mile long and a mile wide is now equally treasured for its importance as a national wildlife reserve. On the migration route of seabirds traveling between Iceland and Africa, it is a nesting site for Manx shearwaters, and all of the migrating birds are counted each year. The surrounding waters around its cliffs are also home to dolphin, porpoise, and grey seals.

You walk to the lighthouse on the southernmost tip—in spring and summer blanketed in wildflowers, and especially blazing in color when the heather and gorse are in bloom. Then you continue along the ridge with views back to the mainland, circling back past the abbey ruins to the boathouse. Your boat captain’s family has deep roots in Bardsey—on the return trip he slows down to better view seabirds and regale you with stories. If the seas are too rough for the boat crossing, you head out for an alternative walk at the tip of the Llyn Pensinsula. You return in the evening to your seaview hotel. Then you can either choose to eat a free dinner in the hotel once more, or you can venture into the local town of Abersoch, which is about 25 minutes away to enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and explore the town.

Aberdaron to St. Mary’s Well; 8 miles, easy to moderate

Following breakfast the walk starts from the center of Aberdaron. A finger post in the center of the village close to the old bridge points to Porth Oer. Following the road uphill you then turn left onto the coastal track. Passing a wooden bridge continue towards the headland with views of the small islands of Ynys Gwylan Bach and Ynys Gwylan Fawr. At Porth-y-Pistyll turn inland crossing fields before you return to the coastal trail. Here there are spectacular views of Bardsey Sound and you are the farthest west you can be in North Wales. Now you take the inland route via fields and country lanes and view displays of wildflowers alongside the hedgerows. After walking through the path of gold (the path is flanked by yellow gorse bushes) and past the remains of St. Mary’s Church, you may then visit St. Mary’s Well, which is reputed to have been blessed by the Virgin Mary herself and was the final chance for pilgrims to receive a blessing before crossing to Bardsey Island. Circle back around into Aberdaron.

This evening, near the village of Rhoshirwaun, you visit the Felin Uchaf Educational Centre, an educational farm that works to preserve traditional rural crafts and building techniques. One of many projects is the construction of an Iron Age roundhouse, made of timber and thatch, in which you are invited to dinner of the center’s biodynamic products. Here enjoy dinner and local entertainment.

Beddgelert through Aberglaslyn Gorge; 5 miles, moderate

Packed and ready after a sustaining breakfast, you transfer to Beddgelert, a traditional Welsh village with its sturdy stone cottages that cluster around the banks of the River Glaslyn. Here you may enjoy a little free time wandering through the small streets of this typical Welsh mountain village. From here walk south out of the village, crossing a railway line and passing an old disused slate mine. (Slate mining began in Wales during Roman times!) Gradually gain height, then reach a viewpoint that offers lovely views back into the village of Beddgelert and out looking over the Irish Sea. Once you have soaked in this splendid view you then walk downhill, crossing the River Glaslyn and along a pretty trail through woods and heather scrub. You then begin walking through the Aberglaslyn Gorge and alongside the river once more with beautiful views of the vegetation along the river bank. At times you must walk along a narrower stone path and hold onto steel handholds in order to negotiate around the path. The route also passes over a short section of boards and over rock slabs which are crossed over by some wooden slats. The ground rises and falls above the water in gentle inclines and declines.

After the walk transfer to your second hotel of the tour. Dinner will be eaten in the lovely hotel dining room. Indulge in a feast of regional specialties, such as Conwy Valley oak smoked venison or breast of Anglesey duck.

Red Wharf Bay to Penmon Point; 7 miles, easy to moderate

You will have a leisurely start this morning with some free time in the town of Caernarfon to either shop or to go and see the castle. Later embark on your walk on the Isle of Anglesey in northwestern Wales which follows a portion of the 125-mile-long Anglesey Coastal Path that winds along this island’s stunning coast. Its designation as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” speaks for itself with its varied land- and seascapes of seaside cliffs, limestone escarpments, fields of pastel wildflowers—all set against a backdrop of aquamarine waters of the Irish Sea. The route begins along the eastern side of Red Wharf Bay, where it soon connects with a sea wall for about half a mile. Rising through farmland towards Bwrdd Arthu (Arthur’s Table) you can see the ruins of an Iron Age village and out toward Penmon Point. Following close to the shore, the walk finishes up with lovely views of the Carneddau Mountains across the Menai Strait between the mainland and the island. You finish near the Penmon Priory and Trwyn Du lighthouse, looking over to Puffin Island.

After the walk you head straight to dinner in a wonderful local pub with views over the bay. Here you may be served a Welsh rump steak, Menai mussels, or crab and smoked haddock risotto.

Isle of Anglesey. South Stack Loop; 4 miles, easy to moderate

The itinerary today once more leads to the Isle of Anglesey, nestled just off the northwest coast of Wales and connected by two bridges to the mainland. Your walk today begins with a visit to the South Stack Lighthouse. You walk down the 400 steps to the steel-framed bridge that spans the 100 feet between the mainland and the rocky stack, where you will have time to appreciate the sheer mass and changing colors of the granite cliffs. Here you can see many local birds circling over the cliffs, such as puffins, razorbills, and arctic terns. You may even spot a common buzzard. Porpoises and seals are also common visitors to this area. Then embark on a walk over Holyhead Mountain, the highest point on Anglesey at 720 feet. Its summit is ringed by the remnants of the 17-acre Iron Age Caer y Twr, one of the largest archaeological sites in North Wales. From here there are spectacular views of Holyhead and across Anglesey towards Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula.

Tonight enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner in a small, local restaurant, with fine views overlooking the countryside towards the sea and, if you are lucky, a spectacular sunset. The food here relies on fresh local ingredients, meat from a local farmer or butcher, fish from the North Wales coastline and, when in season, locally produced herbs and vegetables. Enjoy a Welsh beef fillet, a local sea bass, or organic salmon. The cuisine here also reflects the chef’s global and varied experience.

Transfer to Bangor. Farewell

Departing the hotel after breakfast, you say goodbye to your newfound friends.