The Magic of London & Wales

Inclusions:

Roundtrip air into Manchester, out of London on available carrier
2-night hotel accommodations at Ruthin Castle
2-night hotel accommodations in Southern Wales
2-night hotel accommodations in London
3-Day Cadw Explorer Pass for entrance into more than 30 castles and historic attractions
5-day Mini Manual car rental
Local tax (rental fees and/or surcharges may be extra)
Unlimited mileage
Continental breakfast daily
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

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Day 1: Depart USA

Your trip to Camelot - The Magic of London and Wales begins when you board your evening flight bound for the UK.

Day 2: Ruthin Castle and Northern Wales

Upon arrival in Manchester, collect your luggage and rental car. On the drive to Wales, you'll be passing through Chester, one of the loveliest parts of England. Enjoy the scenic drive through this 2,000-year-old city that still follows its original pattern dating back to when it was a Roman town.

Head toward your accommodations at Ruthin Castle in North East Wales. You'll feel like King or Queen for a day with two nights in this medieval era castle, once owned by King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Although it's now a stately private hotel, it began as wooden fort that many believe King Arthur frequented. Plan to attend a medieval banquet at Ruthin Castle and dress in period costume, both of which can be reserved for an additional cost to be paid locally at the hotel.

We also suggest a day trip to the Snowdonia National Park where you'll find a host of sites associated with Arthurian folklore. Search for the magical lake, Llyn Llydaw. Locals say Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur into its crystal waters, and a wounded King Arthur sailed from this lake to the Isle of Avalon. Other Snowdonia lakes such as Llyn Dinas and Llyn Ogwen have storied connections to King Arthur and his knights. The mountain itself is said to be the burial place of the giant Ogre Rhita, whom Arthur vanquished. Board the Snowdon Mountain Railway steam train and ride to the highest peak in England and Wales where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire region.

Overnight: Ruthin Castle

Day 3: Llangollen in North Wales

We suggest a visit to North East Wales and the town of Llangollen where you'll find the greatest concentration of place names linked to Arthur and his extended family in the world. Search for the Holy Grail at the romantic ruins of Castell Dinas Bran, high atop a hill with sweeping views of Llangollen town. Then visit the haunting Valle Crucis Abbey where the grail mysteries continue. See the rocky cliff called Craig Arthur (Arthur's Seat) and visit Guinevere's Cross at Gwenhwyfar, the only site in Britain that shares a name with Arthur's wife. If you go in early July, don't miss the International Eisteddfod, a world renowned competition of music and dance held annually in Llangollen.

Overnight: Ruthin Castle or similar

Day 4: Southern Wales

As you discover the legend of Camelot in Wales, journey south to Caerleon, a town near Newport just beside the River Usk. In Welsh, the town's name means "City of the Legion," but locally it's known as “Camelot.” Legend says that after the Romans left Britain, King Arthur set up court here. Some believe stories of the round table are linked to the Roman ruins in Caerleon. Find out for yourself with free admission to the Roman Legion Museum. Then head out to explore Chepstow Castle where King Arthur and his Knights are said to be sleeping in a cave until they are once again needed to save Britain. From Chepstow, drive the scenic route through the Wye Valley, past Tintern Abbey to Monmouth. There you can see King Arthur's Cave, and learn about 12th century Benedictine monk Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose book ‘Historia Regum Britanniae,' first popularized King Arthur's story. Stay 2 nights in Southern Wales.

Overnight: Southern Wales Hotel in Abergavenny, Cardiff or Bridgend

Day 5: Southern Wales

We suggest spending your final day in Wales discovering the legends of Merlin in Carmarthen, reputed to be the great wizard's birthplace. In fact, Carmarthen, called Caerfyddin in Welsh, is named for Merlin whose Welsh name is Myrddin. Visit Merlin's Hill Centre, site of an iron-age hill fort and rumored burial place of Merlin. Then travel eastward to the town of Llandeilo, and stop at Dinefwr castle where Merlin is thought to have communed with spirits in a nearby cave. If you've got time for more exploring, head south to the Gower Peninsula, named one of the most beautiful regions in Britain. Look for Arthur's stone, an ancient burial chamber on the rocky Cefyn Bryn ridge above the ocean.

Overnight: Southern Wales Hotel in Abergavenny, Cardiff or Bridgend

Day 6: London

Arrive in London where you can return your rental car or extend at an additional cost to be paid locally.

By now you've begun to see that Wales and England feature more sites linked to Arthur than any other region in the world. As you travel into London, you can explore claims that Camelot is north of the city near the borough of Hertford. Stroll the grounds of Hertford Castle which some historians suggest became the new home for King Arthur, his knights and the round table. Others think Camelot may have existed at the Royal Hunting Ground at Enfield Chase. Today in the woods of Enfield, you'll find a little island known as Camlet Moat, steeped in local folklore. Visit these locations to see the remnants of Arthurian legends for yourself.

Overnight: London Hotel

Day 7: London

From ancient tales of King Arthur in the countryside your journey brings you back to modern times of new royal fairytales in the city of London. Experience the romance and magic of a contemporary Camelot as you tour London's iconic royal sites. See Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London, admission prices at an additional cost to be paid locally.

Overnight: London Hotel

Day 8: London/USA

Your Camelot journey comes to an end as you board your plane to depart home.

Travel Options

Check out our optional sightseeing. Save time and money by pre-booking your sightseeing tours before you travel.

Reviews

Destination Notes

All packages are subject to availability at time of booking. Hotels that are on request may not be available and a comparable alternate will be offered.

Air Availability Air supplements or reductions might occur at any time based on airline availability.

Please Note: The vehicles shown are examples. Specific models within a car class may vary in availability and features, such as passenger seating, luggage capacity and mileage.

Collision Damage Waiver is an optional* service which, if accepted, reduces your financial liability for damage to the vehicle, its parts and accessories, except for theft, attempted theft or vandalism, provided the vehicle is used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.

*CDW may be mandatory and included in some contract or preferential rates.

If CDW is declined, you will be responsible for the amount of the deductible.

Regardless of whether CDW is accepted or included, all rentals are subject to a non-waivable excess for which you are responsible in the event of damage to the vehicle during the rental.

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October 2011

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