WYE VALLEY TOUR

Escorted guided tour and live commentary en route...

In 75 AD, Isca Silurum, was established as a permanent garrison for the Second Augustan Legion.  The town is now called  Caerleon, which translates to 'Fort of the Legions'.  The  extent of the remains here are impressive and regarded as Britain's most revealing Roman site.  Join your guide on a tour of the Roman Baths, amphitheatre and museum. 

We travel the route used  by stagecoach passengers before railroads were built,  along  narrow roads with quaint stone cottages and coaching inns to our next stop, 5-star Celtic Manor Resort, host of the prestigious 2010 Ryder Cup (exterior view only).  Access is unavailable on the lead up to and during the Ryder Cup.  The event is staged 1-4 October 2010.  

Chepstow Castle is built on the banks of the River Wye and has the distinction of being the first built Norman stone castle in Britain, founded in 1067AD.  The medieval town walls enclose Chepstow's narrow streets and the main road is straddled by the battlemented 13th century town gate which adds further to the town's charming historic character. Join your guide on a tour of castle.

The Wye Valley, is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Visit in  spring and you will find woods carpeted with bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemones, summer time the meadows come alive with wild flowers and autumn's cascade of golden colours in the ancient forest are splendid. After lunch, join your guide on a tour of the 13th-century Tintern Abbey, truly a masterpiece of decorated Gothic architecture.  The Cistercian abbey, now a majestic ruin, has inspired poets and artists for centuries.  

At Tintern Parva we change direction taking a scenic route through the Vale of Usk, a lush green valley offering stunning landscape, as we head for our final tour stop. The picturesque town of Usk, set on the banks of the River Usk, especially beautiful in summer months with all the wonderful  floral displays.