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Enchanted Wales - On the Trail of Merlin: Itinerary
June 24th to July 5th, 2010

Day One

We meet in a fine country manor hotel just outside Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. This evening there will be an orientation and spiritual attunement for the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner. The next morning we begin our tour with a drive to the castle of Carreg Cennen dramatically perched on a rock high above the Brecon Beacons National Park. Legend tells that the castle was originally the stronghold of King Arthur’s knights. After lunch in the nearby town of Llandeilo, we make our way westwards to Dinefwr Castle and Park in the Towy Valley, a place especially associated with Merlin. Here we walk through ancient oak trees and invoke Merlin on the castle heights. As we make our way westwards, we make a stop at Merlin’s Stone near Carmarthen, the town of his birth-place, then we head for the coast and reach our accommodation for the next three nights at an award-winning historic hotel set in secluded gardens on the St Davids Peninsula.

Day Two

In the morning we walk from the hotel gardens to the beautiful chapel and holy well of the Celtic holy woman, Non, who may once have been a goddess of these waters. Then a walk along the cliffs of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path leads us to the chapel of Celtic saint, St Justinian, in a beautiful cove overlooking the bird sanctuary of Ramsey Island. In the afternoon, there will be a guided tour of the magnificent Norman cathedral of St David’s, a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 800 years, then time to explore the city and its quaint streets of art galleries and cafes on your own.

Day Three

We explore the magical landscape of the southwest coast, starting with a walk by the sea which takes us past an Iron Age hillfort and the dolmen called Arthur’s Quoit. Lunch will be in the traditional harbor village of Porthgain, where we will be joined by Ann Cowie, a wonderful local guide who will take us to a little-known hill-fort associated with Celtic warrior women. This evening we will enjoy live traditional Welsh music from a Welsh harper in the drawing-room.

Day Four

Driving up the scenic west coast, we visit the picturesque village of Nevern with its famous old church, ogham stones, Celtic ornamented cross, and legendary bleeding yew trees. After lunch in a traditional village pub, we visit a marvelous reconstruction of an Iron Age village at Castell Henllys, experience how the Celtic peoples of this area used to live, and listen to the tales of a local storyteller. Tonight we stay at a secluded country mansion hotel in the beautiful Teifi River valley.

Day Five

Today we take a walk through the ancient oakwoods of Ty Canol where faeries have often been seen, and arrive at Pentre Ifan, the most famous cromlech in Wales, once known as the womb of the goddess Ceridwen, overlooking Cardigan Bay. Then down to the attractive little town of Newport for lunch and a wander through its streets. This afternoon, we meet with our guide, author Robin Heath, who will take us to the sacred mountain of Carn Ingli, the stone circle of Gors Fawr, and other ancient sites on the Preseli Hills, where the bluestones were brought for Stonehenge thousands of years ago. Tonight we may have a slide presentation and talk by Robin as well.

Day Six

We head north to mid-Wales, passing through Tre Taliesin, named after the famous Welsh bard, and make a stop at the mediaeval town of Machynlleth, where Owain Glyndwr was crowned Prince of Wales in 1404. Then onwards for lunch in a 16th century hotel beside the scenic lake of Tal y Llyn beneath Cadair Idris, a mountain associated with Arthur. Not far from here are the romantic ruins of Castle y Bere, built by Llywelyn the Great in the early 13th century. This afternoon we arrive in North Wales and the Snowdonia National Park. Here we’ll take a walk through the Fairy Glen by the River Conwy in whose woods and caves Merlin made his home. Finally, a drive through the mountains will take us to our retreat centre in its lovely lakeside setting
that will be home for the next four nights.

Day Seven

We approach the stronghold of Dinas Emrys, the hill that is the scene of one of the most famous Merlin legends. Here we meet up with storyteller Eric Maddern who will guide us up the hill and tell the story of Merlin’s prophesy at this place. Afterwards, Eric will take us to his home at Cae Mabon, a magical place of Celtic roundhouses in a beautiful forest setting, and regale us with Bardic stories round the hearthfire. Back to our Snowdonia retreat centre tonight.

Day Eight

We head north for a day on Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, the Druid isle. This island offers a fascinating panorama of Wales’ history laid out on the landscape: There are an enormous number of ancient sites, from Neolithic burial chambers and Bronze Age cromlechs, standing stones and an Iron Age (Celtic) settlement. In the fine Victorian seaside town of Beaumaris is one of Wales’ most splendid castles. After lunch in town, we’ll visit 6th century Penmon Priory, with its decorated Celtic crosses, sheela-na-gig, and beautiful holy well, famed for its healing powers. Back to our retreat centre tonight.

Day Nine

We travel down the Lleyn Peninsula, sometimes called, “the Dragon’s Tail,” a wild and beautiful place where the mountains reach the sea and home to many holy wells. At the headland, we can look out over Bardsey Island, the sacred isle where Merlin was said to have brought the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, and burial place of over 10,000 Welsh holy men and women. Weather permitting, we may sail across to the island. In the afternoon, we may visit the unique fairytale village of Portmeirion.

Day Ten

Our journey takes us eastwards to the town of Llangollen and hill of Dinas Bran, home of the god Bran, and also said to be the legendary Castle Corbenic of the Grail legends. This afternoon we drive to a high hill in the Welsh border country for a closing ceremony at a fine stone circle with views all over Wales. Circling round south once again, we reach historic Caer Beris Manor in the heart of the Welsh hills, our last hotel where we celebrate our journey with a special farewell dinner.

Day Eleven

Fond farewells and parting hugs as we return to Cardiff Airport for flights home.