I noted earlier that the folks from my tour of Ireland (Overland Ireland) suggested I move my tour one tour later in the year to avoid the havoc (crowded restaurants, etc.) brought about by The Galway Races Summer Festival. I agreed, but my return to London from the Wales tour “late in the day” on Friday and a 0830 departure on Sunday for the Ireland tour gave me only Saturday to move my base of operations. Fortunately, I will have two days to explore Dublin after the conclusion of the tour of Ireland. That early Sunday appointment got me up and going on Saturday to have breakfast, stock my small suitcase with clean laundry (from the big suitcase that had been in storge), stow the big suitcase AGAIN and get to London Heathrow to catch the ... read more

THU, 28 JUL 2022 – “Day 4: Our last full day in Wales is spent exploring the extreme south-west. You see some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This region is stunning and was the birthplace of both the patron saint of Wales, and the Twdyr (anglicised to Tudor) royal dynasty. You stop in the county town of Pembroke, where you can enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. And after this, you travel on to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and time for exploration. In the afternoon we return to Tenby for an afternoon exploring this colourful town with its beachside Georgian Houses, Cobbled Alleys and 13th century Medieval town walls.“ Overnight Tenby, Wales... read more

TUE, 26 JUL 2022 – “Day 2: Travel north into the spectacularly mountainous region of the Snowdonia National Park. The first stop is in the ancient market town of Machylleth. You then visit the beautiful mountain village of Beddgelert, where you can see the famous grave of ‘Gelert’, the legendary dog, or explore the nearby copper mine. You travel on to Porthmadog and over the Cob causeway before reaching Harlech Castle. This mighty medieval castle sits high on a hill, and looks perfectly impenetrable. After a fulfilling day you return to Aberystwyth in late afternoon.“ Overnight Aberystwyth, Wales... read more

SAT, 23 JUL 2022 TRAIN TO LONDON Rabbie's Tours, tour provider for the 5-Day Discover Wales Small-Group Tour from London, normally does not secure accommodations for any of the nights before, during or after the tour and there is no welcome reception or farewell dinner included in the tour; however, I learned that, because I had booked through Tourradar, it had secured those hotel rooms on my behalf for the four nights we would be on the road. With no hotel as a starting point, I chose a Comfort Inn within walking distance of the Monday morning meeting point, Greenline Coach Terminal. Eurostar is an international high-speed rail service that connects England with France, Belgium and the Netherlands via the Channel Tunnel which passes underneath the English Channel. I would catch the high-speed train (up to ... read more

SUN, 17 JUL 2022 TRANSFER TO BRUGES, BELGIUM: The train ride itself was uneventful, as expected. I had a 24-minute layover in Brussels, Belgium to make my connection for Bruges, Belgium. No problem. Plenty of time. After all, this isn’t O’Hare. After I disembarked the first train, I looked at the tote board and found nothing going to Bruges. The line at the information/ticket counter was long enough to take me well past my departure time, and there were no apparent service representatives within sight, so I pursued the next logical option and went to the platform with trains departing at 1652. When I arrived, I showed an attendant my electronic ticket. While he was fumbling about, another customer service person approached and informed me that I was at the International Annex. That made sense as ... read more