Arriving in Cardiff , you'll pick up your rental car and check into your hotel. Later in the day, explore the fairy tale fortress known as Cardiff Castle. Enjoy panoramic city views from the top of the Norman Keep. Following the tour, you'll be a guest at a typical Welsh banquet. It's a relaxed and informative evening, enjoying the best of Welsh entertainment amid medieval surroundings.

You'll meet your guide for the "Cardiff Tasting Tour", who will take you around the city centre calling in to specialist food producers, retailers and Cardiff indoor market. The menu includes a variety of tastings continental meats, cheeses, cockles, laverbread and Welsh beverages. Along the way you ll pass beautiful parks, majestic buildings and key landmarks including Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium.

(Dinner & Accommodations, Cardiff)

In the morning meet your guide for the "Lunch and Landmark" tour. During the tour you will be guided around the city center and Cardiff Bay, passing beautiful parks and key landmarks including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, the National Assembly of Wales - Senedd and the Millennium Centre. Lunch will follow where you'll have the opportunity to taste Welsh signature foods.

Later in the day, head to Principality Stadium, and get an insight of the inner workings of this 74.000 seat stadium. This is the home of the revered Wales National Rugby team. You'll view the dressing rooms and experience what the players feel as you walk down the tunnel toward the hallowed pitch (field). The remainder of the day is free to explore the shops and dinner will be on your own this evening.

(Breakfast, Lunch & Accommodations, Cardiff)

Today, you'll embark on a couple of culinary tours that are famous to this region. First, meet your guide for a "Cardiff Tasting" walking tour, taking you around the city center to sample a variety of local cuisines including continental meats, cheeses, cockles, laverbread, and Welsh beverages. We'll be stopping at retail shops as well as the Cardiff indoor market. Save some room for your afternoon tour of the Blaenavon Cheddar Company. This family run business produces award-winning cheddar as well as soft Welsh goat's cheese. At the end of the tour, you'll be able to sample many of them. The remainder of the day is free to explore the shops and dinner will be on your own this evening.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Cardiff)

After a leisurely breakfast, take the 70 minute drive through the majestic Brecon Beacons to Brecon, a scenic town nestled on the River Usk. On a side note, you'll likely pass through the town of Pontypidd; birthplace of Thomas Woodward, more recognized by his stage name; Tom Jones. After checking into your hotel, you can visit the nearby Brecon Cathedral. Originally built as a fortification in 1094, this former Benedictine priory was the only walled cathedral in Wales. Dinner on your own this evening and there will be a surprising multitude of options in this town.

(Breakfast, Cardiff; Accommodations, Brecon)

After breakfast, embark on a trip on the Brecon Beacon Railway into the national park through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Resevoir before climbing to Torpantau. The climb reveals glacially formed mountains and abundant waterfalls. After you retunr to Brecon the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Brecon)

Late morning, you'll have a guided Smokery tour providing insight into the process of smoking and curing meats. This will be followed by a tutored tasting of award winning smoked foods along with specially selected accompaniments. In the afternoon, we'll stop at the White Castle Vineyards situated in the rolling countryside of Monmouthshire. In their 16th century croft barn, you'll sample selected varietals that are compatible with the soil and climate of this area. Returning to your hotel, dinner will be on your own this evening.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Brecon)

After breakfast, take a leisurely drive to return the car to Cardiff and on to your next Avanti Destination!

(Breakfast, Brecon)