I had the great fortune of being a member of the first 'King Arthur Walk' with Wild Wales Tours.  I was excited before the trip as I have previously taken some walking trips in Britain, which I've loved, but had never been to Wales which I'd been wanting to do.  The idea of combining walking and hiking with the opportunity to learn about the legends of King Arthur and local history seemed ideal.  The trip surpassed all of my expectations - we had wonderful hikes, including climbing Mount Snowdon, knowledgeable and extremely personable speakers who accompanied us on our adventures, great accommodations and meals, congenial companions, all coordinated and led by the terrific Hywel 'Taff' Roberts.  He made sure we all were able to fully experience the beauty of North Wales and meet our own expectations for the trip.

~Barbara Smith, Massachusetts

 

What a perfectly orchestrated walk we had.  Not only did we see the glorious countryside, but we caught a glimpse of Wales that few outsiders could ever hope to see.  Taff assembled a team of local historians, poets, musicians, and storytellers to bring Wales to life for us.  It was an experience I’ll never forget!

~Gaby, Minneapolis

 

While I anticipated enjoying my hiking tour with Wild Wales Tours, the experience greatly exceeded my expectations.  The scenery was sublime and spectacular, the accommodations were charming and comfortable, the food was delicious, and the people we met were friendly, helpful and informative.  It was truly a great trip! 

~Mary, Minneapolis

 

Our walkabout was a fantastic experience. It is unique - a mix of challenging, but doable, physical movement and unbelievable natural beauty in distinct settings (along seaside cliffs, deep in moss-covered forests along burbling creeks, on old Roman-built roads across mountain foothills, along an estuary to the sea, and through gorgeous meadows and magical places). This all mixed in with delicious storytelling, music, food and the gracious people of Wales. You won't find many travel experiences like this!

~J.T. Minneapolis

 

2019 Traveler Testimonials

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We just returned from the King Arthur Walkabout and what an experience!  From Day 1, every step of the trip was just great, the lodging and meals were top notch, Taff's stories were entertaining, and all the experts Taff brought in to share their knowledge were the best.  I feel like we got to see Wales and it's people in a way you never could with your "typical" tours.  I wholeheartedly recommend Wild Wales Tours and hope to join another of Taff's tours soon.

Penny B. MA

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Travelers on the Bus Tours,  2017

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Fabulously, fantastic tour, played right to our interests with the Roman history, castles and ancient abbey churches. We do not believe that any other tour guides could have done the great job that you and Carole did. Taff’s  personal touch by having been born in Wales added a lot to the tour. 

 

We found the ability to visit the Welsh Senate brought to a conclusion the trail from ancient Wales to modern Wales.  We were truly able to feel the love the Welsh people have for their country and history.

Barbara & Richard C, MN

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The tour through Wales with Taff Roberts felt like a gentle immersion into the depths of Welsh history, culture, and language, and the celebration of life in song and poetry. We heartily recommend Wild Wales Tours to anyone who wishes to experience this beautiful country and its people first-hand.

Richard and Barbara Crouter, Northfield, Minnesota.

 

This was truly a memorable trip.  Taff's enthusiasm for his country is infectious, and we learned so much about Welsh history, literature, and language.  The landscapes were stunning in the sunshine, and mystical and magical in the fog.  I'd recommend this trip to anyone!   

Jane Walsh,  Newport, RI

 

Our trip with Wild Wales Tours far exceeded our expectations. Taff is passionate and meticulous.  He wants people to love Wales as he does and he showed us things and places we would never have seen on our own. He took us to Dylan Thomas’s home for lunch on a patio overlooking the sea, AND he hired a professional actor to recite Thomas’s poems and stories, just for us. It was magical.  We met Welsh people and experienced the ancient Welsh language; we ate local food and heard some of the best traditional Welsh music the country has to offer.  It was a travel experience wrapped in music, history, literature, poetry and new friendships.  We are so glad we went on this trip.

Margaret & Bruce Johnson, MN

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This trip was like entering the magical wardrobe in the Narnja chronicles...A beautiful land, poetry, history, spiritual nourishing and great food ...Taff's good humor, patience and devotion to his friends.

I fell in love with Wales thanks to all the doors opened by the Tour. I cannot wait to go back.

Rosine T, MN

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Our trip visiting Wales with Taffy was exceptional! Being able to experience this beautiful country with a true native .. who not only speaks the language but offered brilliant bits of wonderful history along the way..and planned many unusual side trips each day.. I highly recommend this adventure to any and all for a very memorable trip

Anne Ramsey Cuvelier. RI

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This trip was a fantastic experience. I have been on many tours but never one like this one. It was a journey into the heart and soul of Wales. Taff’s love and enthusiasm for his native land, people and customs was infectious. My husband and I came home with a crush on Wales! 

Marianna Byman, MN

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Travelers on the Walkabout Tour, 2017

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North Wales is a beautiful country and Hywel “Taff” Roberts is the perfect guide to show it to you. On our walkabout, Hywel artfully combined natural beauty with bits of Welsh culture to create an unforgettable trip. Highlights ranged from trekking along solitary beaches, watching seals and birds on Bardsey Island, and hiking to an ancient stone ring fort, to a harpist’s serenade on the Welsh triple harp, a tour of the beautiful National Library of Wales, and a visit to an off-the-beaten-path, 13th-century Welsh fortress. Hywel’s fierce love for his country and its history and his determination to share it will resonate with you long after your trek has ended. Diolch, Hywel!

Ann L. MN

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I thoroughly enjoyed my walkabout in Wales with Hywel Roberts, a fabulous guide who generously shared his knowledge and love for his homeland during every day of our tour. Hywel was meticulous in planning marvelous ways for us to observe and experience the history, culture, and beauty of Wales, and also in discovering even more opportunities for fun during our walkabout. He is a wealth of stories and information, and always personally attentive to ensure our comfort. I cherish my memories of learning about Wales, walking along the foot paths, visiting the towns and castles, strolling along the shorelines, watching the scenery on the bus rides, relaxing at our guest houses, and enjoying great meals and conversation.
C.P. Minneapolis

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Travelers on the Walkabout Tour, May 2017

"I can not thank you enough for all your kindness and support. This trip meant way more to us than just a hike. I can't even begin to put that into words.  Your enthusiasm for you homeland is infectious, Wales is a jewel that must be discovered by the heart to really appreciate it.  Walking on trails that pilgrims did hundreds of years ago, eating fresh seafood, drinking fabulous ales and the people.  Awesome! I hope we can do this again one day."

LK & MK Winona, MN

 

"Taff’s pre-planning was extensive and varied, he constantly kept us amused.  It was a pleasure to not have to plan the day’s activities, Taff had it all worked out with various alternatives to suit our moods.  Inns, restaurants, trails, guides, transports, Taff had it all covered. All other trekkers became new, good friends.  What a bonus! Could have stayed another month, what’s next, Taff?"

Steve D. Newport, RI

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"We discovered Wales to be full of stunning scenery and wonderfully friendly people. The whole country is full of history, going back millennia. The hiking tour was so full of daily adventures and experiences, it is hard to pick any one or several instances, and we made new friends within our group. When we look back on it now, we smile and laugh about our experiences. If you feel adventurous, love incredible scenery, great conversation and enjoy hiking in quiet nature, but still get to sleep in a nice bed every night, don¹t miss this opportunity."

Mark B, MN

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Of Plants and People, on the May Tour.

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Travelers on the Bus Tour, May 2017

"I highly recommend this trip. It was a great combination of nature, history, and culture. The trip leaders were very accommodating and went out of their way to make sure you had the experience you wanted."

R Pfaller MN

 

"We had a wonderful time, lots of great memories to share with friends. We loved the stories from local people, Professor of Archeology David Austins’ presentation at Strata Florida was amazing, the choral singing and the great food as well!"

R Spitzer, MN

 

"An inside experience of the beauty, culture, music & history of Wales- fantastic trip from start to finish!"

Sue H. MN

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"I had a wonderful time visiting and hiking around different parts of Wales, following and listening to our most informed guide Taff Roberts.  Excellent, yes excellent food, beautiful accommodations, gorgeous surroundings and ancient history.  I will definitely make another trip with this company."

Nancy D, Newport, RI 

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Wild Wales Tour, May 7-16, 2017 Trip Report

 

This past May after two years of preparation and negotiations, we launched our new business Wild Wales Tours & Walkabouts. The ten-day bus tour, designed for twenty people, met in the Roman city of Chester where we all gathered at our Hotel, the Crowne Plaza. After a short tour of the city and the Roman walls we met for supper and introductions, and discussed what we all wanted to get out of our trip together. The following morning after breakfast there was much jubilance aboard our bus when we crossed over the border into Wales, and headed for Conwy to visit the walled seaside town and castle.

 

The next two nights we stayed at the Royal Victorian Hotel in the mountain town of Llanberis, in Snowdonia National Park. During our stay there we visited the National Slate Museum, Betws Y Coed, Trefriw Woolen Mills and Bodnant Garden. After breakfast the following day we visited the castle at Caernarfon, and after lunch we caught the Welsh Highland Railway narrow gauge steam train through Snowdonia National Park down to the seacoast town of Porthmadog. After viewing a presentation at the Maritime Museum, we made our way to the Royal Sportsman Hotel, our home for the next two nights. The next morning we drove down to Aberdaron on the Lleyn Peninsular, and after our lunch overlooking Cardigan Bay, we visited St Hywyns Church, a place of Christan worship since the 5th century. After an early supper at the Grapes Hotel in Maentwrog, Gwyn our friendly bus driver dropped us off at the high school in Blaenau Ffestiniog, where we had been invited to listen to the award- winning sixty-strong male voice choir Cor-y-Brythoniaid practicing. For many of us, this was the highlight of our whole trip.

 

The next morning we arrived in the medieval market town of Dolgellau for lunch, where we were welcomed by a triple harpist and a historian at Dylanwad. After a short drive around the coast to Aberystwyth we were greeted at the National Library of Wales for a tour. At our hotel the The Marine we were entertained by the well-known Welsh broadcaster and author, Lynn Ebenezer. The following morning, after a stroll on the promenade, we headed off to Strata Florida, a Cistercian Abbey built in 1164. Our presenter here was David Austin, Professor of Archeology, who has been researching the site for over 17 years. With the help of Geophysics they have now discovered a Celtic church (5thc B.C.) below the Abbey, and according to Professor Austin, this might become one of the most important historical sites in the whole of Europe in the next ten years. After lunch in Tregaron, we travelled over the Pryseli Hills down to the seaside town of Tenby, where we stayed at the Atlantic Hotel on the esplanade overlooking Carmarthen Bay.

 

The next morning, after breakfast and a short ride, we arrived in Laugharne the hometown of Dylan Thomas’ where Mark Montinaro recited many of Thomas works for us on the patio overlooking the estuary of the river Taf. In the afternoon we visited the National History Museum of Wales at St Fagans before we settled in at the Marriot Hotel in downtown Cardiff for two nights.

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During our stay here we visited the Senedd (National Assembly of Wales), overlooking Cardiff Bay.The progressive, sustainable building, with walls built of glass (for transparency in government!) traditional slate and Welsh oak is a dynamic structure where Wales can create its own policies. We were all quite impressed with our visit and the presentation by our very well- informed guide, Sam. In October 2017 and next year our 10-day bus tour will visit the great Abbey at Tintern and the Roman Fort and Baths at Caerleon.  

We do have two more seats on the bus on this tour October 1-10, 2017.

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Wild Wales Walkabouts, May 17-24, 2017. Trip Report

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Our nine-day walkabout for 8-10 people started at the Tea House at the Railway Station in Bangor on May 17. After greeting each other over a cup of tea, we travelled by mini bus to the seaside town of Aberdaron, where we settled into our comfortable guest house for three days.

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After a walk along the beach, we were served supper by our host, and relaxed over our dinner discussing what we all hoped to accomplish during our Walkabout in Wales. After a healthy breakfast the next morning, we walked to Porth Meudwy to catch the ferry over to Bardsey Island, the isle of 20,000 Saints. Since Saint Cadfan built a monastery here on the island in the 5th century, it has been the destination for spiritual pilgrims, and a burial ground, over the centuries. After our supper at the Ship Hotel in Aberdaron, we were given a candlelight presentation by Susan Fogarty at St .Hywyn’s Church on the spiritual journey of R.S.Thomas and his work.

The following day we walked along the Welsh coastal path, surrounded by magnificent views, and after supper attended a Noson Lawen at a local church. On Saturday morning we took the train from Pwllheli along the coast to Barmouth, where our mini bus picked us up and took us to Dolgellau for lunch. We would stay there the next three days at the Meirionnydd Guest House.

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After lunch, being serenaded by a harpist, we walked around the Crogennan Lakes along the Black Road, an old Roman Road in the foothills of Cader Idris. Greg, our friendly driver, picked us up the next morning and dropped us off at Pen-Maen-Pool. We walked along the Mawddach Estuary one of the most scenic in Wales, and stopped at lunchtime on the seashore. We made a fire on the beach for a pot of tea, and ate our sandwiches! For supper we all met at the Cross Foxes Tavern. Monday morning after breakfast we drove to the Tal-y-Llyn pass to Castell-y-Bere, a Welsh castle built by Llewelyn ap Gruffydd in the1220s. Lunch was in the market town of Machynlleth followed by a walk around Aberystwyth.

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On Tuesday morning we took the mini-bus to Blaenau Ffestiniog and caught the Ffestiniog Narrow Gauge Steam Train to Maentwrog. We walked the rest of the way to our hotel, the Royal Sportsman, in Porthmadog. Supper this  evening was at the Sgwar in Tremadog, an excellent restaurant, across the street from where D.H.Lawrence was born in 1888.

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The next morning after breakfast we jumped on the bus and visited the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, Bodnant Garden and Trefriw Wollen Mills. Our last night together we ate at our hotel the Royal Victoria, and shared our experiences together. The next morning our driver Colin transported us to the train station in Bangor, where we all bid farewell to our new-made friends and promised to keep in touch!