Coach Holidays to South Wales
Language: English and Welsh
Currency: Pound Sterling
Time Zone: GMT
Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required.
South Wales - an Introduction
Since the Industrial Revolution arrived, South Wales's main beauty has been its cultural cities, although that's all starting to change. Thanks to Rhossili Bay in Swansea landing an entry in TripAdvisor's Best Beaches in the World for 2013, its beaches and coastline are starting to steal the limelight.
Boasting national treasures from famous castles to award-winning marinas, this part of the country proves that coach breaks to South Wales can offer just as much as the rest of the land.
The Gower Peninsula was Britain's first designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,' and is famed for its beautiful coastline. Walking here and on the picturesque Tenby Coast are popular pastimes and dedicated guided walking tours are available. Other activities possible on a coach break to South Wales include shopping a stone's throw away from a fairytale castle in lively Cardiff, stopping at Swansea's maritime quarter for laverbread or heading West to the characteristic seaside resort of Mumbles to experience plenty of character.
A combination of South Wales breaks are available, mainly by coach, including return coach travel, accommodation in a good quality hotel on a B&B or half-board basis, as well as included excursions to the main sights.
Tips & Advice
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in South Wales, take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):
Health and Travel Insurance
British Citizens are advised by some of our tour operators to have travel insurance before going on a tour or holiday, even if it happens to be in your country of residence. As a British citizen you will be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.
If you are visiting Wales from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill, or are involved in an accident and are from any member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can obtain free or reduced cost treatment with The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for all other nationals planning on visiting the Wales.
If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in Wales simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.
Crime
Most destinations in Wales are generally trouble-free, however as with all places that you are not familiar with, keep an eye on your belongings and if necessary lock them away somewhere safe back at your hotel if possible. Keep an eye on everyone in your party and do not go off with people you do not know. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t venture off on your own.
Local Laws and Customs
Queuing is a British Institution; jump a queue at your own risk.
Drug offences will carry penalties in the UK, so avoid getting involved with anything whilst in Wales. Please note the narcotic plant Khat/Qat is legal in the UK, but is not in a majority of other countries so never try to export this when leaving the UK.
If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. For those people coming to the UK from the EU, you are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of most goods for your own use without paying tax or duty.
However, if you are travelling to the UK from outside of the EU, you are given an allowance of how much alcohol, tobacco, perfume, souvenirs and other goods. If you go above this allowance you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.
Entry Requirements
When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, in most cases an official form of identification such as a Driver's License will be ok. However, some airlines will insist that you show a passport, so check before you travel.
If you are travelling to Wales from Australia, Canada or the USA, you must have a valid passport for at least three months beyond the length of your stay. EU nationals need to have either a valid passport or identity card.
Visas for the UK are not required by those travelling from Australia, Canada, USA or EU for stays of up to six months.
Tourist office
To find out more about visiting South Wales, check out the official Welsh tourism website at visitwales.co.uk
South Wales packs a large punch in terms of what is available to see and do whilst staying here. Some things to think about may include:
Cardiff
Wales's capital city has many things to offer any visitor including fantastic shopping, cafes, bar and restaurants. If you're looking for some culture then this is a great city; with the National Museum within walking distance of the centre you can discover the history of Wales. For sports enthusiasts, if there is not an event for you to watch then why not take a tour of the Millennium Stadium right in the heart of the city.
Swansea
Swansea combines the best of old and new, from the castle remains in the city centre to the interactive museum displays at The National Waterfront Museum and Swansea Museum. A visit to Swansea Market, the largest indoor market in Wales, is a must and a great place to sample the local delicacies including laver bread and welsh cakes (although not together!)
The Gower Peninsula
Some of the most beautiful coastlines with some of the most pristine beaches can be found along the Gower Peninsular. Rhossili Bay is one of the popular areas to visit and has won many awards for its natural beauty, including a recent position in TripAdvisor's Best Beaches in the World for 2013. If the tide is out you can walk to Worm's Head but make sure you make it back in time!
St David's
Visit Britain’s smallest city which although is small in size, is definitely full of charm. The cathedral is spectacular and is the largest and holiest in Wales. Other attractions you'll find in St David's are the ruined Bishop's Palace, the Celtic Old Cross, 14th century Tower Gate, and for art enthusiasts an array of art galleries.
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in South Wales, please take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
Health and Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended by all our tour operators and for some operators it is a condition of booking. When choosing a travel insurance please ensure it fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. As a British citizen you will obviously be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.
If you are visiting England from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from an EU country or Switzerland, you can use a valid EHIC issued by your home country to access healthcare. Please note this is not an alternative to travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for nationalities planning on visiting the UK.
For the latest information and travel advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here
If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in the UK simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.
Crime
The United Kingdom is a safe place to visit, however, as with all countries please exercise common sense. Petty crime can occur so take your usual precautions such as not leaving luggage unattended, beware of pickpockets in tourist areas and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Local Laws and Customs
Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk!
If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. If you go over your allowances, you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.
UK Entry Requirements
When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you may need to show a Border Force officer a document confirming your identity. In most cases an official form of identification such as a driver's license or an armed forces identity card will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so please check before you travel.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents: a passport, an Irish passport card or a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, if you’re eligible to use one. The identity document should be valid for the whole of your stay.
If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from. Please check here if a visa is required before you travel.