Having lived among the Welsh for ten years and learnt their language, I find them to be a noble race that dwell proudly in ‘Cymru’, while holding tightly onto one of Europe’s oldest cultures.

These ‘hill folk’ are reputed to be the original Celts, and claim the oldest language in Europe as being the ‘Language of Heaven.’ I invite you to join me for pieces of Welsh heaven amid this intimate land of mountains, ocean, moorland, forests, tumbling rivers, castles and unique culture.

Geographically speaking, Wales sits to the west of central England and is approximately 70 by 120 miles in size. Contained within this intimate landscape are a plethora of picture opportunities and cultural experiences. Some of those images, i.e. castles, were the result of oppression from their English neighbors, and their vain attempt to ‘control’ the Welsh! Today those same castles, such Caerffili, Caernarfon, Caerhiw, Harlech and Cricieth, are classic images just waiting for you to capture them from the best vantage points.

After flying into London’s Heathrow, the itinerary gets under way at Tintern Abbey in South Wales, and then it’s on to the Cardiff area for the coal mine created character of rows of terraced houses tumbling down steep hillsides under the weight of strong Welsh accents. We’ll then go west via the Gower Peninsula to the St. Davids region in southwest Wales. Here, mighty St. Davids cathedral ‘hides’ in a hollow, and St. Govans Chapel is tucked into the ‘cleft of a rock.’

Moving north via the Preseli mountains from whence came the rock for Stonehenge four millenniums ago, we’ll pause amid the lush green landscape that contains the three ‘Devil’s Bridges’ atop one another, plus Aberystwyth castle on the oceanfront at dawn.

I lived in North Wales, and the best is saved for last as the group photo-explores Snowdonia National Park, Harlech, Caernarfon, a sheep farm plus much more. The north is where spectacular mountains rise from boulder-strewn lakes, and narrow, but paved, one-vehicle lanes await your visit armed with sufficient film and memory cards. You’ll need plenty!

Bird song follows us everywhere we go, and having been a Young Ornithological Group regional leader back in the 70’s and familiar with all the bird species, I’ll take you to a spot to [hopefully] photograph the Water Ouzel and more.

Lastly we'll explore more lush green rolling hills around Llangollen where stone walls have given way to hedgerows, and wild Pheasants rule the roost.

John Baker, former Welsh resident photographer

OVERSEAS TRAVEL
<> It is recommended, but not imperative, that you arrive a day early to be fresh and on time for the trip!
<> Early arrival also enables you to explore the gateway city should you wish.
<> A late flight arrival on day 1 of the trip might entail you having to find your own way to the first hotel, if not close to the airport.
<> Please note that the ending date of the trip is the day of your departure flight. Please arrange your flights accordingly.

April 27th  |  Depart the U.S.A. on overnight flight to London's Heathrow, for morning arrival on April 28th [Day 1]

DAYS 1 and 2  |  The CARDIFF region
I'll meet your morning flight and in our comfortable van, we'll head west on the M4 motorway and over the Severn suspension bridge into the land of song, harp, Red Dragon and the 'language of heaven'. We'll turn north to take in the 12th century Tintern Abbey ruins where you'll find plenty of compositions to be created. From Tintern, we'll continue west to our accommodations near Cardiff.
Day 2 will see us in Cardiff for the Castle, Llandaff Cathedral, and the terraced symmetry of the valleys shaped by the coal industry. If you like people pictures, and like to hear strong local accents, you'll find the residents will be very obliging.
SOUTH CENTRAL WALES, 2 nights

DAYS 3, 4 and 5  |  ST. DAVID'S and COASTLINE
As we head towards St. David's we'll traverse one last coal valley, and move on to the Gower Peninsula. Rhossili Head is spectacular with it's views to Worms Head and across Rhossili Bay.  Dylan Thomas did his best work from his boat shed at Laugharne, which sits at the mouth of the Taf River and we'll take that spot in too. 
Working from the St. David's area, on days 4 and 5 we'll point lenses at St. David's Cathedral, Martin's Haven, Solva, St. Govan's Chapel in the cleft of the rock, Carew Castle and explore coastal landscapes etcetera.
SOUTH WEST WALES, 3 nights

DAY 6  |  To ABERYSTWYTH
Going north today, we'll take in some coastal village ports as we head to the Strumble Head lighthouse. We'll pause too at the old Fishguard Harbor where the new harbor being a busy commercial port. The Pentre Ifan Cromlech [exposed burial chamber] will be on our menu today, and on the nearby River Teifi, we'll look for  fishermen in Coracle boats that owe their origins to the Roman period. At Cenarth, the falls, mill and centuries old bridge will be worth some frames and then we'll continue north to Aberystwyth for our one night sojourn.
MID WALES, 1 night

DAYS 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11  |  SNOWDONIA and beyond
Time to explore Aberystwyth promenade and 13th century Castle this morning. Then we'll go east to Devil's Bridge where three distinctly different bridges sit atop one another. To the north, the market town of Machynlleth and estuary situated town of Aberdyfi will get our attentions. Dolgoch Falls, Tal y Llyn Lake and Dolgellau will also be featured as we head to our 4 night home in Snowdonia National Park.
On days 8, 9, 10 and 11 we'll take loop trips to include Cricieth, Caernarfon, and Harlech castles, Llanberis Pass, the Isle of Anglesey via Telford's suspension bridge to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobyllllantysiliogogogoch, the 'softer' landscape of Clwyd, a slate mine, and a Welsh farm. The Welsh language is strong in the north, and you'll likely to hear me speaking it with the locals . . . it comes in handy for creating photo opportunities too!
NORTH WALES, 5 nights

DAY 12  |  To HEATHROW
This morning, we'll take in more of the Clwyd landscape including Llangollen where steam trains will feature prominently. We'll then journey to the outskirts of London via the motorway system.  We'll get to our Heathrow hotel early enough to permit some packing, and take dinner together.
Near Heathrow, 1 night

DAY 13  |  Flights home
I'll will get everybody to the airport in good time for flights home. Arrival in the U.S. will be on the same calendar day. If you wish to stay on in the UK, I'll be glad to be of help with your logistics.