Patricia Isaac

Best of Wales - general interest tours

An insight into Wales showing highlights from the Romans to medieval castles, cathedrals and abbeys, landscapes, industry and agriculture and any aspect of its special culture -Welsh language and literature, can be captured in a 1 or 2 day tour based in Cardiff. Alternatively travel further afield throughout Wales by coach, rail, or private tour to gain a deeper insight into why Wales is special. With 7 National Museums, 3 National Parks and 4 World Heritage Sites spread across Wales I can advise on the best places to see, whatever aspect of Wales interests you.

Castles

Plenty to choose from here! More than 400 castles built from the 11th-20th century - find the oldest castle doors, the most romantic castle, a fantasy castle, the largest castle; or castles built by Welsh princes, English Kings and Marcher lords and castles developed into stately homes with vast treasure. Climb to the top of the spiral stairs for fantastic views and hear stories, not just about the history and architecture, but also the amazing stories of the people who lived there which bring it all to life.

Churches Chapels and Cathedrals

Puzzles to solve - explore why the largest cathedral is in the smallest city and the smallest cathedral is in the largest city; why the chapels were so important to Wales and Welsh cultural development; and why were so many abbey churches left in ruin to become tourist attractions while other churches have continued to serve their thriving communities from the time of the saints, tthrough turmoils of the early medieval churches to the present day? The tales of the saints and sinners will all be discovered on my tours and you will find out how religion helped the survival of the Welsh language.

Gardens and Stately Homes

From a restored garden on Anglesey in North Wales to a garden created through shipping wealth in South Wales, Wales has plenty to offer. Why not combine a variety of gardens and historic houses - one with a working farm with rare Welsh breeds, or a beautiful landscaped garden, a sculpture garden or a woodland garden, French and Italian garden attached to a castle or a curious Italianate village in a garden on the shores of an estuary? Find out many stories of the garden designers, fashions, art on my guided tours.

History and Prehistory

I studied Welsh and Celtic history at University and love to bring it alive on tours. Every town and village has its own story with castles, churches, and always special people. Our native 'Dewi Sant' (Patron Saint - David) and other Welsh Saints who all have such interesting stories. If your passion is Art I can plan a tour of our National Museum and Art Gallery where you can learn our history through paintings and sculpture set in a wonderful building. A tailored guided tour of our open-air national (folk) museum will appeal to young and old.

Industrial Heritage

Growing up in Cardiff led me to appreciate the enormous legacy of "King Coal " - from the wealth of the Castle, Victorian Arcades and Civic Centre - to the transformation from Tiger Bay to Cardiff Bay. I can proudly guide you through the past and present development of our Capital City. You can be guided further through the South Wales valleys to discover the towns which emerged because of Coal and the lives of the miners in the "Coal Rush" of the 19th century and how the landscape is transforming.

Welsh Language

Aberystwyth University was the place where I studied Welsh for 3 years after learning it as a second language in school in Cardiff. My relatives lived in rural Carmarthenshire so I spent holidays immersed in farming and the Welsh language. Poetry and song is an integral part of the language and the best place to become immersed in this cultural experience is the Annual National Eisteddfod. We are a bilingual nation - through visiting key sites of interest around Wales I can tell you about the ups and downs of the survival and resurgence of the Welsh language - and experience plenty of 'hwyl'.