Coach holidays to Swansea
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.
Swansea coach trips
Prized native Dylan Thomas called Swansea "an ugly, lovely town," but now armed with an award-winning marina, maritime quarter and regional shopping centre the emphasis on the 'ugly' is shifting. Called the City by the Sea, vibrant Swansea is located on the Gower Peninsular, which was in fact the UK's first designated area of outstanding natural beauty. And how about this; Swansea's Rhossili Bay just clinched tenth spot in TripAdvisor's Best Beaches in the World for 2013, beating off beaches in Hawaii and Florida. Ugly? Surely not.
Much of Swansea's architectural heritage was blitzed in World War II meaning that Swansea's cityscape has an overall modern look to it. Swansea has the largest indoor market in Wales offering the chance to sample traditional cockles, laverbread and Welsh cakes. Despite the city's modern feel, it is still possible to stumble across parts that retain an older vibe, of which Wind Street is one.
Swansea is within walking distance of the five mile sweep of Swansea Bay, home to the quaint Victorian seaside resort of Mumbles and Gower, offering clean, stunning beaches. Most coach trips to Swansea are based in the city but will incorporate the beauty of the surrounding area such as the Heritage Coast and Gower Peninsular. Look out for dedicated walking tours offering mapped-out, guided tours. Accommodation, return coach travel and touring itinerary offering two or three excursions are also included.
Tourist offices
For further information on Wales please go to the Official Tourism Website at visitwales.co.uk
Swansea is a great place to visit with so many attractions nearby. Here are a few ideas of where to go when planning your break away:
Gower Peninsula
In 1956 Gower became the first area in Britain to be called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Gower is known for its rugged coastline which is particularly popular with walkers and hikers. There are six castles in the Gower Peninsula; Woebly Castle, Penrice Castle, Oxwich Castle, Oystermouth Castle and Bovehill Castle. In addition to this, four of the beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag.
The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Thought of as Britain's Finest Natural Wonder, The Showcaves Centre is made up of three caves; Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave. In the first cave Dan-yr-Ogof you walk for 1km through attractively decorated passageways. The Cathedral Cave features large caverns and a walk behind a 40ft high waterfall. In the final cave, Bone Cave, learn about our ancestors and how they used it many years ago.
Swansea Marina
If you fancy wandering along the seafront the Swansea Marina is well worth a look. With plenty of boats to look at this is a great way to pass a few hours. There are a number of cafes and restaurants nearby and if you fancy learning about the industry and innovation in Wales you can also visit the National Waterfront Museum.
Pennard Castle
The ruins of Pennard Castle leave a stunning imprint on the skyline, perched on the edge of the Pennard Pill Valley. From the Castle ruins the view is stunning with Pobbles Bay and Three Cliffs Bay in the distance. Those with walking difficulties should note that Pennard Castle is an uneven walk from the nearest car park, so walking could be tricky.
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in Swansea, 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.