The first stop on today’s road trip itinerary is Dyffryn Gardens – a quiet, lovely oasis spanning across 55 acres of beautiful land near the small country village of St Nicholas. This magnificent Edwardian garden, now run by the National trust, was originally designed by landscape architect Thomas Mawson in 1906. Within the grounds, you’ll find Dyffryn House, a Victorian mansion overlooking the gardens (though the house is currently closed to the public, its grand exterior is certainly worth marvelling at for a while). Take your time this morning wandering through the Pompeiian Garden, Paved Court, Reflecting Pool, and Mediterranean Garden. You’ll also pass by a large glasshouse and an arboretum featuring trees from all over the world.

After exploring the botanical gardens, pop into the on-site Gallery Cafe for your morning dose of tea or coffee and a yummy slice of cake!

Blissful, calm, and perfectly tranquil – it’s hard to believe Llanerch Vineyard is only a short 20-minute drive away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Located in the quiet, undisturbed Vale of Glamorgan countryside, Llanerch Vineyard offers an award-winning restaurant with outdoor dining, a luxury four-star hotel, and of course, a spectacular working vineyard. This morning, you'll take part in an expert-led wine tasting tour at Wales’ oldest vineyard. This is a great chance to learn all about the grapes’ journey from the vine to the bottle, while sampling a selection of Llanerch’s very own Cariad wine.

Stretch your legs after the picnic with a stroll down to the pebbly Llantwit Major (Cwm Colhuw) Beach. Here, the Wales Coast Path joins up with the beach and offers some amazing walks and coastal views.

Leave your car in the car park opposite the café and walk to the beautiful lighthouse. From there, you can take in the stunning views of the coastline and Bristol Channel.

Located approximately 300 metres apart, the lighthouse consists of two lights – a high and low light – which were originally created in response to the devastating shipwreck of The Frolic in 1831 that resulted in over 50 fatalities. Historically, Nash Point Lighthouse was initially lit in 1832 and subsequently electrified in 1968 before becoming the last manned lighthouse in Wales to be automated in 1998.

Park your car in the car park from which you can walk towards Dunraven Castle and Dunraven Bay.

Dunraven Castle is an impressive medieval castle situated in the picturesque town of Dunraven Bay, Wales. It is the main attraction of the town and dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest castles in Wales. The castle was originally built as a fortress and defensive structure during the Middle Ages.
Dunraven Bay itself is a stunning coastal area that draws in tourists from all over the world. The bay stretches for miles along a spectacular coastline and features rugged cliffs, golden sands, and breathtaking sea views.

Make your way to the coastal town of Porthcawl for an evening meal at Bar & Kitchen Co. The restaurant here boasts pretty views of the harbour, and you can choose to either watch the waves from the comfort of a cosy chair inside or dine outdoors to take in the fresh sea breeze. Unsurprisingly, there’s lots of seafood on the menu at Bar & Kitchen Co, as well as an array of gourmet burgers and tasty veggie dishes.

The last stop on today's journey is Rest Bay – a golden, sandy beach backed by low rugged cliffs, stretching for miles along the Glamorgan Heritage Coastline. After enjoying a delicious harbourside dinner, walk along the promenade and slightly up the hill until you arrive at the popular surf beach, just in time for a sunset stroll.