People who are booked onto the partner package (package D) can take part in the partner programme, outlined below:
Monday October 13th 2008
09:30 Leave hotel
09:45 Newport Transporter Bridge
This unusual Bridge is currently undergoing repair work which is unlikely to be completed by the time of our visit. However, The Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge will show the group around the visitor centre and give a talk about the history and industrial heritage of Newport and the Gwent valleys, explaining how this influenced the design of the bridge. For those with a head for heights, there should be an opportunity to climb to the top of the bridge to take in some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=transporter.homepage
11:30 Millennium Stadium Tour
Arrive 11.20 at the shop on Gate 3.
Since it's opening in June 1999, the Millennium Stadium has welcomed over 1.3 Million visitors per year. With the first retractable roof in the UK, the Stadium is a multi-purpose, all round venue. With a UEFA 5-Star rating and two Rugby World Cups, a Wales Grand Slam, six FA Cup Finals plus a plethora of major concerts and motorsports events on its CV.
The tour provides a behind-the-scenes experience of the Millennium Stadium. Visit the team changing rooms and walk down the players' tunnel to imagine what it feels like to run onto the pitch in front of a capacity crowd.
Hear about the removable pitch and a retractable roof, see the Stadium transformed into a concert hall or motor racing track, take a closer look at where Her Majesty the Queen and other VIP's enjoy events.
12:30 Lunch, Sightseeing, Shopping
A table for 25 has been booked at Bar Ha! Ha! As not all will require lunch, we will need to confirm the numbers closer to the date.
Those not lunching could use the time to look around Cardiff City Centre.
The Welsh capital has changed dramatically over the last decade, with major retail developments both completed and underway. The city centre, offers a delightful blend of modern department stores and smaller retailers, many of these located in the Victorian shopping arcades that connect the traffic-free streets. For those delegates who prefer history and culture to retail therapy, Cardiff also boasts an impressive castle, located a stones throw from the Millennium Stadium.
14:30 Leave Cardiff
15:00 Penderyn Whisky Distillery
The Penderyn Distillery opened its doors to visitors in June 2008 with the launch of its new visitors' facilities. The distillery is the only one in Wales and the first to legally distil a whisky spirit in the country for more than 100 years. This is the first time that members of the public will be able to visit the distillery and experience the distilling and bottling process.
In addition to their whiskey, the Penderyn Distillery have introduced three further brands: Brecon Five Vodka, Brecon Gin and Merlyn Cream Liqueur. Each have won international recognition and are gaining an excellent reputation in the UK and abroad.
The Penderyn distillery is located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park.
http://www.thewelshwhisky.com/home.html
The tour, which takes around an hour, aims to educate and inform people about the ancient art of distilling and to demonstrate the differences between the Penderyn process and the distilling of Scottish, Irish and American whiskies..
16:00 Leave to return to Celtic Manor
The drive back will take about an hour and will take delegates through the Brecon Beacons National Park via the market town of Abergavenny. Although no further stops are scheduled, delegates will travel through some of the most picturesque countryside in South Wales.
17:00 Arrive at Celtic Manor