On Location: Castles, culture & gin on WestJet’s Toronto–Cardiff route

The air inside Cardiff Airport doesn't carry the frantic, post-flight exhaustion typical of major global hubs. 

There are no two-hour immigration queues, no sprawling, fluorescent-lit terminal mazes and no endless baggage carousels that test your sanity. 

Within precisely two minutes of clearing passport control, our group of travel advisors and tour representatives had retrieved our luggage and waltzed straight into the gentle drizzle of the Welsh morning.

That ease of entry is part of what makes WestJet’s new direct flight between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Cardiff (CWL) a game-changer for Canadian travel advisors and their clients. 

Launched this year as a seasonal service running four times weekly from late May until early September, the non-stop route marks the first direct connection between Canada and Wales in nearly two decades. 

Better yet, the flight is already locked in to return for the 2027 season, giving agents a reliable, fresh option for U.K.-bound travellers looking to dodge the London crush.

"Wales really is that hidden gem," said Stephen Nase of Visit Wales. 

"In Welsh, there’s a word—hwyl—which means a moment of pure joy that can only be had in Wales. You feel it in their culture, and you feel it in the warm welcome from locals who are genuinely happy to see you."

"You meet actual locals everywhere you go,” added John Fallon, sales manager at RIT Vacations. “It's genuine and very homey for Canadians who want something comfortable and unique."

Day 1: Ancient castles, arcades and local Welsh cuisine

Our immersion began immediately in the heart of the capital at Cardiff Castle, an extraordinary architectural tapestry where Roman foundations, medieval fortifications and opulent Victorian Gothic Revival rooms collide. 

Guided through the main house’s lavishly gilded chambers, we learned how the 3rd Marquess of Bute transformed the fortress into a fairytale palace. 

Outside, we explored the sprawling green grounds, and I snuck into the eerie, historic tunnels built directly inside the castle’s massive stone walls, which had served as shelters during World War II.

A short stroll from the castle gates brought us to Cardiff’s famous Edwardian shopping arcades. 

These glass-canopied, double-decker corridors house a cool mix of independent boutiques, vintage record shops and cosy cafes.

As dusk settled, we gathered for dinner at Daffodil, a casual but stylish downtown gastropub that champions local Welsh suppliers. 

The menu celebrates regional ingredients with elevated comfort food like traditional Welsh lamb cawl, Carmarthen ham and indulgent Welsh rarebit croquettes paired with local craft beers and spirits. 

It was the perfect introductory taste of the capital’s thriving, unpretentious food scene.

Day 2: Minting money and crafting gin at Hensol Castle

On day two, we ventured into the Vale of Glamorgan to visit the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, which can trace its origins all the way back to 886 in London (no, that’s not missing a “1” at the front!). 

The official maker of British coinage moved to Wales in 1968. 

Coin collectors and aficionados will be in heaven on the guided tour, which walked us through the centuries-old history of coin production. 

We saw displays packed with ancient and rare coins and took a peek behind the curtain at the intricate machinery on the factory floor. (No pictures or videos allowed. National secrets afoot!)

Our next stop was Hensol Castle. 

This 400-year-old, Grade I-listed Gothic Revival estate nestled in lush, landscaped grounds (think towering turrets, sweeping staircases and gothic towers) has a rich lineage of deep-pocketed owners, from the Jenkins family in the 1400s to the “Iron King” Crawshay family in the 1800s, and it has even served as a filming location for famous BBC shows like Doctor Who and Sherlock.

It’s part of the Vale Resort complex. While the 23 glamorous, Downton Abbey-style suites at the castle are currently only available for private events like weddings (and, well, to a few lucky travel advisors and media on a certain Wales fam), there are whispers in the castle (could it be the ghosts?!) of plans to open the suites to general bookings soon.

But anyone can visit the Hensol Castle Distillery, which is nestled directly within the castle's vaulted subterranean cellars. 

During a guided tour, which started and ended with a custom cocktail, we took part in a tutored gin tasting and learned all about the history of “Mother’s Ruin” in the U.K.

Why Wales works for Canadian travel advisors

For Canadian travel agents, the direct YYZ–CWL connection provides a smart, cost-effective alternative for clients who want to experience a lesser-known version of the U.K. Cardiff is also a short train ride or drive from London, and there are two ferries to Ireland if clients want to hit the classics, too. 

Adding to its budgetary appeal, admission to all national museums across Wales, including the National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History, is completely free.

"Wales is the most affordable country in the UK and Ireland," said Fallon, and the new flight accessibility is already driving strong demand. 

"If the flight's there, people will come,” he said. 

To meet growing interest, RIT Vacations is expanding its 2027 portfolio with three U.K. guided tours featuring Wales, including a brand-new exclusive itinerary hosted by Jules Hudson, presenter of the BBC’s Escape to the Country.

"Having a direct flight takes the accessibility barrier off the table," said Nase. 

"You avoid the long immigration lines at major hubs, step off the plane, and in minutes you're right out into the culture, coastline, and countryside."

Whether it's exploring UNESCO-listed slate landscapes, riding heritage steam trains through national parks, tasting artisan cheeses in coastal villages or cosying up in historic pubs, Wales packs an extraordinary wealth of history, dramatic scenery and culture into a remarkably compact country. 

With WestJet’s direct connection returning next year, Canadian advisors have the ultimate tool to unlock one of Britain’s best-kept secrets.

"There's a warmth here," Fallon said with a smile. "Even when it rains."

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