Railways and Castles of Wales

Your holiday begins in the 'Queen of Welsh Resorts', Llandudno, where our Tour Manager meets us at the hotel, whose owners pride themselves on attention to detail and high levels of service and comfort. Nestled on the rugged north coast of Wales, with a backdrop of Snowdonia National Park, this is an ideal base for exploring.

Once you have arrived and settled in, you may wish to get to know our new surroundings while wandering the waterfront or strolling past the town's Victorian buildings.

This evening, we are served a four-course dinner in the hotel's award-winning restaurant, a delightful start to our holiday.

• Dinner

This morning we transfer by coach to Caernarfon Station for an excursion on the Ffestiniog Railway to Beddgelert. Travelling from the coast into the mountains, we enjoy panoramic views from the train. Landscapes stretch as far as Anglesey and, as we draw closer, the peak of Mount Snowdon dominates the horizon. Descending into a green valley, we reach the riverside village of Beddgelert.

With free time over lunch, you could stroll along the river and learn more about the village legend of Gelert, the faithful hound of Prince Llewelyn. We then continue to the town of Portmeirion, whose design was inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera, with time at leisure to look around.

Our next stop is Porthmadog, where we rejoin the Ffestiniog Railway, taking a different route to Blaenau Ffestiniog. This narrow-gauge steam train weaves a scenic path through rugged mountains with panoramic views of Snowdonia National Park. As we descend the ancient wooded slopes of the valley, we round the spiral at Dduallt before emerging beside the picturesque Llyn Ystradau reservoir. At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a guided tour of Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to 1283. One of Europe's best examples of medieval defensive architecture, its striking polygonal towers are linked by a honeycomb of wall walks and tunnels.

Next, we board the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a journey over the dramatic Llanberis Pass. This breathtaking experience takes us to the summit of Wales' highest mountain, Mount Snowdon*. Our route from Llanberis navigates steep gradients through striking landscapes. As we climb the summit, panoramic views of the lakes, mountains and valleys of Snowdonia National Park unfold. The train is designed to ensure unobstructed views from every seat.

The views at the summit of Snowdonia are incredible. Mountains rise up from the rolling hills, while lakes and streams shimmer below. This sight is sure to leave an impression as we descend back into the valley, where we transfer back to our hotel, with time to relax before dinner.

*Please note, in the event of adverse weather, we ascend at a stop below Mount Snowdon, instead of the summit.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You are free to explore Llandudno at your own pace today. The town's nostalgic Victorian pier is well worth a visit and boasts the title of the longest pier in Wales. Here you'll enjoy excellent views of the seafront promenade, where there are a number of traditional seaside attractions, food stalls, and shops.

Another option is to take a trip on the Great Orme Tramway. This route takes you from Llandudno through a country park to the summit of Great Orme, where you can enjoy views of the town and coastline.

The Llandudno Cable Car is another amazing way to reach the summit of the Great Orme. This leisurely journey takes about nine minutes and soars above the town, offering views over the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range. However you decide to spend your day, you can look forward to another enjoyable dinner at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On the final full day of our holiday, we uncover the treasures which lie in the shadow of Mount Snowdon. Travelling by coach, our first visit is to the UNESCO-listed 13th-century Conwy Castle. A guided tour reveals its intriguing history, from its beginnings as a Cistercian monastery to its role in the War of the Roses. The castle's impressive walls, towers, and battlements offer stunning views and, on a clear day, you can see the craggy peaks of Snowdon.

We continue to Plas Cadnant, a series of historic gardens hidden in a valley on the Isle of Anglesey. The 200-acre estate features a walled garden, a secret valley garden, and a water garden, all brimming with colourful flowers, ancient trees, and meandering streams.

Our final visit is Gwydir Castle, one of the finest Tudor country houses in Wales, where we are treated to an informative guided tour from the current owners. This evening, we celebrate the final evening of our holiday with a delicious 'Taste of Wales' dinner, accompanied by the sounds of a harpist.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast it's time to check out of the hotel and bid farewell to Victorian Llandudno and scenic north Wales, which has provided the beautiful backdrop for this getaway. On this tour we have experienced the diversity of north Wales from its railways, visiting castles, and walking through colourful towns and gardens.

As your holiday comes to a close, you are free to make your way home or to continue exploring Wales.

• Breakfast