Railways and Castles of Wales

Our holiday begins in the 'Queen of Welsh Resorts', Llandudno, where we meet at our hotel. Nestled on Wales' rugged north coast and surrounded by the backdrop of Snowdonia National Park, this is an ideal base for our explorations. We enjoy a drinks reception before dinner in the hotel's award-winning restaurant.

• Dinner

Today takes us along the coast to Caernarfon for a journey on the Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert, where we transfer to Portmeirion for a guided tour. This eccentric village was designed in 1925 by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who wanted to create a town that wouldn't look out of place on the Italian Riviera, and it's a delight to explore. We continue to Porthmadog by coach to join the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Owned by the oldest railway company in the world, this particular line has a history dating back 200 years, offering us a nostalgic trip back in time during our scenic journey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We begin our day with a guided tour of Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to 1283. This is one of the best examples of medieval defensive architecture in Europe, with striking towers linked by a honeycomb of walls and tunnels. Next, we travel over the dramatic scenery of the Llanberis Pass to Llanberis, where we visit the National Slate Museum before boarding the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a heritage diesel journey to the summit of Snowdon. The journey takes us up the rugged sides of Wales' highest mountain, offering views over the panoramic scenery of Snowdonia National Park. We arrive at the summit, where on a clear day, it's possible to see the Isle of Man and Ireland's Wicklow Mountains.

• Breakfast, Dinner

You're free to explore Llandudno. The town's nostalgic Victorian pier is well worth a visit. Built in 1878, it boasts the title of the longest pier in Wales. Here you'll enjoy excellent views of the seafront promenade and Llandudno behind you, as well as a number of traditional seaside attractions, food stalls, and shops. Another option is to take a trip on the Great Orme Tramway, which takes you from Llandudno through a country park up to the summit of Great Orme, where you can enjoy outstanding views of the town and coastline.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We visit Conwy Castle, a UNESCO-protected 13th-century castle. A guided tour reveals its intriguing history, from its beginnings as a Cistercian monastery to its role in the War of the Roses. Next, we visit Bodnant Garden, an explosion of colour that spans 80 acres and includes a beautiful wild garden. Our final visit of the day is Gwydir Castle, one of the finest Tudor country houses in Wales. With a rich and illustrious history, the castle is fascinating to discover, and we're 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' gala dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our holiday concludes today, and you're free to make your way home or continue exploring.

• Breakfast