On this nostalgic escape, ride on celebrated railways, visit ancient castles, and discover the beautiful gardens of north Wales.
Journey through stunning scenery on the Ffestiniog Railway, the world's oldest independent line, and ascend Snowdon's summit on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Step into the unique village of Portmeirion, the design of which was inspired by the Italian Riviera, and explore Caernarfon Castle, where knights once roamed and battles raged.
Prepare to be swept away by the majestic mountains, sparkling lakes and lush green valleys of north Wales.
Unforgettable Experiences
What’s included on the tour?
Itinerary
Your vacation begins in the "Queen of Welsh Resorts," Llandudno, where you meet the Tour Manager at our 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, an ideal start to your vacation. Overnight Llandudno.
Additional information
Hotel
The world's only surviving narrow-gauge railway winds its way from the harbor at Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Savor living history, traveling in monogrammed wooden carriages pulled along by 150-year-old steam locomotives as you look out at landscapes little changed for decades, lined with oak forests and majestic mountain scenery.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway opened in April 1896 and is a narrow-gauge rack and pinion railway, which carries its passengers 4.7 miles up the highest mountain in England and Wales. The journey to the summit of Snowdon begins in Llanberis, leaving the town behind as the train starts its climb, traveling past a spectacular waterfall and through ancient forest before emerging into the wild, open countryside above the tree line. A quarter of the way up Snowdon, the train passes the small, ruined chapel at Hebron before continuing to Halfway Station and then to Rocky Valley Halt. Immediately after leaving Rocky Valley Halt, the train travels along an exposed ridge, which offers breathtaking views of the Llanberis Pass and the volcanic rockface of Clogwyn du'r Arddu. Situated on the ridge is Clogwyn Station - the last stop before the summit. Enjoy the wonderful panoramic views, while traveling toward Hafod Eryri, the railway terminus and visitor center opened in June 2009. An award-winning structure of granite and glass, Hafod Eryri offers visitors refreshment facilities and an interpretation of the mountain and its history - but perhaps best of all are the views over the rugged Welsh landscape and, on very clear days, the Isle of Man and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.
Join the Welsh Highland Railway for a wonderful journey by narrow-gauge steam train* through the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The line originally opened to passengers in 1923 but closed in 1937, having never achieved commercial success. From the early 1960s onwards a group of railway enthusiasts have been working to restore the line and in 2003 the 13-mile section from Caernarfon right the way through to Rhyd Ddu was opened for service once again.
Enhance your trip
Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.
