Valleys & Railroads of Mid Wales
Explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside
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5 Days from $695per
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You are viewing the 2020 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
From picturesque coastline to rolling hills, explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside on this exciting tour. Enjoy classic heritage railroad journeys along some of the country's oldest lines and roll through the stunning scenery that Wales has become synonymous with.
Today meet with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers and check into the 4-Star Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandrindod Wells, where we enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening.
This morning we board the steam-hauled* Rheilfford Talyllyn Railroad. Tucked away in the wildflower meadows of southern Snowdonia, the beautiful Talyllyn Railroad paints its merry red trail over the bridges and through the forests of North Wales. This was the first heritage railroad in the world - originally opened in 1865, and the society created for the upkeep was established in 1951.We enjoy the 7-mile journey which takes us past waterfalls and streams and through the delightful Merioneth mountains.
You have free time here, where you may wish to take a look around the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and discover the world of locomotives through the delights of video, sound and plenty of displays. See how the Welsh slate industry was transformed by narrow gauge railroads. There is also a recreation of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, author of the much-loved Thomas the Tank Engine book series. Awdry was also a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railroad.
Alternatively, take a ramble through picturesque countryside on the Dolgoch Falls Walk, or stroll along the sandy beaches of Tywyn. You may wish to visit the Halo Factory Shop, home of the famous Honey Ice Cream. The shop's gardens are perfect for enjoying this sweet treat along with the excellent views of Cader Idris, one of Wales' highest peaks.
*Steam-hauled where possible
Today we enjoy an excursion to Elan Valley, location of the mighty, and incredibly photogenic 6 dams. A particularly beautiful dam is Craig Goch, which is built in the 'Birmingham Baroque' style, a style which can be seen echoed slightly in the other 5 dams due to the water that it supplies to Birmingham, and the tower on the top of the dam.
Here we enjoy a guided tour by a local ranger and view the stunning architecture on display at the dam sites. Afterwards, we continue to Devil's Bridge, where we join the steam-hauled* Vale of Rheidol Railroad for a scenic journey through Welsh valleys to Aberystwyth.
One of the many wonderful Welsh railroad journeys which criss-cross this mystical nation, the Vale of Rheidol Railroad is a heritage, narrow-gauge railroad which runs between the Devil's Bridge and Aberystwyth. Winding through the verdant green Welsh countryside, the Vale of Rheidol Railroad makes its way on a historical journey in restored carriages to give a true taste of the Wales of the past. You have free time in Aberystwyth to explore and you may like to take a journey on the Aberystwyth Cliff Railroad.
Today we explore medieval Powis Castle and its attractive formal gardens. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and was built by Prince Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, who wanted to establish independence from his enemies, the princes of Gwynedd. The gardens are a paradise steeped in history. They look truly marvellous all year round with something to see in every season. As the days become warmer, the gardens offer a fantasic burst of spring colors. Drawing into fall, there is a glow about the gardens with the hazy, golden sunshine.
Later, we travel by coach to Welshpool, where we board the steam-hauled* Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railroad for a heritage journey through the heart of Wales.
Making the most of the wild and dramatic Mid-Welsh countryside, a green canvas of deep forests and impressive mountains, the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railroad was first opened in 1903. Its route, taking passengers from Welshpool to Llanfair, is one of the British Isles' most historic rail journeys, having been in operation for over 100 years. The charming old carriages and green steam engine run on a narrow gauge railroad, recalling the halcyon days of train travel.
After our farewell dinner this evening, we are joined at the hotel by the Builth Wells Ladies' Choir for an evening performance.
*Steam-hauled where possible
After breakfast, the tour concludes and you are free to make your way to the airport for your flight home.
Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.
We recommend that for this tour you arrange flights to and from Cardiff airport, which is approximately 80 miles from your base in Llandrindod Wells.
It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
of travelers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 2 verified reviews
A very good well organised trip ,with a good manager. . The only negative was a little too much coach travel .
the vacation was as good as I had expected, not always the case.....
Excellent hotel,good itinerary.Just long enough.
good vacation. hotel room hot and room noisy as at front overlooking road.
Lots of good things about the vacation,good accommodation,excellent food, good rooms.Only one gripe,and we found that we were doing a lot of traveling in a coach,each day.,as many of the venues were along way from our hotel. All visits were good,our guide was excellent.Enjoyed the choir on our last evening.
A most enjoyable vacation with interesting daily excursions, attentive tour manager and a comfortable hotel with good food.
There were 5 of us traveling together and we all thoroughly enjoyed the tour. We were fascinated by the scenery in mid- wales - loved the train journeys and the visit to Powys Castle and the Elan valley - a well worth while trip. Only comment, by ending on a Sunday my sister had considerable difficultly getting back to Mirfield in Yorkshire - Sunday trains from Wales are very infrequent.
Excellent mix of visits including the "little trains of Wales" with Powys Castle and dams excursion. Good hotel.
As usual an excellent trip
The admin before the vacation was excellent. The vacation was exactly as detailed. The food in the hotel was excellent. We had a great time.In fact we plan to book this vacation for next year as there was so much we missed
Explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside
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