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Railroads & Castles of Wales

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You are viewing the 2026 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
6 days From $1,195 per person
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From superb railways to historic castles and breathtaking mountain landscapes, discover the rugged beauty of north Wales

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 2

2026 Tour code: WDS26

About the tour

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.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Journey to the summit on the scenic Snowdon Mountain Railway
Journey to the summit on the scenic Snowdon Mountain Railway
Enjoy panoramic views from the Snowdon Mountain Railway, traveling to the top of the highest mountain in Wales through ancient forests, passing a waterfall and into the wild, open countryside.
Visit the colorful village of Portmeirion
Visit the colorful village of Portmeirion
Discover the beauty of Portmeirion, whose design was based on the Italian Riviera town of Portofino, and soak up the colors and scents of Plas Cadnant Gardens.
Take a journey on the Ffestiniog Railway
Take a journey on the Ffestiniog Railway
Step back in time aboard the Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest independent railway in the world, on a scenic journey through Snowdonia, passing dense oak forests and mountains.
Discover the romantic castles of north Wales
Discover the romantic castles of north Wales
Explore the castles of north Wales, including Caernarfon Castle, UNESCO-listed Conwy Castle, and ancient Gwydir Castle, where we are shown around by the owners.
Indulge in a traditional Welsh dinner
Indulge in a traditional Welsh dinner
As a finale to your vacation, enjoy a 'Taste of Wales' dinner, featuring local produce prepared by the hotel's AA Rosette-rated restaurant, accompanied by the sounds of a traditional harpist, adding a touch of Welsh charm.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - The coastal beauty of Llandudno

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.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The historic Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeirion

This morning, we transfer by coach to Caernarfon for an excursion on the Ffestiniog Railway to Beddgelert. Landscapes stretch as far as Anglesey and, as we draw closer, the peak of 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 legend of Gelert, the faithful hound of Prince Llewelyn. We then continue to the unique village of Portmeirion. Created as a labor of love by architect Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1976, the colorful settlement was inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera. There's time to wander its pastel-hued alleys, verdant piazzas, and enjoy the coastal views.

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, we round the spiral at Dduallt before emerging beside the picturesque Llyn Ystradau reservoir and returning to our hotel for dinner. Overnight Llandudno.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Caernarfon Castle and the Snowdon Mountain Railway

Our day begins with a guided tour of Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating from 1283. One of Europe's best examples of medieval defensive architecture, its striking polygonal towers are linked by a maze 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's highest mountain, Mount Snowdon*. Our route from Llanberis navigates steep gradients through striking landscapes. As we climb to 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 Snowdon 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. Overnight Llandudno.

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

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Discovering historic Llandudno

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 Snowdonia's mountains. However you decide to spend your day, you can look forward to another enjoyable dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Llandudno.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Exploring the castles and gardens of north Wales

On the final full day of your vacation, we uncover the treasures which lie in the shadow of Mount Snowdon. Traveling 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 colorful 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 the holiday with a delicious 'Taste of Wales' dinner, accompanied by the sounds of a harpist. Overnight Llandudno.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Homeward bound

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 while journeying on its scenic railways, visiting castles, and walking through colorful towns and gardens.

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

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note
  • *Trains are steam-hauled where possible; however, due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead
  • In the event of adverse weather, the Snowdon Railway will ascend to a lower point, ¾ of the way up the summit
  • Please be advised that, depending on departure date, this itinerary may run in a different order and the events of certain days may be reversed.
Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotel

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

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Trains

Ffestiniog Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Welsh Highland Railway

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