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Railroads & Castles of Wales

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
6 days From $975 per person
3.6 stars(7 reviews)
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Wonderful mountain railways and castles of Wales are an integral part of this adventure as we explore the highlights.

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

Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: WDS24

About the tour

Enjoy a fantastic tour of North Wales, based in charming Llandudno. From here we explore the historic steam railways and impressive castles found along the coastline of this beautiful and mountainous region of Wales.

 

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meet in Llandudno

Our tour begins as you meet your Tour Manager in Llandudno, where we stay at the Dunoon Hotel. This fabulous seaside resort sometimes referred to as the 'Queen of the Welsh Resorts', is the ideal base from which to enjoy our explorations of Wales, thanks in part to its marvelous history in welcoming travelers and guests to its delightful sandy beaches. Tonight we meet for a drinks reception ahead of our first dinner together in the hotel's award-winning restaurant. Overnight Llandudno 5 nights.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Railroads & Portmeirion

Today we head along the coast to Caernarfon and join the narrow-gauge Welsh Highland Railroad* into the foothills of the Snowdon Mountains to Porthmadog. Here we transfer to Portmeirion, which we get acquainted with on a short guided tour. After some time here at leisure, perhaps perusing the quaint souvenir shops, we return to Porthmadog to join the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railroad* to Blaenau Ffestiniog. 

*Steam hauled where possible

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Caernarfon Castle & Snowdon

We begin our day with a guided tour of the impressive Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the iconic polygonal towers of this famed attraction. As we wander through the sprawling ancient complex, it is easy to imagine what life must have been like for the soldiers that lived here - from the legions of Rome to the armies of Edward I. After the tour of the castle, we then travel over the rather dramatic scenery of the Llanberis Pass to Llanberis, where we visit the National Slate Museum which outlines the history of quarrying and slate in Wales since the original quarry was opened in 1870. Later, we board the Snowdon Mountain Railroad's diesel service**, which climbs to the summit of Snowdon at 3,494 feet. This evening, we return to our hotel and enjoy a talk on the history of Llandudno ahead of dinner by special guests from the Llandudno Museum. 

**Please note the first two departures are unlikely to reach the summit as it is too early in the season. Reaching the summit is dependent on weather conditions.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - At leisure in Llandudno

Today you are at leisure to explore Llandudno. The nostalgic Victorian pier is well worth a visit. Built in 1878, this charming attraction provides excellent views of the seafront promenade. It also has the lovely title of being the longest pier in Wales, taking you out into the sea and giving you a delightful view of Llandudno behind you. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Conwy Castle & Plas Cadnant Garden

This morning we visit Conwy Castle, a wonderfully preserved 13th-century castle that stands in majestic ruins over the town of Conwy. A guided tour reveals its intriguing history. We also visit Plas Mawr, a lovely whitewashed building that holds the title of the best preserved Elizabethan townhouse in Britain. We then continue to Plas Cadnant Garden, which spans 200 acres, and is described as one of North Wales best kept secrets. This evening we enjoy a 'Taste of Wales' farewell dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Homeward Bound

The tour concludes after breakfast this morning, and you are free to depart Llandudno at your leisure. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

The itinerary order may differ dependent on departure. Please call for more details.

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. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

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Trains

Ffestiniog Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Welsh Highland Railway

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Reviews

3.6 stars3.6 / 5 · 7 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (1)
  2. 4 stars
    (4)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

ACCURTI, MONNA J

1 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2023

It was horrible, the company took our money and kept it but didn't provide the information we needed to make our flight reservations until it was too late.

Collected by Trustpilot

POOL, JAMES LARRY

4 stars

Submitted 13 Oct 2023

Staying in one hotel was great. Trains were great. Castles were great with the exception of the guide at Ashley Conwy.

Collected by Trustpilot

SharonLacey

4 stars

Submitted 07 Oct 2023

I would have given this tour 5 stars, but the itinerary was not sent to us until days before the tour, and even then we had to practically beg to get it. When you pay for a tour in full in MAY, you shouldn't have to wait until September 10th to get the itinerary! That is absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable. The hotel, tour guide, and tours were all wonderful.

Collected by Trustpilot

BOUMAN, ROBERT

3 stars

Submitted 12 Sep 2023

There were too many repetitive type daily trips...

Collected by Trustpilot

BRAHIM, FEISAL

4 stars

Submitted 21 Aug 2023

Comfortable

Collected by Trustpilot

DIGUILIO, HENRY

4 stars

Submitted 04 Jul 2023

Was a very good trip and happy with the service. I would like to see more time at the castles that are on the agenda then trying to visit every site in the area. The trip is about the historic value in Wales and not just tourist attractions. Llandudno was a very nice location to base out and a very pleasant town to explore.

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