Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion
What's Included
Return coach travel 4 nights at a selected hotel in Llandudno with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings Excursions to Caernarfon & Portmeirion
Heritage journeys on the Welsh Highland Railway, Great Orme Tramway & Ffestiniog Railway
Free time in Llandudno
Please note: a £20pp supplement will apply for passengers departing from the Isle of Wight on all 2022 UK & Ireland breaks.
Itinerary
Day 1 to day 5
Caernarfon & Welsh Highland Railway (full day)
Later we board the Great Orme Tramway, Britain’s only cable-hauled public road tramway which has been delighting visitors since it opened in 1902. We embark on a scenic journey up to the summit of the Great Orme, passing through the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the sea and mountains as we travel in the original, lovingly-restored Victorian tramcars.
Included Excursions
We travel to Caernarfon, a charming town with a thriving harbour located on the eastern shore of the Menai Straits. The main landmark of Caernarfon is the mighty castle ordered by Edward I in the 13th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the afternoon we board the Welsh Highland Railway and enjoy a picturesque trip to the quaint village of Beddgelert, admiring the awe-inspiring scenery of the Snowdonia National Park on the way. Stunning coastlines, ancient woodlands, towering mountains, sparkling rivers and historic castles create an enchanting and memorable journey.
Free time in Llandudno & Great Orme Tramway (half day)
We start the day with some free time at leisure in our resort. Llandudno is known as the ‘Queen of the Welsh Resorts’ and is famed for its golden beach flanked by two headlands, the Great and Little Ormes, and its wonderful air of traditional Victorian charm. From strolling along the beautiful coast to exploring the famous Llandudno pier, or perhaps a spot of shopping at the Victoria centre, there is plenty to do here.
Portmeirion & Ffestiniog Railway (full day)
Architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis designed and built the Italianate village of Portmeirion after being inspired by visits to the Mediterranean. Its unique atmosphere has seen it featured on camera many times, most famously in the 1960s TV series, The Prisoner. Enjoy browsing the cluster of historic cottages and iconic architecture, admire the glorious views, and indulge in an ice cream in the authentic Italian style gelateria.
After a morning here, we travel to the harbour town of Porthmadog to catch the Ffestiniog Railway to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau. The train climbs over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures, magnificent forests, lakes and waterfalls.
The family-run Risboro Hotel is situated approximately 400 yards from Llandudno’s North Shore beach. The hotel offers en-suite rooms with a flat-screen TV, a restaurant, bar and lounge. (JG2 rating)
The New Loretta Hotel is located on a quiet avenue, five minutes’ walk from the beach in Llandudno. All the en-suite rooms offer a flat-screen TV, DVD player and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also features a restaurant and a conservatory with a bar and outdoor seating area. (JG2 rating)
Hotel Rating Hotels with a JG2 rating are a mixture of larger hotels and privately owned properties. Décor and furnishings may be simple but are well maintained. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. Services may be limited but efficient.