Day 1 - We start with a local departure and travel to Wales and our hotel – the Royal Victoria at Llanberis.
Day 2 – North Wales Coast and Penrhyn Castle - we visit the North Wales coast, dotted with bays, sandy beaches, villages and resorts, passing Rhyll and Colwyn Bay to Llandudno where there is time for you to explore at your leisure. We then visit nearby Penrhyn Castle. This enormous 19th century neo-Norman castle is crammed with fascinating items such as a 1 ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork, mock-Norman furniture and an outstanding collection of paintings. The stable block houses a fascinating industrial railway museum. The 60 acres of grounds include parkland, an exotic tree and shrub collection and a Victorian walled garden.
Day 3 – Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeirion – Ffestiniog is the oldest independent rail company in the world. A spectacular 14 mile journey through mountainous Snowdonia, passing tranquil pastures, magnificent forests, lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends clinging to the side of the mountain or even tunnelling through it, before reaching the harbour in Porthmadog. Here your coach takes you to the nearby ‘Italianate village’ of Portmeirion. A short guided introductory tour with time to roam around this unique setting, made up of about 50 buildings, surrounded by acres of coastal and woodland gardens. Portmeirion has been a location for many films such as ‘Dr Who’ and ‘The Prisoner’
Day 4 – Anglesey and Puffin Island Cruise. We travel to the seaside town of Caernarfon where you will have time to stroll round this historic town with its famous castle. We then continue over the Menai Straights and on to the Isle of Anglesey with a photo stop at the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a great unfinished masterpiece of Edward I, built in 1295 and regarded as the finest of Edwardian castles. Nearby, join the cruise out to Puffin Island – home to an abundance of wildlife. The puffin is just one of the many species of birds you may see. The 1½ hour cruise takes you right round the island with possible sightings of grey seals and bottle nose dolphins.
Day 5 – after breakfast we bid a fond farewell to Wales and travel back to the Midlands.
Your Hotel – 3* Royal Victoria – Llanberis
This lovely hotel is set in 30 acres of garden at the foot of Mount Snowdon. All rooms have private facilities and features include a bar and restaurant.