Description
Enjoy a real taste of the Welsh Highlands with exciting excursions and a cruise you will never forget! Why not join us for a spectacular tour taking in some fascinating scenery, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Puffin Island cruise and stunning Portmeirion with its extraordinary architectural heritage. The mountains of the Snowdonia National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty provide a perfect background for this holiday. Country and coast are peppered with a special mix of historic sites and inspirational landscapes, all things which have made Snowdonia what it is today!
Itinerary
Three included excursions
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage & welcome drink- Three included excursions as stated- Snowdonia Mountain Railway Fare- Visit to Anglesey- Puffin Island Cruise- Entrance to Portmeirion Village- 1 night entertainment
Fascinating Scenery & Exciting Highlights
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach heading for Wales sit back and relax - enjoy the scenery. A comfort stop will be made on the way and expect to reach your hotel in Caernarfon late afternoon. Porterage and a welcome drink await. DBB\n\nDays 2 - 4 At leisure in Caernarfon with THREE included excursions. There is entertainment in the hotel on one evening\n\nThe town itself has an air historic charm about it especially around Palace St, Castle Sq and Hole in the Wall St. Within the cobbled lanes of the old walled town are some fine Georgian buildings and a interesting waterfront. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages - A Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict (entrance not included - approx. £13.00 pp in 2024)\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nSnowdonia Mountain Railway & Scenic Drive\nThe Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain's only rack and pinion railway starts from Llanberis and travel 4.7 miles to the summit of Snowdon, a place of legend 1.085 metres above sea level. This epic journey has been experienced by some 12 million travellers since 1896. Snowdon Summit's Visitor Centre, Hafod Eryri, first opened in June 2009. It receives on average half a million visitors a year and it's not hard to see why. On a clear day the views can stretch as far as Ireland. On arrival at the Summit, railway passengers and walkers are welcomed into a modern contemporary environment, an amazing feat of engineering on the top of a mountain. This unique building was built to withstand the mountain weather conditions, whilst blending in with its natural surroundings. The building is clad in oak and granite, and panoramic windows reveal wonderful views to the valleys below. During your 30 minute stopover you can venture to the cairn of the highest mountain in Wales and England, 1085m above sea level. Rail fare included.\n\nA scenic drive through the Snowdonia National Park takes you to attractive Betws-y-Coed, the Gateway to Snowdonia with a distinctly Alpine feel. The magical setting is enhanced by the dense Gwydyr Forest which surrounds the town. There is a diverse range of cafés, bistros, restaurants and pubs as well as independent shops retailing in crafts, clothing, gifts, and local homemade produce.\n\nAnglesey & Puffin Island Cruise\nA short drive across to Anglesey with a photo stop at the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a great unfinished masterpiece, built in 1295. Join the 1½ hour cruise here to Puffin Island. With spectacular scenery and an array of wildlife it's easy to see why thousands of visitors enjoy this cruise each year to view this beautiful island. Puffin Island cruises are a leisurely and relaxed trip. With an entertaining and informative commentary along the way places of interest will be pointed out and you'll hear about the local history as well as spotting the different birds and wildlife. Puffin Island is now a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds. The main season is between April and July when you are likely to see common guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and of course puffins but as with all seabirds outside of the breeding season they are only found out at sea. You may also see fulmar and eider duck breeding on the island and often spot the odd black guillemot in the area too. Other species such as cormorant and shags are on the island all year round as are the resident Atlantic grey seals. You may even be lucky enough to encounter porpoise, sometimes even dolphin. Cruise fare included.\n\nPortmeirion Village\nSituated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles at Portmeirion Village. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is now one of Wales' most popular tourist destinations. Portmeirion Village is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award winning restaurants. Discover the exotic Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lily-covered lake. Uncover secret sites like the Dog Cemetery, tangle Wood, Ghost Garden and Shelter Valley. Admission included. NB There are some steep hills and uneven paths.\n\nDay 5 - With many happy memories check out this morning and on the return journey to interchange there will be refreshment stops on the way. Back to your home towns mid evening.
Venue Information
Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon
Stay within walking distance of Caernarfon's walled town and castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, between Snowdonia's mountains and the sea. \n\nSpacious, contemporary rooms make the perfect, comfortable retreat following a day exploring the area, all with TV, & hospitality tray \n\nThe 3* Celtic Royal Hotel features a restaurant and bar as well as leisure facilities with an air- conditioned gym. 16 metre indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, bubble pool and steam room. \n\nLift to all floors. Single rooms are double for sole use.\n\n