Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion

None given.Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion - JG Explorer

Travel in deluxe style on this holiday aboard aJG Explorercoach!
We discover the historic railways and meandering tramways of North Wales on this fantastic five-day break, where the lovely Welsh scenery and endless panoramas of the Snowdonia National Park create spectacular and memorable journeys. We're based in Llandudno, the 'Queen of the Welsh Resorts', and enjoy a visit to the unique, Italianate village of Portmeirion. Just imagine hearing the faint lapping of waves and admiring brightly coloured cottages and domed buildings, as you head to an authentic gelateria…no, you're not in Italy, this is Wales!

Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion - JG Explorer
Included Excursions
Caernarfon & Welsh Highland Railway (full day)
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 which is 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.
Great Orme Tramway & free time in Llandudno (full day)
This morning 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.
Please note: due to its Victorian design, the Great Orme Tramway may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Please visit greatormetramway.co.uk/en/access-statement for some information. There will also be some walking involved from the coach drop off point to the tramway station.
Later we enjoy 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 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.

Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion - JG Explorer

- Return coach travel aboard a JG Explorer Coach (see Helpful Information below)
- 4 nights at the Grand Hotel, Llandudno (JG2+ rating) 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


Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion - JG Explorer

- Excursions to Caernarfon & Portmeirion
- Heritage journeys on the Welsh Highland Railway, Great Orme Tramway & Ffestiniog Railway
- Free time in Llandudno


JG2+
JG2+ rated hotels offer a slightly higher standard of hospitality, often with good home cooking plus enhanced décor, facilities and services, which is recognised and welcomed by our customers. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. They may also enjoy an enviable location and/or higher levels of satisfaction on online hotel rating sites and our own customer feedback surveys.

JG Explorer
JG Explorer Coaches
We are pleased to introduce JG Explorer - a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.
Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind - with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There's improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it's the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so our JG Explorer coaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.
On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on the JG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.
The layout of the JG Explorer includes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.
Grand Hotel, Llandudno
JG2+ rating
The Grand Hotel is a splendid Victorian building situated on the seafront, beside Llandudno pier. The hotel offers traditional en-suite rooms with TV and tea and coffee-making facilities, a bar and restaurant. It also boasts lovely views of the bay and also has a games room and an elegant ballroom. (All meals buffet style).