Splendours of Snowdonia

Take a return trip on the world-famous Snowdon Mountain Railway. The train departs from Llanberis and very soon crosses the first of two viaducts crossing Afon Hwch river where the Ceunant Mawr waterfall plunges majestically into the gorge below. As the train emerges into open, treeless countryside the first glimpse of the summit of Snowdon can be seen. The landscape is dotted with abandoned, simple, thick walled dwellings that once housed local families. Clogwyn is as far as the train travels, three quarters of the way to the summit where you can disembark with time to admire the views before returning to lovely village of Llanberis with free time to explore.

We cross to the Isle of Anglesey and from Beaumaris board for the cruise along the Menai Strait towards Menai Bridge with breath-taking scenery. Victorian piers, and lavish homes along ‘Millionaires Row’ we’ll head towards the iconic bridges of Thomas Telford and Robert Stephenson and further again to Plas Newydd stately home. You will pass under both the bridges and through the infamous ‘Swillies’ where the shipwreck of HMS Conwy now rests under the surface, passing the beautiful islands of Tysilio and Ynys Gored Goch on the way.

We visit the unique fairy-tale village of Portmeirion, situated on a rocky tree-clad peninsula on the shores of Cardigan Bay. Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, realised his dream and Portmeirion is now one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations. Famed as the location for the 1960’s TV series ‘The Prisoner’ it comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands. Using an eco-friendly approach Williams-Ellis designed his architectural vision around a Mediterranean piazza. Endangered buildings and unwanted artefacts from all over the globe were transported and rebuilt to create loggias, grand porticoes, and tiny terracotta-roofed houses.