Llandudno – Railways of Wales & Snowdon

Staying at the Merrion Hotel
The Victorians and Edwardians loved to visit Llandudno – they called it the Queen of the Welsh Resorts and graced it with some of the most elegant seaside architecture in Britain. You can delve further into the past at the 4000-year-old copper mine or the medieval castle at Conwy. Or just enjoy the vintage charm of the Great Orme Tramway, Punch and Judy on the prom and a Victorian-style afternoon tea. Llandudno has great bone structure, a magnificent position between Snowdonia and the Great Orme and grand Victorian architecture. The Merrion Hotel is family-owned and run and has the same ethos for the last 4 generations. Whilst the hotel business changes constantly, their focus on quality and value
remains true to their past.

Our Itinerary
DAY 1 After your door-to-door service has brought you to the coach, we make our way via the Horseshoe Pass to Llangollen, renowned for the surrounding hills and the River Dee, Llangollen has something for every visitor. Take a stroll along
the Victorian Promenade, picnic in the Riverside Park or watch the river tumble down beneath the bridge. We later take a scenic run via the Dee Valley to Llandudno and our hotel arriving in plenty of time to settle in before dinner.
DAY 2 A free day today to enjoy your surroundings and explore all that Llandudno has to offer. Take a stroll along the curved promenade with ample seating to take in the views, explore the home front museum, take on the Alice in Wonderland
trail with statues of the lead figures dotted around the town or maybe even take the cable car to the top of the Great Orme and take in the unrivalled views whilst enjoying refreshments from Randolph Turpin’s former café.
DAY 3 Today, we have a full day. This morning, we visit the pretty town of Beaumaris. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the castles and town walls of King Edward in Gwynedd site, for its “outstanding universal value”. Beaumaris also has a beautiful Victorian pier that offers a lovely seaside walk. Beaumaris Castle is the great unfinished masterpiece. It was built as one of the ‘iron ring’ of North Wales castles by the English monarch EdwardI, to stamp his authority on the Welsh. But it was never finished money and supplies ran out before the fortifications reached their full height. We make a quick stop at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerchychryndrobwyllllantisiliogogogoch before we head to Penrhyn Castle for an
included visit, here, there is an exhibition of the mine trains used for the families slate mine. We return to our hotel in plenty of time to refresh before dinner.
DAY 4 After breakfast we visit Llanberis and have an included return journey on a once in a lifetime heritage railway adventure to the summit of Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, the majestic mountain with breathtaking views across the Snowdonia National Park and beyond. As the train travels up the mountain, you’ll experience awe-inspiring views and uncover the mountain’s hidden secrets, from viaducts, waterfalls and gorges to the remnants of abandoned farms, chapels and medieval settlements.
DAY 5 After breakfast we head firstly to the Royal Town of Caernarfon where we shall join our steam train on the Welsh Highland Railway to Porthmadog. The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage railway and runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to the busy harbour town of Porthmadog. Porthmadog is a charming town steeped in maritime history and natural beauty. It offers a wealth of cultural experiences, vibrant craft shops, and delightful restaurants. Founded by visionary W.A. Maddocks, whose ambitious “Cob” embankment project transformed the area, the town’s name – “Madog’s Port” – pays homage to its founder. Once a bustling shipping port for the international slate trade, Porthmadog’s rich maritime past is a testament to its resilience and ingenuity.
DAY 6 Today is a free morning for some final browsing before we have an included lunch in the hotel after which we make our way to our home areas where your door-to-door service will be waiting to take you back to your homes.

Facilities

• En-suite accommodation
• Complimentary toiletries
• Hospitality tray
• Television
• Hairdryer
• 2 x passenger lifts
• Please note that some rooms are accessed by some steps

Holiday Includes

• Door-to-door service
• All luxury coach travel as listed
• 5 nights accommodation at the Merrion Hotel
• 5 x Welsh breakfasts
• 5 x 3 course choice dinners
• Lunch on day 6
• Return journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
• Single journey on the Welsh Highland Railway
• Admission to Penrhyn Castle
• Services of our experienced crew