Ffestiniog Travel

Thursday 6 June to Monday 17 June 2013

Unescorted options also available

From the coastline to the heart of spectacular Snowdonia, this tour embraces the jewels of Wales. The scenery is stunning, the train journeys fabulous and the hospitality congenial. This is an opportunity to experience many of the wonderful railways of North and Mid Wales.

Day 1   Welcome

Meet in Aberystwyth and transfer to the Marine Hotel for a 2-night stay and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2   Vale of Rheidol Railway

Our journey takes us between Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge, reaching a height of over 600ft, affording superb views of the Rheidol Valley. After a tour of the railway, including the new workshop building, afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3   Corris Railway

Travel by rail along the Cambrian Coast to the market town of Welshpool, where we stay for 2 nights, stopping at Machynlleth en route for a visit to the Corris Railway and Museum.

Day 4   Welshpool and Llanfair Railway

We ride the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway up the steep Golfa Bank into the delightful Banwy Valley. Afternoon at leisure in Welshpool.

Day 5   Talyllyn and Bala Lake Railways

Travel by road to Tywyn to ride the Talyllyn Railway including a museum visit and workshop tour, with refreshments included at Abergynolwyn Station. Continue by road to Llangollen stopping to ride the Bala Lake Railway en route.

Day 6   Aqueduct Cruise and Llangollen Railway

Enjoy a trip on a canal boat across the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with lunch served on board. Later we take a return journey on the Llangollen Railway and have cream teas served at our seat.

Day 7   Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

Continue by road to Porthmadog to ride the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway where lunch is included, followed by a visit to the Sygun Copper Mine. We then make our way to Llanberis for a 3-night stay on half board.

Day 8   Snowdon Mountain Railway and Penrhyn Castle

Awe inspiring views as we travel to the summit of Snowdon (weather permitting) before visiting Penrhyn Castle with its industrial railway museum in the stable block.

Day 9   Padarn Country Park

We visit Electric Mountain, Europe’s largest man-made cavern before moving on to the National Slate Museum set within the Padarn Country Park where lunch is included. Afterwards we take a return journey on the Llanberis Lake Railway.

Day 10   Welsh Highland Railway

We begin the day with a visit to Dinas Works before boarding our train to Porthmadog. Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery as we travel round horseshoe bends, through forests and into the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass. Transfer to our hotel in Criccieth and afternoon at leisure.

Day 11   Ffestiniog Railway

Transfer to Porthmadog and take the train as far as Boston Lodge Halt where we take a tour of the Engineering Workshops, the world’s oldest railway workshop complex. We board the train and continue our journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog where a buffet lunch awaits. Return by train as far as Minffordd, where a private coach will take us to the Italianate village of Portmeirion. Time to look around this magnificent place before returning to our hotel and a farewell dinner.

Day 12   Homeward Bound

We say our goodbyes before departing for the journey home.