North Wales Short Break

Summary

From neo-Norman Penrhyn Castle to the lovely lawns and woodlands of Bodnant Garden, the fantastic sights of north Wales offer a far richer experience than you’d expect from a short break. Basing ourselves in the port town of Caernarfon (home to an immense 13th-century castle), we’ll tour the colourful Italianate seaside village of Portmeirion, dreamed up by architect Clough Williams-Ellis; and ride the scenic Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit of Wales’ highest mountain, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views.

Your holiday includes:

3 excursions and visits

• Tour of Portmeirion
• Visit to Bodnant Garden
• Visit to Snowdon Mountain Railway and Penrhyn Castle

Plus:

• 4 nights in hotel (accommodation as specified or similar)
• 8 meals: 4 breakfasts (days 2-5) 4 dinners (days 1-4)

• Welcome drink
• Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
• Titan tour manager
• Travel in destination by coach
• Porterage

Day 1 Caernarfon

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your journey to Caernarfon. We aim for you to arrive at the hotel between 4pm and 5pm and the rest of the day is free to settle in.

Day 2 Portmeirion

Today’s excursion takes us to the beautiful seaside village of Portmeirion, created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis over a period of 50 years. The project was inspired by his love of the Italian Riviera, with an array of buildings reminiscent of such places as Portofino. It has become one of Snowdonia’s most popular tourist attractions, and has also been used as a film set, most notably for the cult 1960s TV series ‘The Prisoner’. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the village, and stop here for a two-course lunch before returning to Caernarfon. This rest of the day may be a good opportunity to visit Caernarfon‘s impressive castle, constructed in the 13th century as a military stronghold, a seat of government and royal palace.

Day 3 Bodnant Garden

Spread over 80 acres of hillside overlooking the Conwy Valley, Bodnant Garden is a lovely National Trust property featuring a series of terraced gardens, lawns and woodland, as well as the longest laburnum arch in the UK. The garden is also famous for its collection of exotic plants, brought back from Asia and North America by 19th-century explorers. Later today you’ll have free time in Caernarfon to make your own discoveries.

Day 4 Snowdon Mountain Railway – Penrhyn Castle

This morning we enjoy a scenic journey to Llanberis to ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Operating since 1896, the narrow-gauge railway carries passengers to the summit of Snowdon, the tallest peak in Wales at 1,085 metres above sea level. It takes an hour for the steam and diesel locomotives to travel through the heart of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park to the summit where, weather permitting, you can enjoy incredible panoramic views over north Wales. In the afternoon we visit Penrhyn Castle, a 19th-century stately home designed in the style of a Norman castle. Penrhyn houses an important collection of paintings, as well as a one-tonne slate bed made for Queen Victoria, who visited in 1859.

Day 5 Caernarfon

You’ll be collected at 10am by your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.