Day 01
Portmeirion, Castles, and Snowdonia Scenic Tour
- After our introduction, we will hop onto our minibus and drive around Great Orme's one-way road, with its spectacular mountain drop-off into the sea, showcasing nature at its finest. Look out for wild goats, birds, the famous Kashmir wild goats, and, often, seals and dolphins. You'll also see limestone cliffs and caves, along with beautiful views towards Snowdonia.
- Stroll through the ancient medieval castle town of Conwy to view the castle's domineering and towering walls, whose magnificent towers stand tall over the beautiful estuary. Also visit the famous suspension bridge, the world's first of its kind, built in 1819. Main castle entry is additional.
- Marvel at this little gem on the bank of the estuary, built into the castle walls - Great Britain's smallest house. With your arms outstretched, you can touch either side. A small fee applies to enter the interior of the house.
- Take a walk around this World Heritage Site. After all these years, Caernarfon's immense strength remains undimmed - a brute of a fortress. History comes alive here in so many ways: along the lofty wall walks, beneath the twin-towered gatehouse, through the town's narrow and colourful streets, and along the stylishly redeveloped waterfront of the Menai.
- Enjoy a tour of Portmeirion, wandering around the colourful and renowned Italian-style coastal tourist village set in stunning surroundings and gardens. There are shops, cafés, tea rooms, and restaurants. It is best described as an artful and playful village with a fantastic collection of architectural relics, and is also known as a romantic, picturesque, relaxing, and often enchanting place - a "happy relief" from the "rigid irrationalities and the calculated follies" of the modern world.
- On the return trip, you'll drive through part of Snowdonia National Park, where we will see some of its dramatic mountains and many beautiful lakes. We will pass through traditional, quaint Welsh mountain villages, see canyon gorges and rivers, and learn about local Welsh history.
- We stop at the famous Snowdonia viewpoint to take some photos and stand in awe of the panoramic 360-degree views of the horseshoe and surroundings of the beautiful Nant Gwynant pass and the lakes within the valley.
- Visit the Ugly House. Is it ugly, or is it beautiful? You decide. We stop to learn the unique story behind this one-of-a-kind feature set beside the river.
- Discover the dramatic and beautifully captivating Swallow Falls. This cascading waterfall is where the water from the mountains comes bellowing down, and where force meets beauty in this idyllic setting, which can be viewed on three levels. A small entrance fee applies.
- We stop at the majestic location of Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont, the second most photographed and painted image in Snowdonia, set next to the river with its iconic bridge. At various times throughout the year, this location is quite simply stunning.
