Menu
If you are looking for a fulfilling touring day, then our Portmeirion, Snowdonia and Steam Train tour provides an action-packed day.
Wales is famous for its great little steam trains, which run through spectacular landscapes and we have selected the Welsh Highland Railway for your experience. One of the most unique tourist attractions in North Wales is the unusual Italianate village of Portmerion, set on its own private peninsula, in a dramatic coastal location, with landscaped gardens, resembling a Mediterranean village scene.
Our touring route through the Snowdonia National Park takes you through a variety of mountain passes and valleys, touring along the most beautiful picturesque and scenic roads. There is a stop off at one of the prettiest villages in Snowdonia, Beddgelert.
During the day we also have several short walks which give you a real feel for the area that you are touring through, from a short coastal stroll taking in the lovely sea air, to taking a scenic riverside walk and of course strolling leisurely through the village of Portmeirion.
Take a ride on one of the ‘Great Little Steam Trains of Wales’! The journey takes you along the most scenic sections of the track, past the foot of Mount Snowdon in the heart of the National Park. Note: Train schedules don’t always operate every day, so we will work with you to help design the best possible options.
There is an alternative track and line operating with the Ffestiniog Railway. *Train tickets are payable to the operator and your train tickets must be pre-booked and reserved in advance.
We stop for photographs and a walk along the sea front promenade. Originally built by the Welsh Princes in the 13th century, Criccieth today is a scenic ruin overlooking the wide sweeping Cardigan Bay.
Set on a scenic peninsula overlooking the River Dwyryd’s estuary. Portmeirion is a village built by the vision of a local architect with a unique collection of salvaged ruined buildings from many different parts of the country and re-assembled with an Italian-influence that sets a scene similar to those found on Italy’s Mediterranean coast such as Portofino.
*Entrance fee is payable at the gatehouse.
There is an option to stop for lunch on site. Portmeirion offer a special arrangement with complimentary tickets to enter the village when you take a 2 course lunch at Castell Deudraeth (not including sandwiches or light bites). Lunch must be pre-booked and confirmed in advance. Entry can only be used after lunch has been taken. T&C’s apply.
One of the prettiest villages in Wales, where we set you down for a stunning riverside walk. The village is set amongst some of the most majestic scenery that Wales has to offer. Located where two rivers meet, the village features a cluster of miner’s stone cottages. Learn about the legend of ‘Great Prince of Wales’ who used to hunt in the area and you can get to sample some of the best ice cream in all of Wales at the local parlour in the village
Our tour continues from Beddgelert along one of the most scenic roads in Wales, where we pass lakes and small streams and we stop for some great photos of this area of Snowdonia. You will learn about some of our great legends and myths as we drive through the mountain passes.
We stop on an elevated platform to view the highest Mountain in Wales at 3,560 feet above sea level (subject to visibility on the day). The landscape of mountain and glacial valleys is a photographer’s paradise and its here you will learn about some of the famous blockbuster movies that have been shot in this region.
Our descent out of the heights of the Snowdonia Mountains takes us down through the glacial Llanberis Pass. Overlooking two glacial lakes, where we can stop to see a castle of the Welsh Princes, which stands guarding the entrance to the mountains.
Guarding the entrance to the mountains, Dolbadarn Castle was one of the key castles built by the Welsh Princes’s of Gwynedd to defend their kingdom. The setting is spectacular, overlooking two glacial lakes and sitting at the foot of the lower slopes of Mount Snowdon. Please note: To access the castle site involves a climb up a very steep grass embankment along with uneven steps, cut into the rock face. The site is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Our last stop of the tour is at a beautiful lakeside setting. We call it the secret view as its out of sight to everyone passing along the two main roads nearby, yet we open up an amazing vista of a glacial lake and the Snowdonia Mountains.
Snowdon Mountain Railway: Take the easy way up to the summit. On a beautiful day, this has to be one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world! You will need to allow 3 hours of your touring day to include this railway option. The trains journey is an hour each way, with 30 minutes at the summit and offers you a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the beautiful National Park.
If you want to book this tour option, you are responsible for booking your own reservations for the mountain train. Please check with us directly before booking, so that we can co-ordinate our availability and advise you on the best times to book your train. You can book your train reservation by visiting: snowdon.vticket.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: Our Snowdonia Discovery tour options featured above would have to be amended to accommodate the Snowdon Mountain Railway Train schedule into your touring day. The tour itinerary would skip the Welsh Highland Railway and Criccieth Castle.
The Portmerion, Snowdonia and Steam Train Tour can be custom designed to fit a number of touring options such as duration and pick up/drop off locations.
This private tour can start from Beaumaris, Bangor, Betws-y-Coed, Caernarfon, Conwy,
Holyhead, Llandudno, Ruthin, Llangollen and Wrexham areas. If you are staying anywhere else in the North Wales region, then please contact us to discuss your tour requirements and we will be pleased to quote for our services.
We can also start/end the tour from hotels in Chester and Liverpool.
If you are visiting by cruise ship to the ports of Holyhead we can custom design a touring day
to fit the duration that you are in port, but please note that because of your time restrictions,
we are unable to cover every site/attraction featured in our tour option listing.
All our tours are custom designed and operate on a private basis.
With each private custom tour that we design, there is a number of factors that affect the overall tour price:
It’s your very own private tour and we can custom design a tour itinerary to suit what you want to do and see. Our flexibility in designing a tailor made tour means you have the flexibility to make changes to any of our tour examples. So take something out or add something more appealing to your desires, or alternatively, add an element from another tour and combine it to create your perfect touring day.
All you have to do is ask and if it is possible, then it will be our pleasure to accommodate your wishes.
