Snowdonia, Puffin Island & Portmeirion

Enjoy a real taste of the Welsh Highlands with exciting excursions and a cruise you will never forget! Why not join us for a spectacular tour taking in some fascinating scenery, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Puffin Island cruise and stunning Portmeirion with its extraordinary architectural heritage. The mountains of the Snowdonia National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty provide a perfect background for this holiday. Country and coast are peppered with a special mix of historic sites and inspirational landscapes, all things which have made Snowdonia what it is today!

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Three included excursions
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Welcome Tea/Coffee- Snowdonia Mountain Railway fare- Visit to Anglesey- A Puffin Island Cruise fare- Entrance to Portmeirion Village- Entertainment 1 evening- Porterage

Fascinating Scenery & Exciting Highlights
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach head for Wales with a comfort stop on the way. Expect to reach your hotel by late afternoon for 4 nights with dinner and breakfast

Day 2 - 4 - At leisure in Caernarfon with THREE included excursions

Caernarfon - the town itself has an air historic charm about it, especially around Palace St, Castle Sq and Hole in the Wall St. Within the cobbled lanes of the old walled town are some fine Georgian buildings and a interesting waterfront. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages - A Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict (entrance not included - approx. £11.00 pp in 2022)

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS:

Snowdonia Mountain Railway & Scenic Drive
The Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain's only rack and pinion railway starts from Llanberis and travel 4.7 miles to the summit of Snowdon, a place of legend 1.085 metres above sea level. This epic journey has been experienced by some 12 million travellers since 1896. Snowdon Summit's Visitor Centre, Hafod Eryri, first opened in June 2009. It receives on average half a million visitors a year and it's not hard to see why. On a clear day the views can stretch as far as Ireland. On arrival at the Summit, railway passengers and walkers are welcomed into a modern contemporary environment, an amazing feat of engineering on the top of a mountain. This unique building was built to withstand the mountain weather conditions, whilst blending in with its natural surroundings. The building is clad in oak and granite, and panoramic windows reveal wonderful views to the valleys below. During your 30 minute stopover you can venture to the cairn of the highest mountain in Wales and England, 1085m above sea level.

PLEASE NOTE that the summit is not due to open until June 2024 and for the May departure, the train will therefore operate up to Clogwyn Station which is 3/4 of the way up the mountain. Clogwyn Station is located on an exposed ridge, overlooking Llanberis Pass and Clogwyn Du'r Arddu cliffs. Nearby lies a group of huge boulders that once tumbled from cliffs above and are rumoured to be the home of a witch named Canthrig Bwt who would try to catch children climbing on the rocks. May be a steam or diesel engine

After your railway journey follows a scenic drive through the Snowdonia National Park, which takes you to attractive Betws-y-Coed, the Gateway to Snowdonia with a distinctly Alpine feel. The magical setting is enhanced by the dense Gwydyr Forest which surrounds the town. There is a diverse range of cafés, bistros, restaurants and pubs as well as independent shops retailing in crafts, clothing, gifts, and local homemade produce.

Anglesey & Puffin Island Cruise
A short drive across to Anglesey with a photo stop at the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a great unfinished masterpiece, built in 1295. Join the 1½ hour cruise here to Puffin Island - with spectacular scenery and an array of wildlife it's easy to see why thousands of visitors enjoy this cruise each year to view this beautiful island. Puffin Island cruises are a leisurely and relaxed trip, with an entertaining and informative commentary along the way places of interest will be pointed out and you'll hear about the local history as well as spotting the different birds and wildlife. Puffin Island is now a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds. The main season is between April and July when you are likely to see common guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and, of course, puffins but as with all seabirds outside of the breeding season they are only found out at sea. (You will likely not see puffins on the cruise outside of the breeding season on the July tour). You may also see fulmar and eider duck breeding on the island and often spot the odd black guillemot in the area too. Other species such as cormorant and shags are on the island all year round as are the resident Atlantic grey seals. You may even be lucky enough to encounter porpoise, sometimes even dolphin. Cruise fare included.

Portmeirion Village
Situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles at Portmeirion Village. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is now one of Wales' most popular tourist destinations. Portmeirion Village is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award winning restaurants. Discover the exotic Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lily-covered lake. Uncover secret sites like the Dog Cemetery, tangle Wood, Ghost Garden and Shelter Valley. Admission included.NB There are some steep hills and uneven paths.

Day 5 - With many happy memories check out this morning and on the return journey to interchange there will be refreshment stops on the way. Back to your home towns mid evening.Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon - 3 Star

Situated within walking distance of Caernarfon's walled town and castle, at a UNESCO World Heritage site, between Snowdonia's mountains and the sea.

Spacious, contemporary rooms make the perfect, comfortable retreat following a day exploring the area.

All rooms come with TV & hospitality tray and the hotel features an air- conditioned gym, 16 metre indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, bubble pool and steam room.

Lift to all floors.

NB: Single rooms are double for sole use.

Hotels
• The Celtic Royal Hotel (Caernarfon) - View Information