Things to do in

North Wales

From the moorings at The Groves, Chester, you will head upstream under the Queen's Park Suspension Bridge and past the city's rowing clubs. You will then follow the sweeping bend of the Earl's Eye, passing some stunning riverside properties, and turn around at the city limits. On the return journey, the commentary details the history behind some of the more interesting riverside buildings, and the city's rich Roman, Medieval, and industrial heritage. The cruises will then finish with a great view of Chester Weir and the Old Dee Bridge, before disembarking back at The Groves.

Take a drive on the Great Orme Road, the longest of its kind in the UK, with spectacular cliffs, wildlife, and views out to the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Pass through the ancient castle town of Conwy to view the castle’s domineering and towering walls. Enjoy a tour of Caernarfon and its immense castle. King Edward I created what is surely the most impressive of Wales’s castles here and worthy of its World Heritage status. Take a tour of Portmeirion, a colorful, Italian-style coastal village. Marvel at LLyn Gwynant and Snowdonia with their many beautiful lakes. Drive through part of Snowdonia National Park and one of its spectacular driving routes. Stop at the awe inspiring viewpoint of the valley below and its lakes. Stop  at the majestic Swallow Falls, where Snowdonia's water cascades over the rocky outcrops. Stop at Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont, one of Snowdonia’s most photographed and painted images. Take a scenic drive through Conwy Valley and the traditional Welsh villages en route back to Llandudno.

The splendid Welsh resorts of Llandudno and Conwy lie between two gorgeous beaches and have retained much of their Victorian charm. With two different routes available, you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Great Orme, the Pier, Conwy Castle, and the surrounding countryside. Hop-on board with your 24-hour ticket and enjoy panoramic views from the top deck of an open-top bus as you explore these locations. See all the highlights of these beautiful seaside towns. The North Parade is home to Llandudno Pier, a grade II listed building originally built in 1858. If you purchase a ticket for the blue route, you'll get a chance to discover the Great Orme. Lying in the shadows of Llandudno, explore the beautiful views along the coast whilst traveling to the summit of this stunning mass of limestone. This tour also includes a stop at the Great Orme mines, which during the late 17th and into the 18th century, used to mine copper. Full list of tour stops along the 2 available routes: Red Route: 1. Llandudno Pier 2. Nant y Gamar Road 3. Queen's Road 4. Glan y Mor Road 5. Conwy Road 6. Rose Hill Street 7. Town Ditch Road 8. Conwy Road 9. Deganwy Station 10. West Shore 11. Gloddeath Street Blue Route: 1. Llandudno Pier 2. Great Orme Summit

Leave the music city of Liverpooland travel to Wales on a 90-minute, fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle (not included), a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with Frenchman Richard The Engineer. Afterwards, head to Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the so-called “capital of North Wales,” Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods. Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver along the way.

Reach the summit of Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, guided safely by your expert local mountain guide. Take the hassle out of planning your adventure and let a qualified and experienced instructor lead the way. The local partner has been exploring Snowdonia's mountains for over a decade and loves nothing more than sharing them with visitors. They'll chat to you in advance and ensure you've got the right gear for an enjoyable day out. On the day, meet at the starting point and you'll be guided safely to the summit and back, with plenty of entertaining facts and jokes along the way.

The tour leaves Manchester in the morning and heads straight for the border of Wales. Conwy is the first stop of the day, one of most picture-perfect harbor towns in the world. Here you can see a castle perched by the sea, the world's smallest house, and lots of cute restaurants serving up the best fish and chips. Venture along the winding, scenic roads of the Snowdonia National Park before arriving in Betws-Y-Coed. This quaint town is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and is famous for its alpine trees and cosy cafes. Chester is your next stop. This is one of England’s most historic towns and there is plenty to do here. It's advised to go straight to the ancient cathedral and learn about its remarkable past.

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel to the mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park. Visit the mountain village of Beddgelert to see the famous grave of Gelert, the legendary dog, or explore the nearby copper mine. Next, head to the town of Machynlleth to see the ancient clock tower and the quaint houses, and go antique hunting. Move on to Porthmadog and over the Cob causeway before reaching the impenetrable medieval Harlech Castle. After a fulfilling day, return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Head into the foreboding Black Mountains to explore a bedrock cave under a castle, before you visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas wrote the famous play Under Milk Wood. Move on to Tenby, a charming seaside town and your base for two nights. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.

Immerse yourself in Welsh culture, heritage, and history on an unforgettable sightseeing day trip. Visit numerous attractions in the area including Snowdonia National Park, Caernarfon Castle, and Conwy Town and Castle all from the comfort of a minibus.   Start your day with a drive on the Great Orme Road, with spectacular views of cliffs, wildlife, and the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Your first stop may just be the highlight of your day: take a tour of the ancient Conwy Town and Castle. Walk the castle walls, stroll along the Conwy estuary, see some old Tudor houses, and take in traditional Welsh art and craft shops. In town, you’ll also see the finest surviving town house of the Elizabethan era to be found anywhere in Britain, as well as Great Britain’s smallest house.   Then, drive into the glacial Nant Ffrancon Pass and Ogwen Valley in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll take in views of the lakes, mountain villages, and the towering Snowdonia mountain range. Here, your guide will share with you some local history, Welsh myths, and legends along the way.   After lunch at the National Slate Museum, visit Dolbadarn Castle and Llanberis, overlooking Padarn Lake. Stop at the lakeside and take in views of a beautiful sculpture of King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur.   Finally, visit Caernarfon Castle and take a walk around this UNESCO World Heritage Site. A brute of a fortress, its immense strength remains undimmed. History comes alive here along its lofty walls, twin-towered gatehouse, and the surrounding town’s narrow and colorful streets.

Leave the Roman city of Chester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute, fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with Frenchman Richard The Engineer. Afterwards, head to Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the so-called “capital of North Wales,” Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods. Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver along the way.

Travel in air-conditioned comfort from Liverpool's Port passing under your ship as you cross the Mersey River. This fully narrated day tour will travel through the area known as the Wirral before cutting across the border into Wales where you will see your first glimpse of a castle or two as you make your way to Conwy. Arriving in Conwy, you will have free time to explore this beautiful and popular town, maybe go into the castle and listen out for the voices of those past in the narrow stairways that lead up to the top of the turrets. Or take a walk on the towns defensive wall to get another view of one of the finest examples of a Medieval Castle anywhere in the world. Moving on, head into the National Park known as Snowdonia where you can stretch your legs and build up an appetite for lunch as you walk into the Valley. Maybe even take a short hike up to where the water cascade over the rocks fed by the lake high in the mountains? Lunch time in Betws-Y-Coed offers a number of choices from fast food to table service and pub food (for that sneaky pint of Welsh Beer!). Take a short walk to visit the little 14th Century Chapel that gave name to the town surrounded by a small wood. Some of the trees are over a 1000 years old! Finally, you will need to find a little bit of courage as you walk across the sky at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct also known as "the stream in the sky". This superb piece of industrial engineering was constructed over 200-years ago and crosses the gorge that was cut out by the Dee River, 1000's of years ago. Finally, you will be whisked back to port, your head full of the stories that you heard throughout the day and your camera memory cards crammed with photos that you will look back on in future years with great fondness.