Experience a warm Welsh welcome and discover the breathtaking lakes, countryside and towns while exploring onboard heritage railways and staying in a 19th-century spa town

Our Welsh holiday begins today at the Metropole Hotel and Spa in Llandrindod Wells. You can check in anytime from 2pm, and then you're at leisure to start exploring this attractive town in mid-Wales.

Colloquially known to locals as 'Llandod', the town boomed in the 19th century as a spa town and retains plenty of grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture in its small centre, including our historic hotel. Regularly voted among the UK's happiest places to live, there are many green spaces to explore. Take a stroll round the peaceful lake, admiring the rugged scenery, or walk among the mature woodlands of the Grade II-listed Rock Park - founded in the 1960s and still featuring a spring and the original Pump Room.

This evening, return to the hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then we enjoy our first dinner together.

After breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to the traditional rural village of Abergynolwyn, where we board the steam-hauled* Talyllyn Railway. Tucked away in the wildflower meadows of southern Snowdonia, this beautiful railway paints a cheerful red trail through forests and over bridges. Originally opened in 1865, the seven-mile journey takes us past waterfalls, streams and mountains.

With time at leisure in Tywyn at the end of the line, you can soak up the town's coastal charm. Visit the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum and see the fascinating artefacts on display, or stroll along the beachfront promenade taking in the attractive seaside views. Our coach then takes us down the road to Aberdovey at the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary, where you can explore at your own pace. This picturesque village has a sandy beach and a small harbour backed by colourful cottages and traditional shops.

We drive back through the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside to our hotel later this afternoon, arriving with time to relax before dinner.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

Please Note - For departures 21st May and 27th August, Days 2 and 4 have been swapped around.

Boarding a coach after breakfast, we head into beautiful Elan Valley, where a local ranger joins us for a guided tour. The area is known as the 'Welsh Lake District' and is made up of several man-made lakes connected by six dams. The most impressive, Craig Goch, is built in the Birmingham Baroque style, with elegantly curved walls and a series of narrow arches.

Our coach tour ends at Devil's Bridge, a remarkable 18th-century stone bridge shrouded in myth and legend. Here, we join the steam-hauled* Vale of Rheidol Railway for a scenic journey through 12 miles of captivating landscapes, admiring lush valleys, cascading waterfalls and rugged mountains from vintage carriages. Arriving in historic Aberystwyth, we head to its esteemed university. Well-known as the school where King Charles studied Welsh, this is the perfect place to gain an insight into Welsh heritage, with an 'Introduction to Welsh Language' lesson.

Afterwards, there's time at leisure to explore the stunning beaches, charming architecture and culture of Aberystwyth before we head back to our hotel by coach for dinner this evening.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

Today, we head into the historic county of Montgomeryshire at the northern edge of Powys.

Our first destination is medieval Powis Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and its gardens are a paradise steeped in history, still proudly displaying ancient statues and beautiful Italianate terraces. For centuries, talented artists have added to the castle's collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and tapestries, which you can discover as you explore at leisure.

Afterwards, our coach takes us to nearby Welshpool, where we board the steam-hauled Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway*. Opened as a heritage railway in 1963, this charming route is one of the British Isles' most historic rail journeys, as an evocative green steam engine hauls vintage carriages through a canvas of dense woodland and rolling hills.

Back at our hotel this evening, our dinner is accompanied by a stirring performance by the Builth Wells Ladies Choir, who show us why Wales is known as the 'land of song'.

Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

Please note: on the 21st May and 27th August departures, Days 2 and 4 are swapped.

*Please note: on the 7th May departure, we will visit Llangollen horse-drawn boat instead of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway.

Mid-Wales and its heritage railways have been a joy to uncover on this charming holiday. From the Talyllyn Railway through southern Snowdonia and the Vale of Rheidol Railway to coastal Aberystwyth to the rolling countryside that passed by on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, these engaging routes transported us through delightful scenery.

Walking through the landscaped gardens of Powis Castle and a ranger-led tour of the remote Elan Valley showcased the region's impressive nature, while a Welsh language lesson and a choir performance helped us gain an understanding of Wales' proud and engaging culture.

As your journey comes to an end this morning, you are free to head home or continue exploring this heritage-filled region independently.

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Tucked away in the wildflower meadows and verdant valleys of southern Snowdonia, the beautiful Talyllyn Railway paints its merry red trail over the bridges and through the forests of mid-Wales. This was the world's first heritage railway to be run entirely by volunteers. Originally opened in 1865 to transport slate to the coast and was rescued by volunteers in 1951 after the quarry closed in 1946. Running through seven miles of UNESCO World Heritage landscape, the nostalgic engines are a delight to behold as they steam through attractive scenery.

Regarded as one of Wales' favourite rail journeys, the narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway winds through 12 picturesque miles of Welsh countryside between Devil's Bridge and the attractive coastal town of Aberystwyth. In restored carriages hauled by steam trains, the route has run continuously since its creation in 1902 and provides a true taste of the Wales of the past as it rolls through valleys and alongside mountain streams.

Making the most of the wild and dramatic Welsh countryside, a green canvas of deep forests and impressive mountains, the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is one of Wales' most charming railways. Its route, taking passengers between Welshpool and the village of Llanfair, has been in operation for more than a hundred years. The charming old carriages and green steam engine run on a narrow-gauge railway, recalling the halcyon days of train travel.

The 4-Star Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandrindod Wells is a family-run establishment in the heart of Wales. Opened as Coleman's Hotel in 1872, the hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a superb bar and award-winning restaurant, a thermal spa, gym and a 59-foot pool. Luxurious guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk, tea & coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. Free private parking is available on site.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to and from the starting/finishing destination of your tour, such as York, London, Edinburgh, and Harrogate. Please call one of our Tour Advisors to discuss your requirements.