Day 143 – Holyhead, Wales

I can't remember if I mentioned that Tim and I followed the exact itinerary of this World Cruise segment, from London to Bergen, in reverse in 2022. The British Isles Explorer itinerary was our second cruise with Viking, and it was a back-to-back cruise following the Viking Homelands itinerary. We joined three other couples who had booked private excursions at many of the ports and saw so much of the countries we visited.

Even though this segment of the World Cruise is a “repeat,” there are so many things to see. I could even see myself repeating it again at some future point since I love the British Isles.

Today’s stop was Holyhead, Wales, a historic port and the largest town on the Isle of Anglesey. Once again, we tendered ashore, and Tim and I split up on different excursions. Tim selected the included tour, “Beaumaris On Foot,” to visit a quaint Welsh seaside town. I picked an all-day optional excursion, “Ffestiniog Railway and Lunch,” for a scenic journey through Snowdonia on a vintage train. Naturally, another train ride with the following description had my name on it:

Experience old-world charm on a vintage railway while taking in the stunning natural beauty of Snowdonia. Take a scenic drive through the Welsh countryside and over the Menai Strait to the port town of Porthmadog. Here, begin your journey on the Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest of Wales’s narrow gauge railways. Founded in 1832, it brought slate from the quarries of Blaenau to Porthmadog. Relax in your original 19th-century carriage as your steam locomotive begins its climb into the picturesque mountains. Admire the scenic landscape of tranquil pastures, verdant oak forests and stunning waterfalls that comprise Snowdonia National Park. Upon arrival in Blaenau, you will embark by coach for the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your awaiting ship.

Our drive from Holyhead to Porthmadog took about one hour, and I enjoyed the scenery the entire way. Although some people complain about long bus rides, I usually don’t mind them, since that is often the only way to see the countryside. We passed green fields, rolling hills, and lots of sheep. I loved seeing the historic dry stone walls, an ancient landscape feature used to define fields and boundaries.

Our First Scenic Drive of the Day

Our motorcoach dropped us off in Porthmadog, the main exporting port for the Welsh slate industries during the late nineteenth century. It was the Ffestiniog Railway, the train we would be riding today, that hauled the slate from the Blaenau Ffestiniog quarries to Porthmadog, and Blaenau Ffestiniog was today’s destination.

Porthmadog, Wales

The Ffestiniog Railway, established by an Act of Parliament in 1832, was the first independent railway company in the world and is the oldest surviving narrow-gauge line. Today, it is a major heritage attraction, preserving the world's first steam locomotives for narrow gauge railways and offering scenic journeys through Snowdonia National Park.

Boarding the Ffestiniog Railway in Porthmadog

Map Showing the Different Routes of the Ffestiniog Railway

When we visited Wales in 2022, we toured through Snowdonia, Britain’s second-largest national park, in a small bus. Today’s train ride offered a different perspective. We not only saw the dramatic beauty of the landscape, but also the area’s industrial heritage of which the railway was a major player. In fact, the railway is part of the UNESCO “Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales” World Heritage Site.

The Beautiful Scenery of Snowdonia National Park by Train

The Industrial Heritage of Northwest Wales Was Also Evident

After leaving the train in Blaenau Ffestiniog, we boarded our motorcoach for a drive through Snowdonia to Betws-y-Coed, a picturesque village in the middle of stunning scenery. Our lunch at the Royal Oaks Hotel was very good, but what I remember most about the hotel is the stunning wisteria vines climbing the stone walls.

More Beautiful Scenery on the Way to Betws-y-Coed

Royal Oaks Hotel and Its Gorgeous Wisteria

Tim and I spent a bit of time in Betws-y-Coed on our tour in 2022, but today I had more free time to wander around, admire the stone architecture, and even peek into a few shops.

Betws-y-Coed, Wales

The journey back to the ship was equally scenic, and we arrived just in time for our sail away from Wales. Tomorrow, we’ll be back in England to visit Liverpool.

Our Final Scenic Drive of the Day