DESTINATIONS — UK & IRELAND Portmeirion Cardiff Castle
They include Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest surviving rail company in the world, founded in 1832 to carry slate from the mountains of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the ships at Porthmadog. Today it offers the best vantage point on the untamed scenery of Snowdonia National Park and, along with steam trains such as Snowdon Mountain Railway and Welsh Highland Railway, ramps up the nostalgia factor on many a rail tour. Those are all
featured in Railtrail’s Wonderful Wales itinerary, along with the Llanberis Lake Railway, Conwy Valley Line and Great Orme Tramway (six days, from £795), giving passengers a comprehensive introduction to the country’s heritage journeys. Yet these tours aren’t just for
train-spotters: Shearings and Grand UK say rail tops their lists of most-popular themed breaks, and even niche rail operators add other attractions to broaden the appeal. Great Rail Journeys’ Railways &
Castles tour visits Caernarfon and Conwy castles, while sister brand Rail Discoveries adds a guided tour of Caernarfon and a stop in the pretty village of Portmeirion, all while ticking off the country’s most famous rail routes. Even Ffestiniog Travel, which
takes its name from the railway, adds canal cruises and a trip to Penrhyn Castle to its Wales: Canals, Steam & Heritage tour.
l CULTURE: ENTERTAINMENT VALUE “Cardiff is our key selling destination when it comes to Wales,” says SuperBreak’s national sales manager, Graham Balmforth. “The city is a draw for some of the big-hitting shows from London that go on tour around the UK. It’s important for agents who are within about two hours’ catchment of Cardiff to ensure they are up to speed on all the shows coming to the city.” With Jersey Boys, Annie and Shrek all showing in the city this year, tickets can be packaged up with accommodation and added value such as a free dinner on the first night to help close a sale, adds Balmforth. Yet it’s not just about
theatre: uptake of Saga’s Welsh National Opera holidays has been so high that the operator is planning more opera breaks at the Wales Millennium Centre (which marks its 10th anniversary this year) and Venue Cymru in Llandudno next year. For customers
who prefer their cultural experience on a plate, Welsh food is also enjoying something of a ‘moment’
Wales Millennium Centre
right now: five Welsh restaurants have been awarded a Michelin star this year – the most since 2002 – while food-themed excursions are springing up in recognition of the quality of Welsh produce. Food Adventure, which offers 10% commission to agents, runs a Coastal Foraging Adventure that involves participants gathering the ingredients for laverbread as well as shrimps, whelks, mussels and seaweed at Ogmore-by-Sea, near Bridgend, before tucking in to lunch at a 250-year- old pub (£50). Or for those who prefer a little less coastal
spray with their supper, there’s a Welsh wine-making tour with cheese tasting near Monmouth (£45). TW
SAMPLE PRODUCT
Warner’s We Love Comedy weekend at Bodelwyddan Castle, featuring Jimmy Cricket, starts at £229, based on two sharing a standard room for three nights from August 3.
bourneleisuresales.co.uk
A three-night weekend break for a family of four in a lodge at Hoseasons’ Go Active park Talacre Beach starts at £527. A week costs from £1,029.
hoseasons.co.uk
SuperBreak packages tickets to Shrek in Cardiff, plus a night’s accommodation at the Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre, from £67 in December.
superbreak.co.uk
25 June 2015 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 57
TOP TIP Go to
traveltrade.
visitwales.com for news and
sample itineraries designed for travel agents
PICTURES: VISITBRITAIN/SIMON WINNALL; VISITBRITAIN/JAMESMCCORMICK; VISITBRITAIN/DAVID ANGEL
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