Castles, Lighthouses and More on Our Last Day and a Half in Coastal North Wales...

In today's episode we tour a castle, visit a couple of lighthouses, stop by a famous railway station, go for another swim and have a proper tacky seaside experience. What a great way to round off our first ever visit to Wales. We'll be back!
Music courtesy (mainly) of Lindsey Abraham (sourced from epidemicsound.com)
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are our own
I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, but I love what I do and would be honoured if you came along with me. My channel focusses on the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of finding somewhere new, and my genuine reaction to it. You might not get a history lesson in my videos, but who knows, you might pick up some useful travel tips along the way, add a few destinations to your bucket list and hopefully be entertained by what you see. Thanks for watching, it means a lot to me :)
I do ALL of this myself. Planning, filming, editing, promoting, all with a weekly upload schedule, so please understand not every video will be an epic adventure. But my pledge is to always do my best in any situation.
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/ stevemarsh
FAQs:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
WHEN DO YOU UPLOAD?
Saturdays at 10am Scottish time. Occasionally a bonus midweek video will pop up.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I film with a GoPro11 and my iPhone12. I edit on iMovie and use epidemicsound.com for music. I also use canva.com for thumbnails etc.
WHY DON'T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman.
WHERE'S ALICJA?
Alicja will feature as often as possible, but I'm afraid she has a proper job so it can take weeks for our schedules to match up.
DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL?
Yes I do. I've only ever accepted a complementary ticket as compensation for a previous problem. All my opinions are frank and honest reflections of travel as I experience it.
WHY THE ADS?
It's my income, I can't do this for free.
CAN I CONTACT YOU?
I used to list my email address but felt bad not having the capacity to respond to everything so took it down (and I got a LOT of spam so missed many genuine messages along the way).
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?
Watching my videos is of course support enough, but if you'd like to support further, I'll pop links below for Paypal and Patreon. All kind donations are super-appreciated and will go 100% towards future filming trips.
DO YOU ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS?
I don't like to upset the flow of my videos, so I don't even include mid-roll ads anymore (at significant loss of income to myself), so I prefer not to include sponsorships either. I'm open to a small slide at the start/end of each video, but I don't want to get into talking about products, it's something I don't like as a viewer myself (especially as a viewer who pays for KZbin Premium). So it's probably a polite no, although all of this goes out the window if you offer me something which can give me the chance to make a video for my audience that would otherwise be impossible.
#SteveMarsh #Wales #SteveAndAlicja

[@Williamfattyfoulke261]

You missed a treat spectacular village built by an architect using a mix of new and old reconstructed old buildings in an italianet style with walks and a pottery factory in a superb setting

[@namco21]

Must be great to have Alicja to travelfreind.She is always so glad and full of humor.

[@steve-marsh]

That’s why I love her :)

[@namco21]

@@steve-marsh I now that you do that Steve,and take care of here.

[@FrankC321]

Six days in a paradise. Could not have picked a more beautiful and relaxing place.

[@steve-marsh]

It went really well, barely scratched the surface of course but happy with what we did see :)

[@orys]

I like Alicja's optimism, no matter which way the staircase is turning, she's always find her position to her advantage in case she needed to defend the castle with the sword :-)

[@steve-marsh]

She knows what she's doing eh? ;)

[@firearchives]

Yeah I love her she's such a cool cat!

[@kheopsz81]

Because this theory regarding the staircase it's just a legend. Actually there are staircases in both directions and there are no significant difference between the amounts.

[@fredvankempen2177]

@@steve-marsh Well, since YOU are holding the camera, SOMEONE must fend off any r0bbers, eh??

[@debbiehill369]

Such a good video . And you're such a lovely couple x

[@bruceogilvie5607]

You melted another East Coast Scotsman's heart with your reinforcing of stereotypes in relation to admission costs 😂 Loved your exploration of Wales.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha cheers Bruce!

[@thelovelies7716]

I think that, and I am English.

[@philbebbington1755]

I concur as an Irishman, I did visit that strange village around 25 years ago, I don't remember it being a rip-off then, but nowadays I would not pay the equivalent of €20 ( yeah we're still in Euros thankfully) There are lots of lovely "real villages" in Cymru to visit, with real ales, real fish n chips etc LOL. Sláinte mhaith agus saol fada daoibh a chairde.

[@dianewhelan]

I'm a Brit and give this place a miss *every* time. Such a rip off. It might have been nice to see the filing location for The Prisoner, but not £18 nice.

[@paulfisher5794]

I was on holiday in North Wales with my son earlier in the year, and also fancied visiting Portmierion. Like you, we baulked at the entrance fee, so never did get to find out if it's worth it or not!

[@karenhoskins4876]

Must agree - lived south and mid wales since the 80.s - its a very beautiful mystical place ...i feel extremely privileged to live here .

[@johnericneil2455]

I really enjoy your commentary. No unnecessary waffle. Excellent.

[@markjones127]

Conwy and Llandudno are gorgeous and you were looking at the Great Orme when on the pier, the beach you were on is the busy side of town and called North Shore but on the other side of town is a spectacular beach called West Shore and the tide goes out a long way there too as it's also part of the Conwy estuary. If you want a long weekend in Llandudno I'd strongly recommend you go during the Victorian Extravaganza weekend which is amazing , the place is rammed but a lot of fun, some roads are closed off for the fairground rides and on the same weekend there's also the Llandudno Transport Festival with loads of vintage vehicles on display with loads of old lorries, trucks, buses and the like, it's an amazing weekend!

[@thecolneranger1588]

Cant believe you're dissing Portmeirion! It's a beautiful place. 18 quid is about average for a tourist attraction isn't it? Well worth the money.

[@Philzoid]

dissing the price you mean. I think 18 quid is a little steep. I went there quite a few years ago and don't remember it being that expensive.

[@andybaker2456]

I remember watching The Prisoner as a kid, and not having a clue what was going on! But what actually persuaded me to fork out the Portmeirion entrance fee when I was up that way in 2017 was memories of an episode of Treasure Hunt with Anneka Rice back in the 80s! I remember she visited in her chopper on a beautifully sunny day, and I told myself that one day I would pay it a visit. To be honest, I wasn't disappointed, and got some great photos. It's not only the village that's photogenic, but the surrounding area too. I'm sorry Steve, but you'll just have to go back! 😁

[@steve-marsh]

Haha I remember Anneka and her helicopter! Maybe one day, we were just pushed for time that day so wouldn't have been worth it

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

I thought that the place was worth it. So much to see you must go back at some point

[@terry-wc9sw]

Hope you paid the guide(yes the cat) a treat for showing you the way in the castle ,likes royal canin cat food

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

Living in Manchester 21 years and having family in Ireland near Dublin, I’ve got the overnight coach and SailRail via the Port of Holyhead and I love this North Wales Route, even at night, where it really does take on a truly magical feel and is timelessly romantic - one literally feels the sense of history when passing through North Wales, of which the (lovely) Welsh people are the custodians, which surely is a wonderful privilege for them, even if they don’t fully realise it - once out of Chester, I begin to totally relax and I feel far safer in such a beautiful part of Wales, especially late at night - it’s quiet, comforting and calming, even in daytime and when I spoke to a Welsh lady in the local (very busy) ASDA in Holyhead, she was amazed by my reaction, but it is something in Wales that is rather special and most precious - another gem is when you pass through the town of Bangor by overnight coach, the town even late at night just feels totally magical on the rural Welsh roads - Cymru Am Bith 🇮🇪☘️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@123bwlch]

Don't fully realise it ? Explain and it's Cymru am Byth.

[@sandrageorge7878]

I love port merian. It is well worth visit ot isn't a theme park or a village the architect wanted to create a folly an optical illusion and it's incredible what he achieved. One of my favourite places.

[@אליעזרקנטור]

That was really good.......Steve...you are really the best!......many thanks!

[@philnasmith9755]

Loved the videos on your Wales trip. It is an astonishingly beautiful country. Thanks for sharing.

[@RuthzacharyZachary]

We visited the North of Wales in 1976, from the States, and stayed several days in and around Canarvan. We did the castle, stayed on a farm for airbnb, went horseback riding (pony trekking) in the Snowdonia Mountains, where the British trained for their first climb of Mt. Everest. We were told that the Snowdonia Mts, though much lower, have similar terrain. We also went to Anglesea and climbed the lighthouse. It was hot and we spent time also at the beach, where the children laughed at our accents snd asked if we were Csnadians, but no, we were New Yorkers! Thank you for your adventures.

[@danal.5133]

Wonderful video! I walked on the streets you did a few years ago. Portmeirion is a wonderful place - we got entrance for the half (9Pounds) because of a group of ten, but I would have payed more. It's a completely other world with a special atmosphere. Perhaps you get another chance! Thank you for the wonderful scenes and pictures! The bridge of Caernarfon Castle is able to be turned aside... We didn't know and had to walk a loooong way at dark night to find another possibility to get over the water. 😂 By the way: everyone of our group had to learn to spell Llanfair correctly to get to Wales with us. 😊 There is a song on KZbin, you can learn it easily.

[@peteredwards7760]

Visited Portmeirion about 40 years ago less than 2 quid to get in , very much enjoyed the experience .

[@steve-marsh]

That's more like it!

[@SamandSteve]

Llandudno is a quintessential Victorian seaside town. We love it and go every year. It’s been a family favourite since I was little and a favourite of my brother who passed away two months ago. We were there last weekend.

[@steve-marsh]

We were blown away by the place, absolutely beautiful!

[@crystalmethking]

That English castle was wonderful! Let the fun and games begin!!!!

[@kevjaffray]

I think it may have been a Welsh castle 😉

[@ohheyitskevinc]

😂 Good call. Edward I had I think most built during the conquest. They’re Welsh now I suppose, but we still call Roman ruins Roman, so English castle works.

[@crystalmethking]

@@warren1134 built by the English

[@modelrailwaynoob]

built by the English to control the Welsh@@warren1134

[@robertcottam8824]

Portmeirion is at its best when you stay there. It’s not cheap. But when the day trippers have gone home and you feel part of the village, it’s extraordinary. I ‘get’ that it’s not part of what you do as a vlogger, but it’s great as a treat. Portmeirion, Lyme Regis, Robin Hood’s Bay or Plockton out of season? All good.

[@6yjjk]

Welsh signs: I was on a Welsh train out of Manchester, and there was a kid who was just at that age where reading is fun and needs to be done loudly enough for everyone to hear how well you're doing it. He did a pretty good job with the English part of some sign or other, then he hit the Welsh. He struggled valiantly for a bit, somehow got "chicken" out of it, then paused to think for a moment. "Mummy... Is that written in sign language?" Bless!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha brilliant!

[@chriswilliams5624]

Thank you for the 3 videos of Wales, my country. I know all of the places that you have visited and you have given a good report on all. The weather is not always so warm, when I took my family to the summit of Yr Wyddfa by steam train we disembarked and within 10 metres we couldn't see the train we had just got off from ! Still very worth the visit. Thank you also for your attempts at the Welsh place names, I am not a Welsh speaker (yet) but have learned to get my tongue around most, including LlanfairPG, as it is more usually known. I love all your videos, keep up the excellent work.

[@Peterraymond67]

Hello both. I live in South Wales but over the years I’ve travelled most of the country. A couple of years ago I went on a coach excursion with my local coach company. I booked this because it took me to places I’d passed before and one that I’d never had the chance. We stayed in Caernarfon and our first trip was the one I was waiting for, it was the Welsh Highland Railway from the new Caernarfon station for a long trip via Beddgelert around the base of Snowdon to Porthmadog. This was an incredible ride. Then on to Portmeirion, the price for me was included! Great village to walk around. The next day we went to Bodnant Gardens and Llandudno. Your trip brought back recent memories. Did you notice the tubular bridge besides the suspension bridge in Conwy, it’s the railway bridge carrying the main line from Chester to the Holyhead Irish Ferry terminal. Perhaps a rail trip for you? To Ireland through Liverpool and return via Holyhead?

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the comment Peter and some greta tips for next time :) We had a wonderful time in Wales, so glad we have AT LAST visited!

[@thebamfordman]

Highest castle density in Europe. Over 600. If you include the ones along the border, it's certainly the castle capital of the world.

[@elizabethjohnson3123]

Another fantastic video, as a English gal living in Kintrye now, my holidays as a child were predominantly in north Wales & seeing some of the places you visited brought back fond memories.

[@horsehollerer]

Loved the vibe and pace of this series. I feel like I've explored a big chunk of Wales without ever leaving my comically tiny NYC apartment! 🤣Cheers for taking the time to turn so many of your personal experiences into quality content for us. As always, it's the little details and nuances that make for the most compelling content - and these episodes have been chock-full of them!

[@steve-marsh]

Really appreciate it, thanks :)

[@michaelmcginley7930]

Did not realise the cost to get in to portmerion.loved the series but 18 is a bit steep

[@amtrakharry]

Right on !!!

[@barbaracarlisle8930]

Absolutely right decision! Real Wales is better than fake, in my opinion! There is plenty to do for free in that beautiful country. So many interesting “back roads” discoveries to be made. Loved this series and the memories….

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Barbara! This trip was a great introduction to Wales for us and so many reasons to return!

[@russellb1212]

Well worth the money if you had, lovely walks and fabulous architecture in Portmeiron, but, you would have been there all day and missed the other lovely sights you did see,

[@steve-marsh]

Yeah good point, time was just as valuable a commodity :)

[@gwynforroberts9434]

"Don't go there Dion" 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Glad you both enjoyed your visit to our little Nation Blimey, you put the miles in, some long days there Remember, Conwy and Caernarfon castles were built to oppress the Welsh. , not a tourist attraction: although thats what they have become! Conversley, Portmeirion is totally a amajical place which you really should put on your list for next time, and i'm sure there will be a next time, but i can't guarantee the same weather !

[@steve-marsh]

Ah I need to read more of the history!

[@123bwlch]

@@steve-marsh 4 llll in a row. 2 are end of a word and other 2 begining of a word.

[@davidcross47]

Big mistake Steve. Portmeirion is worth £18 all day long of anyone’s money. It’s an architectural landmark. It’s certainly not a theme park. To go to North Wales without visiting Portmeirion is a waste of a journey. Also you missed Porthmadog, where the steam railway runs along the beach & the high street. And Anglesey is a completely dull waste of time, apart from Llanfair.

[@steve-marsh]

To be honest, we were pushed for time so couldn't have got value from it. When filming especially we don't get the time to properly enjoy it, maybe once we've watched some prisoner, and maybe have at least half a day, we could do it.

[@Steeyuv]

Next time you go, stay there for a couple of nights - Portmeirion is magical.

[@ianmaddams9577]

I live in Garndolbemaen many yrs ago when I was an climbing instructor. And some of the best and most memorable times in and around north wales.

[@howarddavies2483]

One MAJOR miss and a jewel in the crown on the Welsh coast was…..ABERAERON….try to revisit at some stage

[@rdgreeley]

Good decision.

[@petergoddard1960]

A lovely surprise for Hump Day! This whole series of your Wales trip has been excellent, you certainly packed plenty in. Alicjia is always delightful.

[@steve-marsh]

I wish Alicja could be there every week :)

[@petergoddard1960]

@@steve-marsh ALL the video's are great Steve, truly among the best in my book.

[@carlapires7732]

Loving the re-discovering of the UK's landmarks as well as unseen, hidden gems through your eyes! 😎

[@morganthedruid1]

I've never heard of you guys but you popped up in my feed on the first Welsh video and i've followed the story since, really impressed with the casual professionalism of your channel and how well you edit the experience.

[@steve-marsh]

We really appreciate it and hope you'll hang around for more! Alicja can't always join me, but it's always a blast when she does :) Thanks again!

[@Broadercasting]

Welcome to my patch! I live in Deganwy between Conwy and Llandudno. You passed the village centre in the previous video where you can see Conwy Castle from the opposite bank of the estuary. It's a great place to live. LLandudno has economically fared much better than some of the other local resorts. It was interesting you thought the North Wales coast road (18:16) has an Italian feel. I call the stretch of the A55 from Llanfairfechan to Conwy as 'The North Wales Corniche'.

[@spangles365]

Hi Steve as a Scotsman i lived in North Wales for around 6 years with my German wife and i loved it, the Welsh people were amazing and so is the scenery as you have just shown, cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much both! Love how friendly everyone was :)

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

@@steve-marshincluding that gorgeous and welcoming Welsh cat - such a sweetheart ❤

[@ericlackford6718]

Some 10 years ago before I was on dialysis my wife and I took our little Romahome from Orkney, where we were living, down to Wales via the Lake district. We were out for 5 weeks. We stopped at every preserved railway and every castle where we climbed every step in every tower we got access to. Started at Llandudno and worked our way round the coast, into the mountains, into the Brecon Beacons etc. We joined the National trust for Wales and got free entry. ( Used Tesco vouchers and saved a fortune) Some of the most spectacular roads in Britain around North Wales. We can recommend the slate museum at Llanberris. Home via Chester, Manchester, West Yorkshire and then North. Your vids have brought back so many happy memories. Thankyou.

[@galloway9707]

We were at Portmeiron last year. It was brilliant and well worth the entrance charge. Truly different to anything else we had seen, and references to the now ancient Prisoner series that was filmed there were good. I think you should visit next time.

[@steve-marsh]

The main problem was being pushed for time, £36 was too much for the hour we had, maybe next time :)

[@galloway9707]

Understand. Your videos are excellent and I look forward to watching them. I took my family to Peterhead Prison musuem off the back of one of your visits. Keep up the great work.

[@broadsword6650]

Do Portmeirion properly and book a night in the village hotel (almost the whole village is a hotel) and you can explore the village in peace and quiet once the day trippers have left. It is a wonderful place.

[@ToilerOnTheSea]

@@steve-marsh needs a minimum of half a day, so you were quite right not going in.

[@barrybarnes1169]

went to llandudno as a kid with my parents in 1966 it is the only place revisited that has improved over the years from my childhood holidays round the uk

[@sheilamoore9506]

Wonderful video of our home area. I’ve lived here since I was 12 and worked in Conwy for 15 years. Town walks are free to walk. Spend loads of time caravanning on Anglesey. Do come back soon. Happy travels 😊😊

[@steve-marsh]

What a WONDERFUL part of the world, really blown away by it!

[@alansmuda9340]

Keep up these wonderful videos with the both of you travelling around, stopping once in a while, taking a wee tour. It's fantastic entertainment. Cheers

[@kevjaffray]

I've enjoyed travelling with you both in Wales, but next time you go, you really should go south and enjoy the magnificent beaches on the Gower Peninsula and the coastline of Pembrokeshire. Wales has some amazing gems on offer.

[@steve-marsh]

Agreed. But we could never do the country justice in our first few days there, great excuse to go back !

[@brentwoodbay]

@@steve-marsh The Gower is great! I had a cousin Mike and he had a motor bike an' 'e could go around the Gower in a quarter of an 'our!

[@charmianjohnson2364]

Spent many a day on a Gower beach. Great beaches big and small

[@brentwoodbay]

In case any one didn't know, this was part of an old rugby song!

[@lornaharkin2126]

Your such a gentleman the way you filmed her walking up the stairs and didn't expose her, well done x

[@enfys02]

I'm a local to Llandudno, its such a lovely town to live by and a lovely surprise to see it in one of your vids! Next time you go to North Wales if you have the time I highly recommend going further in to Betwys-Y-Coed, Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, some stunning views, walks and even a couple of heritage railways :)

[@steve-marsh]

Oh noting these down for next time, thanks so much!

[@MIEJ4]

@@steve-marshplenty time to practice the pronunciation 😂

[@artistinlederhosen]

as an american visiting north wales a few years ago, i ended up calling it “Betsy the co-ed”. it IS a charming place.

[@davidmurphy1527]

Me and the wife both enjoyed this one, thank you both.

[@benpuss]

So much fun when you are together. Enjoy the jokes and banter between you two. Wales looks super gorgeous!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Ben! So much better with Alicja by my side :)

[@peterhunt2723]

Glad you enjoyed , my wife and self have been going from Nottinghamshire to North Wales since 1969 last went 2022….. love it!

[@andrew270298]

We visited that lighthouse and stayed in our van in the car park above it. Once the fog came in the foghorn started and my wife asked if I could turn it off 🧐 The roads are challenging but the scenery is great. My wife is from Latvia and was amazed you got off the train in the dark in zero temperatures and didn’t freeze to death on your trip there. You were very lucky. She was brought up a few stops from where you got off. We are long time subscribers. Keep up with the great content.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much and oh I remember the sinking feeling well from stepping off the train at the wrong station :D

[@dh580]

Glad you enjoyed ma bit, there is normally a great coffee van next to the ice cream van, love your channel guys!

[@jamesrichardson476]

Friends of ours used to live above a little village called Minfford, just over the hill from Portmeirion. They knew a sneaky route over the fields and into the village, avoiding the entrance, thus dodging the ££££ that, even in the nineties, was required to get in. At zero pounds, it's worth a visit but - at nearly twenty quid - not so much :)

[@steve-marsh]

Haha brilliant! Wish we'd known!

[@soudley8]

About half a mile east along the road there is a right turn that takes you to Min Y Traeth parking. From there you can walk along the estuary right up to 'Portmeirion harbour'

[@872trucker]

Loved this video. My wife and I actually did this exact itinerary staying 3 nights in Conwy while travelling between Shrewsbury to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland 2014. Caernarfon Castle was fantastic. But Conwy was amazing having not been restored. Also went into the smallest house as well as the pub nearby. Our lodging was right against the wall of the Castle. Thanks for the memories

[@t.m.warren2124]

What a lovely video! ❤️. I’ve Welsh ancestry so it was lovely to see a bit of the country. And you had two of my favorite things: lighthouses and castles 👍.

[@steve-marsh]

Like you I'm always drawn to a lighthouse or castle :)

[@t.m.warren2124]

@@steve-marsh you need to come visit the State of Michigan. No castles ( as far as I know) but plenty of lighthouses on our Great Lakes.

[@chriswilliams5624]

Thanks!

[@steve-marsh]

Thank YOU Chris!

[@rogermadeley7413]

Glad you enjoyed Wales. Caernarfon castle was originally painted white on the exterior so it could be seen from miles away in fact I think most of Edward 1st's castles that were built on his orders had the same done to them.

[@steve-marsh]

Cool! Thanks for that, I can imagine it!

[@marshallviliesis]

BONUS WEDNESDAY - Thank you! Hope you’re still posting Saturday so I will have more than just the West Ham match to look forward to in a few days!

[@steve-marsh]

Hammers doing alright tonight eh!? Yeah, video on Saturday as normal :)

[@marshallviliesis]

@@steve-marsh Right they did! 👍

[@jayweston9723]

Wow, Alicja wearing a cute dress today, what a treat!!!

[@SteveH-nf2ts]

always assume you will go back. you live so close. WE did 2 weeks there in 2007, absolutely amazing. it would take a long time to see "everything"

[@catherinemunn3519]

You did right with Portmeirion. It's beautiful, but tiny. And if I'm remembering right, the only buildings you can go into are where you can spend more money. If you ever return, Anglesey is worth more of an explore. Lots of lovely coves and beaches.

[@steve-marsh]

It's funny, when planning this few days we almost wondered if we should JUST do Anglesey!

[@wendykettlewell4628]

@@steve-marsh Anglesey's worth a whole programme to itself!

[@john07973]

​@@wendykettlewell4628Seconded

@@steve-marsh Man you gotta do Anglesea + experience the Menai Strait it's beautiful on sunny days.

[@brucewatt1032]

That conversation about the narrow stone steps and being able to defend yourself as a right handed swordsman, is absolutely correct 👌

[@haydn1972]

Next time you're in Llandudno, you must go up The Great Orme, it's stunning 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Oh agreed! It WILL happen!

[@haydn1972]

You can take the Tram, Cable Car, Walk or Drive. For a small toll fee, you can drive around the Great Orme, it's one way all round and it's something else.

[@obifox6356]

Great series! Brings back good memories. We drove around Wales in 1966. My wife has ancestors from Pembroke Dock area.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Portmeirion is nice because the architecture isn’t like anything you’d find outside say the Italian riviera, but unless you’re into the Prisoner (which I kind of liked for its weirdness), then it’s probably not worth £18 each. You actually chose well by not going because you likely wouldn’t have gone to Holyhead and south stack which you saw is pretty awesome. North stack is ok too and not as bad a walk. Happy you got to visit Conwy as it’s beautiful there, but yep it’s a bit touristy. The drive round the great orme (I recall it’s a one way toll road) is actually pretty good and you can drive up the top (vs the train or cable car). Had my bike nicked at Talacre beach when I was 8.. brings back memories 😂

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate! Yeah, I think the fact I was expecting it to be free, £36 for 2 people really hit hard :D

[@ghuntman77773]

Thanks very much for bringing back to me my valued memories with my late mum when we visited Llandudno when we were based in Chester. Great as always

[@Traveller69]

Great stuff...all around Wales.❤ I too was surprised by Llandudno and that was literally to the month 20 years ago, when my then American girlfriend insisted we go there (and Conwy) for her 'American' (Llewellyn) reasons. Great to see both places are still thriving as they were a lovely surprise back then too. Also noted how in 2023, two things only ever happen when a spider appears. You are suddenly 'THE MAN' again circa 1973 and all gender equality is conveniently forgotten! 😂🕷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💪

[@steve-marsh]

Haha brilliant 🕷️

[@GeminiXxX-i2o]

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant !!! Loved it! ❤🎉❤ 🎉❤❤🎉

[@agnieszkamadej186]

Portmeirion is definitely worth visiting, it's very beautiful, feels almost magical. Not many people know about this hidden gem, you've made a big mistake 😮

[@72lukey1]

Thank you for sharing your holiday with us Wales looks fantastic you both packed in so any adventures and have so many great memories especially climbing Snowden well done again to you both happy and safe 2024🎉

[@anthonylewis9753]

Just wanted to say I’ve recently discovered your channel and I’m loving it. Especially the Welsh videos as a proud Cymro! Keep up the awesome work Steve and thank you for it 😊

[@allanmorton6022]

Lovely trip, felt as if I was following Alicja around! Some great locations especially the lighthouse on its island. I think you would have liked quirky portmerion but agree it was too expensive. We also toured Conwy castle which is a good visit but it rained! Amazing weather you had but now it never stops raining!

[@aslandama]

Thanks again for sharing Steve and Alicja.

[@TXMEDRGR]

I was thrilled when you stopped at Caernarfon Castle because I visited in 1973 as a seventeen-year-old. I remember the castle as free but not nearly as well laid out as in your video. There was no museum and the place was absolutely empty in winter. The chair King Charles used for his investiture as Prince of Wales was still there and I sat in it. Thanks for reviving a treasured memory.

[@steve-marsh]

Hey so glad to share a memory (from my year of birth as well!)

[@CharlesRegele]

Enjoyed the video, especially the Lindsey Abraham music. I'm becoming a fan,

[@jennifers8223]

that cat was cute and very friendly

[@steve-marsh]

He deserved a tip but we had no cat treats :(

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

I like the little swing bridge for pedestrians. We have 4 in Inverness, 3 for vehicles and 1 for trains. Carnarvon looks fabulous, love it.

[@steve-marsh]

I need to do a video on all the Inverness ones!

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

@@steve-marsh It’s a great walk. Clachnaharry, Muirton and Tomnahurich ( hill of the fairies )

[@namco21]

So nice video,and so fine landscape.And Alicja trided to surf,but she will do better next time.

[@Mr3213215]

Such walks is definitely are not easy, especially after that mountain climb. Thank, have a nice day.

[@bgoode2903]

Very Enjoyable Chilling with the Content both of you create Steve..! 😇

[@liverpoolk648]

Hi Steve and Alicja...Liverpool Kev here...Thank you for another witty and interesting video...I know how difficult it is to choose between attractions...none are particularly cheap and it's easy to let costs get out of hand.....A couple of years ago I did the opposite to you and went into Portmeirion and walked outside Carnarvon Castle....I loved Portmeirion...I thought it was fascinating as a tribute to Clogh Williams-Eliis's lifetime obsession...I can understand why you thought it may be a 'theme park' but I really enjoyed it....I loved Carnarvon too....I went in a Greek Restaurant...they said I need to have a booking...I walked outside...rang...made a booking and walked back in...still laugh about that...Thanks again you two...Kind regards as ever....Liverpool Kev

[@kevinoates1910]

Another great video thank you. We have now pencilled in a trip to North Wales in the new year

[@LeeLeesAdventures]

Yes it is an amazing place the drive round the orme is amazing thought you would have done that as you was there. But you can always go back

[@eddiequinn1335]

Nice to see it all again through your lens . Many thanks .

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Eddie!

[@robertblechle6365]

Been through the mountains of Wales. The coast was beautiful and seemed to be a great brake for the kids

[@sylviawitcheecomrie37]

Wales looks so beautiful. A place I've never really visited. Thank you for this wee extra video. Its blowing a hooly outside now here.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Sylvia! Stay safe there!

[@tripawayinsafehands]

We stayed at a lovely little B&B at South Stack - views over the ocean. Beautiful country😊

[@steamisbest]

Really enjoyed the videos. BTW you two crease me up every time you get in the van, Hi, Hi, anybody would think you hadn't seen each other for at least 5 seconds, just love it.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha yup, what are we like :D

[@devosreynaert9873]

Great trip with fantastic music Best regards from the Netherlands.

[@darrens7973]

I was looking foward to this. Sometimes the best adventures are when things don't go according to plan, so it was still enjoyable to watch.

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks for another cracking trip,glad you enjoyed it so much 😊

[@nct948]

In April, I joined a coach tour to North Wales. We were based in Llandudno for 5 days and travelled daily from there. When you go back to Llandudno and the day is pleasant, make sure you take the cable cars up the Great Orme, and walk back down the hill towards the pier on the left, down to Happy Valley and its lovely gardens. we drove to Anglesey over Britannia Bridge as you did and visited the village with the longest name (but not the station). We only visited Beaumaris there, as the roads were too narrow for the coach. For me the highlight of the trip and my reason for selecting it was the included visit to Portmarion. I had wanted to go there after seeing a few extracts from 'The Prisonner', an early British semi-science fiction thriller that still has a large group of followers. We were so lucky that the day was just perfect for it, you could have been somewhere in a Mediterranean bay. The whole village was created as an Italianate folly, surrounded by an attractive forest. You can't fail to marvel as you walk along the coast along a sea so clear you can see multiple hues of sands and rocks shimmering in the sunlight. Up the hills to the dogs' cemetery where people pile up sticks as offerings, down to the Japanese garden raining cherry blossoms over paths and ponds and back to the intricacy of the village itself with paths twisting and turning, surprising you at every angle with a new vista. For me, it was just one of these perfect days. but the weather was just radiant without being hot. Another place which I would recommend if you can tear yourself away from the coast is Betws-y-Coed. The coach stopped there for a couple of hours on the way back, but I would love to go back for a few days to walk among the hills there. I do love visiting Wales but had only toured in Powys and East of Snowdonia. Powys castle and its gardens, Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall and Lake Vyrrnwy with its fairy tale small tower ,I strongly recommend.

[@andywillis2650]

Another excellent video Steve, you guys certainly enjoy your time away - lots of great Castles & coastlines. Here's to the next one !

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Andy!

[@issy7465]

I’m Australian, however all my In Laws are Scottish. It still amazes me how they go for day trips in an entirely different area of the UK, or even a different country! I can’t wait to go back to visit.

[@mysteryman5826]

It has been many years since I went there but yes I really enjoyed it and it is beautiful

[@michaelhamer1277]

great videos guys, been to wales so many time and the places you visited. im from manchester but lived on orkney now for some 26 years.. so your island trips were interesting too steve..cheers..mick

[@stevewilson8467]

Legend has it that if you touch the cannon it makes someone sneeze. Loved this mini series, looking forward to my trip to North Wales next April even more now!

[@busdrivinpj]

I love exploring with the two of you! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. You do it so well!

[@brycehermon5939]

Another excellent and enjoyable video thanks Steve. I hope you have survived storm Ciaran. Keep safe.

[@paulharvey9149]

Last time I was in Llandudno, there wasman open top bus down the Conwy Valley to Betws-y-Coed and then back up towards Snowdon, where it terminated in a rough car park called Pen-y-Pass - and you transferred onto another open-top bus that continued to Llanberis - from which my friend and I got the Snowdon Mountain Railway to - I'm sure you can guess! The train ride to Blaenau Ffestiniog is worth doing too, as just on the final approach to Blaenau you go through this incredibly long tunnel and then emerge into the most surreal landscape ever... The town's not much to write home about, but you you can't go there and not do the slate mine tour... The narrow guage railway is pretty good too - you can complete a round trip back via Minffordd & the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon - alas, they're not cheap. Oh - and do go up the Great Orme Tramway - there's actually two, as you have to change at a station called Halfway - as it kind of is...!! We also went to a male voice choir performance, which should be fitted in if at all possible - it was in one of the big churches you passed on the left just before you drive through Llandudno town centre. The East Beach with the pier at the end was also sandy when we were there - I think there's a local campaign to get it back that way, too!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for this mate, top tips fro next time :)

[@brucewatt1032]

Once again, thanks for sharing your travels - it brought back a lot of great memories Steve 👍

[@janetsmith2647]

I’m an American, but I was also in LLandudno many years ago. Visited the beach on a windy day as well, so didn’t stay long. I was sooo excited that you stopped there. 😍😍😍