Beatles 50, Liverpool & North Wales, can include Led Zeppelin’s Bron-Yr-Aur

Depart Manchester and make the short drive into the Beatles’ home city of Liverpool. What a huge amount to discover here! In addition to the Beatles, this interesting small city has a rich Maritime heritage.

Begin with our very own version of a Magical Mystery Tour of Beatles sites including Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, Jacaranda, St George's Church, boyhood homes & hangouts, Liverpool Art College... Entrance into The Beatles Story Museum will be included.

The rest of the day will be spent around the Albert Dock area. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an attraction in itself, boasting many memorabilia shops, great cafes & restaurants, a Tate gallery, Liverpool Life Museum, where you can see some of Stuart Sutcliffe’s paintings, the moving Maritime Museum, with its permanent displays on The Titanic, and the poignant Slavery Museum, presenting the sad history of the city’s connections to the slave trade. Nearby is the huge shopping complex Liverpool One for those that want to delve into some retail therapy.

This evening spend a night out on the town in The Cavern Club!

ON: Liverpool – option the stay at the premium Beatles themed Hard Days Night Hotel or you can stay at a property near the Albert Docks

This morning, the option of joining the 10:00 National Trust Boyhood Homes tour of John and Paul (subject to availability, these small group tours operate on a first come/first serve basis. Early booking is strongly recommended.)

Later make the way across the border into Wales! We begin with a photo stop in the market town of Mold, where the Beatles played the Assembly Hall in January, 1963. In 2005, journalist Elly Roberts began a campaign to install plaques commemorating the Beatles early days. The lads enjoyed time in Y Pentan Pub next door prior to their gig.

If there’s time and interest, we can also enjoy a visit to Bodnant Welsh Food where you can sample local specialties. Within the centre, explore the award winning farm shop and perhaps sample Bodnant’s own produce, local cheeses and treats such as Welsh cakes. A delightful introduction to the wonders of Wales.

The rest our day we will spend in the walled castle town of Conwy and the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, which will be our North Wales base. The pier is a lovely place for a walk, dotted with cafes and a nice place to watch the boats go by, and there is a fabulous funicular offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It was here in Llandudno, at a short residency at the Odeon Cinema in August 1963, that the full weight of “Beatlemania” really became apparent.

ON: Llandudno

The iconic Caernarfon Castle, a fairy tale like structure built as part of Edward I domination programme of the 13th century, is our first port of call. Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales’s 641 castles. The castle’s majestic persona is no architectural accident, it was designed as the dream castle, ‘the fairest that ever man saw’ of Welsh myth and legend.

Also time in Bangor, the oldest city in Wales, set on the shores of the Menai Straits. It was here that the Fab Four was attending a conference on Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi when they learned of Brian Epstein’s death. Sgt Pepper had just been released and The Beatles were on top of the world! The Beatles arrived in the company of Cynthia Lennon, Pattie Harrison, her sister Jenny Boyd, Alexis 'Magic Alex' Mardas, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull – and with a huge throng of press and fans following! The visit may have only lasted 3 days but has left a lasting imprint on Bangor.

This afternoon, a bit of time around the Isle of Anglesey. It is in this gorgeous environment that William and Kate chose as their first home together. This ancient and mystic island is full of prehistoric burial chambers, Celtic and Viking settlements, fabulous flora and fauna, and the village with the World’s longest name – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrndrobwllllandysilliogogogoch, where we can enjoy a photo opportunity. Spoilt for choice as to how we spend the remains of our day!

ON: Llandudno, same property as above

Today, some driving through the amazing scenery of Snowdonia National Park. This is one of dominating peaks, the highest in England and Wales, featuring narrow mountain passes, flowing streams, cascading waterfalls, sheep-covered uplands and verdant, hidden valleys. Certainly, an ancient Welsh culture and language still thrives here! Our day will include a steam train journey through the mountains.

A glimpse of Llyn Pennisula visiting the beach resort of Pwllheli. It was here that a young Ringo Starr, playing a summer season with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, was invited to join a rival band called The Beatles. Pwllheli's popular open-air market (Wednesdays and Sundays in Summer) is held in the square and is always busy. The town is full of character with its narrow streets which have many independent shops, boutiques, traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as award-winning fish and chips, traditional Welsh ice-cream and seaside rock to sample.

Today or tomorrow, visit scenic Harlech Castle, another 13 century Edward I fortification, perched spectacularly on cliff rocks. Welsh leader and hero Owain Glyn Dwr took over Harlech in 1404 and a long siege here during the Wars of the Roses inspired the stirring song Men of Harlech. On our Beatles theme, as if we needed an excuse to visit, it was that song that attracted a young Paul and George to hitchhike here. During their time in Harlech, they hung out and played with locals – even in the basement of the local barbershop!

Tonight stay in the lower part of Snowdonia for a Led Zeppelin adventure tomorrow. Alternatively, return back to Llandudno tonight to visit Llangollen area and Chester tomorrow en-route back to Manchester for a 5 day/4 night ‘Beatles only’ tour. As this is a custom tour, how many days/where you visit is your choice.

ON: Machynlleth area, Snowdonia (or another night in Llandudno if you don’t want to do Bron-Yr-Aur tomorrow.)

More time in the amazing scenery of Snowdonia National Park, Over the Hills and Far Away! Today we turn our attention to another music legend Led Zeppelin. Today will be a meandering day in this breathtaking landscape that inspired much of Zeppelin III. Explore Corris, site of the slate quarry and Dolgath Falls where parts of the No Quarter video was filmed. The highlight of the day is sure to be the famed Bron-Yr-Aur.

ON: Machynlleth area, Snowdonia

For our final day together, more wonderful scenery is in store! Nearby scenic Lake Bala, visit Llangollen, the small town that ‘Welcomes the World’ each year as host to the Wales International Music Festival. Our drive today will take us via Carrog and Horseshoe Pass, places of McCartney family events. Horseshoe Pass reaches a height of 417 metres, winding in a horseshoe shape around the sides of a valley, giving the pass its name.

Later visit the English town of Chester, another walled city, founded by the Romans along the River Dee. There’s plenty to enjoy here such as a fine cathedral, Roman remains including part of an amphitheatre and shopping opportunities in the unique mediaeval ‘rows.’

Return to Manchester this evening.

Please note that your final day to day itinerary may fluctuate to accommodate variable opening times/days for listed attractions, special events and places of interest. Please discuss your needs with us for an individual itinerary with rate quote.

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This itinerary is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

London Booking Contact: 0790 552 4717

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