Summary

The author recounts a day trip to Wales, including an attempt to climb Mount Snowdon, visits to Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, and Swallow Falls, and reflects on the pros and cons of traveling by coach.

Abstract

In a personal travelogue, the author shares their experience of a day trip to Wales during a bank holiday weekend, detailing the journey from Liverpool to Snowdonia. The narrative includes a brief climb up the Llanberis path of Mount Snowdon, where the author ponders whether their partial ascent counts as having climbed the mountain. Despite struggling with chronic pain, the author finds the views rewarding and expresses a desire to return and complete the climb. The trip also features stops in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed and at the natural Swallow Falls. Throughout the coach tour, the author encounters a mix of fellow travelers, from inconsiderate young men to an intriguing elderly Colombian man, and muses on the etiquette of group travel. The article concludes with a balanced reflection on the benefits and drawbacks of coach tours, and a mention of the tour company used.

Opinions

The author is ambivalent about whether their partial ascent of Mount Snowdon qualifies as having climbed the mountain.
The author appreciates the convenience of a coach tour, such as not having to drive and the structured itinerary, but also notes the downsides, including the lack of control over fellow passengers and the schedule.
The author had a negative initial experience with a seatmate who invaded their personal space but found the situation improved after switching seats.
The author regrets not being able to communicate more deeply with an elderly Colombian man due to a language barrier.
The author finds the Whatsapp group created for tour communication to be a potential source of rudeness, based on a comment about the onboard music.
The author enjoys the scenery and the charm of Welsh village names, as well as the natural beauty of Swallow Falls, despite the limited time to appreciate them.
The author is considering a future trip to fully conquer Mount Snowdon, indicating a positive overall experience despite some discomforts and a longing for deeper connections with fellow travelers.

Travel | Wales

I’ve Climbed Mount Snowdon — I Think

Day Trip in Wales — Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, and Swallow Falls

Our group walking up Mount Snowdon — © image taken by author

Wales and more specifically Snowdonia have been on my list. Now I think I can tick it off. Well, I’ve almost done it, so I’m taking it as a win. 🤔

Bank holiday weekend in the UK means we get an extra day off on a Monday. To make the weekend worthwhile, I decided to take a day trip to Wales.

I’m not keen on driving on windy roads, or getting stuck in bank holiday traffic, so a coach tour seemed the obvious choice. Spurred on by Autistic Widower ("AJ") photos in Wales, I thought why not?

Eight Photos From My Holiday in North Wales

I took over nine hundred photos, so it took a while to select eight

autisticwidower.medium.com

The coach set off from Liverpool City center at 8.30 am.

On Board the Coach

I know Michele Maize (The Sober Vegan Yogi) has had a bad experience with bus tours. As a single traveler, I had the opposite experience of her family, single travelers have no choice about who sits next to them.

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Bus Tour

One and done for me

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I always hope for someone not too chatty but interesting enough that we can share a bit of the trip.

A young lad with no sense of personal space sat down next to me, spread himself out, and squashed me in. Separated from his friend who was a row behind, they start to hold loud conversations, even speaking over the tour leader much to the annoyance of those around them.

If they had asked, I would have moved. Rather annoyed by this time, I offered to swap seats, giving up my prime window position for an aisle seat next to another stranger.

This time I found myself seated next to an elderly man. He told me he was 78 years. His English was limited but he explained that he was from Colombia and was visiting the UK, it was one last life adventure. I wished I had been able to speak Spanish as he seemed an interesting man. I had a hundred questions I wanted to ask, but we just smiled, gestured, and pointed in awe at the scenery around us.

Why are people on coach trips so rude?

We were all added to a Whatsapp group so the tour guide could provide key information like reminders of what time to get back on board etc.

Someone wrote in the group about the onboard music playing “Could you please put on any other song because the one you chose is not good”. I mean there’s a way to say it right? Or maybe this reflects the caliber of the group on board, I hoped that the day would improve.

Two hours later, we arrived at Llanberis which is one of the starting points to get to the summit of Snowdonia.

How Long Does It Take to Walk Up Llanberis Path?

If you were to walk the 9 miles (14.5km) up this popular path to Snowdonia’s summit, there and back, it would take on average 5–7 hours.

We walked for 2 hours. An hour up the path, then back down.

I’m figuring that if I only went about a quarter of the way up, does it count? Can I still say I’ve climbed Snowdon? 🤔

I was happy to get that far, considering that I am struggling with chronic pain, and am suffering the consequences the day after. The views were worth it.

View on the path walking up Llanberis path, Snowdonia — © image taken by author

The Llanberis path was well marked, it is said to be the easiest and most popular of the six main paths to the summit of Snowdon. The sections I completed, steepened gradually.

We passed two lakes and stopped at the second, where there was the chance for dipping your feet in the water.

Maybe in the future, I will come back and get to the top of Snowdon and give it a full tick.

Our group taking in the sights on Snowdon — © image taken by author

Is The Village of Betws-y-Coed Worth Visiting?

We then had an hour and a half stop for lunch in this charming village.

Aren’t the Welsh names so interesting?

Here’s how to say Betws-y-Coed.

Betws-y-Coed village sign — © image taken by author

The restaurants and cafes were heaving, I was glad for my packed lunch. There were some interesting art and craft shops to browse around.

Art around the village using recycled materials — © image taken by author

Gushing At The Natural Swallow Falls

There’s something magical about natural waterfalls. I could sit and watch them all day long, but we only had 30 minutes for this final stop.

What are the Pros of Coach Tours

You don’t have to drive.

The hassle is taken out of where to park, how to get there etc.

The day is planned out for you.

Tried and tested tour routes.

Pack a lot into a short time.

Can sit back and enjoy the scenery. 🌲🌄⛰️

Some Cons of Coach Tours

You have no choice of fellow passengers. 🤦🏽‍♀️

You are not in control of the itinerary.

Waiting at services for toilet stops with a coach load is not fun.

Can’t leave when you are ready.

Feels like you are herded around as there is a time agenda to follow. 🐑🐑

Waiting for that one always late passenger who strolls in without a care for anyone else!! 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♂️🙄

Coach Tours Aren’t So Bad Afterall, Are They?

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Coach Tour was with Wearedaytripper £39 for an adult.