A new 'Great Railway Journey of the World', to rival trains like Switzerland's Glacier Express, is in prospect for Wales following the announcement of plans to complete the scenic Welsh Highland Railway. The Welsh Assembly Government has pledged grants of £5 million to build the last 13 miles of the line through the Snowdonia National Park, linking Caernarfon with Porthmadog and the existing Ffestiniog steam railway.

Though construction of the new narrow-gauge line will not be complete until 2008, visitors can already ride the first 13 miles between Caernarfon, and Rhyd Ddu, at the foot of Mount Snowdon, reached in July 2003 and opened by HRH The Prince of Wales. Steam trains follow a twisting route, climbing into the mountains and providing an unusual way of getting 'off-the-beaten-track'. Caernarfon, known for its 13th century castle, is 263 miles north-west of London.

Website: www.festrail.co.uk