JollyDays Supported Holidays - Blog

  Wales - Castles, Coast & Steam Trains Our JollyDays group set off for a week of history, scenery, and steam-powered fun in beautiful Wales.  Steam trains were a highlight of the holiday. Riding the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway , we savoured the gentle chug of the engine, the fresh countryside air, and the nostalgic views of fields, valleys, and wildflowers. A scenic stop at Devil’s Bridge offered the thrill of watching steam engines puff along the Vale of Rheidol Railway and the drama of waterfalls plunging 90 metres into the gorge below. We visited  Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye, a place where Norman fortifications meet Jacobean elegance. We wandered through restored rooms, enjoyed drinks on the terrace overlooking the Black Mountains, and even took part in some playful role-play with castle “royalty.”  Borth Beach and Aberystwyth’s seafront gave us sun, sea, and sand, with a paddle in the waves and ice creams to cool off from the summer heat. Evenings ...

  Austria, Sound of Music Tour  Our Austrian adventure began  as we set off for a week in Dorfgastein, excited to explore the breathtaking scenery and iconic Sound of Music locations.  Guided by our expert guide Mitch, we explored filming locations that brought the beloved story to life. At Schloss Leopoldskron , we imagined the Von Trapp children splashing into the lake, Maria dancing on the balcony during the ball, and the family’s lemonade scene with the Baroness. Wolfgangsee Lake amazed us with its emerald waters and mountainous backdrop.  At  Nonnberg Abbey , we discovered where Maria first sought sanctuary, before passing  Schloss Frohnburg , the Von Trapp family mansion. We visited the famous  Gazebo  where Liesl and Rolf sang “16 Going on 17,” now relocated to Schloss Hellbrunn to preserve it for visitors. At  St Michael’s Church , we admired the pink twin-towered parish where Maria and Georg were married, and finally, at  ...