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Wales Tours & Travel Guide
Wales is wedged into the southwestern corner of Great Britain, bordering England, the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel. While small, with just nine percent of the United Kingdom’s land, it still packs a punch! You’ll find medieval castles, misty mountains, rugged coastlines, vibrant cities, delightful villages, scenic train rides, and a hearty dose of thriving traditional Welsh culture.
When touring Great Britain, there’s really no reason not to go to Wales – and every reason to go.
Situated just to the west of south-central England, Wales enjoys easy access from Bristol, Bath, Liverpool and other English cities. Its scenery matches the finest in all the British Isles, and it’s rich in history and culture.
It’s also quirky in various endearing ways, with its seemingly unpronounceable place names (the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch being the most extreme example), its Victorian-era steam trains, and its legacy of Celtic myth steeped in the mists of time.
By the way, the world’s longest place name (above) translates as "St. Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St.Tysilio near the Red Cave." So now you know.
Wales is also well known for producing some of the finest singers and actors in the world. Tom Jones (Green Green Grass of Home) and Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger) are two of the most famous Welsh singers, their distinctive voices unmistakable. Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, and the late Richard Burton also hail from Wales.
Here are some of the other highlights you may encounter on your tour of Wales:
Over 600 medieval castles dominate hilltops and other locations scattered throughout Wales. If you love being able to see and touch historical castle ruins that reveal much about the time they were built and the people who lived there, then Wales is your kind of place.
The castles in Wales tell the story of how the country ultimately became part of the Britain. Some were built by the English as defensive strongholds and conquered outposts. Some were built to keep the English out. Royal intrigue of course is woven throughout their histories - contributing to the fabric of British history in countless ways.
Here are some top castles to visit on your next trip in Wales:
1. Pembroke Castle - birthplace of King Henry VII, Pembroke is a well-intact castle with a few hidden secrets. Be sure to go on a guided walk around the castle for extensive historical information and context.
2. Caerphilly - the largest castle in Wales, Caerphilly is located in South Wales and is truly a remarkable site to visit. Constructed in the 13th century, the castle is surrounded by extensive grounds and water features. Family friendly events and activities make this a popular destination for travelers and locals alike.
3. Harlech - often called one of the finest examples of 13th and 14th century medieval castle architecture, this castle was a key battle site during the War of the Roses. Seeming to rise out of sheer rock, it is imposing today.
But it would have been even more imposing at the time it was built, when the ocean came right up to the very edge - rendering the castle virtually impossible to attack by surprise. Today you can wander the battlements taking in beautiful ocean and countryside views.
The cliff-side Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a favorite, as is the walk to Worm’s Head at the tip of the Gower Peninsula. If you’re joining an extended walking tour, you can traverse all or parts of the lengthy Wales Coast Path.
You can also hike up (or down) 3,500-foot-high Mount Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak, in Snowdonia National Park.
The steam-hauled, narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Mountain Railway and Welsh Highland Railway travel 40 miles through scenic Snowdonia National Park and connect the communities of Caernarfon, Beddgelert, Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog,
The standard gauge Llangollen Steam Railway runs along the banks of the River Dee from Llangollen to Corwen.
Horse-drawn boat trips ply the Llangollen Canal as in yesteryear.
Huge Snowdonia National Park is known for its lakes, landscapes, and panoramic views, which can be accessed by steam train or hiking trails as well as cars and buses. The region is a center of Welsh language and culture.
In Brecon Beacons National Park, you’ll encounter a plethora of castles atop scenic mountain ridges.
Head to Pembrokeshire National Park for memorable cliff-side walkways.
Only a shell of the 12th-century Tintern Abbey remains, its top open to the sky, but its setting is hauntingly beautiful.
Hay-on-Wye may well feature more bookstores per square foot than any other town in the world, with bookshops lining its stone-walled streets.
Cardiff, the capital city, is worth a look, for its Gothic castle with extravagant interiors, museums, and active bayside wharf area.
Welsh food is hearty, mostly healthy, and rustic. They don’t stand on much ceremony, but serve solid seafaring meals using primarily local produce.
Some classic Welsh dishes you must sample on your trip include:
1. Welsh Rabbit - this dish is actually not rabbit at all, and the cause of some amusing confusion among travelers. In fact Welsh Rabbit is like an open-faced grilled cheese. Commonly served with a savory tomato jam and simple salad, it makes for the perfect pick me up during the day or as a breakfast treat.
2. Classic Welsh Breakfast - Wales tours very often feature a few nights in bed and breakfasts or guest houses. These establishments are warm, familial, and welcoming - and you will usually be offered the choice of a “Welsh breakfast” in the morning, usually cooked by the host. A Welsh breakfast consists of sausage, bacon, fried egg, toast, black pudding, and cooked tomatoes and mushrooms.
3. Laverbread - Another item you may find as a part of your Welsh breakfast, Laverbread is a classic Welsh delicacy which is basically 100% pureed seaweed. Similar in divisiveness to vegemite when it comes to foreign palates. The flavor is very strong and salty - but if you are game, you aren’t likely to find Laverbread anywhere else so definitely take advantage of trying it while in Wales. The Welsh typically spread it on toast or crackers.
Patrice Demski
Oct 2023
This itinerary gave us a wonderful taste of both Great Britian and Ireland. We were part of big city, and small town cultures. The itinerary kept us hopping, but w...
Glenna Lee
Oct 2023
We enjoyed this tour, but realized while taking part that we would not choose another tour that required 2 days of "ferry". We originally wanted a tour that showed...
Trusted Customer
Sep 2023
The tours was everything I had planned for and then some. However, some not all hotels were subpar for what I had expected. As for the coach read my previous commen...
Trusted Customer
Sep 2023
Visited many many places and had a great experience
Connie Mahone
Sep 2023
clean, friendly and close to cities amenities
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