Wales, United Kingdom [Image by David Mark from Pixabay]Wales may be tiny, but it offers an amazing array of attractions, including wilderness areas, idyllic beaches and historic castles. The UK nation even has its own language, which can often be heard in the streets and in some of the traffic signs. Who can forget the name of the tongue-in-cheek town:
Luckily, Wales is easy to navigate despite this. Read on to find out more about Wales, its scenic wilderness, its castles, and its beautiful beaches.
Explore the wilderness of Wales
Gower Three Cliffs Bay, Wales [Image by Harry Burgess from Pixabay]Wales offers a beautifully diverse scenery that is ideal for walking, hiking and biking. Moreover, this UK nation offers more than 230 nature reserves, including the Gower Peninsula in the south.
Declared an Area of Outstanding Beauty, the peninsula has 270 miles of walking trails, taking explorers through the high ridges above Worm’s Head, to the salt marshes of the Burry Inlet.
Wye Valley [Image by Krisztina Papp from Pixabay]For another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, head to the Wye Valley, which features lowland landscapes. Meanwhile, for those seeking mountains, Snowdonia National Park is the place to be. Here the impressive Snowdon soars over lakes, forests and pretty villages, like Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed. Moreover, Brecon Beacons National Park in the south features ancient woodlands, beautiful waterfalls and caves to explore.
Brecon Beacons National Park [Image by David Mark from Pixabay]Anglesey in the northwest of Wales offers a 125-mile coastal path to enjoy, passing various habitats for birdwatchers to enjoy, as well as some of the oldest rock formations in the United Kingdom. However, one hidden gem is the Llŷn Peninsula in the north, featuring sheer black cliffs at Mynydd Mawr, as well as hill forts dating from the Iron Age.
Visit historic castles
Conwy Castle, Wales [Image by ian kelsall from Pixabay]The Welsh landscape seems to feature castles everywhere, with some keeping watch over mountain passes. Other castles lie in ruins, while more, like Caernarfon Castle, still stand proudly in the cities of Wales. Some, like Conwy Castle (pictured above), are very well-preserved, as well as the lovely Powis Castle and Garden, part of the National Trust in Welshpool.
Besides castles, the landscape is littered with older, mysterious stones, such as standing stones, stone circles and dolmens, erected here before written history.
Head to the beaches of Wales
Welsh beach [Image by Roman Grac from Pixabay]Most travelers might not think of Wales as a beach destination, as its climate isn’t exactly tropical. However, the nation offers a beautiful coastline of pretty beaches. When the sun is shining, these strips of sand are ideal for relaxation and the creation of sandcastles.
For those travelers with enough energy, the Wales Coast Path runs the entire length of the country’s coastline, giving access to all its beaches.
Warm Welsh hospitality
Beach in Tenby [Image by Tim Hill from Pixabay]One thing visitors notice right away is the welcoming and friendly nature of the Welsh people. When visiting the local pubs and cafés, the locals are often heard speaking their ancient tongue, Cymraeg y Gymraeg, a Brittonic language of the Celtic family. One word will stick in the mind, as visitors hear it a lot during a visit to Wales. “Hiraeth” is a term that relates to homesickness and a longing for the green, green grass of home. You are warned that after enjoying a vacation in Wales, you might experience the sense of “hiraeth” yourself when you arrive home.