Another great holiday idea Spend a few more days in Wales is a tip from the guest travel writers at Europe & Beyond a travel blog with lots of holiday ideas.
Winter weather is on the way – but there’s no need to batten down the hatches and hibernate until spring dawns again! Make winter 2014 the time to try something new, go somewhere fresh and keep away the seasonal slump which can come along at this time of year. And we’ve got a great idea for the ideal destination for a hotel short break – Wales!
With an interesting culture, glorious coastline and marvelous mountains, Wales offers something for everyone from the most adrenalin-pumped activity break to a serene relaxing spa trip – the choice is yours!
Here’s three top activities suggested by the Good Hotel Guide for wonderful weekend in Wales.
Wonderful Walking
Pull on your boots and head off to see some of the best countryside that the UK can offer. There’s a lot of walking to choose from. The Wales Coast Path opened in 2012, the world’s first uninterrupted route along a national coast. It runs for 870 miles – so don’t try it all at once! Pick a stretch you fancy and enjoy! The paths runs past some great sights and sites – beaches, estuaries, cliffs and some historic castles.
Try the Brecon Beacons National Park for a range of walks from well-marked strolls to longer challenging rambles through picturesque river valleys and catch sight of numerous waterfalls. Try a hike up the famous Pen y Fan or a flatter walk along the Monmouthshire canal.
If you’ve got lofty ambitions then head to Wales’ highest mountain – Snowdon. The majestic mount is 3,560 ft tall and its name comes from the old English for snow hill. It takes about five or six hours to hike to the top so plan your time properly – or take advantage of the railway to take the strain.
Remember the weather in Wales can be changeable so make sure you’re prepared for a change in weather. Make sure your boots are comfy – and you’ve got a camera to capture the beautiful scenery!
Cracking Cities
As well as wonderful scenery, Wales has some of the most buzzing cities in the UK. If you’re after a retail hit, a night on the town or some arts and culture then you won’t be let down.
Cardiff is Wales’ capital city and the ninth largest in the UK yet it still retains a green feeling with delightful charm. Its shopping centre, St David’s, offers a 21st century shopping experience with most of the High Street’s most popular names across a spacious shopping area.
Get your cultural fix by looking at the history of this intriguing country at the National Museum of Wales or try the Cardiff Story for a welcome break from the shops. Don’t miss St Fagans: the National History Museum which is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country.
Wales’ second biggest city is Swansea, with a beautiful marina. There’s a diverse choice of shops and an exciting variety of galleries and museums for young and old visitors. Try the interactive National Waterfront Museum or spend some time perusing the Swansea Museum.
When the night falls, head to one of the many attractions – from welcoming pubs, renowned nightclubs, and a casino too.
Historic Attractions
Could Wales be the capital for castles? Wherever you go in Wales you won’t be far from the historic buildings as there are more than 500 castles – in fact Wales has more castles than any other country in Europe! Each castle has its own personality and interesting stories about the historic events which befell at the moats and ramparts. Caernarvon Castle and Caerphilly Castle are just two of the many great historic attractions. Check out Roman remains too or if you’re interested in more modern history try the Big Pit National Coal Museum where you can see what it was like for miners including a trip 300ft underground!
So make time for a well-earned trip to Wales for a weekend of fun to remember! And as they say in Wales: “Iechyd da!” (Good health!)
Many thanks to Kathryn Hearn for this contribution to Europe & Beyon. After travelling the world, Kathryn became desk-bound and now writes about travelling the world. She is associate editor of the Good Hotel Guide, the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain and Ireland. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay – hotels cannot buy their entry as they do in most rival guides.