A land of mystical pull, Wales draws scores of visitors every year with unruly panoramas, flippant festivals and irreverent charm.
Here are 10 good reasons to visit the “Land of Song”.
With a cohesive identity that began well over a millenium and a half ago, the Welsh have had a strident history. Roman occupation, Anglo-Norman invasions and the famous rule of Llywelyn the Great – with his establishment of the Principality of Wales in 1216 – all represent eras which, as a collective, have left a mark on the landscape. A haphazard tour of Wales is a virtual encounter with one historical revelation after another. Neolithic tombs, Roman forts and amphitheatres and various Medieval structures such as Dolwyddelan Castle, abound.
One of the most unusual geographic aberrances in Europe, the Berwyn range is a remote area of moorland in northeast Wales. Difficult to traverse, the range of coarse ferns, heather and rough grass is a veritable paradise for bird lovers. Home to populations of merlin, owl, raven, hen harrier and peregrine falcon, the area is under protection by the environmental wing of the European Union.
Welsh has a rich rugby tradition that resident fanatics cling to with fierce pride. For a sports pilgrimmage of epic proportions, head to spectacular Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for a national match or Arms Park to cheer on Cardiff RFC. Whether or not you understand or even appreciate the game is secondary. The point is to take part in a beloved national pastime.
The defacto capital of sparse North Wales, Wrexham is what most imagine when they picture a quaint town in this part of the world. With a population of around 60,000, the town evokes Lewis and Tolkien-like lore. As in much of Wales, there is actual evidence of human habitation in Wrexham as far back as 8,000 years ago. No major surprise then that a cursory stroll about town reveals a surfeit of photogenic specimens, from pubs and mills, castles and abbeys and a vibrant old town centre.
Wales has a pretty strip of coastline in Cardigan Bay and a wonderful tourist attraction as a result. If you like to cycle, you can do a lot worse than this premier area of the country. With fine sand, the crystal cool waters of the Irish Sea and marine preserves, Cardigan Bay is a gem. Home to the mythical underwater kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod, the area is lush with legend and has a lyrical quality about it, somewhat typical of Wales in general. A region this beautiful has a fair share of coastal resorts of course. One of the best is at the confluence of the Rheidol and Ystwyth Rivers, in the university town of Aberystwyth.
A quintessential adorable little city, Swansea deserves a visit for a superlative waterfront and marina, nightlife on Wind Street and Oxwich Bay beach on the Gower Peninsula. With over 5 km of sand and dramatic cliffs, the latter is one of the main reasons Swansea is a prime locale for water sport fanatics. Several other Blue Flag beach destinations in the vicinity of town contribute to a great quality of life for Swansea inhabitants.
Cardiff is ground zero in Wales, not just because of castles and capital status, rugby at Millenium Stadium and first-rate retail shops. The city is also a cultural hub, with EU recognition as such and a number of top-drawer festivals to back up the reputation. The Big Weekend and Cardiff Music Festival are popular, as well as the Cardiff Design Festival and Iris Prize Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales are two classical performance options while in the capital. For parkland, the city is well above par. Roath, Victoria and Bute Park in particular, were major contributors to the Entente Florale award capture in 2006, which Cardiff won for stellar urban park beauty.
Check out the best deals on hotels in and around Cardiff before you head to Wales.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Wales is a great country with a lot to offer. I would like to recommend a visit to the National Museum Cardiff. You’ll find an outstanding art collection and some fascinating information on the history of Wales. Worth a visit.