How to Have an Amazing Holiday in Wales – Ideas for activities, where to eat and where to go in to have a great holiday in Wales.
*Collaborative Post*
Visit Wales
There’s a lot to love about Wales, and I know that first hand, as I live in North Wales. It might be a small country, but it’s bursting with character.
A visit to Wales is a fantastic way to spend a holiday, whether you come from one of the other nations in the UK or from further afield.
No matter what type of traveller you are, there’s something for you in Wales. If you’re planning on visiting, there are many different ways to see the country.
You could head straight for a city or larger town, or you could plan a more rural experience. But wherever you choose to go, you won’t be far from nature, friendly people, and plenty of fascinating culture.
Before you plan your holiday in Wales, I’ve made a list of some of the things you do during your visit.
Stunning Scenery
One of the best things about Wales has to be just how beautiful it is. Whether you choose to travel the country by car, train, or even by taking a bus, you’re guaranteed to see some amazing views.
And if you choose to go hiking or enjoy any other outdoor pursuits, you’re sure to have some incredible vistas in front of you the entire time. Wales has some stunning places to explore, from the rolling hills and valleys to the coastline.
You can’t plan a visit to Wales without including some time outdoors, so make sure you schedule at least one opportunity to see what Wales has to offer.
Amazing Wildlife
Another benefit of the wonderful nature that Wales offers is the wildlife that you can find. You don’t have to be a birdwatcher or a wildlife expert to enjoy the things that you can see on a visit to Wales.
Although the country is famed for its large amount of sheep, there are plenty of wild animals to go looking for too. Head to the coast if you want to see marine life, from starfish and crabs in rock pools to a chance to spot dolphins and seals in the waves.
If you take a trip to Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, you can also find hundreds of puffins during the summer months.
Go Camping
If enjoying nature is what you want to do in Wales, there’s no better way to do it than to go camping.
Although you can’t go wild camping in Wales (not officially), there are some incredible campsites that you can discover all over the country.
You can find anything from small fields attached to farms to larger campsites where you have more facilities and can park up your campervan or set up your large family tent.
Or if camping in a tent isn’t really your thing, there’s always the option of glamping.
Glamping allows you to enjoy the outdoors and the camping experience, while also giving you a comfy bed.
Enjoy the Food and Drink
British food often gets criticised for being bad, but the truth is that traditional food in the UK can be great when it’s done right.
When you visit Wales, you can find a range of wonderful, comforting foods to try, designed for the cold Welsh weather.
Head to a restaurant or gastro pub to try cawl (a lamb soup), Welsh rarebit, Welsh cakes, laverbread, or bara brith, a traditional fruit tea bread.
As for drink, Wales is a fantastic place for beer, including real ale, and you can also discover other popular drinks such as cider, perry, gin, and even mead.
Learn the Language
There isn’t really anywhere in Wales where speaking Welsh is essential. Even in the places where English is spoken as a second language, you will find that the majority of people speak English too.
However, just because it’s not necessary, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn any. Local people will be impressed if you learn at least a few words (especially if they’re Welsh speakers themselves) and it can be a lot of fun to pick up some of the language.
Try to catch a performance of some kind in Welsh too, especially if it involves singing in Welsh.
Immerse yourself in History
The history of Wales is a fascinating one, and there’s plenty of history for you to learn about if that’s what interests you. For an easy way to access history in Wales, you can head to a museum.
In Cardiff, you’ll find the National Museum and St Fagans National Museum of History, while in Swansea you can visit the National Waterfront Museum and in Caerleon, you can discover the National Roman Legion Museum.
You can also find some places to discover the industrial history of Wales, including the Big Pit National Coal Museum and the National Slate Museum.
But outside of the museums, you can visit castles, country houses, and more.
Visit Cosy Pubs
If you want to relax on a visit to Wales, heading to a local pub is a great way to do it. You can settle in for a drink and maybe some snacks, and you can even discover a fireplace to warm yourself in front of in some pubs.
Some places serve food so you can have a meal there too, and others might show the latest sport (so watch out when the rugby or football is on).
You can find live music or other performances at open mic nights, or just enjoy the warm welcome of Welsh regulars.
See Some Sport
The Welsh love their sport, especially rugby, so why not check out why it’s so loved during a visit? For an easy way to see some exciting sport, you can just switch on a TV or head to a pub that’s showing the latest game.
However, if you want the full experience, you should seek out a match or game wherever you can find it.
You could find the chance to see some big events in large stadiums, but there’s also the option of finding something to watch at a local level if there are no significant events that you can get tickets for.
Go to an Event or Festival
With so much culture to enjoy in Wales, you can easily find an event or festival to attend. There’s everything from traditional song and dance to more contemporary offerings, whether you like music, art, literature, or comedy.
In Machynlleth, you’ll find one of the most popular comedy festivals in the country, which runs over a weekend in the spring.
In Hay-on-Wye, the Hay Festival celebrates literature for 10 days between May and June, and if you head to the Brecon Beacons in the summer, you can enjoy music and comedy at the Green Man Festival in August.
Not forgetting, of course, the National Eisteddfod, which takes place in a different location in Wales every year.
Wales has so much to offer, that I’m sure everyone can find something that they love when they visit there.
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