Waterfall Country in Fforest Fawr Geopark and Brecon Beacons National Park is one of South Wales’s natural gems, a collection of deep valleys, rocky gorges, ancient woodlands and over 16 stunning waterfalls connected by some 25 miles of walking trails. While visiting the park this summer, my family and I had a wonderful time exploring one of …
Ewloe Castle. Dolbadarn Castle. Dolwyddelan Castle. Castell y Bere. While many visitors to North Wales flock to the magnificent ring of medieval fortresses built by King Edward I, few venture off the beaten path to these smaller castles in Wales built by native Welsh princes, also known as native Welsh castles. Elwoe Castle Nestled …
Machynlleth, mid-Wales is a bustling market town located 18 miles northeast of Aberystwyth. Here, my family and I encountered the spirit of Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr at the Owain Glyndwr Centre. We browsed exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art Wales, toured the landscaped grounds of the 17th century Plas Machynlleth mansion, and explored Welsh art …
The 870-mile Wales Coast Path is the first of its kind–a continuous path following the entire Welsh coastline from Queensferry in North Wales to Chepstow in the southeast. The Coast Path, completed in 2012, is actually a collection of linked trails, from the long-established Pembrokeshire Coast Path to the newer North Wales Path. Interested in …
With such literary sites as Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse, the National Library of Wales, the bookshops of Hay-on-Wye, and the ruins of Tintern Abbey, Wales is sure to inspire all lit-loving travelers. Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse Perched on a short cliff above the Taf Estuary on the outskirts of Laugharne village, Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse offers a …
Wales offers families many great summer and fall outdoor activities. Here are four of my family’s favorites: playing on the beach in Llandudno, riding the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway, exploring the interactive displays at the Centre for Alternative Technology, and storming the ramparts of Caerphilly Castle. North Wales Llandudno is a genteel Victorian resort town …
On our last trip to Europe, our extended family faced many unique challenges while traveling with young children. Our entourage included a five-month-old infant, a two-year-old toddler, and a four-year-old preschooler. From finding family-friendly accommodations to surviving long international flights, check out these helpful tips for families traveling abroad with youngsters. Whether you’re planning a …
During our last trip to Wales, my family and I bundled up to explore four cool winter gardens: Chirk Castle, Penrhyn Castle, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and Aberglasney House and Gardens. These gardens are a great way for travelers of all ages to enjoy the stark beauty of the winter season. Chirk Castle …
As a book lover, I’m giddy when my husband and I drive into the small yet charming town of Hay-on-Wye, mid-Wales. Also known as the world’s secondhand book capital, Hay-on-Wye is home to over 30 used and antiquarian bookshops as well as the internationally acclaimed Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. A medieval market …
It’s a warm summer day when my husband guides our motorized canal boat into Llangollen, Denbighshire North Wales. A small but vibrant town nestled in the River Dee Valley, Llangollen is home to the Llangollen Canal, the Pontcysyllt Aqueduct, the International Musical Eisteddfod, and Valle Crucis Abbey. By canal, the only way to enter the …