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 Seated on a strategic hilltop seven miles southeast of Llangollen, near the English ... Read Full Article
Browsing for Books in Hay-on-Wye, Wales
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 town on the English-Welsh border, Hay-on-Wye lies just north of the Black ... Read Full Article
A Day in a Coal Mine: The Big Pit Mine in Blaenafon, Wales
Mining was part of my family’s heritage. Most of the men (and some of the women) were coalminers in the coal-pits of Wales. I grew up listening to my father’s mining stories. But it wasn’t until I visited the Big Pit Mine in Wales that I was able to experience something of what that life was like. Kitted out in a helmet, cap lamp, battery pack and a miner’s belt, I entered the pit-cage and ... Read Full Article
An Enchanting Hike on Mount Snowden in North Wales
The view from the summit of Mt. Snowdon is a vista of yellow-brown hills and intensely green meadows. Far below the precipitously steep cliffs, a river flows through a valley where the stone houses of Llanberis village nestle beside twin lakes. As the sun moves out of the clouds, the rocky summit is silhouetted against a clear blue sky, and the breath-taking panorama of green slopes, deep chasms ... Read Full Article
Cruising Around Llangollen, North Wales
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 town is over the massive Pontcysyllt Aqueduct. The 18th ... Read Full Article
Go Medieval: Explore Conwy and Caernarfon Castles in North Wales
Two of North Wales’ most impressive castles, Conwy and Caernarfon, are close by and both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are two of the great sights in Wales. Travelers visiting North Wales will find dramatic landscapes, rugged castles and old-Welsh charm, all located within an area smaller than the state of Rhode Island. Enjoy the nice weather in Wales and takes in these ... Read Full Article
St. Fagan’s Museum in Cardiff, Wales: Memories of My Father
Last summer, when I visited the St. Fagan’s National History Museum in Wales, I stepped into a small schoolhouse, circa 1910, much like the school my father would have attended. There on the desk beside the text books and slates was a bamboo switch, reminding me of his stories. When I was a small child, every night at bedtime, my father would fascinate me with stories about his childhood. My ... Read Full Article
The Green Lady of Caerphilly Castle
Under the pale light of a full moon, I stand below the great stone ramparts of Caerphilly Castle. Will I see her tonight; the mysterious, ghostly woman who haunts the castle walls? Legends say she is the spirit of Alice de la Marche of Angouleme, France, niece of Henry II, and the disgraced lover of a knight named Gruffydd the Fair. She died of a broken heart after he was hanged by her ... Read Full Article
Bluestone Resort: Wales’ Perfect Eco Vacation
Set amid one of the most picturesque areas in the UK, Bluestone Resort is located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is only two hours from Cardiff and 10 miles from Whitland train station. Not only does Bluestone boast stunning views and an inviting landscape, but the accommodations are also environmentally friendly. Bluestone's 178 timber lodges, each of which can sleep from four to eight ... Read Full Article
Visit UK Heritage and Historic Sites and Save Money
For overseas visitors on a trip to the UK, visiting heritage and historic sites is often a top priority, but visiting those sites over holidays can be an expensive proposition. Individual ticket prices can really add up, especially if you’re visiting numerous places or have a large family. However, if you know where to go and plan your trip in advance, there are various special Heritage and ... Read Full Article