Wales

Crossing the border into Welsh territory, you are met by a wealth of attractions. Steam-powered scenic railways, imposing medieval fortresses, classic Victorian seaside towns, slate-covered mountains and the UK’s only cable-hauled public-road tramway are just a few of our favourite features to be found in this fascinating country.

Special mention must be made of the fairy-tale village of Portmeirion. Overlooking the Afon Dyrwyd estuary, this hamlet was laid out by Clough Williams-Ellis in the 1920s and 30s and is a living relic to one man’s vision. Strolling the pastel-coloured streets and piazza in the evening – when daytime visitors have long since returned home – is a wonderfully atmospheric experience.

The arc of Cardigan Bay hides some of Wales’ cutest villages, nestled on pretty harbours, gateways to staggering beaches and sunset evenings looking out across the Irish Sea.

The UK’s only coastal National Park at Pembrokeshire, set around stunning St Bride’s Bay, hosts the country’s smallest city – St Davids – the surfer’s paradise of Whitesands and blissfully peaceful coastal pathways.

Away from the coast, Brecon Beacons national park stands as a breath-taking playground for lovers of the outdoors, with the added bonus of some of the best driving roads anywhere, cross-crossing this incredible landscape.

And let’s not forget the historic seaside town of Tenby, with its 13^th-century walls and eerie stories of smuggling and piracy. Just along the coast, one of Wales’ greatest draws is the jaw-dropping Gower Peninsula, whose vast, sandy beaches and craggy coastline welcome visitors from all over the world, eager to discover what makes this location so special.

Combined with the unique landscape of the Great Orme Peninsula, the world-class walking opportunities in Snowdonia, the coastal vistas of Beaumaris and Anglesey, and the proud capital city of Cardiff, Wales is a quite superb holiday destination, whether visiting on a road trip or touring by rail.