WALES

Wales is one of the countries that make up the United Kingdom. Rich in history and natural beauty, Wales has a living Celtic culture distinct to the rest of the UK.

Travelers are attracted to Wales because of its beautiful landscape, including the mountains and coast of its stunning national parks, the wealth of history and large number of imposing castles.

Lying on a mountainous western peninsula of the island of Great Britain, Wales is bordered to the east by England, while the Republic of Ireland sits to the west across the Irish Sea. Only two hours from London but with less than a third of that city’s population, to enter Wales from its crowded eastern neighbor is most certainly to enter another country.

 

Capital:  Cardiff

Best time to visit:

  1. Wales is beautiful at any time of year, but the soggy Welsh weather means that summer (June to August) remains the busiest time for visitors. Most of the rain is concentrated in autumn and early winter, with the worst of the downpours generally between October and January. Winter days are startlingly short, and although you may get a picturesque blanket of snow, many smaller attractions, tourist offices and B&Bs close for the entire low season (October to Easter).
  2. After January, the rain slackens off and as temperatures pick up and days lengthen it’s a good time to get out walking. Spectator sports, too, hit their peak, with both the rugby and football calendars coming to a close.
  3. July and Augustis high season for Wales, coinciding with the major school-holiday period across Britain, hence attractions, accommodation and roads can get choked with visitors, prices are often inflated and even the kindest of locals can get annoyed with the crush. However, this is prime time for a long, lingering night at one of Wales’ countless festivals or a concerted assault on its highest mountains.
  4. To beat the crowds, May and September are great times to visit, combining the best of the weather with the colors of the countryside, but without the clogged roads and accommodation rush of midsummer.

Minimum days required: 3 days

Places of Interest:

  1. Snowdon
  2. Cardiff Castle
  3. Oakwood Theme Park
  4. Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
  5. Welsh Mountain Zoo
  6. Barry Island
  7. Cardiff Bay
  8. Harlech Castle

Climate:

  1. No one goes to Wales looking for a tan, but it’s not all rain clouds and gloomy days.
  2. October to January are the wettest months and although it can rain at any time of year, summers are generally mild and fresh with average temperatures just below 20°C.
  3. In general, the coast is the driest part of the country and the mountains the wettest. Mt Snowdon gets several weeks of snow per year, while the Cambrian Mountains and Brecon Beaconsget about half that amount.
  4. The weather in Wales is unpredictable, and conditions can change within a matter of hours, so if you’re out and about, be prepared!

Currency:  Pound Sterling

Things to carry:

  1. If you’re visit North Wales, a sturdy umbrella, waterproof jacket and shoes is a must.
  2. Make sure you take at the very least a fleece or a jacket even during the summer months.
  3. For the winters woolens clothes are a must.

How to get there:

Air

  1. The main airport is Cardiff International Airport, located nine miles south of the city. This is the only international airport in Wales, and is served by the following airlines.