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INTRODUCTION:
WHY WE GO TO WALES
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Probably the most overlooked British travel destination, Wales offers
some of the best food in the U.K. as well as its own distinct music,
art, history, and language. Rarely noted is the superb variety of
unspoiled scenery of Wales, including three distinct regions worthy of
national park status, the highest mountains south of Scotland, and cozy,
undiscovered villages.
Wales is closest to England
geographically. Perhaps because of this proximity the Welsh are the most nationalistic and
culturally separatist of all the British. The Welsh identity is tied to its history as a
Celtic population under siege by their neighbors in England. These original Britons were
forced into hiding by invading waves of Angles, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. They
retreated into the rugged, mystical mountains and vales that dominate the Welsh landscape.
Today the Welsh variety of Gaelic is
alive and growing while most other Gaelic languages
are
disappearing. Welsh cuisine, custom, religion, music, and mentality all
can be said to be more than just |
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AUTUMN IN SNOWDONIA:
THE LLANRWST BRIDGE
OVER THE RIVER CONWY. |
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dialectical versions of their English, Scottish and
Irish relatives, and each is maintained with the prideful caring due
national treasures. |
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"We received a number of 'strange but interested' looks and
comments from people when we mentioned Wales as our vacation
destination. We have certainly been touting its superior
vacation qualities since our return. There is so much to do and
seewe still have a listbut, by the same token, it was very
relaxing. Most days we were out of our lodgings at a leisurely
10AM and back around 6PM. It was a pleasant pace"
—K. & D. Attenborough,
Massachusetts
"Wales was
beautiful with masses of daffodils everywhere. The roads were narrow and twisty but
surfaces were good. Very different from when I was last there just after the war when it
was looking very run down and uncared
for!"
—M. Still,
Virginia
"One lady
was giving us directions and we had to go through a little toll bridge. She offered to
give us 50 pence for the toll if we didn't have it. What friendly people!"
B.
Crandall, Ohio
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(CLICK
ON EACH DESTINATION TITLE TO GET FULL TRAVEL PROGRAM DETAILS & PRICES)
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NORTHWESTERN WALES
Home At First's northwestern Wales cottages are
in or near Snowdonia National Park, where Britain's highest mountains south of Scotland
rise sharply from the sea. Snowdonia's folded landscape offers rugged hiking, expansive
beaches, great little steam trains, challenging seaside golf courses, impregnable medieval
castles (like Caernarfon, pictured here), and friendly villages
with unpronounceable names.
GO TO: SNOWDONIA (NORTHWESTERN WALES)
TRAVEL PROGRAM
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SEVERAL
GREAT CASTLES—INCLUDING ALL FOUR OF THE U.N. LISTED WORLD
HERITAGE SITE—ARE WITHIN EASY
DAY-TRIP REACH OF HOME AT FIRST'S
COTTAGES IN SNOWDONIA,
NORTHWESTERN WALES.
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HAY-ON-WYE
IS HOME TO MORE
THAN TWO DOZEN SECOND-HAND
BOOKSHOPS. LIKE ALL OUR
MID-WALES VILLAGES, HAY-ON-WYE IS JUST MINUTES FROM THE RUGGED
MOUNTAINS, AND WHITE WATER
STREAMS OF WALES AS WELL AS
MUCH OF WESTERN
ENGLAND.
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NEAR THE ENGLISH BORDER
Home
At First's Mid-Wales cottages are in the
midst of superb scenery between the mountains of Brecon Beacons National Park and the
English border. Nearby is scenic wilderness inviting discovery on foot, on horseback, or
by car. Search for King Arthur and Merlin here. Cross the border into Shakespeare country
and the Cotswolds—easy days away. Another secret—the Welsh may be the
friendliest people in Britain.
GO TO: MID-WALES
TRAVEL PROGRAM PAGE
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