Wales, with 2.9 million people, is also mountainous with a Celtic culture—the country is called Cymru in the Welsh language—and its capital, Cardiff, features castles and museums highlighting Welsh culture.

Wales Trip

Aug-Sept 2005

country filled with castles. It is famous for the great Norman ones, specifically Caernarfon Castle, which stands head and shoulders among the rest. It is a most striking medieval monument and sits on a bay of the Irish Sea. It was originally a military stronghold but also served as a seat of government and royal palace.

Visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns mined for over a 100 years with only a candle (in earlier times) for lighting. Explore the heritage of the Victorian slate miner by taking a ride in the 1846 Miners' Tramway.

Take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the top at 3506 feet; it is Britain's highest mountain. Make sure it is not a foggy day, so you can see the landscape.

A must see is Portmeirion, a beautiful Italian style private village with colorful buildings, pools and a seaside location; it was created in 1926 by C.W. Ellis. The grounds are great for walking and photos. There is a very good restaurant down by the water.

Stop at Aberystwyth by the sea for a picnic lunch, then visit the museum and art gallery of folk art in town.

Visit the town with the longest name in the world:

LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOEERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH

"The church of Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the fierce whirlpool and the church of the Tysilio by the red cave"

Wales Photo Gallery

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