If you live in the UK, then Wales is right on your doorstep, offering you beautiful, lush green rolling hills, unspoilt miles of golden beaches, misty valleys and even snow capped mountains. You can explore diverse landscapes here, as well as visit a myriad of historical ruins shrouded in Celtic mystery, see the sites upon which many British folklore tales are founded and, if youre really lucky, even see a dragon or two!

From the coloured rows of houses overlooking the fields below in rural Llandeilo to the sophisticated urban charms of tourist magnet seaside city; Cardiff, Wales is geared up to welcome and entertain visitors. Gluten free or dairy intolerant? Nothing is too much trouble for purveyors of Welsh hospitality. Fancy staying in exclusive, secluded luxury, surrounded by lambs and dramatic mountain scenery? Youll find plenty of options. Got a niche interest in land yachting, surfing, archery, Dr Who or hill walking to reach unexpectedly impressive castles? Youll find all of that, and more, right here in Cymru. Lets have a look at 4 of our favourite Welsh destinations…

 

South Wales

From Swansea, through to Carmarthen and on to the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast, youll find local beaches a-plenty, all fringed by lofty tree-covered hills and each with its own individual charms. You can opt for bucket and spade, family friendly stretches of sand that will provide your very grateful children with beach bouncy castles, fair rides and all manner of sugary snacks, or enjoy more remote offerings, where you can relax and spot coastal wildlife, as well as bask in the Welsh sunshine.

The Mumbles in Swansea deserves a special mention. You can happily spend a few hours in one of the many tea shops here, overlooking the sea and enjoying the charmingly retro seaside feel of the area, before talking a stroll along the promenade.

Just a 20 minute drive from the beaches of this coast youll find yourself in the heart of rural Wales, driving over the humpback bridges of riverside villages as you decide which country pub youd like to spend your lunchtime in. If you’re looking for a tour of swansea under a professional tour guide then check oiut this tour of Wales with Back-Roads Touring

 

The Brecon Beacons

This set of landlocked hills forms one of the national parks of Wales. For a whistle stop tour you could choose to drive along the single lane tracks and admire the daffodils peeping shyly out of the hedgerows, while impossibly high hills loom over the sheep-covered valleys below. At some point, youll actually drive into the clouds, when you reach a summit. Then youre likely to find sheep lazing on the moorland to either side of you and red kites circling up above.

You could also decide to tackle one of the many trails on foot. One of our favourites leads up to 13th century old, hilltop-based Carreg Cennen castle. You can walk around the romantic ruins and if you leave a deposit, you can borrow a torch from the ticket office and make your way into a deep cave carved out of the hill side, which is pitch black at its furthest point. Theres also a great tea room here, serving Welsh specialities such as the thick vegetable soup known as Cawl, Welsh rarebit and a variety of local fruitcakes.

For a wilder, less civilised experience, you could pull off the A40 that skirts the outer edges of the park, onto a B road that will deliver you to one of the many central viewpoints and follow the trails from there. Wellies are a must given the amount of rainfall Wales experiences, but youll be rewarded with some remote, rarely seen views of the wild Welsh hills and rivers. You can visit the Brecon Beacons ona selection of our Wales tours.

 

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff

Cardiff is the cosmopolitan capital city of Wales. Impressive art galleries sit alongside interactive science museums and the Dr Who studios, but its quaint little Mermaid Quay on the waterfront that offers the chance of a particularly charming afternoon.

At Mermaid Quay, youll find restaurants and cafes, overlooking the bay, as well as small independent shops. Theres often a sprawling craft market here where you can buy all manner of high quality gifts and souvenirs.

Along the pier, you can buy tickets for the boat trips that will take you on a sightseeing tour around the extensive harbour area. If youd like to stretch your legs as well you could always get out across the way at the Barrage, where theres a lovely stroll beside the water and an interesting permanent exhibition about Scott of the Antarctic along the way.

 

Llandudno and Aberystwyth

For the perfect British family beach holiday, look no further than Llandudno in North Wales. Youll find plenty of sandy beaches, a pier full of fair rides, ice cream shops and traditional Punch and Judy shows beside the sea. Admittedly, the weather might be a little cooler in the Spring, but during this off-peak season you can avoid the crowds and make the most of what this lively town has to offer.

A little further up the North coast is upscale Aberystwyth. From its painted seafront properties to its fascinating shops, this coastal town serves up charm, hospitality and great tasting seafood in buckets. You can expect a restful, classy stay here.

 

Our packages to Wales

We can provide a huge range of exciting, luxury, all inclusive packages to Wales. We cater for niche and not-so-niche tastes. For example, should you wish to ride the heritage railways of Wales and view the Welsh countryside from your opulent train carriage, that can be arranged.

Our partner company, Great Rail Journeys, provides this possibility, allowing you to sit back and relax while your personal tour manager ensures you get out at the scheduled stations, spend your overnights being pampered in a luxurious spa hotel and that you get all the information you want and need about the attractions youll be visiting.

Another tour operator with whom we work closely is Titan Travel. Theyll ensure you see all the gems of the north coast, including Portmeirion, the bizarre, quirky and colourful village where the infamous Prisoner television series was filmed and Snowdon itself, arguably the most majestic of Waless mountains.

Backroads Touring provides a very unique into Wales over 8 days, with full Welsh breakfasts, extensive evening meals, transfers, overnights and incredible local experiences all included in your trip. Youll visit many of the highlights weve named in this article, as well as learn a bit of the language, have a Welsh choir sing for you, explore a range of the most popular tourist sites in Wales and spend an afternoon sampling Welsh wines!

 

Christmas in Wales

One of our most popular packages to Wales, is not something that can be enjoyed in the Springtime, but is worth thinking about now, given that it books up fast; Titan Travels A rural Christmas in Wales tour.

This trip will take you to a luxury spa hotel, furnished with Victorian Christmas decorations, right in the centre of some of the most picturesque rural countryside in all of Wales, in Llandrindod Wells. Youll be serenaded by a Welsh male voice choir on your day of arrival; the 23rd of December and have the opportunity to explore nearby Rock Park on Christmas Eve. A full midnight mass is available for those who would like to take part.

Christmas Day will be jam packed full of festive activities, treats and feasts. Youll enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, once youve given your extensive breakfast a chance to go down. Father Christmas will be paying a visit at some point and plenty of games and entertainment, which you can choose to join in, or forgo at your leisure, will be on offer.

A trip to Abbey-Cwm-Hir Hall will be arranged for Boxing Day, giving you the chance to explore this historical hall and its gardens. This property will also be decorated with a festive Victorian theme. A lavish evening spread and entertainments will be laid on for you back at your hotel. Your trip will end the following day.

 

If youre interested in discovering the beauty of the Wales and all the incredible attractions and sights it offers, please get in touch with the Aspen Travel team. We work with many different travel partners to get the best deals for our customers and make the booking process as simple as possible. If you need any travel advice or have any questions about our packages to Wales, or elsewhere in the UK, please dont hesitate to call us