Okay! So if you’ve read my previous blogs, you’ll remember that we started out in Edinburgh (Scotland) and then traveled down to England’s Lake District. Now, we’ve arrived in WALES.
So, WHAT is WALES? WHERE is WALES? BEEN to WALES?
WALES is a country that is a part of the United Kingdom. It’s actually located on the island of Great Britain, sort of in the southwestern part of the island. Are you confused yet?
Sooo, here’s the definition! Great Britain is the name for the island that comprises England, Scotland and Wales, although the same term is loosely used to refer to the “United Kingdom”.
If one is driving from Scotland to Wales to England, there are signs delineating leaving one country and going to the next; however if you miss seeing the signs, it really feels like it’s one big country.
Wales has its own cultural identity and a distinctive language which is completely different from ordinary English. Over 500,000 “Welsh” language speakers live in Wales, mostly in the north and west, and the language is really pretty impossible to understand…that is, for an English speaker. Wales is also known for its rugged coastline, mountainous national parks and its medieval castles.
Driving Through Snowdonia National Park
Rugged “Snowdonia”
Imagine Your Home In This Setting!
“Snowdonia” Is AWESOME In The Winter!
En route to our hotel, located in Deganwy, Conwy, North Wales, we stopped in the walled city of Chester. Much of this 2,000 year old city’s defensive walls remain in tact, almost completely encircling the city and visible from numerous places within the city center. Sporting Roman ruins, a magnificent gothic cathedral and a combination of Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture, Chester is a really pretty city.
FACTOID: In a poll of Americans, Chester was voted Europe’s fifth prettiest city… Ahead of Rome, Paris, and Venice!
“Chester” City Wall
“Chester’s” Main Shopping Street
“Chester” Cathedral Exterior
“Chester” Cathedral Interior
Goodbye Chester, hello Conwy, another cute town in northern Wales with awesome views from our room. Imagine looking out of your doorway and seeing this!
Conwy Castle—View From Our Hotel Room
So what’s in Conwy besides the magnificent castle above? Overlooking the river Conwy is the Bodnant Welsh Food Center which has a cooking school and cooking demonstrations. (Their artisan chefs are devoted to sharing the best of Welsh cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.). We had a great evening with a presentation from a chef who’s sure to be the next star on “The Food Network”! What a HUNK and, what a GREAT MEAL! See for yourself:
Our Aspiring “Food Network Star”
From The “Chef’s” Table
More From The “Chef”!
Enjoying Dinner After The “Chef’s” Presentation
Beyond Conwy, we visited the historic seaside town of Caernarfon and massive Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FACTOID: This castle was the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969!
Constructed as a fortress, the castle was begun around 1283 by Edward I as a symbol of English power over the Welsh. Today, it operates as one of the most recognized tourist sites in Wales and it also houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Wales’ oldest regiment. It is impressive, or what?
Caernarfon Castle Exterior
Site of Prince Charles’ Investiture
Flying the Welsh Flag–For All To See!
As A Fortress, Totally Impenetrable!
Though we only visited the places I’ve listed, WALES has lots more things to see and do. Wales is a place with natural beauty…from its beaches to its mountain ranges to its national parks. Hiking, mountain biking, surfing, cliff-jumping, fishing….lots of outdoor, activities await you. If you fancy history, castles and Welsh heritage tours abound. Hungry? Sustainable food foraging opportunities exist….from Bear Grylls’ Survival Academy to tamer wild food tours.
Wales is WONDERFUL and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to explore this area, either on your own or with a tour!
Next month, we’ll continue on to Bath and Oxford….two more fabulous, exciting places. I hope you’ll stay with us on our journey.
NOTE: The pictures included can be made into full screen by “clicking” on them. To return to the text, click on the “back arrow”.
Upcoming Group Trips:
Canyon Ranch—Tucson—September, 2016
Tuscany—-October, 2016
Dubai and The Arabian Peninsula—December, 2016
India—January, 2017
Canyon Ranch—Lenox—February, 2017
Canadian Capital Cities—October, 2017
