wales...............1st time

[ibizaboy]

so, ive decided to go to wales in sept for a weeks break, never been before so looking for recommendations please.....places to visit, sightseeing and places to eat.......cheers.x

[beejay1124]

take your own sheep-the natives can get v jealous

[spudqueen]

North, South or Mid Wales? Countryside or seaside? You'd never visit the whole of Wales in a week, so I think you need to narrow it down a bit!

[boxtops]

Which bit, touring or based in one place? what do you like doing?

[VHG]

All of Wales?

You need to be more specific. While Wales may look small it is a fair distance from north wales to south wales, and travellling from north wales to south wales is not easy due to many mountains in the way and few major roads.

I would decide on either North Wales or South Wales and concentrate on one or the other.

North Wales has Snowdon, Snowdonia, Llandudno, Rhyl, Lynn Peninsula, numerous castles (Harlech, Carnarveon, Conwy) etc.

South Wales has Cardiff, Swansea, Pembrokshire coast (beautiful), Gower Peninsula (beautiful), St Davids etc

Once you have decided on one or the other then ask again.

[ibizaboy]

oops sorry everyone.!! south wales...........possibly making cardiff the starting point and going around from there...........

[VHG]

Well if you love nature and the outdoors, try to go on the Gower Peninsula (the bit that "sticks out" after Swansea).

This was the first area of Britain to be declared an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty".

The area at the very end is AMAZING with Worms Head and the huge Rhossili Beach.

There is a hotel nearby, the Worms head hotel, and it is well worth a night or two there.

Here is the Worms Head from the air, and when the tide is out you can walk right to the end, an amazing experience.

http://www.wsfsurfsch...gifs/Worms%20Head.jpg

Here is a good write up on someones trip there, with quite a few pictures

http://www.cavinguk.c...lidays/WormsHead2008/

Here is the hotel

http://www.thewormshead.co.uk/

[craft1948]

I think you're very brave.........

[joggerjayne]

Celtic Manor is quite jolly.

We did a spa break there.

[sherrardk]

Loads of lovely things and places to see (and loads of crap stuff too! - I'm allowed to say that as I am from the valleys) - what sort of stuff are you into? Culture, countryside, seaside?

[welshlibranr]

I live in South Wales, and VHG has given you some very good advice there, also, if you're starting in Cardiff, you mya like to visit Cardiff Bay and a must is St Fagan's Museum of Welsh Life, it's just outside the city, near the M4, it's an outdoor museum mostly, and free to visit, you just pay to park!...........lovely place! I go there often!.don't miss it!.............Hope you enjoy your visit.........we're very friendly folk here, so I know you will!..........

[joggerjayne]

Sauna ... massage ... nice meal ...

Celtic Manor !

[sherrardk]

Hi Welsh, notice you didn't recommend Portcawl!

[welshlibranr]

Yes jane, the Celtic Manor in Newport is a lovely place to stay!.......

[Eve]

Aww too many to choose from! If I had to narrow it down then I'd probably have to go for Pembrokeshire (esp Tenby) and the Gower Peninsula if you are staying south.

You could get around a fair bit though if you plan properly.

I always liked Big Pit too and a stunning drive up...

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/

I've always loved Cardiff Castle, you could check if they have anything on in the grounds too.

I remember many happy childhood times in South Wales (my mum is from Abergavenny), St Fagans, Big Pit, Barry Island, Oakwood etc... we also used to go down by Symonds Yat and the Jubilee Maze and such.

There are quite a few ideas on here...

http://www.activitywa...20Day%20Out%20-%20Zoo

[joggerjayne]

welshlibranr ...

Wales itself is all a bit remote, and wild.

Celtic Manor is safe, and comfy.

I wouldn't risk all this "middle of nowhere" nonsense !

[welshlibranr]

Hi there sherrardk, no I didn't recommend Porthcawl, sad really! I'm happy enough here, but it's not the best in South Wales sadly! is it? gone down the nick in recent years really!............

[sherrardk]

We've had this chat before - I have brill childhood memories, bit worried to go back and spoil them (after visiting Barry Island and seeing the changes).

[marval]

This is a great place to visit too.

http://www.showcaves.co.uk/danyrogof.html

[welshlibranr]

Porthcawl is still an ok place, but there's no regeneration here, the council keep promising to make a marina etc, but nothing ever happens...............probably the same as you remember it mostly sherrardk!..................

[horseshoes]

Speaking as a native, the area I live in is just THE most beautiful place in the UK. That's Snowdonia. Particularly good if you like the great outdoors! Stunning mountains and lakes, and endless miles of sandy beaches. Forget places like Rhyl and Prestatyn unless you want a mini Blackpool. We're a bit short on large hotels here (there are one or two), but there's plenty of accommodation around, and loads of really nice pubs doing food and accommodaion. The Llyn Peninsula is worth a visit. Porthmadog and the Ffestiniog railway, visit Portmeirion which is where they filmed the original Prisoner programme. The Llechwedd slate mines and museum in Blaenau Ffestiniog - a super day out. The gorgeous Bodnant Gardens and the rest of the Conway Valley. Have a "Google" at North Wales and you'l see what I mean. I'm starting to feel like a tourist information person now so I'll go away again! Have fun if you come up this way - we're like a million miles from Cardiff. PS No need to bring your own sheep - we're happy to share with you.