A small country nestled between England and the Irish Sea, Wales is a fascinating land of farms, castles, and the friendly Welsh people. Everyone speaks English, but the Welsh language is protected, visible on signs throughout the country, and used by some in daily life. Signs of the traditional culture of Wales are everywhere, but Wales today is a vibrant, modern country where you can eat well, enjoy excellent music, and do some ecotourism.

Wales is largely an outdoor destination as the country is exceedingly beautiful and the Welsh people are prepared to protect it. There’s a strong undercurrent of environmental activism and government support for environmental initiatives. Mix that with great natural beauty and a respect for local food, traditions, and history and you’ve got a fiercely proud country looking forward with respect to the past.

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a wonderful city for starting your journey through the history of Wales. St. Fagan’s National History Museum is an open-air park where you can wander through the historic buildings such as a schoolhouse and homes from many eras of Welsh history.

One of the highlights of a trip to Cardiff is a visit to Cardiff Castle. The castle was built on the plan of a ruined Roman fort, has a round, Norman keep in the center, sprawling grounds, and is finally protected by thick, stone walls and turrets.

Elsewhere in Wales, you’ll find many castles, both ruins and restored sites, to explore. In northern Wales, Beaumaris, which is French for beautiful marsh, is a big, beautiful ruin of an unfinished medieval style castle. It’s a great site for a picnic lunch and for the kids (young and young at heart) to run around.

Wales is a country of extraordinary natural beauty. Even in the cities, like the coastal capital of Cardiff, there is a sense of connection to the natural world. Some of Wales’ most beautiful locales have become national parks. For example, the Brecon Beacons National Park is a land of green rolling hills, farmland, mountains, and castles. Welsh ponies still run wild in the forests of the Brecon Beacons.

Snowdonia National Park is another mountainous territory where the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, is located. Hikers enjoy the tough trail through the Crib Goch arête, while the less athletically inclined can admire the scenery from the view of the train that goes to the top. If you want to mix a bit of history with your nature, stop at the Llechwedd Slate Mines. At the former mines, you can tour underground slate mines, see how slate is split, and note how the slate hills dot the mountainsides throughout the region.

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