Wales - A Fairy Tale Come to Life

I visited Wales five years ago and an still enamoured of the place.Wales is a country in love with itself, and that love shines though inall that Wales has to offer. Bilingual signage throughout the countygive a Gaelic authenticity to the experience without overwhelmingguests not used to vowel-filled words the length of sentences.

The food is wonderful and an experience unto itself. The Cottage Piewith a Thatched Roof (mashed or shredded potatoes and shredded cheddarmelted on top) is heavenly, as is the Welsh Rarebit, Sticky ToffeePudding, and Welsh Cakes. The Ty Gwyn Hotel near Betws-y-Coed is worththe trip alone. Its dark, low-beamed ceilings, homey, mismatched chairsand tables, and arty mix of plaids and chintzes is a feast for the eyesas much as their food is a feast for the stomach.

Nearby, a hike through Gwydyr Forest to the magical Fairy Glen, wherethe mist from the waterfalls, and the sun peeking through the treetopscan make you believe in fairies, too, is great way to spend anafternoon. The Victorian village of Betws-y-Coed will captivate you aswell, with its quaint bed and breakfasts, shoppes, and churches.Snowdonia's snow-covered peaks and gorse-lined, mountain pathways makefor great hiking, drives and  sightseeing excursions.

The Trefriw Woollen Mill offers a rich assortment of the famous Welshbedspreads, woven in rich colors with geometric designs that are mirroropposites on the back side. I brought home some fabric to makeplacemats and coasters.

At Bodnant Gardens, the lacy, yellow libernum arch and pink and purplerhododendrons were amazingly lovely.  Powis Castle, Penrhyn Castleand Plas Newydd are all owned by the National Trust, and can beaccessed for great savings if you  purchase a membership to theNational Trust before your trip. At Penrhyn, a fantasy castle built inthe 19th century, there are acres and acres of woodland trails,parklands, and a formal, Victorian walled garden. The gardens at PlasNewydd, the home of the Marquess of Anglesey, the gardens are alsospectacular. 

Other castles I saw included Conwy Castle, where we enjoyed anafternoon of medieval entertainment complete with knights jousting onhorseback. The slate ruins of Dolbadarn and Dolwyddwlan Castles areimpressive in their own way, as is the imposing Denbigh Castle, perchedon the the top of the hill with its gates, torture chambers, andwalls.   

Other places not to miss include Hay on Wye, a mecca for book lovers,with its second hand and new book shops and vintage architecture.Colwyn Bay has lovely views of the sea, as does Portmeirion, a 1920'sattempt at recreating Italy's Portofino. The path to the lighthouse atHolyhead is steep and  treacherous, and offers a great view of theAtlantic.

If whimsy is more your style, be sure to visit Gwaenynog to see BeatrixPotter's garden and inspiration for her Tales of Flopsy Bunnies. TyHyll (The Ugly House) near the picturesque mountain village of CapelCurig is known for its craggy, uneven boulders.  

The bed and breakfasts we stayed in are too numerous to mention, buteach was as unique as the hostesses were friendly. With their cute,color-coordinated decor, and pleasant signs like "Mind Your Head", anddelicious breakfasts, I always felt welcome and well-cared for.

We ate at many a pub, enjoyed the Celtic music, and fare that was goodvalue for dollar. Take in a boot sale if you can, and poke your head inas many churches as you can -- the Parish Church of St. Collen in thecenter of Llangollen is delightful.

It is hard to put into words the enchanting places that you willdiscover as you explore Wales. Whimsical cottages,  stone houses,lovely gardens and friendly people abound. Our trip to Wales was trulya magical experience -- a fairy tale come to life.