Rich Celtic culture
Wales is one of the three countries which makes up Britain. Though sometimes overlooked in favour of its neighbour, you won’t want to underestimate this small nation. “Cymru” (Wales’ Welsh name) is rich in natural beauty and historical sites. It also has a vibrant capital city of its own: Cardiff.
This is a truly bilingual country, with all road signs in both English and Welsh. In the north of Wales, particularly in the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, you’ll find many villages where Welsh is the primary language. The Welsh people are proud of their country and their Celtic roots.
This ancient land is rich with myths and legends. The most famous are the stories of King Arthur, a mythical king said to have ruled a utopian nation named Camelot. According to the tales, he reigned over a golden age with the help of his Knights of the Round Table and the wizard Merlin.
In Snowdonia (Eryri), you’ll find the tallest mountain in Wales, Mount Snowden (Yr Wyddfa) which translates as “Great Throne”. On a clear day, you can see England, Scotland and Ireland from its peak. The park features many other astonishing hikes through glacial valleys and along dramatic shorelines.
Wales has been the centre of many different battles, invasions and occupations throughout its history. There are 427 castles to discover, the most per capita of any country in Europe! One of the most iconic is Caernarfon, a castle in the north with a bloody history dating back to Roman times.
On your journey, stop to eat at some of the traditional pubs which pepper every village and town in the country. Taste some local delicacies like Welsh rarebit (like cheese on toast – no rabbits involved!) and sweet bara brith (a fruit cake eaten with cups of tea).
The most famous national food of Wales is the humble leek. Legend says St. David, the patron saint of Wales, asked his countrymen to wear leeks on their hats to distinguish them from their enemies, the Saxons. Wales is also renowned for its lamb, with over 10 million sheep in the country.
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