LITTLE ROCK — Searching for a scenic and unusual vacation? Wales is a winner. Accessible countryside, commanding castles and numerous archaeological attractions make this European destination worthy of your tourist time. It’s also the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, and home to the quirky yet notable World Bog Snorkeling Championship. Here’s how to make the most of your travel budget when you visit.
Feet: A network of national walking trails already exists to tempt fitness-minded tourists in search of the perfect photo opportunity. However, the completion of the Wales Coast Path - scheduled for May - will make it the only country in the world with an entirely walkable coastline. Vacationers interested in exploring the new path, 85 percent of which is within the national parks, will enjoy roughly 70 sweeping beach vistas, 15 picture-worthy ports and a number of secret coves. Also ofnote is the Cistercian Way, a longdistance trail that takes travelers through a network of abbeys and churches in the Welsh interior.
Festivals: Who doesn’t love a good party? Fun-loving travelers have a number of options when visiting this part of the United Kingdom, including the National Eisteddfod of Wales. With originstraced to the year 1176, it is the oldest cultural festival of competitive music and poetry in Europe. With thousands of registered competitors and hundreds of scheduled performances, it is arguably the country’s premier artistic event. Additionally, the Hay Festival offers merriment in the form of music, comedy, gastronomy andmore. The event celebrates its 25th anniversary in early June.
Food: One of the simplest ways to experience frugal fare in Wales is by ordering the fixed-price lunch option. It’s a common practice at many of the pubs and eateries, allowing you to taste test home-spun traditional favorites such as Welsh cakes, toffee waffles, Cawl Cennin - a leek soup - and Gower lamb.
Frugality: Priced as low as $21, the Cadw pass provides payonce access to sought-after tourist sites, including the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris. Is free more your speed? National Museum Cardiff and the National Coal Museum are free. Regarding accommodations, camping options are available in the national parks, along with numerous boutique hotels if you’re interested in an inexpensive splurge. Examples include the clifftop St. Brides Hotel Spa in Pembrokeshire and the Parc Hotel in Cardiff, located within walking distance of Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle.
Travel, Pages 48 on 03/25/2012