Travel tips to European Countries: Wales

About the county

With its craggy sculptures of stones and ruined castles rising above the valley mist, otherworldly Wales is where legend and history merge. Armed with hiking boots or bicycles, lose yourself in the region’s timeless scenery laced with waterfalls, lakes and jagged peaks, winding roads and sandy beaches. Tour villages with tongue twisting names and gorge yourself on medieval castles and ruins, or join the adrenaline junkies searching for the ultimate thrill.

Best Time To Visit

March to May (spring)

Population & Languages

The population is around 2,900,000 and the official language is English and Welsh.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is rectangular blade.

Geographic Location

Climate

Local Customs

The handshake is customary when you are meeting somebody for the first time. When visiting someone’s house a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Waiting till everyone is served before eating is also one of the etiquettes. Tipping is usually 10-15% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated and thus should be taken care of.

Experiences that should not be missed

· Touring the castles at Conway, Caernarfon and Harlech

· Riding the electric cliff railway at Aberystwyth

· Visiting the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno

· Taking the steam train up the summit café on Mt Snowdown’s peak

· Hiking, biking , mountaineering, canoeing or caving the Brecon Beacons National Park

· Trawling through Hay-on-Wye’s record-breaking number of second-hand bookshops

· Strolling along the cliff-top Pembrokeshire Coast Path from St David’s to Cardigan past tiny fishing villages, secluded coves and plenty of pubs

Try local delicacies:

Eat bara brith (rich, fruited tea-loaf) or cawl (a meat-and-vegetable broth)

Drink Brains (beer)

Further Pleasures:

To read: Dannie Abse’s Journalfrom the Antheap,a humorous account of his trips through Wales or the novel Work, Sex and Rugby by Lewis Davies

To listen: Generation Terrorists by the Manic Street Preachers, or some lighter music by a Welsh male choir

To watch: Solomon and Gaenir or Hedd Wynn

Travel

By Air – The domestic airlines is British Airways which also connects almost all major world destinations. Almost all airlines connect UK through London which is hub for all international flights between east to west and west to east. Heathrow and Gatwick are international airports of London.

By Sea – Since UK is surrounded by water from almost all sides it has many ports. There are many ferry services operating between Europe and UK.

By Rail – Trains connect Ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing for Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing for Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street). Eurostar train connects London with Brussels and Paris through channel tunnel.

By Road – The vehicles can enter UK through channel tunnel. Cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use channel tunnel. Bicycles are also provided for.

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.