..you should ask real walkers instead (image: the ancient brit)

So here is the official line….

“Walking holidays in Wales are great. We’ve got thigh-tremblingly steep mountain walks and gentle coastal strolls, gloriously muddy nature trails for children, and craggy cliff tops for grownups who are looking to blow off a few cobwebs. There’s something for everyone.”

‘OK thats fine….’  we hear you say

‘But I get the same PR blurb from other UK Walking destinations, whats so special about Wales?’ We asked ourselves the same question.

Is Wales truly a great place to go for a Walking break ?

So we did what any customer should do, we went online and looked for real reviews of real walking holidays, by real people who love walking.

We were pleasantly surprised. We have picked out some stories for you that mix great walking with a bit of local culture and folklore. We hope that you will seek out some more for yourself.

Story #1 | London Escapees

Chris and Anna from New Zealand share their experience of a weekend walking the Brecon Beacons and a hike to the book-lovers paradise of Hay-On-Wye:

After a ridiculously big breakfast the next day, we set off to find the start of the waterfalls loop near Ystradfellte. We decided against the 6.4km loop of the falls and choose to add on a 15.3 km route that included a few more falls and an area of moor land. This was a fantastic walk that covered so many different types of terrain and had a pub conveniently located at the half way point!

Story #2 | Walking in the footsteps of Merlin

This lady spent a great day walking in Snowdonia National Park and discovered both giant artwork and the home of an Arthurian legend.

Legend has it that Merlin spent a lot of time at the fort…… in fact he lived there for a while. The ground is quite sacred! It was also the scene of a battle between the White Dragon of England and the Red Dragon of Wales – the Red Dragon won hence the Welsh flag!

These boots are made for walking. And having a nice sit down too.

Story #3 | The Ogres Tomb

Neddy and her friends braved the Snowdon Horseshoe ridge walk on a birthday weekend for her younger brother, and found more Arthurian legends waiting for them at the top.

Mt Snowden is the tomb of Rhita Gawr, an ogre who would kill kings and make cloaks out of their beards – lovely. (Apparently the ogre was defeated when King Arthur climbed to the top of Mount Snowdon and killed him – I am not sure if this was before or after his encounter with the Lady of the Lake, which is also meant to have happened here).

It wasn’t all myth and magic for Neddy, but the Horseshoe route is great for those looking for a challenge!

The walk is officially graded as a ‘Grade 1 ‘Scramble”. What is a ’scramble’? A ’scramble’ is essentially, a ‘walk’ that lies between a walk and a rock climbing. Scrambles are graded from 1 (easiest) to 3 (hardest), but a basic requirement of all of them is that the ascent requires use of your hands (for more than just balance). If only I had known this before I dismissed the ‘hard’ ranking with a flippant ‘Hard? Schmard.’

Got any reviews to share? We would love to hear from you.

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The Chicago Tafia celebrate St David's Day

Never let it be said that we are not a proud nation!

Even when we’re not in the country, we make sure to remember where we came from and celebrate St David’s Day wherever we are. Our patriotism runs so deep that even those of Welsh ancestry are organising events and gatherings the world over.

Probably the largest concentration of Welsh ex-pats can be found in the USA. Here, there are many societies and organisations that help ex-pats keep in touch with one another and as would be expected, they always make sure to make themselves known around this time of year.

From requesting local radio stations to play Welsh bands and artists to arranging local get togethers for ex-pats in the region, there’s plenty going on across the pond in the name of Dewi Sant.

Further afield, you can find Wales Week in Chongqing, China, a Welsh Cultural Festival in Japan and a St David’s Day Ball in Hong Kong.

A little closer to home, you’ll find big events in France and Spain.

Here’s a more comprehensive look at goings-on around the world:

USA and Canada:
New York – St David’s Day Dinner (March 7th)
Arranged by the Welsh Society for the first Sunday in March.

Chicago – Cawl & Cocktails (March 1st)
Organised by the Chicago Tafia, this night offers traditional Welsh food and a pub quiz with prizes donated by Welsh companies.

Chicago – St David’s Day Banquet (March 6th)
The Cambrian Benevolent Society prove how strong the Chi-town Welsh contingency is with this afternoon luncheon.

California – IRFT Radio St David’s Day Special (February 28th – March 2nd)
This internet-based radio station has been inviting Welsh bands to submit songs. Every song played over this weekend will be by a Welsh artist!

Denver – Colorado Welsh Society St David’s Day Celebration (March 7th)
Performances by the society’s choir as well as a brass band, followed by dinner.

Minneapolis – St David’s Day Centenary (March 6th)
The St David’s Society of Minnesota mark their 100th year of celebrating St David’s Day with a lunchtime banquet followed by live music.

Toronto – Male Voice Choir St David’s Day Concert (March 1st)
Bringing traditional four-part male harmony to Canada.

Europe:
France – St David’s Welsh Festival, Disneyland Paris (March 5th-7th)
For this 3-Day festival, visitors to the park are invited to celebrate all things Welsh; even Micky and Minnie will be resplendent in their traditional Welsh garb!

Spain – Museu d’Història de Catalunya Networking Event (March 4th)
The theme will be education and will build on the existing relationship that Wales has with Catalunya.

Follow the flags through Cardiff on the annual St David's Day parade

Find out what’s going on across Wales this St David’s Day.

Be part of the St David’s Day fun and join the celebrations in Swansea as the city hosts it’s second annual St David’s Week Festival 22nd February – 1st March.

It’s kicked off by Welsh rockers The Automatic on Monday 22nd February. Then throughout the week you can join in the festivities by going on a dragon hunt around Plantasia, sing along with the Ty Twawe Welsh Choir or enjoy an evening of Welsh food and entertainment. Find out what other events are happening at the St David’s Week Festival.

That’s not all that’s going on. Across Wales there are lots more celebrations for you to enjoy:

Cardiff’s St David’s Day Parade
See the annual parade go through the capital city, Cardiff.

Watch the St David’s Day Anthem as sung at the St David’s Day parade in 2008.
Or read the lyrics and listen to a downloadable mp3 of the anthem.

The Pembrokeshire Banner
Created for the St David’s Day Parade 2009, now on permanent display in St. Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire.

Stories at Dinefwr Park & Castle, Llandelio
Enjoy traditional food, music and stories at the country house and 12th century castle.

See the BBC National Orchestra of Wales perform at St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Listen to the orchestra perform a St David’s Day Concert.

Enjoy a St David’s Day lunch at Bodnant Garden, North Wales
See the wonderful displays of daffodils and try traditional Welsh Fayre in the pavilion tea-room whilst listening to a harpist.

Visit Colwyn Bay for their St David’s Day Festival
It kick starts a week long festival of celebration for our Patron Saint St David.

See a musical performance by the Welsh Chamber Orchestra
Watch the orchestra perform at Glyndwr University, Wrexham and have a hot pot supper after.

Watch a Welsh choir perform
See the Cwmbach Male Voice Choir performing on St David’s Day at the Coliseum, Aberdare.

Go to a St David’s Day Concert at Theatre Brycheiniog, Brecon
Go along and see the South Wales Male Choir on Saturday 27th February.

Find out more about St David and what Welsh people all over the world wear on the 1st March.

What will you being doing this year to celebrate St David’s Day?

The heat is on.

Pancake day

Over in New Orleans this week they’re celebrating Mardi Gras with gumbo, jambalaya and enough rum to drown a swamp alligator, but here in the UK we’re greasing up our frying pans in readiness for Pancake Day.

Historically, pancakes were cooked on Shrove Tuesday as a way of using up all the fat and eggs in the larder before the 40 days of ritual fasting for Lent. From Ash Wednesday until Easter, rich foods were prohibited – for the devout at least.

Here at Visit Wales we think there’s a better way of marking this tradition of self-restraint than by getting lemon juice in your papercuts and dripping pancake batter all over the kitchen.  In a word, welshcakes.

It’s frying pans at dawn…

This week, we’re issuing a call for Wales to ditch the pancake in favour of the welshcake for Shrove Tuesday.

Like their flatter, crepey cousin, they’re based on a simple flour, sugar and egg batter and are just as easy to make. When made with creamy Welsh butter and warming spices they’re just that little more indulgent than the pancake, and much more tempting. And they’re so much easier to toss.

Bluestone - a new adventure centre opens in time for february half term

“You’ll find boredom where there is an absence of a good idea”

- Earl Nightingale

The recent cold weather school closures may make it feel like your children have only just gone back to school, and yet in a couple of weeks time they will be off school again. 2010 February half term is around the corner.

Parents will be scouring the internet for deals on halfterm activities,  attractions and ideas to make the  family holidays interesting for the kids and less demanding for themselves. What you need is ideas.

We have some solutions……..

1. Conscript your kids to the army

We aren’t suggesting packing them off to the marines -  its life in the  Roman Army they will be learning all about at the Roman Soldier Workshops at the national museum of Wales.

2. Give them a worms eye view of the big issues

The award winning Centre For Alternative Technology offers loads of things to keep kids occupied including the ‘Mole Hole’ allowing them to experience green issues from a worms perspective.

3. Let the ’snakeman’ guide them on a paranormal journey through  haunted castles

Get the pulse racing on a paranormal tour of Margam castle with a special guide.

4.Train them as Knights, and teach them the art of medieval medicine

Jousting, skirmishes and medieval mayhem taught in ‘Knight School’ at Cardiff Castle

5. Make ‘model’ engineers out of them

Demos of big engines and free rides on the micro steam trains for the children at the National Slate Museum

Ben Fogle and friend

“I love the National Parks in Wales – they are breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, and within them adventurous spirits can thrive and people seeking peace and tranquillity can find it aplenty.

A personal favourite for me are the windswept beaches of the Pembrokeshire Coast, like Newgale, where surfers and kayakers battle the elements all year round. Pembrokeshire’s coast path is at its most beautiful in the spring when an abundance of wild flowers cling to the cliff tops. If you’re lucky you might see the first puffins returning to their nesting sites on Skomer Island or a harbour porpoise off Strumble Head.

When I’m in need of a challenging climb I head for the rugged peaks of Snowdonia where I’m spoilt for choice. The classic walks of the Snowdon massif or the Carneddau are among my favourites, but I am also drawn to quieter hills such as the Rhinogau when I need some time out.

I am also drawn, time after time, to the wide open spaces of The Brecon Beacons. This National Park is a haven for all sorts of wildlife – check the sky for red kites with their distinctive forked tails, and listen out for the summer song of skylarks and pipits filling the air.

I hope that you will find time to explore the National Parks in Wales during 2010 – I might see you there!”

Ben is president of The Campaign for National Parks the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

This is an edited version of the article appearing in the latest edition of Wales View, download the full magazine.
Check out Wales’ National Parks on VisitWales
Wales’ 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are well worth a visit – The Clwydian Range, Gower, Llŷn, Anglesey and Wye Valley.

she loves me, she loves me not....... (image by: Elvvia)

Patron Saint of lovers

St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Which makes her the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. This means that Wales enjoys two Valentines Days, one on the 14th February and The Welsh Valentines day – St Dwynwens day on 25th January.

Unrequited

Ironically, St Dwynwen’s love life was a sad and traumatic affair, suffering  a bungled arranged marriage, unrequited love for a prince and brainwashing at the hands of an angel. Unmarried, St Dwynwen founded a convent on the remote and magical Llanddwyn Island, off the west coast of Anglesey.

The Sacred Fish

Every year people make a pilgrimage to St Dwynwen’s Well, where it is said that the movements of a sacred fish can predict how you and your partners relationship will fair. If you and your partner visit the well and the water starts boiling, this is a sure sign that love and happiness will follow you.

Win a romantic weekend for 2 in Portmeirion

Arriva Trains are running a competition for people who met their partners on train journeys. Tell them your story and you could win romantic break for two in Portmeirion.

Wales Millennium Centre

January is normally the month when we lock ourselves away, but have you thought about visiting our capital city Cardiff for a weekend break?

We’ve got some great ideas for things you can do that won’t break the bank:

• Grab yourself a bargain in the January sales
  Visit the new St David’s shopping arcade in Cardiff with big name stores like John Lewis you’re sure to find a little bargain for yourself.

• Free art exhibitions
  The Museum of Cardiff is great for families and art lovers. The fantastic gallery currently has two special exhibitions showing Rembrandt in Focus and Picasso – Still Life with Poron.  All our National Museum’s in Wales are free to enter too!

• Warm up with a good cuppa tea and piece of cake
  The Waterloo Gardens Teahouse in Penylan Cardiff has won the title of best independent café in the UK. Serving teas from award winning estates and featuring exhibitions from local artists it’s definitely worth a visit.

• See a west end show at the Wales Millennium Centre
  If you love the glamour of a west end show then get down to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. See the world’s longest running musical Les Misérables or the classic Chicago.

More things to do in January
Find accommodation in Cardiff
Special offers in Cardiff
Search more events in Cardiff

The old, authentic victorian style shopping in Cardiff

Cardiff – A mix of old and new

If you’re looking for somewhere new to do this year’s Christmas shopping, Cardiff is the place to go. The Welsh capital has recently risen from 10th to 6th in a list of the UK’s best retail centres and it’s easy to see why.

There are many Victorian and Edwardian arcades to meander down, notably the Grade II listed Castle Arcade, Duke Street Arcade and Morgan Arcade. The St David’s Two Centre, an extension to the pre-existing St David’s Centre, has also recently been opened in the city. Cardiff is also home to Queen Street, the Capitol Centre, Howell’s department store and John Lewis, Wales’ largest department store.

The new, huge John Lewis

In Cardiff there are many Welsh-made Christmas presents on offer if you’re after something a little bit different. You can find modern Welsh gifts, such as rugby strips, Penderyn spirits and Brains beer. Traditional Welsh gifts include carthens (a type of blanket), jewellery, a variety of cheeses and Welsh cakes.

Welsh cakes were traditionally made on a bakestone over an open fire, and offer a tempting taste of Wales. These flat circular cakes are sold in shops across the city, notably in the Fabulous Welsh Cakes shop in Cardiff Bay, which was highly commended in the recent True Taste Awards. Jo Roberts, the owner of the shop said: “Welsh cakes are authentic, traditional products of the country and they taste delicious.” Cakes from here make perfect Christmas presents, as they are available packaged and in gift bags to offer to loved ones. They are also sold in the shape of stars and Christmas trees and in a festive spice flavour.

Love spoons

If you’re after a more romantic present how about a Welsh love spoon? Men traditionally carved love spoons from wood and gave them to their beloved as a sign of their affection. St Fagan’s National History Museum houses a love spoon that dates from the late seventeenth century, and is the earliest existing example of such. Different designs denote various things, with a heart symbolising love, a bell a wedding and a diamond luck and affluence. Welsh love spoons are available in shops across the city, such as Castle Welsh Crafts on Castle Street. If you want a twist on the traditional, stainless steel love spoons made in West Wales are available from Craft in the Bay in Cardiff Bay.

If you prefer jewellery, you can buy gifts made from Welsh gold at Clive Ranger in the Castle Arcade, Paul Gentile jewellers in the Capitol Shopping Centre and Christopher George in the Queen’s Arcade.

Carthen

There is also the carthen, a traditional Welsh fringed creation used as a blanket and bedspread, if the winter months have left you feeling chilly. Crafts in the Bay sells carthens made in Wales.

High Spirits

In Cardiff you can also find a Christmas tipple in the form of Brains beer and whisky from Penderyn. Penderyn whisky is produced by Wales’ only distillery. The company’s products have received a variety of accolades from the International Wines and Spirits Competition, Drinks International and Whisky Magazine.

Welsh cheeses, such as Caerphilly, Llanboidy and produce from the Snowdonia Cheese Company are also renowned and make a tasty accompaniment to Christmas day. If you’ve got a cheesy Christmas in mind, you can head to Wally’s Delicatessen in the Royal Arcade, which stocks a variety of cheeses, including some from the Snowdonia Cheese Company.

Wales is also well known for its rugby, with the Cardiff Blues based in the capital, and the Newport Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys nearby. You can buy a variety of shirts, shorts and rugby balls from sports shops in the city if you’re shopping for a rugby fan.

The city has much to offer when it comes to the tasty, the traditional, the moreish and the modern. If you’re after a Welsh twist with your tinsel, then Cardiff is the place to be.

Article by Hannah Carr

There’s nowhere like Portmeirion, a visionary architect’s extraordinary dream made real, close to the Snowdonia National Park. Here’re 5 facts about Portmeirion to whet your appetite.

1 – Usually designated “Italianate” and supposedly a copy of Portofino, Portmeirion is home to a plethora of architectural styles. From the Jacobean Town hall to Victorian Gothic Castell Deudraeth via the Georgian Belvedere, the eclectic parts cohere to form a harmonious whole that is unique.

2 – Portmeirion has been recreated in the Second Life virtual world. Port Merion features lovingly built 3D models of Portmeirion’s distinctive buildings. Your avatar can rent an apartment, go on treasure hunts and attend “live” performances. Makes you wonder what Clough Williams-Ellis would have made of it.

3 – True to her father’s principle that “good design is good business”, Susan Williams-Ellis took the Portmeirion brand from a loss-making site souvenir shop to a booming pottery company that, with its iconic “Botanic Garden” range, graced tables around the world.

4 – Portmeirion’s playful spirit has drawn artistic types since its earliest days. H.G. Wells, Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck all stayed a while. Noel Coward took time out to write Blithe Spirit here. More recently the likes of Stephen Fry and Bob Geldof can be found cluttering up the place.

5 – Clough Williams-Ellis’ labour of love sought not only to preserve the natural beauty of its surroundings but also to provide a home to condemned architectural gems. Rather than building completely from scratch, he seamlessly wove these “found” objects (such as the Bristol Colonnade) into the village’s fabric.

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