Welcome to Wales

Wales is a small country but it has much to offer the tourist with its roots steeped in legend and mythology, its majestic mountains, its breathtaking coastlines and warm welcoming communities.

Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins recently championed her favourite area of Wales, the Gower Peninsula, on the ITV1 series ‘Britain’s Favourite View’, such is her passion for this glorious landscape.

Many areas of Wales are said to have Arthurian connections and later, during the 19th century, Wales was at the forefront of the industrial revolution. The country’s lush forests, abundant waterfalls and rich deposits of iron ore, coal and slate helped change the history of the world. Today, the countryside has been reclaimed and green forests now replace the black hills of the 19th century and nature reserves cover the hillocks of ‘waste’. A visit to the World Heritage Site at Blaenavon is a wonderful illustration of these changes.

For group visits, Wales can astound you with the variety of choice that is on offer.

Cardiff, the cosmopolitan capital city of Wales, with its own castle and iconic Wales Millennium Centre is a good place to start. The walled town of Tenby, with its beautiful beaches, range of hotels and seafaring history is a visitor’s favourite. Mid Wales has the breathtaking Brecon Beacons National Park, with its traditional market towns, striking landscapes and maze of canal paths. In fact, it’s the first National Park in Wales to be granted Geopark Status, such is its amazing geological history. Look out for the special tours available to explore this area. Further north, Snowdonia National Park always succeeds in pleasantly surprising the visitor – whatever the season! Exploring the area via a Great Little Train is often the most rewarding way. Or strolling along the Prom at Llandudno; certain to evoke a memory or two! Snowdonia is also a fascinating place to reconnect with the natural world, be it at one of the gorgeous gardens in the area or maybe taking a course at the Park’s study centre.

Yes, Wales is a small country but it is big – no huge – on things to do and see.

For a more in depth look, you can also hire a guide from the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association to really make the most of your visit.

It is hoped that this Guide will help you plan your group’s trip by highlighting suitable attractions and areas to visit, ensuring that your tour is one of the most memorable you have planned!

Click here to open the supplement on screen in pdf format. If you prefer to download the supplement, right click here, select Save Target As…and save it on your computer. File is 14.3MB.

First published with the February 2008 issue of Group Travel Organiser magazine.