Snowdonia

Bala Lake

The largest natural lake in North Wales, Bala Lake is a superb destination if watersports are your thing. Windsurf along the four mile stretch of water, or if you prefer staying on firm ground, you can take in the scenery from the narrow gauge railway that runs alongside it.

Harlech Castle

Perched on the edge of the Cambrian coast is one of the most impressive of all the Welsh castles. Dramatically positioned, it commands the surrounding area and was virtually impregnable when it was in active use. Now a World Heritage Site, the panoramas of Cardigan Bay from its battlements demand a visit alone.

Blaenau Ffestiniog

This slate town is well worth a visit. Lying in the shadow of the mountains is Snowdonia’s most southern settlement. It not only has one of Wales’ best train journeys courtesy of the narrow gauge Blaenau Ffestiniog, it also boasts one of the most interesting places to visit in the Llechwedd Slate Caverns.

Portmeirion

Just outside Porthmadog, lies the more than slightly surreal resort of Portmeirion, most famous for its use as a location in the 1960s TV serial, The Prisoner. Built in the 1920s by Clough Williams-Ellis, it is a genuinely bizarre mix of architectural styles from early Greek through to Italianate. And all the better for it.

Cardigan Bay

It’s not just the beautiful sandy beaches and breathtaking cliffs that you can see in Cardigan Bay. Every summer bottlenose dolphins make the bay their home and can often be spotted offshore. There’s also Cardigan’s rich history and cultural heritage to explore with plenty of museums, artists’ cottages and antique shops to discover.

Betws-y-Coed

This delightful village is the gateway for the Snowdonia National Park. As you’d expect, the surrounding countryside is stunning, complete with craggy rock outcrops, babbling mountain brooks, conifer clad slopes and quiet glacial lakes.

Pwllheli

A ;popular market town with a Victorian promenade at the heart of the Llyn Peninsula, Pwllheli also has a busy marina and two beaches to chill out on. It’s well worth taking a boat trip from the marina - visit Bardsey Island or try and spot the dolphins, seals and porpoises in the bay.

Mount Snowdon

At 3,560 feet, Mount Snowdon's the highest mountain in the British Isles outside Scotland. And it comes with views to match. On a clear day, you may be able to make out the Irish Coast. Whichever way you choose to get to the top, by mountain railway, walking or climbing, you won’t regret it.

National Slate Museum, Llanberis

Close to Snowdon are the town of Llanberis and the National Slate Museum. This is a working tribute to the skill of the men who quarried and cut the local slate. There are frequent demonstrations from former slate workers who will be more than happy to show how to cut a slab into six or seven slivers.

Find out more about the National Slate Museum

Llyn Peninsula

In many ways, this is the most welsh area of Wales. Welsh is spoken as a first language and it is where Plaid Cymru was first formed. And it’s an area to be proud of. Stunning coastlines and rolling hills make the peninsula a popular place to explore by bike or on foot. Porthmadog and the Ffestiniog railway are just two more sights to see.

Caernarfon

This is a town where history and tradition are heavy in the air. It has its origins in the Roman Conquest, but is also a Welsh language stronghold. It is also home to one of Wales’ most famous castles, where Prince Charles had his investiture in 1969. A palace and seat of government, it took 40 years to build, starting in the 13th century and dominates the surrounding town.