We've taken too separate long weekend trips to North Wales. We enjoy the history (castles), scenery and general friendliness of everyone.

On our first trip, we stayed in Criccieth over the Royal Wedding weekend:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/north-wales.html

Our second trip was to Conwy:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/conwy-north-wales-round-2.html

Enjoyed them both.

http://www.visitwales.co.uk/ should have plenty of ideas.

I don't know South Wales at all, though I know the Marches a bit.

In North Wales, we enjoyed

Llandudno - Edwardian resort
Conwy - walled town
Bodnant Gardens
The "back" road from Conwy through Llanrwst to Betys-y-coed (B5106)
I seem to remember that both the A5 and certainly the A4086 though Llanberis have spectacular views.
You can walk up the back of Mt Snowdon on an easy, paved path.
Caernarfon and its castle
And certainly the Festiniog Railway, interesting for the views even if you have no interest in railway. You actually go through people's back gardens at some spots.

You could easily spend three to four days (or a week or two!) just in North Wales. I've a few suggestions of other things to see besides the castles.


For a bit of industrial history do visit the Slate Museum at Llanberis, or the Llechwedd slate caverns.

Try and get across to Anglesey for a day. Especially if the weather is dodgy in the mountains since it is often fine on Anglesey then. Lovely villages, beautiful beaches, hidden Celtic churches, it feels very different to the mainland.

Bodnant is spectacular in spring with the rhododendrons in bloom.

Penrhyn castle is not old, having been built from the money made at the nearby Penrhyn slate quarry, but you may find it interesting.

Llyn Ogwen, and Llyn Idwal with Tryfan, are lovely despite the A5 road. It is certainly worth the walk up to Llyn Idwal if you can make it. Tryfan was used as a training ground for the 1953 conquest of Everest.

The Roman fort of Segontium near Caernarfon is also interesting to visit.

Get a good map and explore - there are some lovely small villages, ancient churches, delightful valleys and lovely walks to be had throughout the area. Aber Falls is a good walk. Sychnant pass is a lovely drive - do it towards the coast for best views. Aberglaslyn pass is also wonderful. You can now do that by steam railway if you prefer.

Further south the Llyn peninsuala is attractive. Portmeirion may appeal. Harlech Castle of course.

You've had a great rundown of northern Wales. I have enjoyed all of the places mentioned.

In southern Wales, there are lots more castles: Caldecott, Chepstow, Caerphilly, Coch, Goodrich, Cardiff, Raglan

Roman ruins in Newport.

Scenic drive up through Symonds Yat and the Brecon Beacons

Farther out on the peninsula there are lots more--all things on my bucket list to explore in more detail.

Hi Gayle..I've enjoyed two visits to Wales (1980 and 1996)...most of the attractions/sites mentioned above you can see in these scanned pics (which hopefully will serve to familiarize you with this very interesting and scenic region). I can't offer a trip report....I don't write any.
Enjoy Wales...
stu

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Wales#

We spent time in Conwy, Beddgelert, and Portmeirion in 2007, and stayed in Snowdonia but didn't explore it much.

Lee Ann