My husband and I are spending 5 days in Wales in late June. We have already reconcilled ourselves with not being able to see both the north and south of the country. Please help us decide - we are really torn!

But first, a little about us. We are in our late 30's - early 40's. We like to see castles, gardens, museums, little villages, beautiful scenery. We do like to hike, but because of an non-healing plantar fascitis, we can't go more than about 5 miles of walking/hiking. So shorter trails are better. We don't drive in the UK. Tried it and it was so stressful for my husband that it is just out. So we need trains and/or buses.

We will be flying to Manchester, so N. Wales is a little easier to get to, but we would be willing to go south.

To give you a slightly better idea of our interests, here's what we've considered in each area.

North: Conwy castle, Boanant gardens, short hikes around Betws y Coed, Mt. Snodon, Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway, Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Portmeirion.

South: Cardiff castle, St. John's cathedral, Llandaff Cathedral, Museum of Welsh Life, St. David's Cathedral and Bishop's Palace and some hiking in that area.

We really can't decide, so any ideas would be good! Thanks so much!

Skedaddle, while both North and South Wales is wonderful, to me, North Wales was a bit more scenic and easier to get from site to site. The last time I visited North Wales, I stayed in Llendudno right on the water.

The list of sights you have is very good and just about what you can see comfortably in 5 days.

Which ever way you decide to go, you really can't go wrong in Wales. The people are wonderful and so freindly. Have a wonderful trip!

We toured for 4 days, 3 nights twice with Backroads Touring, based outside of London.

We did south Wales from and Brick House, a B and B near Chepstow.

That enabled us to see Cardiff, Brecon Becons National Park, Cheptsto and its castle, Tintern Abbey, and a few other places tucked away in the hills.

Last summer we drove all over north Wales. Scenic every where we went.

Whether you chose north or south Wales, Lonely Planet and The Rough Guide to Wales give information on train and bus possibilities and are a good resource for early planning.

With Cardiff as a base you could easily do most of what's on your list from the city centre ( via bus) and then take a bus to the Brecons. St. David's is more problematic.

The north also has fairly good bus service to the places you mentioned. Either way you can't go wrong.



I'd also make my bookings asap. Wales does get busy during the summer.

This is what I feared, both north and south are really good! I've got the Rough Guide and between that and Britrail.com, it looks as though there are rail and/or bus connections everywhere. I was a little concerned that we might not be able to get to things in the north without a car, but it looks in the book (and sounds from you guys) as though it won't really be a problem.

The only section I've been having a hard time interpreting is the Sherpa bus in Snowdonia. It appears that Betws-y-Coed might be the best base for connections to see the mountain and to go to Porthmadog. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to have a lot of attractions. Would you say this is accurate?

I guess I'm leaning a little toward the north. We were thinking of taking the train from Betws-y-Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog, seeing the Slate mine, then going on to Porthmadog. We'd like to do this in one direction, but I can't determine from any of the websites (slate mine, britrail, or great little trains of Wales) if there is a facility to leave luggage in Blaenau Ffestiniog while we look around. We have a bit more than a backback (2 suitcases, usually), so just toting it along isn't an option. Do any of you remember anything about this?

Dallas - where is Llendudno? I can't find it on my map?

Thanks for your prompt replies!

I think Dallas mean Llandudno.

Skedaddle...Have you tried the Ffestiniog website to see if they have information on leaving luggage?

www.festrail.co.uk

There are other narrow-guage and steam railways in Snowdonia. Llanberis, Fairbornerailway,Snowdonia and Talyllyn.

Betws-y-Coed is a good place to stay. Central to Snowdonia sights and with decent bus connections.

Since you'll be arriving in Manchester, and with such a short amount of time, the north of Wales makes better sense.

Aha! Llandudno! I see that one. So many ll's on the map . . .

Yep, tried that website. I'll just e-mail them to see. If not, perhaps there is a hotel that would keep our bags for a few hours.

We like train travel very much, so we will check on the others you mention. I was planning on the Snowdonia Mt. Railway. I'm assuming on most of these tourists are doing a daytrip with return and not using them as actual transportation? Any input on whether it is worth the extra money to sit in an observation car on the Ffestiniog line? From their website, it's a little hard to see any difference.

Thanks for all of your help!

So sorry about the name confusion Skedaddle and Historytraveler. I typed it from memory, and my memory is not what it used to be! Anyway, if you do stay in Llandudno, try to get a room with one of the many nice places on the promenade.

I remember one morning I sat in front of the big bow window drinking coffee and watching a family of dolphins

I would go to North Wales. There are wonderful castles and wlaks (of variuous lengths) and it's easy to get to. Also, if you have time, Chester, just in England (2 miles from Wales) is a beautiful town and well worth a visit.

Carolena

SOUTH WALES!!!!

Ok, so I'm biased seeing as I live there but South Wasles is soo beautiful in the summer...We are having fab weather at the mo too!!
I'm from Swansea and here we have the Gower coast...miles and miles of stunning coasline and beaches...the bus will take you all day for about £6.
Cardiff is near of coure...so is Pembrey, Cardigan, Pembroke...(castle there that Henry Tudor 7th was born - very historic) Tenby is a great little town too.
South Wales...Every time!

I am afraid I can't help you decide which area to go, as both are very interesting to me.

In the north, besides Bodnant Gardens, the garden in Penrhyn Castle(near Bangor) is quite lovely also. It would be a pity to miss Caernarfon Castle too.

In the south, I have enjoyed the walking along Pembrokeshire Coast much more than in the north, with some of the most drastic coastal sceneries and lovely little villages. It is quite easy to get around with Puffin shuttle buses.

In both area, public transport( especially bus)is quite good, have you looking into the Wales Flexipass? It is quite convenient for travelling around, for details, please check:www.walesflexipass.co.uk

Thanks for everyone's help! We are getting things pinned down now. We finally decided on north Wales (sorry Lea_Lea - the south sounds lovely, too).

My major need is a place to stay for one night in Conwy. Does anyone have any recommendations? We are looking for something central and reasonably priced (less than $150).

The rest of the trip looks like this:
Day 1 Arrive Manchester Holyhead (I know it's far, but my husband really, really wants to try to see puffins.)
Days 2 and 3 Porthmadog
Day 4 Blaenau Ffestiniog - there is no left luggage facility there, in case anyone is wondering
Day 5 Conwy
Day 6 Manchester
Day 7 Depart

One other thing - we are planning to stop by Holywell near Flint on the way back to Manchester. It happens to be the day of the annual pilgrimage to St. Winefried's Well. Has anyone been there?

Thanks for all the great advice!

For Conwy try the Castle Bank Hotel www.castle-bank.co.uk or Swan Cottage www.swancottage.btinternet.co.uk and Bulkeley Mill www.bulkeley-mill.co.uk

You may have to book something on the outskirts of town as there isn't a lot available town centre. I believe there are a number of places on the local bus routes.

Thanks historytraveler; I've emailed the Swan and the Castlebank, but not heard back from them yet.

Here are a couple more suggestions, just in case.

Town House
SychnantPass
www.sychnant-pass-house.co.uk

Glan Heulog Guest House www.walesbandb.co.uk

Gwynfryn B&B (Conwy)

Glyn Uchaf

Groes Inn

The Castle Hotel in Conwy is supposedly very good but don't know if it's in your price range.Check it out anyway. www.castlewales.co.uk

Good Luck

Thanks! Luckily I heard back from the Swan Cottage this morning and I have a reservation now. The Castle Hotel also had one, but as you say, it's pretty expensive!

Our trip is getting closer and I'm really excited to see Wales! Thanks for all your help!

Skedaddle, did you go and come back? I'm starting to seriously plan our June Wales trip, and would love to see a trip report!

Re Ffestiniog Observation Car.

The Obs is First Class.

If you can guarantee getting a seat in it (ask when booking) it is worth the money for the better views (especially from Porthmadog to Blaenau - coming down the loco will block the view from the end of the coach).

Otherwise First will not give much better views only more space/comfort (and possibly less people).

Sit on the right of the train going up/left coming down (apart from the first/last stretch near Porthmadog when the view is on the opposite side).

Michael

Seasweetie,

I have posted a Wales trip report here (From Poetry to Nature)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34824413

Moreover, I did a day trip to North Wales when I was in Chester during the same holiday, and you can find that in my report for England (Toast, Beans and Tomatoes) here

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34851175

Seasweetie,

Yes, we've gone and returned. I'll be happy to post a trip report, but it will take me a few days. I've also been to Ecuador this summer and things at work have been really backed up because I spent 3 weeks there.

So, very soon. I promise!