Tips for Wales
 

Hi guys, I will be travelling to Wales at the end of July - beginning of August and could use a little help. Will be meeting a friend who has to stay near Cardiff and then we will be going together to Edinburgh. However, I would also love to see Conwy and Llandduno. So, for those of you who know the area, would it be better to start by Conwy and Llandduno and then go to Cardiff, flying to Edinburgh, or to start by Cardiff, then go to Llandduno and Conway, taking the train to Edinburgh? And would 2 half days and 1 full day in the Llandduno/Conwy area be enough to get a taste of it ? It's important to mention that I won't be doing any driving and so will have to depend on the train. Thank you.

>>And would 2 half days and 1 full day in the Llandduno/Conwy area be enough to get a taste of it ?<<

A bare taste -- more difficult to explore Wales without a car but it is doable. I don't think it makes much difference which order you arrange things.

You will be in Edinburgh during the Festivals/Tattoo. Do you already have your accommodations?

North Wales around Llandudno is easy to tour by train and bus - but there are so many possibilities it would be hard to do very many in your time frame. Conwy is a great town to stay in - Llandudno where I based not much of special interest except taking a tram or hiking up top the Great Orme.

I'd stay in Cardiff area and see more there than do a rushed drop by in Conwy. If taking trains check National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables for booking your own tickets online - at a discount if act early enough - check www.seat61.com for lots on that. General info trains also www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts. I'd fly Cardiff to Scotland as it's a long slow train ride. But if opt for Conwy the train from there wouldn be better perhaps than heading to Manchester or airport and flying.

2 half days and a full day in Conwy:

1st half day tour around Conwy itself (the train from Cardiff may be long and require changes)

1st full day - lots of possibilities but here's what I did once - take bus Conwy to Caernaferon (great castle where Princes of Wales are invested and nice town) -then take bus to Mount Snowdon's railways that ascends famous Mount Snowdon or walk up on a gently rising busy footpath -maybe walk down and take scenic bus via Pyg Pass to Betwsy-Coed for Conwy Valley railway to return to Conwy - sounds cumbersome but ain't.

2nd half day - ascend Great Orme via antique tramway - neat views of course on top and a nature preserve and visitor's centre with interpretative info.

Not suggesting you do Conwy area but suggest staying in Cardiff with such limited time but if do there is one possibility.

Hello Janisj. Thank you for the reply. Yesss, I am going to Edinburgh exactly to see the Tattoo and I have, indeed, already reserved accommodations. But I do have an extra Tattoo ticket in the 80 pound range which I won't be using as my fiancee could not go with me. Would you know of anybody who might be interested in buying it ? ☺

Best Regards, AW