Where to eat in North Wales

Whenever you travel around Wales and hunger strikes, it's worth hunting out some of these great places to eat.

Castle Cottage
A pair of rugged Medieval buildings are home to a delightfully contemporary restaurant-with-rooms.
http://www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk/

Old Bull's Head
This historic inn has a fine dining restaurant and a chich contemporary brasserie, right next to beautiful Beaumaris Castle. http://www.theoldbullshead.co.uk/

Plas Bodegroes
The food, the art, the rooms, the location - everything is just about perfect at this Pwllheli favorite.
http://www.bodegroes.co.uk/

Tyddyn Llan
Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms set splendidly in the Clwydian hills. http://www.tyddynllan.co.uk/

This summer get swept away by Wales. Around every corner, expect the unexpected. Experience the land of magic, myth and dragons as you climb towers, walk ancient walls and explore dungeons of any of Wales’ 641 castles. You'll stumble across cozy country inns and magnificent manor homes, rustic fishing villages, delectable restaurants and a country full of breathtaking views. www.celtictours.com/visitwales

South Wales and England - Self-Drive Vacations

Experience the best of South Wales and England. This 6 night independent vacation pairs 3 nights in Cardiff, Wales with your choice of 3 nights in England. Choose from The Cotswolds, Bath, the Lake District or Oxford & Cambridge. This package comes complete with entrances to some of the best sightseeing attractions in the UK and breakfast daily.

Your South Wales & England Tour Highlights:

• 3 Nights in South Wales 
• Breakfast daily 
•  Entrances to: Cardiff Castle, National Museum of Cardiff, National Coal Mining Museum, Cosmeston Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, and the Aberdulais Falls
•  3 Nights in England area of choice: The Cotswolds, Bath, the Lake District or Oxford & Cambridge.
•  England Entrances based on England Package chosen.
•  6 Day Car Rental based on Ford KA manual car with CDW. (Upgraded car available).

Travel to South Wales and England on this self-drive vacation package

Visit Wales Video

Travel to Wales with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Dublin and South Wales - Self-Drive Vacation

Experience the best of Dublin and South Wales. This 6 night independent vacation pairs 3 nights in Dublin with 3 nights in Cardiff, Wales. This package comes complete with entrances to some of the best sightseeing attractions in Wales and breakfast daily.

Your Dublin and South Wales Tour Highlights:

• 3 Nights in Dublin 
•  3 Nights in South Wales 
•  Breakfast daily 
•  Entrances to: Cardiff Castle, National Museum of Cardiff, National Coal Mining Museum, Cosmeston Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, and the Aberdulais Falls 
• 3 Day Car Rental based on Ford KA manual car with CDW. (Upgraded car available).

Visit Dublin and South Wales on this self-drive vacation

Glasgow Banter - City Stay Vacation Package

GLASGOW BANTER

A great mix of modern style and Victorian architecture. Scotland’s largest city has a fantastic variety of areas from the bohemian west end, the über cool Merchant City, and the warm-hearted east end. You are visiting a genuine hub of nightlife, food, drink, designer shopping, culture and art. Glasgow offers you the best of all worlds! And if it is a bit Scottish countryside you are after as well, you have come to the right place. Loch Lomond National Park is a mere 20 minute drive away and during a day excursion you will discover the beauty of Loch Lomond, have the chance to see Stirling Castle and taste some of the finest whisky at Glengoyne Distillery.

Package includes:

• ·      3 nights accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotel, as per category chosen;
• ·      Based on sharing twin or double room with private facilities;
• ·      Scottish or continental breakfast daily at the hotel;
• ·      Ticket for Glasgow City Tour (hop on/ off) valid for a 24 hour period;
• ·      1 day guided excursion to Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and a whisky distillery;
• ·       Service charges & Tax including VAT
• ·       Note: Museums and Galleries are free of charge in Glasgow so do not miss out on a visit to the following; Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Burrell Collection, St Mungo Museum, People’s Palace, Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland Street School Museum and more;
  
  
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The Great Unfinished Masterpiece - Beaumaris Castle, Wales

Beaumaris Castle on the Isle of Anglesey is the great unfinished masterpiece.

Following his conquest of Wales in the 13th century, Edward I, King of England, built Beaumaris Castle as part of his formidable 'Iron Ring' of castles. The Iron Ring is a slew of colossal fortresses in an attempt to subjugate the Welsh people. Edward I's fearsome Iron Ring represents Europe's most ambitious and concentrated medieval building project. Beaumaris Castle is only one of the castles in Edward I's Iron Ring.

Seven centuries ago when they began planning and building, the population of Llanfaes was forcibly moved 12 miles (19km) away to Newborough to make way for Edward’s new castle. It was also his last. Money and supplies ran out before it reached full height. Despite this, Beaumaris Castle is regarded by many as the finest of all the great Edwardian Castles in Wales. The concentric design of Beaumaris Castle meant the outer curtain was overlooked entirely by the castle's inner ward. The castle is praised by UNESCO as a "unique artistic achievement" for the way in which is combines "characteristic 13th century double-wall structures with a central plan" and for the beauty of its "proportions and masonry".

The unfinished castle of Beaumaris, located on the Isle of Anglesey, northeast of the Menai Bridge. The name Beaumaris is derived from the French for beautiful marsh, le beau marais. The fortress sits contentedly in a scenic setting overlooking mountains and the sea, partially surrounded by a water-filled moat.

Learn more about Wales Travel with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Harlech Castle, Wales

Constructed atop a spur of rock, close to the Irish sea, in the seaside resort in Gwynedd, Wales lies Harlech Castle.

Having stood the test of time, UNESCO considers Harlech Castle to be of  "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe." Harlech Castle was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289. Over the next few centuries, the castle played an important part in several wars.

The fortification was built of local stone and is concentric in design, featuring a massive gatehouse that probably once provided high-status accommodation for the castle constable and visiting dignitaries.

Access via the stairway to the sea and crucial supplies kept the castle’s besieged inhabitants fed and watered. When it was first built, a channel would have connected the castle and the sea. You could have sailed a boat up to the moat. Seven hundred years later, the sea has receded and you could say the castle appears almost stranded, waiting for the tide to turn once more.

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Top 4 - Must See North Wales

North Wales - Pristine and unspoiled landscape, punctuated by Wales' tallest mountain, Mount Snowdon.

Top 4 Must See in North Wales

1. Climb Mount Snowdon, some say the final resting place of King Arthur.

2. Visit the Isle of Anglesey, home of HRH Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton. The Isle of Anglesey is also the last outpost of the Druid culture.

3. Visit the UK town with the longest place name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwymdrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

4. Visit the Victorian resort town of Llandudno and see where Alice in Wonderland spent her summer vacations.

Learn more about Wales travel

North Wales & Snowdonia

The further you get to North Wales, the more you hear the locals speaking the ancient language of Welsh. North Wales is considered the most traditional part of the country in terms of langiage, legends and lifestyle. The Druids themselves made their last stand against the Romans here, on the windswept island of Angelesey and the whole of the north feels as if it is still under their spell.

North Wales' pristine and unspoiled landscape is punctuated by Wales' tallest mountain, Mount Snowdon. Railway lovers will find paradise aboard the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. North Wales is also home to HRH Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton. The Prince lives on Anglesey, a sea-girt island at the edge of Wales' northwest border.

Four Welsh castles collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage site: Harlech, Beaumaris, Conwy and Caernarfon. Edwardian invaders left these imposing fortresses, still some of the world's most striking examples of medieval architechture. Follow in royal footsteps at Caernarfon Castle where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969. Or stay the night at Ruthin Castle, once owned by King Henry VIII and later by Queen Elizabeth I. Nearby, wander the atmospheric ruins of Denigh Castle and the town's ancient walls.

Learn More About Wales: http://www.celtictours.com/visitwales

Visit Wales

Around every corner, experience the unexpected. You'll stumble across cozy inns and restaurants, rustic fishing villages, mountain vistas and cliff-top trails.

Wales in home to 641 castles, more than any other country in Europe. You're encouraged to visit them: climb towers, walk ancient walls and explore dungeons. This is the land of magic, myth and dragons.

Wales is home to HRH Prince William of Wales. Royal connections abound, and everyone can be spoiled by staying in hotels formerly owned by kings and queens. Across the country, the art of old-fashioned hospitality is thriving, albeit with modern amenities and a contemporary Welsh style.

Escape to a country full of breathtaking views, quaint towns, Celtic heritage and endless culture.

Visit our website to learn more about Wales. http://www.celtictours.com/visitwales

Discover Doolin!

Discover Doolin this year! A small fishing village, set at the foot of the Cliffs of Moher and mere footsteps to the Burren, Doolin is known not only for its majestic beauty and outdoor activities. Doolin is world-renowned for its wealth of traditional Irish music. Making Doolin the perfect base for which to explore the scenic and historic County Clare.


Attracting visitors of all ages and walks of life, Doolin's rich musical heritage spans many decades. This is thanks to the earlier generations of musicians from the area. Most famous of these perhaps is the Russell brothers Micho, Gussie and Pakie.The very fabric of this largely gaeltacht community was formed from centuries of singing, dancing and storytelling. Today you will find a lively pub culture in one of the three music-pubs in Doolin: McDermott's, McGann;s and O'Connor's.  You will find music nightly in all the pubs during the summer months.

Apart from the musical heritage, Doolin is a perfect base for exploring County Clare. Here are a couple of the must-see's nearby:

Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, are one of Ireland’s top Visitor attractions, with close to 1 million visitors per year. A visit to this majestic natural wonder will and you’ll know why. The Cliffs stand 702 feet high at its highest point, stretching roughly 5 miles, offering breathtaking views of the beauty of Ireland’s west coast and the sheer power of the Atlantic Ocean. Even on a calm day, the great ocean waves ceaselessly pound the shore with white surf continually showing white surf at the base of the cliffs.





Aillwee Cave
Ireland's Premier Showcave is an experience which should be a part of everyone's visit to Doolin. Not only is it a stunning walk, Aillwee Cave is also home to Ireland's largest display of Falcons, Harris Hawks, Owls, American Kestrels and White Tailed Sea Eagles.

The Burren
The Burren is one of Ireland's most outstanding landscapes: a place of great beauty and fascination, steeped in history, teeming with wildlife and blessed with a rich culture and strong sense of community.

Activities
Explore the breathtaking scenery around Doolin with outdoor activities. Horse back riding, caving, cycling, golf, sea kayaking, walking, caving and diving are just a few of the activities you can do.

Take a day trip to Galway or hop on a boat to the Aran Islands for a day. As you can see, Doolin is a perfect base to explore County Clare. Experience this wonderful fishing village in Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.