Wales

Renowned as Britain's 'Great Outdoors', breathe the fresh air of Snowdonia’s magnificent mountains in the north or discover the tranquillity of mid-Wales’ lakes and the south’s lush valleys. With three stunning National Parks and over 750 miles of coast, Wales is an exhilarating choice for activities.

Walk long distance paths like Offa's Dyke, the centuries-old border with England, scale the heights of Cader Idris (home of a mythical giant!), cycle along country lanes, golf, fish or indulge in watersports along some of the best beaches in Europe. Or simply get away from it all on Pembrokeshire’s wide golden sands and finish off with a traditional tea of Welsh cakes in picture-postcard Tenby.

The history and myths of one of the world's oldest civilisations have created an unforgettable range of sights to explore: ancient burial chambers, Roman forts and more than 400 castles, including World Heritage sites at Conwy and Harlech. Follow legendary King Arthur to Caerleon Amphitheatre, Merlin the magician to Carmarthen and relish Wales' rich culture in museums and galleries everywhere.

Charming market towns and quaint villages pepper the countryside, while cities like Swansea and the capital, Cardiff, are vibrantly cosmopolitan and forward-looking, with a fabulous collection of Impressionist paintings at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales.

Language

The official languages in Wales are English and Welsh. There are 28 letters in the Welsh language and unlike English its vowels are: A,E,I,O,U,W, and Y.

English is spoken by almost all people in Wales and is the de facto main language, with the local dialect being Welsh English. However, Wales is officially bilingual.

All road signs in Wales should be in English and Welsh, including both versions of place names where names or versions exist in both languages e.g. Caerdydd and "Cardiff".