Overview

According to topschoolsintheusa, Wales is an enchanting natural collage of pristine countryside and pretty beaches. Here and there, the greenery is punctuated by historic castles and quaint villages, and time-honoured traditions and wonderful folklore define the proud Welsh identity. Wales is characterized by mountains where flocks of sheep graze and its many protected areas. The Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons National Parks offer active holidaymakers beautiful, extensive hiking and mountain biking trails. The Welsh coast is one of the most beautiful in Britain. Sought-after sandy beaches are mainly found in Cardigan Bay, and along the shore, hidden coves and secluded stretches of coast invite you to linger. Although Wales is very traditional, the vibrant capital of Cardiff presents itself as a very modern city with a lively nightlife, world-class restaurants, a dynamic music scene and expansive green spaces.

Getting there

Arriving by plane

Flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Cardiff include: – Aer Lingus (EI) via Dublin; – KLM (KL) via Amsterdam; – Air France (AF) via Paris.

Flight times

Munich – Cardiff: 2 hours 10 minutes; Berlin – Cardiff: 2 hours 10 minutes; Dusseldorf – Cardiff: 1 hour 40 minutes; Geneva – Cardiff: 1 hour 55 minutes Frankfurt/M. – Cardiff: 2 hrs 40 mins; Zurich – Cardiff: 2 hours 40 minutes; Vienna – Cardiff: 3 hours 10 minutes (in each case pure flight time, without stopover).

Arrival by car

The best way to reach Wales from southern England is via the M4 motorway, which runs from West London via Newport, Cardiff and Swansea almost to Carmarthen. The A5 connects London and the Midlands to Holyhead Ferry Port, the A55 runs from Holyhead to Chester. The A40/A44/A470 route from Oxford to Aberystwyth passes through particularly scenic countryside. Traffic on the country roads is sometimes quite slow. The roads in the higher areas are often impassable in bad weather. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Wales. However, charges may apply for special traffic structures such as the Severn Bridge, north of Bristol. Rental cars can be rented in larger towns. Bus: National Express drive among others

Note on arrival by car

Distances: London – Cardiff 150 miles / Fishguard 260 miles / Holyhead 300 miles / Aberystwyth 240 miles.

Arrival by train

A train journey from London to Cardiff takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. One of the main routes into Wales runs from London Paddington station along the South Wales coast to Fishguard; another route connects Holyhead with Chester and the North West of England. The Cardiff to Chester route connects the South Welsh towns of Abergavenny in Gwent and Wrexham in Clwyd. Secondary routes run inland: from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and to Aberystwyth and from Craven Arms to Swansea on the south coast. Of particular note are the Welsh steam railways, such as the Ffestiniog Railways at Porthmadog in Snowdonia, where several 19th-century locomotives and carriages have been lovingly restored; also the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway (in North Powys), the Fairbourne and Talyllyn Railways (at Barmouth in Cardigan Bay) and the Bala Lake Railway. For further information contact The Great Little Trains of Wales, c/o Talyllyn Railways Company, Tel. +44 (1654) 71 04 72.

rail passes

The Great Little Trains of Wales Discount Card entitles the holder to 20% off travel on the trains featured on the card. Each card is valid for 12 months from the date of the first trip. The card also includes discounts for selected accommodation near the railways.

Arrival by ship

Fishguard (Dyfed) and Holyhead (Isle of Anglesey) are the main ports. Ferries from the Republic of Ireland dock here.

Cruise ships

Phoenix calls at Cardiff on her cruise to the British Isles with the MS Deutschland, known from the series Das Traumschiff.

Ferry provider

Stena Line ferries connect Fishguard to Rosslare (Ireland) and Holyhead to Dublin.

Passport and visa regulations

Entry with children

Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.

Language

Overview

English and Welsh are official languages, with around a fifth of residents speaking Welsh as their first language.

Public Holidays

01/01/2022 New Year

04/15/2022 Good Friday

04/18/2022 easter monday

05/02/2022 may day

05/30/2022 spring holiday

08/29/2022 summer holiday

12/25/2022 Christmas

12/26/2022 Christmas

Contact addresses

Visit Wales
+44 (333) 006 30 01.
http://www.visitwales.com/en
http://www.visitwales.com/en

Available by phone: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m

Visit Wales/Bwrdd Croeso Cymru
Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road
Cardiff
United Kingdom
+44 (2920) 49 99 09.
http://www.visitwales.com/en
http://www.visitwales.com/en

Daily 09.00-17.00.

Nightlife

Introduction

Nightlife is similar to English cities. Pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas are available.

Culinary

Overview

Welsh cuisine is very similar to English, using fresh local produce such as lamb and vegetables, and all kinds of fish and seafood on the coast. Local specialties include Welsh rarebit (cheese topped toast), Leek soup and Laverbread (seaweed bread). ). In almost all larger towns there are also Chinese, Indian and other restaurants. Drinks: The UK pub curfew has been history since November 2005. Since then, pub owners in the kingdom have been allowed to stay open 24 hours a day and no longer have to ring in the last round at 11 p.m. Sometimes alcohol is not sold on Sundays, but hotels are allowed to serve drinks to guests.

Accommodation

Hotels

All hotels are regularly inspected by the Wales Tourist Board and are subject to the standard star rating system (see England). The more stars, the more extensive the equipment and the service. The star rating system also applies to guesthouses, inns and youth hostels. Information and brochures from the tourist office (see addresses). The Regional Tourist Offices also publish listings of accommodation: North Wales (tel: (01492) 53 17 31), Mid Wales (tel: (01654) 70 26 53), South West Wales (tel: (01792) 78 12 12).

Camping

Over 300 campsites and caravan parks are available. Campsites listed in the Tourist Office brochures have certain minimum facilities. Categories: 1-5 stars denoting quality and cleanliness, but not necessarily the extent of the facilities.

Culture

Social Rules of Conduct

Smoking: Wales has a ban on smoking in all workplaces, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Climate

Best travel time

Similar to England, but with more rainfall. It can get quite warm on the coast in summer. Changeable at high altitudes, hikers and mountaineers should definitely heed weather warnings.

Country data

Phone prefix

+44

Area (sq km)

20779

Population

3,138,600

Population density (per square km)

149

Population statistics year

2018

Member of the EU

yes

Main emergency number

112