Wales rolls out the Year of the Sea

Wales rolls out its Year of the Sea – Visit Wales is rolling out a special celebration through 2018 – the Year of the Sea.

If you have ever wanted to take a closer look at this great country then its captivating coastlines are all the inspiration you need.

A trip anywhere along the Welsh coastline delivers jaw-dropping views, contemporary cultural hotspots, unforgettable encounters with nature, and encounters with thousands of years of history.

The coastline looking across the Irish Sea wraps around towering cliffs, hundreds of harbours, coves, inlets and islands, and 230 beaches. Every cove and clifftop comes with legends of pirates and smugglers, wreckers and saints.

And when that coastline has a traveller friendly companion, in the form of a dedicated 870-mile coastal path stretching from Flintshire in the north to Chepstow in the south, it’s an offer you can’t refuse.

Wales is the first country in the world to provide a dedicated footpath close to most of its coastline. The Wales Coastal Path wends through eleven National Nature Reserves and beaches that include 41 Blue Flag award winners on its journey from Queensferry, Flintshire in the north to Chepstow in Monmouthshire in the south.

On route, through North Wales, the coastal path passes no less than three UNESCO world heritage sites – Caernarfon Castle, Beaumaris Castle and Conwy Castle, a historic triple legacy left by Edward 1.

Wales’ Year of the Sea will showcase these stunning coastal landscapes and highlight a range of adrenaline fuelled water-sports. There are dozens of activities to try including sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, kitesurfing, coasteering, stand-up paddleboarding, rib-rides and surfing.

There are classic harbour towns, modern marinas  and elegant Victorian and Edwardian resorts that are home to some of the most sought after restaurants with the best views in Britain.

Visit Wales will be hosting special events and attractions throughout the year. You can keep up-to-date with the programme at www.visitwales.com

Walking Wales – there’s always a Way

Visit Wales has recently launched The Wales Way, a family of three national scenic touring routes that cross the country’s most epic landscapes, showcasing its fascinating history, coastlines and attractions.

The three Ways have been designed to intersect, so can be enjoyed alone for shorter breaks, or linked together for longer adventures. Whether you go for coast, mountains or culture, the beauty of these routes, and the thing that makes them really stand out among their counterparts, is that you can so easily create your own, custom-built Welsh road trip.

Travelling from top to bottom along the mountainous spine of the country, The Cambrian Way focuses on Wales’ beautiful countryside and runs for 185 miles (300km) between Llandudno and Cardiff, winding through the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks, with epic scenery and adventure around every corner.

The North Wales Way is rich in culture, and although just seventy five miles in length, is packed with thousands of years of history. The North Wales Way offers a gateway to Snowdonia’s mountain adventures and the ancient history of Anglesey. Experience the bridges of the Menai Straits and discover the area’s industrial heritage at glorious Parys Mountain, once the world’s largest copper mine.