THE TOP WELSH EXPERIENCES

*(Number in brackets is the entry listing in the Lonely Planet guide)

1. (10) Explore Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

2. (45) Take on Snowdon, the loftiest summit in Wales or England 3. (47) Gasp at the coastlines of the Gower Peninsula

4. (48) Roar the dragons to victory at the Principality Stadium 5. (59) Mingle with sociable puffins on Skomer

6. (64) Lace your best climbing boots for reconnoitring tricky Tryfan 7. (79) Immerse yourself in coasteering in Pembrokeshire

8. (93) Make a pilgrimage way out west to St David’s Cathedral 9. (104) Make for Hay to find Britain’s top literature festival 10. (106) Discover the Italy-meetsWales fantasy land of Portmeirion

11. (123) Stride, sup and stargaze in the Brecon Beacons National Park 12. (127) Wander the little-known wilderness of the Cambrian Mountains

13. (135) Float over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct aboard a narrowboat 14. (137) Mountain-bike top trails at Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park

15. (144) Fuel up the scintillating Llanidloes to Machynlleth drive 16. (148) Do be beside the seaside in the Georgian resort of Tenby

17. (152) Be awed by the 700-yearold defences of Beaumaris

18. (159) Go back in time at St Fagans National Museum of History 19. (171) Trek through the barren upland borderlands of the Black Mountains

20. (184) Drop in on the Lady of the Lake at Llyn y Fan Fach

21. (185) Bliss out by yourself on sublime Barafundle Bay

22. (187) Ride the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways through Snowdonia

23. (214) Promenade around the greatest Welsh-built fortress, Powis Castle

24. (232) Ride some of Wales’ wildest waves along Hell’s Mouth Beach 25. (249) Grab some enriching resort time at Aberystwyth

26. (259) Admire an awesome view at every turn at Rhossili Bay

27. (261) Branch out at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

28. (266) Find sophistication as well as seaside tranquility at Mumbles

29. (289) Dive into the World Bog Snorkelling Championships

30. (300) Patrol the ramparts at Unesco-listed Caernarfon Castle

31. (311) Feel spirituality flow from the riverside ruin of Tintern Abbey 32. (327) Whizz through the Zip World Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog

33. (370) Gawk at the mighty defences of 13th-century Conwy

34. (382) Home in on cute Crickhowell for some top walks

35. (383) Give the mountains a break at Surf Snowdonia

36. (394) Saddle up for the Whole Earth Man V Horse Marathon

37. (397) Sink a pint at Ty Coch Inn in Morfa Nefyn

38. (416) Have old-fashioned seaside fun at the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”, Llandudno

39. (430) Unleash your inner warlord exploring Carreg Cennen castle

40. (433) Rome through ruins and Arthurian myths at Caerleon

41. (434) Fall hook, line and sinker for Aberaeron and its dolphins

42. (435) Go up country and agricultural at the Royal Welsh Show

43. (436) See the spectacular panoramas of Plas Newydd, Anglesey

44. (469) Stroll around Erddig, one of Wales’ most stately stately homes

45. (481) Learn lots about mining at brilliantly authentic Blaenavon

46. (484) Squeeze into the UK’s dinkiest residence at Quay House, Conwy

47. (495) Ponder ancient pilgrimage paths at Braich-y-Pwll