Wales is blessed with so many natural and cultural treasures. And one way to get acquainted with what this country has to offer is by booking a stay at one of several unique accommodations that vary from the serene to the quirky. You can read about six of these in my latest article for ForbesLife.
Portmeirion Village (the quirky village in Wales where The Prisoner was shot) is captivating even in inclement weather.
Though I didn’t visit the 180-foot-long Laburnum Arch at the height of the season (late May-earlyJune), it’s still lovely to behold. This is one of the most visited venues at the expansive Bodnant Gardens in Wales.
What an atmospheric setting for a tea room in Wales. At Tu Hwnt I’r Bont, I enjoyed scones with butter and jam in the leafy gardens beside the Conwy River. Most of the edifice is blanketed with Virginia creeper which, I’m told, turns a delightful shade of crimson in the fall.
The landscape of Wales is a delightful patchwork of verdancy in all its vivid green hues.
I’m enamored with Newport, a lovely town in Southwest Wales with a sandy beach, a castle, several coffee shops and art and craft emporia, and much more.
In the town of Llangollen, Wales, the lush grounds and oak-paneled interior of this mansion, Plas Newydd, are worth an extended visit. This is where the Ladies of Llangollen - as portrayed in the BBC series Gentleman Jack - lived.
Wales is surprising in every way — all of it great because, among many things, the natural landscapes couldn’t be more abundant.
Southwest Wales is peppered with picturesque coves.
In Wales, the town of Cardigan is a wonderful mix of old and contemporary, including a window-walled coffee shop in the 12th century castle, a former riverfront warehouse turned into the atmospheric Albion Hotel, and a wood-fired pizza restaurant along the River Teifi.
The riverfront Albion Hotel has a delightful melding of the contemporary and the old, whether in the decor of the guest rooms, the bar, restaurant or other public spaces.
Some people come from far afield just to take a photo of what’s referred to as the “lone tree” in Eryi National Park (Snowdonia) in Wales. I watched one photographer set up for what looked like an extended visit to document the changing light on this silver birch as well as the rugged peaks in the distance.
Aside from nature-based wonders, Wales presents so many other wonderful surprises, including the array of boldly-hued facades.
Visiting or staying at Portmeirion Village on the coast of Wales is a not-to-miss experience. Sure, it’s where the cult classic, The Prisoner, was shot. But this quirky village is so much more: trails thread through woodlands, waterfront vistas are abundant, as are the diverse works of art on display.
No matter where you gaze, including through your windows, brings into view something fantastical.
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