travel advice on Wales

[dbskyler]

I am trying to decide some things about an upcoming trip to Europe, especially in regard to Wales. Since I am fortunate enough to have people on my flist who've actually been there, plus others who if nothing else live a lot closer to Wales than I do and might have heard some useful information, I thought I'd go ahead and ask for advice here.

I (currently) don't have much time blocked out for Wales -- just 3-4 days. I am thinking of starting off in Cardiff, then going to Chester (which isn't in Wales, I know), and then using Chester as a base to see Conwy. So basically, I'd be dipping a toe into South Wales and then dipping another toe into North Wales, which seems pretty much all I can accomplish given the short amount of time.

Anyone have any advice on this? Any alternative suggestions of "oh no, you must do this" instead? Keep in mind that I am trying to avoid having to rent a car, and am looking at primarily traveling by train (although coach would be acceptable, too).

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

For all travel in Great Britain my advice would be: pack a raincoat, umbrella, and waterproof shoes, and plenty of clothes in case you still get very wet.

I've yet to do more than visit the University in Cardiff, sadly - the city's darned awkward to get to from where I live via public transport. Ridiculously it would actually be easier to get a coach into London, and then a second one all the way back down to Cardiff. Which is pretty insane!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Someone from Wales told me once that they have two kinds of weather:

1) It is raining
2) It has just been raining

Sounds like you agree. . . ; )

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

LOL yes!

[thisbluespirit]

persiflage_1's advice for rain protection is pretty sound for Wales, although of course the moment you come armed with it all, that will be the signal for sunshine!

From where you're going I'm stuck for a 'must see'. Although, presumably in the S. Wales bit you could get to Swansea and see the Gower peninsula and the Mumbles. Not if it's raining. If it's raining (which it is everytime I go), it will be depressing. Mind you, their central library is amazing - it made me turn green with jealousy(but this probably won't be something you'd travel miles for...).

My 'must see' for Wales, would be West wales - Pembrokeshire, which is lovely and Aberystwyth in the middle of Cardigan Bay (which, to be fair, you can do by train, but it'd be at least one change from Chester or Cardiff and take a good couple of hours or so) on the subject of which I am batty and to be honest, would fail to see the point of going to Wales if I couldn't go to Aber. But that's only because I got to live there as a student for 3 years. (It is beautiful, it has the National Library and you can get the bus along the coast to Aberaeron - amazing scenery - or the Rheidol railway, which I've never done. Erm, yes, small pleasures - that's Wales).

This is not helpful, I realise. Those bits you've chosen are far too close to England!!! :lol: Mind, North Wales - you might be within reach of Snowdonia, but I don't know without looking at a map.

Probably your sensible thing to do is just wander around Cardiff bay with an umbrella looking for people filming DW, I suppose. ;-)

[thisbluespirit]

*sudden thought*

Are you a book lover? Could you make it to Hay-on-Wye? (technically in Englnad, but still). It's so pretty and it is a book town. Biggest second hand bookshop in the country - the cinema's a bookshop, the castle's a bookshop, everything's either walking stuff or books. :-D

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Okay, you've got me looking into Aberystwyth (I'm going to have trouble pronouncing these placenames, aren't I?). Apparently the train ride from Shrewsbury is one of the most scenic in all of Britain. Hmm.

Probably your sensible thing to do is just wander around Cardiff bay with an umbrella looking for people filming DW

LOL. Yes, that could work.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

You can call it 'Aber' - everyone does!