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When Wales "called all Joneses" to Cardiff’s
Millennium Center last November, 1,224 Joneses arrived
from all over the world! The result? The Joneses grabbed
the Guinness World Record for “largest surname gathering
in the world” away from the Norbergs of Sweden. The
Norbergs just couldn’t keep up with the
Joneses. |
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So Spring has arrived -
probably my favorite season in Wales. Year round we see
the changing of the seasons and the differences they
bring to the landscape, but one constant you can be sure
of is the welcome or "Croeso" from the Welsh people.
We're a friendly lot and probably a bit inquisitive to
go with it. A trip to Wales would not be complete
without trying to get to know a few of us locals. A
great way to do this is to ride a PostBus (read on for a
feature on this....) or sit in on a Male Voice Choir
rehearsal - an unforgettable experience - and who knows,
you may get invited down the pub afterwards for a pint.
To find out more about the choirs and where they
rehearse, check out homecomingwales.com.
Hope to
see you in Wales.
Claire Goold
Wales
Marketing USA
Visit Wales
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a hard hat and rattle 300 feet into the earth in
a "pit cage," the way Welsh coal miners did. See
where workers turned out the wool that dressed
Europe and where they mined the slate that
roofed the world. Stroll through a superb
collection of French art, amassed by two ladies
from rural Wales. Visit a Roman fort, a living
history center, and a high tech waterfront
museum. | |
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This
spring, a visit could take you from Cardiff all
the way to Snowdonia, making stops at the seven
museums that together make up the National
Museum Wales, celebrating its 100th
anniversary in 2007.
Along the way, you
will learn about Welsh history, from the Celts,
through Wales' years as the most remote outpost
of the Roman Empire, all the way up to the
clanging, clamor and danger of the Industrial
Revolution and on to modern times. Special
Centenary exhibitions and events abound,
admission is free, and by visiting all seven,
you will also get a great insight into Wales and
it's people.
Click to read on . . .>
photo © Crown Copyright 2006 | | |
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"Go on without me - leave me
here to die!" our 10-year-old daughter only
half-jokingly said two hours into our anticipated
three-hour hike to the top of Snowdon. As part of our
highly anticipated trip to Snowdonia National Park, we
(mom, dad, 14, 13, and 10-year-old kids) were determined
to hike Pyg Track to the top.
Having read all the
warnings and suggestions on such an undertaking, we felt
we were up to the challenge. To get an early start on
our climb, we spent the night before in the lovely Plas
Coch Guest House. Jane gave us the energy for the
hike with her most delicious and nutritious breakfast,
and Frank was the perfect guide and ambassador for both
Llanberis and Wales itself. The gods had blessed us with
a perfect day: 68 degrees, gentle breeze, and crystal
clear skies. Needless to say, the three-hour hike was
filled with spectacular scenery from start to finish.
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Each of us felt a true sense
of accomplishment as we crested the top and took in the
stunning 360 degree panoramic view. And the 10-year-old
girl who begged us to leave her? She was proudest of
all. Snowdonia National Park is one of our favorite
places on earth and will always hold a very special
place in the hearts of the whole family.
Deb and
Dave S.
Click
here so you can plan your own climb up Mount
Snowdon.
Do
you have a story to share about your visit to Wales?
We'd love to hear it. And if it shows up in a future
issue of Croeso we'll send you a $25 gift certificate as
a token of our appreciation.
Tell us your story. |
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much of Wales' beauty and rich history lies in
its quiet rural areas. Picture the scenery: A
ruined 13th-century castle, one of 641 in Wales,
suddenly appears alongside a country road; round
a bend and a quiet lane suddenly reveals the sea
below; the tiny border town of Hay-on-Wye's vast
array of second hand bookshops.
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Travel
down a country road in the south, and suddenly
Corn Du and Pen y Fan, the tallest mountains in
the Brecon Beacons, appear on the horizon, their
summits trimmed with snow. Travel to the east,
and see the Gothic windows of Tintern Abbey
frame leaves in vivid shades of green. In the
north, travel by train on Britain's only public
rack and pinion railway up Snowdon, the highest
mountain in England and Wales.
One easy
way to explore Wales' byways and hidden
treasures is to rent a car. For visitors who
don't want to drive, however, there are abundant
options for exploring the quiet corners of our
country. Wales' public transportation system
makes it possible to visit even the most remote
landmark.
Click to read on . . .>
photo, Britain on View © 2007 | | |
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The Wayfarers' six-day,
five-night guided walk, "Snowdonia: Land of
Myths & Mountains" takes walkers to a
castle; a farm with working border collies; to
Portmeiron. Daily walks cover 8 to 10 miles
(pick-up van available). Mention this article
when you book and receive a CD of Welsh
music.
Mountain Travel Sobek makes
its entry into Wales in 2007 with its guided
"Historic Hikes of North Wales," also focused
around Snowdonia. This more intensive trip
includes a hike to the summit of Mount Snowdon,
Wales' tallest mountain. Mention this article
when you book and receive a free North Face
duffle bag.
Avanti Destinations offers
great values on driving tour packages, which
include stays in small, privately owned hotels
that belong to the elite Welsh Rarebits hotel
group. Packages include three nights
accommodations with breakfast, a four-day
economy car rental, and a four-day Great British
Heritage pass,. From $469per person, Avanti
packages must be booked through a travel agent,
contact your local agent or take advantage of
the knowledge of our Wales specialists.
photo © Crown Copyright 2006 | | |
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our special springtime contest, and you may
win a fabulous collection of gifts-a bright red
scarf and two handsomely illustrated books-from
the shops of the National Museum Wales!
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The
book "Faces of Wales" is packed with portraits
of the most celebrated people through 500 years
of Welsh History. "Colour and Light-Fifty
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Works at
the National Museum of Wales" presents the
finest works from the museum's superb
collection.
To enter, just answer the
question below:
How would you book a
trip to Wales?
Click
here to answer.
View the official
rules for complete details. There's no
wrong answer, but you must be a Croeso!
subscriber to enter. Also, so we can notify you
if you are a winner please add walesinfo@visitbritain.org
to your address book. Otherwise when we notify
you the email may get trapped as junk
mail.
CONGRATULATIONS TO our two
first prize winners, Phil Martin of Redwood
City, CA and Laura Breisky of Corte Madera, CA,
who received lovely baskets of spa products from
Pur, Welsh makers of
all-natural and organic, chemical-free skin care
products. To find out who won our Grand Prize, a
digital camera, for the 'Tell Us When You're
Coming' October sweepstakes, read our next issue
of Croeso!
photo, Britain on View © 2007
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