Wales

Wales has the highest density of castles per square mile of any country on earth (over 600 in a country smaller than Massachusetts). The Welsh language — one of Europe’s oldest — is everywhere on signs and increasingly spoken in daily life, especially in the north and west.

The geography is ridiculous for a country this small. Snowdonia delivers Alpine-style mountains and steep glacial valleys. The Pembrokeshire Coast is among the most beautiful coastlines in Europe, with 186 miles of cliffs, hidden coves, and seabird colonies. Cardiff, the capital, has been transformed in recent decades into one of the most walkable small capital cities in Europe.

For EWT Tours travelers, Wales pairs naturally with a UK trip — three or four days based in Cardiff or Conwy, with day trips to Snowdonia, the coast, and the great medieval castles like Caernarfon and Conwy.