Wales, Land of Myths and Legends
The red fire-breathing dragon, the symbol of Wales,
represents the passion generated by the mythical landscape of King Arthur,
its castles, lakes, rolling green hills, gardens, arts, and great food. The
Wales Tourist Board has produced an incentive brochure packed with
suggestions for programs that spellbind the visitor.
Suggested three-day itineraries that may include
performances of Welsh harpists, the voices of a traditional male voice
choir, and meals of Welsh lamb, leeks, varieties of Welsh cheese and mead
are outlined for each corner of Wales. From North to South, follow the
legends and absorb the beauty of Wales. NORTH WALES
Journey through Snowdonia National Park and Mount Snowdon.
Stroll through the Italianate style village of Portmeirion created by Sir
Clough Williams Ellis and used as the set for the 60's TV series, The
Prisoner. Visit the slate mines and ride the narrow gauge Snowdon Mountain
Railway. Explore the walled town of Conwy, which is a World Heritage site,
and Conwy Castle, and take the magnificent suspension bridge that connects
the mainland to the isle of Anglesey.
MID WALES
Browse around the bookstores of Hay-on-Wye, the second hand
book shop capital of the world with 20 second hand book stores at last
count; then continue through the Elan Valley to Powis Castle with its
gardens, terraces, and embattlements. Dine at Gregynog Hall, the 150-year
old black and white Hall set in 750 acres of parkland. Team activities in
the Elan Valley can include clay pigeon shooting, archery, and mountain
biking. Conclude the team sports with a champagne helicopter safari for the
winning team. SOUTH WALES
Explore the old and the new in the city of Cardiff, the
youngest capital in Europe, starting with Cardiff Castle. Some of the most
remarkable interiors of Britain are on the tour that culminates in a
traditional Welsh Banquet in the 15th century undercroft of the Castle.
Visit the Museum of Welsh Life, a 90-acre parkland site with over 40
buildings from all corners of Wales depicting 500 years of history. Lunch in
a Victorian Tea Room before taking a short journey to Llanerch Vineyard in
the Vale of Glamorgan for tastings of the award-winning Cariad wines. Enjoy
a performance of the Welsh National Opera. Take a morning boat trip from
Millennium Harbor on Cardiff Bay before an afternoon of shopping in the
glass canopied Victorian and Edwardian arcades of the city. Travel a few
miles outside Cardiff to dine at Fonmon Castle and tour the Georgian rooms
and the gardens. A fireworks display brings the evening to a close.
The brochure suggests additional programs around Swansea, the home of Dylan
Thomas, and in Pembrokeshire on the southwest coast of Wales. Golfing
programs can be built around any one or several of Wales's championship
courses: the famous Robert Trent Jones Wentwood Hills course where the Wales
Open is played at Celtic Manor in southeast Wales, the revered Royal St.
David's in Harlech in the northwest, and the neighboring courses of
Porthmadog and Nefyn among them. High quality accommodations are available
within easy reach of all these courses.
To order a DVD, a video, or brochures, go to
www.incentives.visitwales.com.
Brochures are "Wales. The Incentive Destination," "Wales. Where the World
Can Talk" (for meetings and conferences), "Golf Wales," and "Activity
Wales."
Edited by Dave Shultz
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