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    <trip id="17190" created="2009-10-29 19:20:31" creator_id="72" creator_name="cristina" creator_status="100" default_for_user_id="" description="For a country the size of Massachusetts (or Israel, or Slovenia, or El Salvador), Wales packs a hearty punch in the land mass that is Great Britain.  It's much less touristy than England and even Scotland, and the lack of easy public transportation probably contributes to that.  But if you're willing to hire a car, you'll be rewarded with some of the most ethereal scenery that Europe has to offer.  Seriously, it's all here - rolling greenery, dramatic coastlines, craggy peaks, and or course, lots and lots and LOTS of sheep.

Unless you're already living in Britain, it's likely that you'll be flying internationally into London or Manchester (who flies into Cardiff?), and this itinerary is built on that assumption.  Have your fun in London, then take an early bus or train to Bristol, where you can hire a car and stock up on groceries (for camping, a nice route in these parts).  From here, it's a mere hour and a half to Llanthony Priory in the Vale of Ewyas, within Brecon Beacons National Park.  Park your car at the Priory and you should have enough time for a 3-4 hour walk in the surrounding hills before beers at the Priory and eventually bearing down for the night.

Wake up early the next morning and drive toward Hay-on-Wye, but make sure to stop for a short walk somewhere along the way - the scenery is particularly dramatic here, and there are magnificent views of England.  Once in Hay-on-Wye, spend the afternoon perusing bookshops and lounging around in cafes.  You can stay the night, but if books aren't your thing, it's not a long drive to Gower Peninsula - maybe 2 hours. 

Once in Gower, take a few days to do some coastal walks, surf, or simply lie on the beach.  Woebley Castle has great views of the salt marshes, where lamb graze.  The raw lamb chops for sale at the Castle are *fantastic* for grilling later on in the evening.

Once you pull yourself away from Gower, head up to Snowdonia - you should hike Mt. Snowdon, but it takes a full day so start early.  There are also many other beautiful walks to choose from.

From the area around Mt. Snowdon, it takes about 3-4 hours to drive to Manchester, where you can drop off the car and explore the best Yorkshire has to offer. " marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-11-11 21:05:55.590933" modifier_id="72" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=51.957440,-3.054390,reda%7C52.073621,-3.127352,redb%7C51.849353,-3.433228,redc%7C51.598167,-4.226102,redd%7C51.574402,-4.112835,rede%7C51.598167,-4.226102,redf%7C51.672784,-4.702568,redg%7C53.116270,-4.119180,redh&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|51.957440,-3.054390|52.073621,-3.127352|51.849353,-3.433228|51.598167,-4.226102|51.574402,-4.112835|51.598167,-4.226102|51.672784,-4.702568|53.116270,-4.119180" status="0" sum_locations="8" sum_votes="2" title="The One-Week Vacation: Walking in Wales " triplocation_id="696" />
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    <tripitems id="37967" created="2009-10-29 19:22:01" creator_id="72" location_id="245557" modified="2009-10-29 19:22:01" modifier_id="72" position="2" trip_id="17190" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="37980" created="2009-10-29 19:47:58" creator_id="72" location_id="644831" modified="2009-10-29 19:47:58" modifier_id="72" position="3" trip_id="17190" tripitemtype="0" />
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    <tripitems id="37975" created="2009-10-29 19:34:37" creator_id="72" location_id="245132" modified="2009-10-29 19:34:37" modifier_id="72" position="8" trip_id="17190" tripitemtype="0" />
    <triplocation name="Wales" avg_rating="0" content_source="1" created="2007-07-17 01:16:40.214044" creator="71" hidden="0" id="696" inherited="0" latitude="52.404614" longitude="-4.006977" ltp_level="0" merged_to="" modified="2007-07-17 01:16:40.214044" modifier="2" style="1" type="4" votes="2" zoom="6" />
    <triplocations name="Tenby" description="Tenby is hugely popular for weekend holidays, and it's not hard to see why - it is a handsome little town, with its medieval town walls and pastel-hued houses ringing a gigantic harbor.  Indeed, at first glance it looks somewhat Italian or Spanish, and perhaps that's part of the allure; you can feel like you're away, while still staying close to home.  But look a little closer and you'll see the summer spirit evident in most beach towns - kids wielding ice cream cones, parents shaking out beach towels, etc.  The only things missing are a promenade and an arcade, but this is also what makes Tenby special: all of the summer fun, but none of the kitsch.  In the height of the season, the days feature families relaxing and building sandcastles on the huge stretches of beach, while nights are dominated by groups of young friends out on the town.  " favorite="" full_name="Tenby, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Tenby" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/240107/Wales/Tenby" id="240107" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Tenby, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="51.672784" longitude="-4.702568" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="A Mediterranean-style seaside town" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;A Mediterranean-style seaside town.&lt;/b&gt; Tenby is hugely popular for weekend holidays, and it's not hard to see why - it is a handsome little town, with its medieval town walls and pastel-hued houses ringing..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;A Mediterranean-style seaside town.&lt;/b&gt; Tenby is hugely popular for weekend holidays, and it's not hard to see why - it is a h..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="2" zoom="10">
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    <triplocations name="Gower Peninsular" description="Gower was the first place in the UK to be designated an &quot;Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,&quot; and it's easy to see why.  This is Wales in a nutshell, an impressive feat considering Gower's tiny size.  From desolate moorlands to plunging cliffs to beaches the size of football fields, Gower is a bit like a greatest hits album on repeat.  With all that coastline, Gower is justifiably famous for its swimming and, unexpectedly, surfing, but there are also castles and churches to occupy you when the weather turns suddenly.  If you're not an outdoorsy person to begin with, Gower may just change all that." favorite="" full_name="Gower Peninsular, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Gower-Peninsular" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/244407/Wales/Gower-Peninsular" id="244407" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Gower Peninsular, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="51.598167" longitude="-4.226102" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="29 km of the best Wales has to offer" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;29 km of the best Wales has to offer.&lt;/b&gt; Gower was the first place in the UK to be designated an &quot;Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,&quot; and it's easy to see why.  This is Wales in a nutshell, an impressive ..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;29 km of the best Wales has to offer.&lt;/b&gt; Gower was the first place in the UK to be designated an &quot;Area of Outstanding Natural..." type="5" type_id="5" type_name="subregion" votes="2" zoom="16">
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    <triplocations name="Weobley Castle" description="Weobley Castle is actually an old, fortified manor house.  The castle itself is small and not particularly special, but its location is pretty spectacular.  Overlooking a bleak expanse of salted marshland, you'd be forgiven if you suddenly got goosebumps walking around.  The giftshop sells lamb that has grazed on the salt marshes, and that is probably the best souvenir you will find in Wales." favorite="" full_name="Weobley Castle, Swansea, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Swansea/Weobley-Castle" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/244599/Wales/Swansea/Weobley-Castle" id="244599" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Weobley Castle, Swansea, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="51.598167" longitude="-4.226102" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Swansea, Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Weobley Castle is actually an old, fortified manor house.  The castle itself is small and not particularly special, but its location is pretty spectacular.  Overlooking a bleak expanse of salted marsh..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Weobley Castle is actually an old, fortified manor house.  The castle itself is small and not particularly special, but ..." type="13" type_id="13" type_name="sight" votes="0" zoom="16">
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    <triplocations name="Llanthony Priory" description="The Priory was founded in the 12th century, when a Norman nobleman was inspired to build a church on the ruins of a chapel dedicated to St. David.  It was the first Augustinian priory in Wales, but it was short-lived - clashes with the local population caused the monks to retreat to a daughter cell, with the priory barely able to sustain itself.  The final blow was dealt in 1538, with Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.  The Priory has passed hands ever since, but these days, part of the Priory has been turned into a B&amp;B and pub. Tourists can wander around the grounds, free of charge, and marvel at the mix of Norman and Gothic architectural styles." favorite="" full_name="Llanthony Priory, Llanthony, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Llanthony/Llanthony-Priory" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/245039/Wales/Llanthony/Llanthony-Priory" id="245039" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Llanthony Priory, Llanthony, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="51.95744" longitude="-3.05439" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Llanthony, Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Ruins of a tempestuous past" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Ruins of a tempestuous past.&lt;/b&gt; The Priory was founded in the 12th century, when a Norman nobleman was inspired to build a church on the ruins of a chapel dedicated to St. David.  It was the first Augustin..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Ruins of a tempestuous past.&lt;/b&gt; The Priory was founded in the 12th century, when a Norman nobleman was inspired to build a ch..." type="13" type_id="13" type_name="sight" votes="1" zoom="16">
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    <triplocations name="Snowdon" description="Mt. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands, its craggy, perfectly triangular peak a perfect partner to the dramatically moody Welsh sky.  Indeed, the summit is known as Yr Wyddfa, Welsh for &quot;the tumulus.&quot;  Paths leading to the top vary in difficulty, and there is always the Snowdon Mountain Railway if you are feeling especially lazy.  But exercise caution in the winter - Snowdon's weather is temperamental enough in the summer, and winter can be downright hazardous on some paths." favorite="" full_name="Snowdon, Caernarvon, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Caernarvon/Snowdon" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/245132/Wales/Caernarvon/Snowdon" id="245132" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Snowdon, Caernarvon, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="53.11627" longitude="-4.11918" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Caernarvon, Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Mt. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands, its craggy, perfectly triangular peak a perfect partner to the dramatically moody Welsh sky.  Indeed, the summit is know..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Mt. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands, its craggy, perfectly triangular peak a ..." type="13" type_id="13" type_name="sight" votes="1" zoom="16">
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    <triplocations name="Hay on Wye" description="Nestled just inside the Welsh border in Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay-on-Wye is known the world over for its literary festival; held every June, this &quot;Woodstock of the mind,&quot; according to Bill Clinton, draws thousands of people hungry to see established and up-and-coming writers alike.  But you can get your literary fix year-round - Hay-on-Wye is also known for its bookshops cramming every block in town, most specializing in antique and secondhand finds.  When you are done combing stacks of rare books, the town itself is disarmingly quaint.  This is a great place to spend a couple of days if you want to meander down old, narrow lanes, and spend most of your time poking your head into small shops whilst enjoying the fresh country air." favorite="" full_name="Hay on Wye, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Hay-on-Wye" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/245557/Wales/Hay-on-Wye" id="245557" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Hay on Wye, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="52.073621" longitude="-3.127352" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Books, books and more books" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Books, books and more books.&lt;/b&gt; Nestled just inside the Welsh border in Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay-on-Wye is known the world over for its literary festival; held every June, this &quot;Woodstock of the m..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Books, books and more books.&lt;/b&gt; Nestled just inside the Welsh border in Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay-on-Wye is known the..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="2" zoom="10">
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    <triplocations name="Three Cliffs Bay" description="Three Cliffs Bay is justifiably popular - the rocky land pretty much drops straight into the ocean, giving an awe-inspiring view even from the road.  The &quot;Three Cliffs&quot; are three mounds of rock jutting up from the beach, popular with rock climbers and photographers alike.  Of course you can relax and sunbathe here, but there are also numerous walks along the coast, as well as horse-riding and sea cave exploration." favorite="" full_name="Three Cliffs Bay, Wales" googled_path="Wales/Three-Cliffs-Bay" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/606572/Wales/Three-Cliffs-Bay" id="606572" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Three Cliffs Bay, Wales" language="ENG" latitude="51.5744024360931" longitude="-4.11283493041992" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Perhaps the most beautiful view in Gower" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Perhaps the most beautiful view in Gower.&lt;/b&gt; Three Cliffs Bay is justifiably popular - the rocky land pretty much drops straight into the ocean, giving an awe-inspiring view even from the road.  The &quot;Three..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Perhaps the most beautiful view in Gower.&lt;/b&gt; Three Cliffs Bay is justifiably popular - the rocky land pretty much drops strai..." type="11" type_id="11" type_name="beach" votes="1" zoom="13">
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    <triplocations name="Brecon Beacons National Park" description="Everyone knows about Mt. Snowdon and its rocky majesty, but Brecon Beacons is stunning in its own right.  Occupying a huge swath of Mid-Wales, Brecon Beacons is Snowdon's gentler, greener counterpart, though no less arresting.  Moorlands and pastures are a common sight, as are rolling countrysides and valleys, but it's not all about nature - the park encompasses cute market towns as well as the literary gem of Hay-on-Wye.  " favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="Wales/Brecon-Beacons-National-Park" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/644831/Wales/Brecon-Beacons-National-Park" id="644831" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="51.8493527637061" longitude="-3.4332275390625" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wales" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Everyone knows about Mt. Snowdon and its rocky majesty, but Brecon Beacons is stunning in its own right.  Occupying a huge swath of Mid-Wales, Brecon Beacons is Snowdon's gentler, greener counterpart,..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Everyone knows about Mt. Snowdon and its rocky majesty, but Brecon Beacons is stunning in its own right.  Occupying a hu..." type="19" type_id="19" type_name="national park" votes="1" zoom="9">
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