National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire

One of Wales’ most spectacular gardens is the National Botanic Garden of Wales, located several miles from Cardiff in Carmarthenshire. Visitors can drive, take a bus or go with one of the sightseeing tours to the 500-acre garden. Aside from all of the incredible plants, animals, water features, exhibits and events, the gardens have something unique, the Great Glasshouse. This geometric, glassed dome is the largest single span glasshouse in the world.

It houses the world’s best collection of plants from Mediterranean climate regions. Within the dome, visitors can follow a path through these rare plants and trees. The aromas of these plants are intoxicating and range from tropical blossoms to a tree that smells like curry. After your stroll, sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and relax among the flora and fauna of the dome.

The Gower Peninsula and Rhossili

The Gower Peninsula is located about 48 miles along the coast, west of Cardiff by Swansea. On the tip of the western peninsula, the village of Rhossili lays atop arresting cliffs. This tiny and charming village proffers a few shops and sits adjacent the Worm’s Head Hotel and Restaurant. Visitors come to stroll along the bluffs and marvel at the expansive bay views, as well as the famous Wormshead landmark resembling a giant rock worm body and head.

There is something special about the Gower and any Welshmen will tell you so. You can feel it in the air when you stand on the cliffs looking seaward and the wind is whispering in your ear.

If you want a good Welsh lunch or dinner, visit the Worm’s Head bar (a small restaurant really) and try a traditional and delicious bowl of Cawl, a soup/broth made of winter vegetables and meat. To enjoy the enchantment of the Bay, stay a night at the Worm’s Head Hotel. Owners Julian and Veronica Short will make sure you’re comfortable in one of their 17 rooms that overlook the bay with stellar views (the hotel is located right at the edge of the bluff). They also have a great deal of knowledge about the area and strange stories about the Gower that will captivate your interest.