Wales, with its historic language and culture, is a country of unsurpassed variety and contrasts from mountain landscapes to stunning coastlines, steep valleys and historic towns.

One of Wales' main attractions is the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, a large, mountainous area that fills the north-west corner of Wales.

Snowdonia is the second largest National Park in England and Wales and includes the Carneddau, and Glyderau mountain ranges as well as the highest mountain in England and Wales, Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon from which the Park takes its English name. The Welsh name for Snowdonia, Eryri, means 'place of the eagles'.

Sheep Dog Trials
The first recorded sheep dog trials were held in the small market town of Bala, North Wales in 1873. The International Sheep Dog Society, formed 33 years later, followed a meeting of English and Scottish sheepmen in 1906.

The International Sheep Dog Society was founded with the intention of stimulating interest in the shepherd and his calling to secure the better management of stock by improving the shepherd's dog. This is still the intention today.

Great Britain is still very much considered to be the 'kennel of the world' as far as the working sheep dog is concerned.

Portmeirion
The unique Italianate village of Portmeirion is set on its own private peninsula on the shores of Cardigan Bay to the south of Snowdonia.

It was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling its surroundings.

This delightful village has several shops and restaurants and is surrounded by the Gwyllt sub-tropical gardens and woodlands and miles of sandy beaches.