Wales is located southwest of its neighbor England and, while the two countries may share a border, they do not share all cultural traditions. Neither is Wales exactly like its northern neighbor Scotland. Those who plan to travel Wales will find that the people of Wales maintain a fiercely independent nature, and continue to lobby for different degrees of independence to this day. Although Wales has not been a sovereign state since 1282 when it was conquered by King Edward I, the country today is still uniquely its own. Tourists who travel Wales will be rewarded with an inimitable traveling experience.
The people of Wales can trace their history back to
the fall of the Roman Empire in 410. Wales was at
this time divided into several different kingdoms, and
Anglo-Saxon king attempted time and again to invade these
kingdoms. Offa's Dyke is a popular part of many
sightseeing tours in Wales and was constructed in the
5th century by King Offa of Mercia during this
time. Wales would eventually become part of the
United Kingdom, but today many of
the stone castles and dwellings of old remain as reminders
of the area's tumultuous past.
Many tourists who travel Wales wonder about the history of the Prince of Wales, especially since the current Prince of Wales is part of the royal monarch and is not from Wales. The title Prince of Wales came about in 1301, when King Edward I of England gave the title to his heir, Prince Edward (who would later become King Edward II). Traditionally, there has not been a native Wales resident holding the title Prince of Wales. Today, the Prince of Wales represents Wales most prominently in his insignia and royal dress, but the role does not have much sway in governmental practice.
Wales is generally thought of in two sections- North Wales and South Wales. North Wales is a wooded play land, and also features its own distinctive dialect and Welsh language. Many residents of Wales are the decedents of the people who have been there for hundreds of centuries, and actually speak English as their second language (Welsh being the first). Sightseeing tours in Wales are an increasingly popular way to see the north, and are well worth it.
South Wales is another great area for sightseeing tours in Wales, and is the home to the capital city of Cardiff. A Wales tour might include an historical trek through this attractive city. Excellent restaurants, great Wales shopping, and plenty of fascinating local people can be found in the streets of Cardiff and throughout the South of Wales.
Other Wales tours can take the shape of a country-wide historic or castle tour, but keep in mind that many of the castles in Wales were actually constructed by the Norman conquerors as a way to govern the native peoples. Many of the castles have not been restored, and yet you will still find that Wales tours of this spots can be intriguing.
Offering everything a traveler could want in the way of relaxation and peace, Wales combines the beauty of nature with the history of a great people. With hip cities to visit, the lovely outdoors to explore, and plenty of great hotels to rest your head in at night, Wales is a great vacation destination for individual travelers and families alike.
