Lost in daydreams of scenic train travel, castle views and charming coastal villages? Add in a rich cultural heritage and a rugby match or two and you’ll find the perfect vacation in Wales. Referred to as the "Land of Castles" as it’s home to over 600 of them (more per square mile than anywhere else in the world), Wales can be experienced with one of our Flight & Rail packages or on your own with a Flight & Hotel package. Fly into London, England from Canada and continue to Cardiff by flight, train, bus or car.
Visit Wales: get started
Explore Wales by starting in its capital city, Cardiff. Visit attractions at the waterfront entertainment centre at Cardiff Bay, step back in time to see 500 years of art at the National Museum Cardiff or catch a performance at the Wales Millennium Centre. About 20 minutes away is St Fagans National Museum of History, an open-air museum that offers visitors the ability to experience history by exploring over 40 heritage buildings.
Book lovers will enjoy Wales’ literary heritage by visiting spots like Dylan Thomas' Boathouse in Laugharne or the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff, while outdoor enthusiasts can hike to the Summit of Snowdon in Snowdonia National Park, the highest peak in Wales or surf in Aberystwyth, a stunning little seaside town that’s approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Cardiff.
Of course, no visit to Wales is complete without seeing one of the region’s many castles like Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, and Cardiff Castle.
Wales travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Welsh, although English is also widely spoken.
What to bring back
Handmade wool products like scarves or blankets, or a dragon-themed keychain, as the dragon is the national symbol of Wales. If you’re feeling more sentimental, carved wooden Welsh love spoons are the region’s traditional token of affection.
What to eat
Start with the classics: Welsh Rarebit, a savoury cheese sauce served over toasted bread or cawl, a traditional soup made with lamb or beef. For dessert, a Bara Brith or “speckled bread” fruit loaf or some Welsh Cakes – small, round griddle cakes made with flour, butter, sugar, and currants, served dusted with sugar. Be sure to sample some Penderyn single malt whisky, Wales' only whisky distillery.
Fun fact
A recent study shows that the mysterious 5,000-year-old Stonehenge monument was first built in Wales, then moved to England centuries later.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
