Cardiff is the capital and the largest city. Cardiff Castle in the city center has Roman walls, medieval towers, and Victorian Gothic interiors. It's over-the-top and worth visiting. Cardiff Bay has been redeveloped with restaurants, the Wales Millennium Centre (for theater and opera), and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament building). The National Museum Cardiff is free and has art, natural history, and Welsh history.

Cardiff is affordable compared to London. The city has a young energy (it's a university town) and a growing food and music scene.

Snowdonia National Park in northwest Wales has mountains, lakes, and hiking trails. Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest peak in Wales. You can hike to the top (several routes of varying difficulty) or take the Snowdon Mountain Railway (a rack railway that goes to the summit). The views are stunning on clear days. The park also has Zip World (the longest zip line in Europe) and adventure activities.

Conwy and Caernarfon have massive medieval castles (UNESCO sites). Conwy has a walled town you can walk around. Caernarfon Castle is where the Prince of Wales is invested.

The Pembrokeshire Coast in southwest Wales has dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (a 186-mile walking trail). St. Davids is the smallest city in Britain with a beautiful cathedral. The coast is stunning and less touristy than Cornwall in England.

The Brecon Beacons in south Wales have rolling hills, waterfalls, and hiking. The area is also an International Dark Sky Reserve (great for stargazing).

Portmeirion is a bizarre Italianate village built on the coast in the 1920s. It looks like it belongs in Italy, not Wales. It's quirky, colorful, and worth a visit if you're nearby.

Welsh food is hearty. Welsh rarebit (cheese on toast, but fancy). Cawl (a meat and vegetable stew). Bara brith (fruit bread). Laverbread (seaweed, an acquired taste). Welsh cakes (griddle cakes with currants). Welsh food is comfort food.

Welsh people are proud, warm, and have a strong national identity distinct from England. About 30% of the population speaks Welsh (it's taught in schools and used on road signs). Everyone speaks English, but you'll hear Welsh spoken, especially in northwest Wales. The Welsh are passionate about rugby, music (Wales is known as the "Land of Song"), and their culture.

Getting around requires planning. Trains connect Cardiff to Swansea, north Wales, and England. Buses connect smaller towns. If you want to explore Snowdonia, the coast, or the Brecon Beacons, rent a car.

Wales is cheaper than England but more expensive than Eastern Europe. Hostels run £18-30/night. A meal at a pub is £10-15. A pint is £4-6.

When to go: Summer (June-August) has the best weather (though "best" is relative in Wales) and longest daylight. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are less crowded but rainier. Winter (November-March) is cold, wet, and dark, but cozy pubs and fewer tourists have their appeal.

Wales has more castles than you can visit in one trip, stunning national parks, and a culture that's distinct and proud. If you want nature and history without London prices, Wales delivers.