Subject: Re: Travel to Wales!!!
Hi Julia and fellow Ziners,

I am writing from Vancouver, Canada. My husband is from South Wales so I have been fortunate to visit Wales several times over the years the last time being this past July. I love Wales! You didn't say which part of Wales your friends live in but you will find that South Wales is generally more pastoral with lovely rolling hills and many historic Castles and sights.

North Wales is beautiful too and is more rugged with the mountains that include Snowdon etc. We have stayed mostly in the South Wales area, depending on what you want to see, Cardiff is the largest city and capital and is a wonderful city to visit, their new Cardiff docks area is wonderful with many wonderful restaurants and theatres etc. for a more rural experience just travel down some of the many back roads and at every turn you will come upon a delightful little village. Our family live near Abergavenny which is a delightful market town. The Welsh people are very warm and friendly.

Depending on how you want to spend your New years eve, either in a large city or in a small country inn there is lots to choose from. We had a lovely time when family took us to their favourite pub for dinner one night. http://www.bearhotel.co.uk/ It is a 17th century coaching inn that is a hotel as well. The atmosphere there is wonderful with low beamed ceilings, a roaring wood fire and great food. They are a hotel as well. On friday nights the locals are about and there is one interesting character who used to be an actor and he comes with his little Jack Russell dog who has his own chair! but that is only one of many wonderful places you can find if you want to get away from the big city. I could go on and on as I love Britain and especially Wales. Hope this helps a bit.

Gail from sunny Vancouver, B.C.