AD | Exploring Wales in 2023

I grew up visiting Wales on countless occasions, and I've loved it when I've been as an adult too. Today I'm working in collaboration with Transport for Wales to showcase some of my favourite Welsh destinations - ones which should be on your bucket list for a staycation, UK holiday or fun day out in 2023.

Get 12 train tickets for the price of 6!

Portmeirion

I haven't actually been to Portmeirion before but it is SO high on my bucket list. This colourful Italian-style village is located on the coast of North Wales, and you really have to see it to believe it. It's £10 for adults to get in and a fiver for kids, and there is so much to see; the views are unbelievable, there are fountains, pavilions and even a giant chessboard, and there are places to stay right in the village too. With eateries, shops, an outdoor heated pool and 70 acres of woodlands you will NOT get bored during a visit to Portmeirion Village!

 

Getting there by train

To get to Portmeirion by train you'll need to book a ticket to Llandudno Junction; from here, you'll head to Blaenau Ffestiniog where you can join the narrow guage railway (an adventure in itself) as far as Minffordd. From here you're around 1.5 miles from Portmeirion itself!

Llangollen

You might know I recently visited Llangollen, and we've already made plans to go back to this beautiful village; set right on the River Dee, it's just gorgeous. There are some amazing shops, bars and restaurants as well as plenty of stunning walks to do. You can go on a horse-drawn boat (!) and visit nearby Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - you can get a canal right over the top of it, and the views are some of the best I've ever seen especially on a bright sunny day. With various B&Bs and holiday cottages available, it's the perfect place for a 2-3 night stay in North Wales.

Getting there by train

Being so small, there is no train station *in* Llangollen. The nearest is Ruabon, and then it's only around 10 minutes in a taxi or 20 minutes on the bus. When we went, we got the train to Wrexham and the bus from there - so it's easily done if you don't drive or are hoping to utilise public transport more in 2023.

Brecon Beacons National Park

Now you need *time* to explore the whole of the Brecon Beacons National Park, but even if you just pick one place you'll be awestruck by the incredible views in this part of South Wales. Some of the top rated places to explore there are:

Waterfall Country (wow!)

Pen-y-Fan

Llanthony Priory

Carreg Cennen Castle

Henrhyd Falls

 

With so many ways to discover the area (horseback riding, hikes, kayaking) and really incredible biodiversity, history and scenery, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Getting there by train

Depending on where you're visiting across this vast area, there are various train stations you can travel to. These include Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfil, and Llandovery.

These are just three amazing parts of Wales which should be on your 2023 travel bucket list. Transport for Wales have some incredible offers taking place in January too, which is perfect if you want to really kickstart your UK travel early. They currently have a multiflex sale on 'til the end of the month, giving you the chance to buy 12 tickets for the price of 6 through their app or website. Perfect for commuters, it's also brilliant if you're hoping to cram in a lot of Welsh travel this year. Their big advance sale is now LIVE too - grab some bargain train tickets and head off on an adventure...

Here’s what TfW say about their Multiflex sale: Do you know that our Multiflex ticket offers you single journeys to and from two designated participating stations* on the Transport for Wales network? For example, if you are a regular commuter to Cardiff from Bridgend but are now working at home more regularly this could be the solution for you. We offer 12 single tickets which can be used as and when you need them, simply activate them on the TfW app before travelling. These 12 tickets are valid for 3 months from purchase therefore they are kept safe on your app until you need them.

This month we are offering 12 of these tickets for the price of 6, which means that you can save even more on your travel.

*Participating stations include

1. CARDIFF CENTRAL
2. CARDIFF QUEEN STREET
3. CARDIFF CATHAYS
4. MANCHESTER BR
5. CAERPHILLY
6. PONTYCLUN
7. CARDIFF BAY
8. BARRY
9. PONTYPRIDD
10. BRIDGEND
11.ABERGAVENNY
12. RADYR
13. SHREWSBURY
14. PENARTH
15. CWMBRAN
16. PENGAM
17. TREFFOREST
18. ABER
19. CHESTER
20. YSTRAD MYNACH

 

So - where will YOU go in Wales in 2023? Leave me a comment and let me know!