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Picturesquely dominated by its classic castle, Conwy is one of the best European examples of a medieval walled town. Conwy Castle has eight massive crenellated towers, its shape largely dictated by its rock-bound foundations. The best view is from across the River Conwy, with the Snowdonia Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. Three-quarters of a mile of the town's walls remain intact, topped off with 22 towers and three original gateways. The Smallest House in Britain, the 14th-century, timber-and-plaster Aberconwy House and Bodnant Garden, 13km (8mi) to the south and one of the finest gardens in Britain, round off Conwy's collection of sights.
This popular park measures only 15 miles (24km) from north to south and 45 miles (72km) west to east, yet it comprises four mountain ranges and a variety of terrain: privately owned slopes grazed by sheep and yet more sheep, mining valleys and bare escarpments. Most visitors are walkers heading for Offa's Dyke Path, which passes along the eastern border, or the Taff Trail, heading south from Brecon. Principal centres include the historic market town of Brecon, the self-styled 'Gateway to Wales' town of Abergavenny and eccentric Hay-on-Wye. Offa's Path runs through the Black Mountains, which boast the best views, with sights such as the ruins of Llanthony Priory, the River Honddu, the pretty church at Patrishow and the highest peak at Waun Fach. The highest point in the bare-crested hills of the Brecon Beacons is Pen-y-Fan.
Hay-on-Wye has sloping lanes, Norman and Jacobean ruins, a market-town buzz and the world's largest collection of second-hand bookstores. Publicity stunts such as its 1977 declaration of independence from Britain and its vigorous self-promotion make this border market town like no other. There are more than 30 bookshops, some specialising in subjects so esoteric they can't be categorised, as well as auctions and out-of-print book search services. Not the place to go if your backpack's already gouging highways across your shoulder blades.
Lovers of poetry, romance and a good tipple won't need to be pushed in the direction of Laugharne, the most important stop on the Dylan Thomas trail. You can visit the boathouse where the befuddled bard lived and wrote, the pub where he drank (Brown's Hotel) and the churchyard where his pickled liver was buried. The house is preserved as a shrine, with photographs, manuscripts and recordings. Laugharne itself is a pleasant Georgian township, with the remains of a 12th-century castle nearby.
This area was the first part of Britain to be officially designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty - for good reason. A favourite haunt of Dylan Thomas, the predominantly National Trust-owned peninsula has superb sandy beaches, beautiful cliff scenery, smugglers' coves and some great walks. Points of interest include Worm's Head and the village of Rhossili.
Most famous for the 167-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the park runs along a coastline riddled with rugged cliffs, superb sandy beaches, rocky coves and tiny fishing villages - there's some gorgeous scenery and spectacular coastal walks. Inland, the historic Preseli Hills hide ancient trade routes, hill forts, standing stones and burial chambers. Offshore, the islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm are inhabited by colonies of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, gannets and grey seals. The area is an activity-lover's paradise, with a choice of hiking, pony trekking, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and fishing opportunities.
Wales vigorously promotes itself as the place to come for an activity-based holiday. Perhaps the most obvious activity is the country's popular network of walks. The most challenging are around the rocky Snowdonia or the moody Brecon Beacons national parks. Wales has seven long-distance walks, the most famous being the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and Offa's Dyke Path. Slightly less busy are the 274-mile (441km) Cambrian Way and the 120-mile (193km) Glyndwr's Way.