You don't even have to drive. The 'great little trains of Wales' are still going strong, and the modern service along Cardigan Bay to Barmouth, Harlech and Pwllheli is perhaps the most scenic in the UK. But the region is also a paradise for steam enthusiasts with several services chugging through the scenery.
 Everybody becomes a walker in Snowdonia. Even those who hate any form of physical exercise will be moved to take short walks away from their car, if only to visit the shores of a lake or get a good photograph. The walking possibilities are endless. Read more here (link to walking feature). It is impossible to deny that the region has a reputation for bad weather. But, while it is true that the high peaks of Snowdonia receive a generous amount of refreshing rain to keep the land beautifully green, many people do not realise just how mild the climate is away from the high ground. Indeed, sheltered towns near the coast like Conwy hardly ever see snow. The Gulf Stream sends us warm water from Mexico, while the flow of westerly winds mean that the weather tends to be changeable - most easily characterised by the phrase 'mild and damp'. If for some strange reason it does rain, there are plenty of options in the little towns and villages. Llanberis, in the heart of Snowdonia, has a range of attractions to suit all the family. The old slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, although just outside the boundary of the National Park, has underground mines to visit - where you can learn about the lives of the quarrymen who once worked here. Beddgelert is a lovely village in a delightful location. Apart from the heart-rending legend which gives the village its name (Gelert's grave), the sheer beauty of the surroundings and charm of the little shops and cafes will tempt you to stay whatever the weather. The medieval walled town of Conwy is one of Europe's finest. Built in the twelfth century by Edward I to accompany the famous castle, the walls were intended to protect a group of English settlers from Welsh attacks. Caernarfon and Denbigh have similar histories, built as 'plantation towns' to quicken English colonisation. Conwy also boasts Plas Mawr, a magnificently restored medieval merchant's home and Aberconwy House, which dates back to the 15th century. Conwy has been designated a World Heritage Site and is a must for all visitors to the region. | 
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