Travel stories from United Kingdom

Wales is probably one of the most beautiful countries you’ve never heard of. When tourists travel around the UK, focus is primarily on England, Scotland and even Ireland. WALES is often neglected from a visitor’s travel itinerary. Boy, are they missing out! Wales is surrounded with stunning, natural landscapes, breath-taking mountains; traditional welsh country towns, majestic castles, beautiful woodlands, coastal walks and wildlife. It truly is an under-rated beauty with so much to see and do! But before you put on your hiking boots and woolly scarves, there’s some things you should know about this fascinating country:

1. We have our own language. But don’t worry! thanks to the larger powers from England back in the 1400s, we begrudgingly joined larger England despite historical uprisings and the English language creeped on over. Nowadays, only 0.5% only use the Welsh language and cannot speak English. So don’t be put off by the weird welsh road signs, we speak your language.

2. One of the main things Wales is known for is its majestic historical castles. Dubbed “castle capital of the world”, Wales has more castles per square mile than any other European country with up to 600 castles to be explored!

3. A small welsh village in Mid-Wales holds the record for the 2nd longest name in the world! The name of the village is called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch which means "St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the fierce whirlpool of St Tysilio of the red cave" in Welsh.

4. Rugby is the national sport of Wales. The first international game took place in 1881 between Wales and England. From 1907 to 1910, the Welsh were undefeated earning our fierce reputation and love for the sport.

Ready to visit Wales? The Rare Welsh Bit has everything you need to know!

Everyone has big dreams that they’re too scared to follow. It could be a dream job, starting your own business, achieving that family with your dream house. For me, it was to travel. But even though travelling is something that is done worldwide, for me - a welsh valley girl from a small town where no-one went further than Spain - it was something that felt beyond reach. Like many people wanting to chase their dreams, I bounced back and forth through all the reasons why I should and shouldn’t travel. I was happy with my life. I had my dream job, my own house, a boyfriend, an amazing family and great friends and a comfortable lifestyle and income. But I was discontent. I felt like I didn’t belong in Wales. Some people spend their whole lives debating whether they should or shouldn’t travel. Other people have a ‘breakthrough’. A breakthrough is a point in your life which flicks on that switch that says ‘GO’. It happens in a matter of seconds and changes your whole life.
When I had my breakthrough, I will riddled with fear and anxiety and I couldn’t quite untangle it from my excitement and happiness that I felt about finally putting myself first, despite my family’s doubts and disapproval to live my life the way I wanted to.

The experiences and adventures you get from travelling and living in different countries is not something you can buy or read about. It has to be lived. It has to touched, smelt, heard and witnessed. Travel will change you for the better. It will open your eyes to many possibilities and you’ll do things you’d never have dreamt of doing before. Life’s too short and you have to seize your opportunities now before it’s too late. Ask yourself, what’s holding you back? What’s stopping you? Everything will be waiting for you when/if you ever go back so you really don’t have anything to lose! Don’t let life just pass you by. Grab your opportunities and achieve the impossible.

I've been to London many times and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. Overall this trip was great except for this one incident. As I was crossing the bridge, a mime and a shrek welcomed me with open arms and a third took my phone and took this photo. I knew they would want money, but against my better judgment, I didn't try to stop them. I got my phone back and thanked them and proceeded to walk away, when they broke character and demanded 20 quid. Of course I said no, and the three of them surrounded me, trapping me with their oversized bellies. Other tourists started filming and taking pictures and laughing as I was being squished by shrek, a mime, and a third bloke. I fished out £2 worth of coins from my pocket, shouted NO MORE and escaped hurriedly. I was fuming for the rest of the night and this picture still makes me angry, but it's a lesson I'll never forget.