Wales

The Welsh capital is dominated by Cardiff Castle, which sprawls out into the city centre. At the entrance of the 2000-year-old estate, the masonry joins clearly show where Roman and Norman styles butted heads.  We laugh out loud at the interior when we step inside, as it is dripping in Victorian bling. The rooms are heavily decorated with marble, polished wood, chandeliers and the astrological whirl of black and gold. The many rooms eventually lead out to the castle grounds, where peacocks wander around, and we feel like we are in Alice's Wonderland.

By the second week of the New Year it's a fair bet that any after-effects of New Year's Eve partying will have worn off - unless you're in the Gwaun Valley in West Wales, where you'll just be gearing up for the New Year celebrations in mid-January.

Treat yourself to lashings of festive cheer by enjoying a Welsh Christmas with all the trimmings. With a slew of open-air Ice rinks, Christmas markets, Santas' grottos and cherry shopping experiences (phew!), Wales has plenty to offer anyone seeking a bit of Chrimbo va-va-voom.

Victorian Christmas

Rewind to Victorian time with a visit to Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, December. Opulent rooms will be decked out in festive decorations and carol singing will echo through the halls. Glug back some hot punch and munch on roasted chestnuts to get that cosy festival feeling.

Few places have a closer relationship with the sea than Wales. With more than 800 miles of rugged coastline to experience, you'll find so many invigorating opportunities to dip your toes in Welsh waters and help celebrate the Year of the Sea.  The waters that lap this special segment of Britain have shaped the landscape over countless centuries - not just in geography, in carving out tall cliffs, gorgeous bays and soft beaches, but in their effect on the people who live alongside the waves.

I'm suspended horizontally, trussed up like a turkey and pointing face-first down a mile of zip wire, the longest in the northern hemisphere. And when the safety line is yanked free, there's no turning back.  Zip World opened recently in the dramatic setting of the world's oldest and largest slate mine, Penrhyn Slate Quarry, by Snowdonia National Park.

With more than 800 miles of rugged coastline to experience, you'll find so many invigorating opportunities to dip your toes in Welsh waters and help celebrate the Year of the Sea.  The waters that lap this special segment of Britain have shaped the landscape over countless centuries - not just in geography, in carving out tall cliffs, gorgeous bays and soft beaches, but in their effect on the people who live alongside the waves.

The Snowdonia National Park, more so Mount Snowdon is one of Wales most visited attractions.  Located in north-west Wales Snowdon is said to be one of the wonders of Wales by Wales former first minister Rhodri Morgan, the band Doves has also name a song after it.

WHITESANDS BAY, PEMBROKESHIRE
Close to St Davids (the UK’s smallest city, due to its 12th- century cathedral), Whitesands bay boasts a mile of soft sand and clear seas that offer fantastic surfing and swimming. Part of the Pembrokeshire coast National Park, there are always plenty of activities on offer, including walks, rockpooling and even crab catching.

Follow the warm Gulf Stream around the majestic coast of Wales to Snowdonia and you will find will find nestles amongst the cliffs Portmeirion, an Italianate inspired resort.  The eccentric collection of cottages, follies and status in bright pastel colours of pinks, yellows, blues and green cannot fail to capture the imagination.

When I read of places like the Sotano de las Golondrinas (Cave of Swallows) a huge 1200ft pit in Mexico that could swallow the Empire State Building, and the Oman monster, known as Majlis al Jinn (Meeting Room of the Spirits), the second largest cave chamber in the world.  It only leave me with a certain amount of respect and admiration for caves most for all for those that make it fun to explore as a hobby.  We have collated a list of caves for your next adventure in some of the world’s most striking geographical locations.