North Wales is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Europe for short breaks and traditional holidays and it’s not hard to see why.

Betws y Coed is the famous picturesque village in the Conwy Valley, known as the ‘Gateway to Snowdonia’ and is a popular location for visitors to base themselves when exploring all that the local area has to offer. Within a 30 mile radius you can experience surfing at a purpose built surf lagoon at Surf Snowdonia, take a walk up to the summit of Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales at 3,560 ft (1,085 m) or if you don’t fancy the walk, book a ticket on the mountain railway instead.

Here at Bodhyfryd Guesthouse we’re lucky enough to be only a short journey away from the 3 Zip World sites; up the road, at the edge of the village is Zip Forrest, where you can explore the forrest via the canopies and experience the thrill of whizzing through the trees on the forrest coaster; in the village of Bleanau Ffestiniog you can head down to the old slate caverns and experience bouncing on giant trampolines in the disused slate caverns. Further up the A5, towards Bangor, is probably the place to go for adrenaline junkies; you can experience the nearest thing to flying by zip lining through the air over the old Penrhyn Quarry.

If history is more your interest than adventurous activities then there’s plenty to see and do, with some great National Trust properties and medieval castles on the doorstep; Within an hour’s drive are Harlech, Dolwyddelan, Caernarfon & Conwy Castle and Bodnant Gardens is a must see attraction (especially in the Autumn).

For those of you that are looking to relax why not explore the miles of glorious coastline that North Wales has to offer, or head up the lakes above Trefriw, or spend the day sampling the different varieties of local ales on offer in the pubs and restaurants.