My recent trip to Wales was one of my most enjoyable excursions. The hosts were friendly, and the itinerary wasn't over packed. Mainly, we drove all over south and west Wales, staying in four cities in as many days. Castles were everywhere, the local beer is named Brains, and country pride overflows in many people in Wales.
At Druidstone, we were served a large amount of delicious food.
Instead of the Gideon Bible, you get The Teachings of Buddha at one hotel we stayed in.
This is John Wake, our driver, guide and Mr. Wales. He's one of the most fascinating individuals I've so far met in my life. He's been a police detective, an open-bus tour operator, a kilt shop owner, an actor and a playwright. He truly made the trip an experience. I don't know if I'd want to go back to Wales without him by my side. He knew the history of all the castles, the facts about King Arthur, and the places to catch a good band in Cardiff during any day of the week. From a musical point, I was in awe that he got to see so many artists in the 1960s in small clubs in Wales that I love today, such as Jimi Hendrix, the Kinks (who he arrested after a show), the Who, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles (He rode with them in a car from their hotel to the venue, and John Lennon said to him, "Fuck off, pig." He didn't care; John had spoke to him!).
I know that London and Scotland are sexy, but do yourself a favor the next time you're in Great Britain. Go to Wales. And hire John Wake for a guide. You won't regret it.
You live some sort of crazy charmed life where craps smell like roses, don't you?