Wales – Land of poetry and song, Land of rolling countryside, Land of deep valleys and high mountains, Land of sea and cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches, Land of castles and Little Trains, Land of lakes and rivers, Land of excitement, Land of adventure.

If you’re a regular visitor to our wonderful country from overseas, you’ll probably know much of what there is to know about not only our history, but travel tips, and what to see and do as well whilst on vacation here. But if you’ve not been to North Wales before, how can you get some unbiased advice about what to expect?

That’s where the “Tourism Ambassadors” come in. The people listed below have agreed that people considering a visit to our region can contact them to ask such questions about North Wales. Over the next year we hope to add to the following list and eventually have someone from every country in the world and every state of USA.

Australia | Austria | Belgium | Brazil | Canada | Denmark | Holland | Hong Kong | Japan | Malta | Spain | Sweden | U.S.A

Australia

New South Wales
Jim & Jean Grant jljfgrant@hotmail.com

“We visited Harlech Castle, Betws-y-Coed, Bodnant Garden, Caernarfon Castle and Lake Llanberis.............. we have very warm memories of the people we met and the places we visited.”

Tasmania
David Nichols D.Nichols@utas.edu.au

"My impression of North Wales was of a region possessing outstanding natural beauty that may be appreciated by all visitors. The region offers a large variety of outdoor activities for people of all levels. In addition the history of North Wales is captivating and fully enhanced by the quality of historic sites and friendliness of the people."

Austria

Nicola Nightingale nicola.nightingale@telering.at

"I spent my best holidays as a child in North Wales (I come from Lincoln 
originally) and have favourite memories of the slate mines and the great 
little trains. I have returned with my husband and even walked up 
Snowdon! This year we are hoping to spend a week in Wales during our annual 
trip back to the UK!"

Belgium

Fons Vanhaecht gisela.verhelst@mail.be
(Vilvoorde)

"With our family, we have been regular visitors since 1977 of Snowdonia and the Conwy Valley, in particular. My first visit ever (to the Llanberis Pass) dates back from 1967. North-Wales was our first holiday destination abroad. Since Eurotunnel was opened, we visit 2 or 3 times a year. Snowdonia is the ideal place for holidays : fantastic scenery with mountains, sea, lakes, beautiful countryside allowing you to walk for a day without meeting any tourists apart from some local farmers, lovely villages, great people speaking a language with a long history, excellent restaurants, and , of course, the tradition of the "côr meibion" or male voice choirs with memorable concerts, and especially the after-concerts in the local hotel bar.... I'd be glad to help out anyone wanting to visit North-Wales."

Guido Bos guido.bos@village.uunet.be

“We really enjoyed our visit at Betws-y-Coed and surrounding villages. The beautiful walks in the mountains with its lakes are very relaxing. Caernarfon Castle was impressive and we loved the beautiful Victorian esplanade of Llandudno.”

Brazil

Monica Solon msolonr@infolink.com.br

Canada

Alberta
Doug dougwho@portalcreek.com

"Along with the normal tourist places, it is the small out-of-way place that surprises you and brings you enjoyment and peace. The small village gently nestled in a valley, with it's rich diversity of history and culture can captivate the traveller and resident alike"

Denmark

Allan & Esther Anderson hilton@mail.dk

Holland

Caas & Hilda Broeks cbroeks@cistron.nl

Hong Kong

Kim Bennett kbennett@cis.edu.hk

Japan

Shuji Uehara lion_king@pop21.odn.ne.jp

“The reason I visited Wales, was to attend the painting course in Snowdonia. In Japan, I was gifted one year subscription of art magazine ARTISTS, from the English friend. There were many advertisements of painting holidays or painting breaks in that magazine. We Japanese could not imagine painting, holidays and abroad together........ I had very lovely holidays. We learned a lot from Britain, so far. Your country is really mature even in leisure.”

Malta

Manuel and Marion ecassar@waldonet.net.mt

“.......Maltese tourists would find North Wales as a blessing, mountains, rivers and greenery all over the place. There are numerous sight seeing spots for the whole family, the people are friendly and helpful, good food and fabulous roads having adequate directional signs. For those people which are young at heart, North Wales offers practically all kinds of sport. There are numerous places to stay in which cater for all price ranges. We think that hiring a car is a must, otherwise one might miss out on some spectacular views.”

Spain

Sweden

Arne & Berit Lundin arne.lundin@spray.se

"Beautiful countryside, great variety of mountains, hills and seaside within easy reach. Many interesting sights. Nice, friendly and welcoming people. Very good and well functioning accommodation."

U.S.A.

Arizona
Pat & Bob Jackson rjackson@futureone.com

California
Joan & Bill Hinman wsh5jvh@gte.net

“Our trip to North Wales was everything we had hoped for. The people were warm and welcoming, the food was superb and the scenery was grand. We can hardly wait until next time.”

Colorado
Don & Judie Emanuel continental-marketing@worldnet.att.net

“We are planning our 4th trip to Great Britain this coming Spring. North Wales figures into that trip for at least 5 days. Having been to England, South Wales (Oxwich Bay area) and Scotland, we are most fond of Northern Wales. [Our hosts] were the most friendly and helpful of any B&B host/hostesses we met. If we lived near them, we'd definitely be having them into our home for drinks and dinner on a regular basis.
The accommodations were perfect for the Welsh countryside. We especially enjoy the beautiful coast and countryside. But, as you know, "people make the difference." The Welsh people seem to be quite interested in "growing" their tourism business. Friendly, courteous and most anxious to point out what they believe to be interesting for tourists is how Judie and I found them.

We enjoy the leisurely pace of the traveling in Wales...not so hurried or incessantly "in motion"...you can linger and still absorb memories that will stay with you when you go home. We like that!”

Florida
Richard Toenjes dickiedo2@prodigy.net

Georgia
Ted and Robin Meleky Ted.Meleky@sas.com

“We visited Wales for the first time this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our visit included time both in south and north Wales. We found the scenery to be beautiful and the people friendly. I am a train enthusiast and so Wales was particularly enjoyable to me. My wife and I both were fascinated touring a number of your fine castles as well. Wales has it all, from the mountains to the sea.”

Illinois
Barbara Teague BTeague410@gateway.net

“I would be honored to be selected as an ambassador for North Wales! I've been there four times over the past 14 years....... My most recent visit to Wales was just five weeks ago, and I'm looking forward to getting there again - whenever time and money permit. It's my favorite place to visit!”

Indiana
Jim Best jimbest@bright.net

“Everything you want to see or do is normally less than ninety minutes away.
And the variety - of weather, sights, food - is stunning.”

Kansas
Kathleen & Steve Davis davis@moose?mail.com

“We would recommend a vacation in North Wales to anyone. We particularly found North Wales to be rich in natural beauty, castles and other ancient monuments, and friendly people. The many people we met at the Bed & Breakfasts went out of their way to help make our trip even more enjoyable.”

Massachusetts
Don & Sally Appleton dapple@acad.umass.edu

Michigan
Richard & Mary Rohrer RKRohrer@provide.net

“My wife and I had a great time there. We especially liked the small villages, the castles, and the botanical gardens. I think we are biased however, we liked Scotland and Wales better than any other parts of the British Isles.”

New York
Mary & Mark Bentlage mbentlag@us.ibm.com

"North Wales is commended for preserving its heritage through the native language spoken and written (such as road signs). Mt Snowdon is majestic as is the surrounding landscape."

Ohio
Jim Best jimbest@bright.net

“Everything you want to see or do is normally less than ninety minutes away.
And the variety - of weather, sights, food - is stunning.”

Pennsylvania
Stephen & Sandra Vegoe vegoe@lvchamber.org

“Since we returned from our week in North Wales in early March of 2000, we have been absolutely delighted to tell all of our friends about this extraordinary place; a place we never thought about visiting until we just up and picked it for a quick week's vacation. The people were splendid. The history, especially Edward's castles, was more than we ever imagined. Driving on the narrow roads and lanes was a real trip, and the food was splendid. We spent one very full day visiting the Seven Wonders of Wales. It made the trip extra special as we discovered wonders that were completely new to us. We plan to return often to revisit all that we missed.”

South Carolina
Gwynne Parker GMPARKER@aol.com

My first trip to Wales was in June, 2000. Having no idea what Wales was like, I only allowed myself 4 days in Northern Wales. I was so captured by the country and people that I returned in October, 2000 for 10 days! Here in South Carolina, we pride ourselves on being friendly and hospitable, but nothing could top the experience I had in Wales. I was looking for family history and I met helpfulness and interest everywhere I looked. Sadly, I didn't make the connection to my family, but I found much, much more. Also, I still have a reason to return. What I did find was beautiful, quite, peaceful landscapes; warm, caring friends, and lots of fun at the pub! The villages enthralled me as much as the vistas. Wales is very much unspoiled and you can slow down and feel the peace around you. I believe it is as close to Heaven as you can ask for on Earth.

Texas
Joyce Golmon lgolman@msn.com

“I visited North Wales last March and plan to return again to the same area this March. I am a history lover (medival) and the history of Wales is facinating. My visit allowed me to visit all the places I had read about and I was not disappointed. I was enchanted; I could see in my mind's eye, the Llywlyns (Llywelyn's) and their fight for an independent Wales..........I also could see why they fought. What a beautiful land!”

Texas
Sherry Kay Green voygreen@ticnet.com

“We had a lovely time in Wales, the people were helpful and friendly, the scenery was breathtaking (the best I've seen in the UK) and the experience left us with warm memories. We will definitely be returning next year. A truly memorable experience.”

Texas
Dick Perley dperley@iamerica.net

“My wife Bobbie and I would be pleased to serve as ambassadors for North Wales. If I had to sum up our experience in one phrase, it would be: "Beautiful scenery, wonderful heritage, great hospitality and genuinely friendly people." We look forward to being able to return.”

Washington
Mike & Karen Conaway mikeco@kalama.com

“When you requested a few words to describe North Wales and what highlights we remember, what comes to mind is our initial wonder we felt as we entered your country. We had been in England for several days before coming to Wales. We thought the English countryside was beautiful.

However, when we entered Wales and drove inland, the colors, hills and pastures with their flocks and rich landscape was a sight to behold! It was very magical. The people's voices were melodic and they presented themselves with an old world dignity, not to be found commonly in the United States. We felt a great reverence for those who left to come to the U.S. to find a harsh environment to greet them. Especially, after seeing the beauty that they left behind.

We can honestly say that visiting Wales was like finding a hidden treasure for us... So, to come and see what Wales is and hear about what really happened, makes me proud to be of Welsh heritage and find that my husband's roots are in Conwy Valley. We came home!!!”

If you’d like to be an ‘Ambassador’, please drop an email to Jon Richmond at North Wales Tourism at jon.richmond@nwt.co.uk with your name, nearest town, country, (or US state) and email address. What we’ll do is put your name and email address on this page as a contact point for visitors from your own country to email prior to the visit. If you wish, you can also add a few words on your most memorable experience of North Wales.

Diolch yn fawr iawn! / Thank you very much! 
Special thanks to Kevin Jones of Aberconwy House, Betws-y-Coed for suggesting the idea.