Greetings from Wales! Every travel blog tells you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do, so you can be prepared for your Wales vacation. No matter when you travel to Wales, these are the “don’ts” of visiting the Wales.
#1 Never Call a Welshman an Englishman
England and Wales have a long and complicated history, and the people of Wales are Welsh, not English. There are distinct cultural differences between England and Wales, and the language is very different.
#2 Don’t Call Wales England
Similarly, don’t confuse the two countries of Wales and England. They both fall under the United Kingdom, and even Britain, but Wales and England are two very different countries.
#3 Don’t Expect an Urban Experience in Wales
Wales is all about the outdoors and the countryside; there aren’t many big cities. The true appeal of a Wales vacation are the small villages, and cottage rentals. The hiking, biking and cycling are all really fun in Wales. Sure, there are some fun cities in Wales, but the real fun is in the countryside and along the coast.
#4 Don’t Forget Your Hiking Boots
You will probably do a lot of hiking in Wales, so make sure you bring good hiking or walking shoes. Some of the trails can be tricky, and Wales is muddy, so you want hiking shoes and then other shoes to wear around town.
#5 Don’t Forget to Shop Before 6 p.m.
If you forget your hiking boots, or need to shop for anything in Wales, make sure you do so before 6:00 as that’s when most of the stores close. In the smaller towns of Wales, the towns pretty much close down in the early evening, so make sure you have what you need until the next day. Gas stations and grocery stores may stay open slightly later.
#6 Don’t Complain About the Rain in Wales
Yes, it rains a lot in Wales. We’ve had sprinkles or rain almost every day and that’s just how Wales is. Make sure you come prepared for rain, with a rain jacket, waterproof shoes and an umbrella.
#7 Don’t Forget to Get GPS With Your Rental Car
You definitely want to rent a car in Wales in order to see the best sights, but don’t forget to get the GPS with your car. Wales is full of small, winding roads with strange names that can easily confuse a foreign driver, especially when you are also driving on the left.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Europe
#8 Don’t Expect Consistent Mobile Service
Mobile service can be spotty as you travel through Wales. The larger cities and villages will have a good signal, but out in the countryside, you shouldn’t rely on your mobile phone for service. (This is another reason you need to have a GPS unit separate from your mobile phone!)
#9 Don’t Be Claustrophobic While Driving in Wales
As you explore the backroads of Wales, you’ll be shocked at how narrow some of the lanes can be. The roads are lined with tall hedges that come right up to the road, with barely any room for a passing vehicle. Pay attention to where you see pull-outs, in case you need to back up a bit for a passing car.
#10 Don’t Expect Logical Entry and Exit at Tourist Sights
As you drive around Wales, you’ll stop at many castles and ruins, but don’t think getting in and out will be easy. The car entrance and exit may be on different sides of the attraction, dumping you out into a different road or highway than what you arrived on. You may have to backtrack a few miles to get going in the direction you were originally headed.
#11 Don’t Forget Your Pub Etiquette
After a day of sightseeing, you may pop into a local pub for dinner. Once you’ve chosen a table at the pub, you have to go order your food at the counter, and you’ll need to know your table number in order to do so. If you forget your table number, you’ll have to give up your spot in line and start over.
#12 Don’t Plan Pub Dinners with Kids
Not all pubs allow kids in the evenings. Either plan to have your pub fare at lunch, or go for an early dinner when kids are still allowed inside.
#13 Don’t Miss the Chance to Meet Locals
The locals in Wales are super nice, and often curious about travelers who visit Wales. If they strike up a conversation with you at the pub, or elsewhere, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the locals.
#14 Don’t Bother Learning Welsh
We usually recommend learning a few key phrases before traveling to a new country, but once you see Welsh, you’ll know this is nearly impossible. You can get by just fine using just English in Wales.
Read: Ten Things That Will Shock You in Wales
#15 Don’t Forget to View the Night Sky
When you are out after dark in Wales, don’t forget to look up. Without big cities to pollute the dark skies, Wales has some amazing stargazing. Wales has one of a handful of official International Dark Sky Places in the world.
#16 Don’t Skip the Trains in Wales
Even though we recommend to rent a car in Wales, you can still take advantage of the trains that go all over. Trains are great for day trips and the train ride itself is a unique experience. They can take you up into the mountains, and you can relax and enjoy the view, rather than stressing out over driving every day.
#17 Don’t Forget to “Flick the Switch”
When you plug in your electrical devices into the wall socket, there’s a switch you have to turn on. If you don’t, you’ll wake up to dead devices in the mornings. So, don’t forget to turn on the outlet when you are using it.
Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Wales is really a fantastic country; with lots of things to do, awesome food and friendly people. Have you been to Wales? Feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: