1. Caernarfon, the first stop after leaving Holyhead Port in northern Wales.
Of the many castles built in the late 1200s by the English, Caernarfon's is the most impressive. Most of the towers are accessible via tightly spiraling stairs with tiny steps and a rope to hold onto, as are the ramparts around the perimeter.
View of Caernarfon Castle.
View of Caernarfon from the castle.
2. Conwy, the walled market town near our accommodation.
Most of the wall remains and is accessible. Fun fact: it was built by the English to protect themselves from the locals (i.e. the Welsh lived outside the wall). Conwy Castle is more well-preserved (archways and windows remain) than the others, but smaller than Caernarfon's. Other places of interest within the old town include the smallest house in Great Britain and St. Mary and All Saints' Church.
We also spent a lovely afternoon strolling around Bodnant Garden, an 80-acre property founded in 1874.
Portion of the wall surrounding Conwy.
Manor (still privately owned) and pool at Bodnant Garden.
3. Caer Rhun Hall, the Grade II-listed manor that was home base for this portion of the trip.
We originally booked two separate singles, but dad got upgraded to what we surmise was the honeymoon suite replete with bay window with love seat overlooking the gardens. (I let him have that one because he took the foldout couch at our Dublin Airbnb). At this time of year there weren't many other guests, though at breakfast we met a long-term resident - a local woman who was staying there while her house was being repaired.
It's also a popular wedding venue.
Lobby near the entrance.
See more photos of Conwy and Caernarfon here.