Want to get away from it all? Picture yourself wandering along coastal paths, forest bathing beneath ancient trees, and plunging into invigorating cold waters to swim with a community of fun-loving and adventurous women. Between moments of exhilaration and calm, you’ll dine on grass-fed beef, local lamb, and just-caught seafood—or forage wild ingredients to add a fresh twist to your next meal. In Wales, a land of breathtaking contrasts within the United Kingdom, the landscape invites you to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover your sense of wonder.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Wales, a country I knew very little about beforehand. My adventure began in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, where I stayed at Parkgate Hotel, a former post office opened in 1897, that has been reimagined as a boutique hotel complete with an Elemis Spa. From there, I was able to explore the city streets and walk to Cardiff Castle, a former Roman fort. The hotel is also conveniently located just five minutes from the train station. In Pontcanna, an upscale suburb that feels like a charming Welsh village (Lin-Manuel Miranda recently stayed here with his family while filming), you’ll find plenty of dining options. One not to miss is Thomas by Tom Simmons. Simmons was raised in Pembrokeshire, and his cuisine highlights the flavors or rural and coastal Wales, relying on local farms, fishermen, and foragers to create memorable dishes rooted in a sense of place.
The next day, I visited fforest, an inviting glamping destination near the coastal town of Cardigan. Developed by James Lynch and Sian Tucker almost two decades ago, fforest is an inviting retreat in the countryside. In addition to a host of accommodations, the property also features various wellness offerings, such as a cedar-barrel woodland sauna, a cold plunge, and a wood-fired hot tub. Massages are also available when booked ahead of time. An ideal destination for a guided forest bathing experience in the ancient woodlands, fforest is the perfect setting to reconnect with nature. You’ll also want to be sure to spend some time socializing in Y Bwthyn, or The Cottage, an old barn has been transformed into a cozy one-room country pub.
Lynch and Tucker, who met in art school, moved from London with their four boys. They have since dedicated themselves to building not only Fforest but also The Albion, an adults-only hotel, in nearby Cardigan. Built in a former warehouse, the building is steeped in maritime history, once part of a wharf complex that served the town’s busy port. It’s named after the brig Albion, which sailed from Cardigan in 1819 carrying Welsh families to New Brunswick, Canada, to start a Welsh colony. The building has been lovingly restored, leaving the lime-washed walls marked with 19th-century pencil sketches and calculations for ships, rope, and sailcloth. Each room has a view of the River Teifi, walls made of reclaimed wood, floors made from 150-year-old oak, custom-made furniture, and Welsh wool blankets. According to Lynch, a spa is currently under development and should be completed in the next year or so. The downstairs bar area and courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy the complimentary drink that comes with each stay. The couple also own the pub across the street, a fun place to gather with friends. For dinner, Yr Hen Printworks is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with a frequently changing Welsh tapas-style menu featuring fresh, local produce.
Making my way to the coast, I had the opportunity to forage for myself with Coastal Foraging founder Craig Evans, who leads local foraging adventures. Walking along Newgale Beach, he shared insights about the local flora, including rock sunfire (tastes like carrots) and the seaweed used to make the popular Welsh laverbread, which is a thick, green paste often served as part of a traditional Welsh breakfast. Later, Evans created a fire on the beach to cook a potpourri of wild garlic, mussels, clams, and more for us to dine on. The experiential tour is an informative and fun way to learn about inexpensive, nutrient-dense food; where it comes from; and how it connects us to the land and sea.
Moving up the coast, my next stop was the lovely town of Newport, surrounded by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, part of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path. It’s the perfect place to explore the coastline with a walk along the path while nibbling on blackberries that can be found throughout Wales. For those who enjoy biking, this would be the place to do it. In Newport, I stayed at Llys Meddyg, a boutique hotel with rustic old-world charm. I especially loved The Secret Garden, a restaurant and garden located out back. With individual dining huts, a fire pit, and the Garden Bar, the Secret Garden provided a serene setting to indulge in a host of local offerings.
One of my most memorable experiences was one I was also dreading—braving the frigid waters with the Bluetits Chill Swimmers, a group of fun-loving women (men are welcome, too) who get together to swim outdoors regardless of the temperature. According to founding member Sian Richardson, the group, named after a brightly colored songbird, helps address the loneliness epidemic, as women come together to find community and challenge themselves. Fortunate to have a beautiful day with sunshine and a blue sky overhead, I took the plunge with Richardson and a few others willing to take a chilly dip at Whitesands Beach. In all honesty, the water wasn’t all that cold considering it was only early September. Or maybe it was simply the fact that I was surrounded by such a group of warm and vivacious women that the experience left such a lasting impression. The Bluetits also host holiday getaways that revolve around swimming, friendship, and fun. In 2026, Turkey, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Iceland are all on the calendar.
Next on the itinerary was a stay in St. Davids at Penrhiw Priory, which was originally build in 1884 as a vicarage by the Church in Wales. Serving multiple roles over the decades, it went from being a vicarage to a guest house to the priory for the Community of St. John the Evangelist in the 1960s. Today, it is a luxury hotel that has hosted the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins. A short stroll along a wooded lane to the 12th century St. Davids Cathedral and the heart of downtown, the historic hotel is a great base for exploring the area. I especially enjoyed a boat ride around nearby Ramsey Island, home to a large seal colony.
Another must-visit destination is Tenby, a beloved and popular seaside town complete with a castle, lifeboat stations, and brightly colored Georgian townhouses surrounding the harbor. Set between two beaches (with sand that has been proven to be the best in Wales for making a sandcastle), Tenby makes for a charming day trip. It also features a rich literary history: Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, often visited the area; Beatrix Potter was inspired to write The Tale of Peter Rabbit while staying at 2 Croft Terrace; Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, waxed poetic about spending Easters in Tenby; and Dylan Thomas, one of Wales’ most recognized poets, gave the first public reading in Wales of Under Milk Wood, at a local café.
One of my favorite places to stay was the Grove, a luxury country house in Narberth. Each room is individually designed. I stayed in the Henry Signature Suite, named after Henry Tudor, who was born in Pembroke Castle just 12 miles away. With a four-poster bed, an arts-and-crafts ceramic fireplace, views of the gardens, a separate living room, and a large ensuite bathroom with a soaking tub and shower, I was reluctant to venture out. However, the gardens were calling, and they alone were worth a visit. The hotel, now considered one of the best in Wales, was once a neglected 15th-century farmhouse before being restored into a luxury retreat with 25 rooms, two restaurants, and a two-acre kitchen garden. Warm and welcoming, it features an array of traditional Welsh elements, such as local art, antiques, and more.
Known best for being home to poet Dylan Thomas, Laugharne is a small, unassuming coastal town. There, I checked into the Dylan Coastal Resort, made up of a series of caravans, or what we might refer to as modular homes. Each come with kitchens, outdoor hot tubs, and stunning views of Taf Estuary. In the main lodge, there is also a restaurant, a full-service spa, a fitness center with Technogym equipment, and an outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool. One of the resort’s more unique amenities was the fresh milk station. Located nearby on the cliff boardwalk, you’ll find the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, his former home, which has been preserved and is now open to the public as a museum. A few steps away is his writing shed, where he wrote many of his famous works.
Wales is truly a tonic for the soul, where the epic Wales Coast Path offers stunning views, fresh sea air revives the spirit, and every meal celebrates local flavors rooted in the land and the sea. Here, wellness isn’t just an activity but a way of life woven into the landscapes, traditions, and rhythms of daily life.
