The very best holidays to Wales

Home to Snowdonia National Park, North Wales is a fabulous holiday destination, especially for hikers, ramblers, mountain climbers and cyclists. At the heart of Snowdonia lies Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). At an elevation of 1085m, it's the highest peak in England and Wales. If you don't fancy climbing it, board the historic mountain railway instead. When you've had your fill of the peaks, head to the coast for a day at the seaside town of Llandudno or a trip to the quirky miniature town of Portmeirion. For families, many of the best holiday parks in Wales are found along the northern coast.

The UK's only entirely coastal National Park, this staggeringly beautiful rocky coastline is the perfect location for an action-packed adventure holiday. It's ideal for adrenaline seekers or those with older children who are looking for a bit more than sun, sand and castles. Activities in Pembrokeshire include sea-kayaking, scuba diving, coasteering, paragliding, kite surfing, mountain biking and rock climbing, to name a few. For those who are just in it for the views, make use of the amazing coastal walks and take a trip to the picturesque town of Tenby.

The best beaches and resort towns of Wales lie along the southern coast of the county, the perfect destination for a seaside retreat. Top picks include Barry and Barry Island, made famous by BBC's Gavin and Stacey but a much-loved resort, filled with family fun. It's also easy to combine a city break and a beach holiday in South Wales, where the country's biggest cities, Swansea, Newport and Cardiff, offer the best of both worlds.

The Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales is the perfect location for a family or group hiking holiday, with a wide choice of easy, medium and more challenging hikes. The highest peak, Pen Y Fan, has an elevation of 886m, making it the highest mountain in the south of the UK. Base yourself in the gorgeous market town of Brecon or the unfathomably idyllic Crickhowell, which provides easy access to the Black Mountains. To the west of the park, the town of Llandelio boasts numerous historic sites including Talley Abbey, Cennen Castle and Dinefwr Castle. Brecon Beacons is also one of the UK's International Dark Sky Reserves, which makes it an excellent location for a bit of star-viewing.

In the far-flung northwest corner of Wales is the atmospheric Isle of Anglesey. Home to the biggest percentage of Welsh speakers and the highest concentration of ancient sites, Anglesey is about as Welsh as you can get. Discover the island's natural beaches and rocky coast along the 125 mile Anglesey Coastal Path. Be sure to travel to Holy Island, where birdwatchers will delight at the sights of puffins, guillemots, choughs and razorbills at the South Stacks Cliffs.

This peninsula west of Swansea was the first place in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, back in 1956. The glorious Gower coastline is home to Rhossili Bay, considered one of the best beaches not only in the UK, but in all of Europe. Despite the tranquil scenery, the peninsula is a popular spot for adrenaline junkies, with surfers and coasteerers making the most of the rocky cliffs and choppy waves.