WHY IT RATES: Anything that opens up more travel to this incredible country is a good thing. - Rich Thomaselli, TravelPulse Senior Editor
There are four new ways to get to the UK from the United States: British Airways, Virgin, and Norwegian Airways have all introduced new routes between the West Coast to London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
These major transportation hubs are convenient gateways for travel to Wales for people living in California and Washington. The new routes coincide with the country's Year of Legends, a themed celebration throughout 2017 to honor Welsh myths and legends.
British and Norwegian Airways now fly direct between Oakland, California and London Gatwick, and Virgin has two new flights: one between Seattle, Washington and London Heathrow, and the other, which operates seasonally during the summer, between San Francisco and Manchester.
Whether combining Wales with other parts of the UK or visiting the Celtic nation on its own, these major transportation hubs are convenient gateways for travel to Wales. Cardiff, the Welsh capital, is just two hours from London, and Manchester is about an hour drive from the northern region of Wales.
Although Cardiff is a short trip from England's capital, it has a distinctive history and culture. Cardiff Castle, a gothic-style, Victorian palace, dominates the city center and tells the story of the city's past from the Roman occupation to the industrial revolution; award-winning restaurants and tea rooms serve classic Welsh dishes like Welsh cakes and rarebit; and Cardiff Bay, the capital's bustling waterfront, features modern architecture and cultural attractions, such as the Wales Millennium Centre - a performing arts theater, and the Senedd - home to the National Assembly of Wales.
In the northern region of Wales, travelers can embrace the Celtic pride that runs deep through the heart of Welsh people. Not only is the Welsh language prevalent in this region, it is home to dozens of fortresses, including Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris and Conwy - King Edward's Iron Ring of Castles that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The area has also become the country's adventure hub and Lonely Planet named North Wales a top region in its Best of Travel 2017 designations. Adrenaline seekers can hike to the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales; walk a portion of the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile walking trail that traverses the perimeter of the country; or soar over a former slate quarry at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on Zip World velocity.
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