Caernarfon

Medieval castle walls rise like grey sentinels above the Menai Strait, their massive towers unchanged since Edward I built them to subdue Wales. Caernarfon isn't just another tourist trap with a castle - it's a proper working town where Welsh echoes through the streets and fishing boats still bob in the harbour.

The castle itself dominates everything, naturally. Those polygonal towers are unique in Britain, deliberately copying Constantinople to send a message about imperial ambition. But wander beyond the walls and you'll find a town that's quietly got on with life for centuries. The quayside has decent pubs, and the Saturday market still draws farmers from the valleys.

What makes this corner of Gwynedd special is how the mountains crowd right up to the sea. Moel Eilio looms to the east, while Craig Cwmbychan and the other peaks of the Snowdonia foothills create a dramatic backdrop that changes with every shift in the Welsh weather. On clear days you can see across to Anglesey.

The surrounding countryside is properly wild. Ancient sites like Castell Cidwm dot the landscape, while St. Garmon's Church in nearby Waunfawr sits quietly among fields that have been farmed since Roman times. The narrow-gauge railway from Waunfawr station winds through some of the most spectacular scenery in Wales.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A487 runs right through town, connecting to the A55 North Wales Expressway. Bangor's only twenty minutes away if you need a bigger shopping fix.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to walk into town for dinner, but far enough out to wake up to mountain views and proper quiet. Plus, it puts you within striking distance of both Snowdonia's peaks and Anglesey's beaches - not a bad compromise for a fortnight's holiday.