​The land of love spoons, leeks and daffodils celebrates its national day today March 1, Dewi Sant, St David’s Day with a parade in Cardiff.  A mass rendition of the national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau will take place outside St. David’s Hall, listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kUnCwV3AYE.  Inside the Hall, there will be a concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. 
Traditional music sessions and singing will take place around the country and the national heritage sites will have free entry for the day.  The annual pilgrim’s walk in St. Davids Pembrokeshire will be a procession from St. Non’s Chapel to witness the illumination of the St. David’s Day Stone at noon when it is pierced by a shaft of sunlight shining through the hole in an adjacent rock.
Consider a visit to our near neighbour and do something different. This year Wales encourages you to #FindYourEpic in 2016, http://www.visitwales.com/. 
 
Walk in the footsteps of King Arthur
The Guy Ritchie film, Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur was primarily filmed in North Wales with much of the action around Snowdonia.  King Arthur is heavily associated with Snowdonia and several places bear his name, Cegin Arthur and Ffynnon Arthur.  There is even a stone on the banks of Lake Barfog near Betws y Coed said to bear the hoofprint of his horse Llamrai.
Explore the myth of King Arthur on an underground boat ride through Arthur’s Labyrinth at Corris which will bring alive the locations in the film and the legend. http://www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk/

​Get your adventure on in 2015
This year is the Year of Adventure in Wales and “if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you,” according to Preseli Venture fitness retreat.  Challenge yourself in the wild environment of Pembrokeshire National Park.  Get wet coasteering, sea kayaking or surfing or try hiking and trail running and then relax in a five-star eco lodge.  Weekend retreats at Preseli from £265 per person, and only 30 minutes from Fishguard and Pembroke ports, http://www.preseliventure.co.uk/.   Tamer outdoor activities will be available from a new coastal health resort at Aberdovey, SEAcotherapy, developed by Psychologist Dr. Victoria Galbraith, guests will embrace nature and the power of the sea for wellbeing. http://www.seacotherapy.co.uk/

Star Gaze is the newest Dark Sky Reserve
Snowdonia National Park has become Wales’ second dark sky reserve and joins the Brecon Beacons as one of the ten darkest places worldwide.  Find your spot to watch the stars at the historic Oakeley Arms in the centre of Snowdonia.  The remote location means perfect conditions for gazing at the celestial skies.  Rooms from €89 - €105 per night, http://www.oakeleyarms.co.uk/

Art in Pembrokeshire
The rugged peninsula of St. David’s is where the Twr y Felin Hotel opened last year after a five year renovation project.  The former temperance hotel and windmill has been turned into a luxury property, with a unique collection of commissioned art.  The renovated windmill and gallery will house the works by 18 international artists including father and son John Uzzell Edwards and Charles Uzzell-Edwards aka graffiti artist Pure Evil. Fine dining in Blas Restaurant, which means the same in Welsh as Irish, taste, will use local ingredients.  Dinner bed and breakfast from £180 per night. https://www.twryfelinhotel.com/.

​Love Welsh food
Food tours of Cardiff enable visitors to see the city up close and enjoy a local cuisine like laver bread, and Welsh cakes, and maybe some Brain’s Skull Attack. The tour includes Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, the Civic Centre, the Arcades and the market, 10.30am on Fridays, http://lovingwelshfood.uk/.
Masterchef Finalist Larkin Cen opened his first restaurant in a joint venture with the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.  The restaurant called CEN serves pan Asian cuisine http://www.celtic-manor.com/
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