Lleyn
is the tapering peninsula running westwards into the Irish Sea from the northern part of Snowdonia. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its landscape is lower and less harsh than that of Snowdonia, but with spectacular sea-cliffs, quiet sandy coves, and rolling green hills, it has a lot to offer.The island of Anglesey Welsh: Ynys Môn lies to to the north-west of Snowdonia, connected to the mainland by rail and road bridges. Most of the coastline is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while the hinterland is flat and extremely fertile. The Welsh expression Môn Mam Cymru, literally Anglesey, Mother of Wales indicates the importance of this farmland in keeping the whole country well-fed. As intended by those who named it, the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch is an unashamed tourist trap, if an irresistible photo opportunity bring a wide angle lens!, while visitors on a romantic break should not miss the mercifully un-touristy Llanddwyn, home to Santes Dwynwen, Wales' answer to Saint Valentine.
Holyhead
on the far side of Anglesey, is the departure point for fast ferries to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire in Ireland.