THE JEWEL in the North Wales crown, Snowdonia forms a magnificent centrepiece for the region's tourism. It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to sample its unique combination of scenery and culture. More properly known as Eryri (place of eagles), Snowdonia is beautiful in all seasons. It offers endless opportunities for hillwalking and climbing, as well as less energetic pursuits - like visiting pretty hill villages, fishing, riding 'great little trains' or just experiencing a different culture. In contrast to scenic parts of other Celtic countries, Snowdonia is not a living museum. The local people do not put on costumes for visiting tourists. Nor, contrary to popular belief among some ill-informed - and rather paranoid - visitors, do they 'start speaking Welsh' when you enter a shop. In never seems to occur to these visitors that Welsh is the everyday language of communication, and has been for a thousand years - long before English even existed. Welsh is spoken by about three-quarters of Snowdonia's inhabitants and is, for most, their first language. This living and thriving culture is one of the region's main attractions. Less than two hour's drive from Liverpool and Manchester is a different country, with its own language, history and culture. Agricultural shows, local Eisteddfodau and other community events take place throughout the year. They are conducted primarily in Welsh, and are not laced with bogus Celtic colour for visitors - although all will of course be warmly welcomed.
 When talking about Snowdonia's scenery, it is easy to run out of adjectives - and very difficult to pick highlights. Of the major valleys, there is a great deal of variety - from the occasionally intimidating grandeur of the Llanberis pass to the bucolic tranquility of Nant Gwynant. The accessible valleys of the Conwy and Lledr offer exquisite scenery for the motorist, while further south the crowds lessen for you to enjoy the wonderful scenery around the towns of Bala, Harlech and Dolgellau. You don't even have to drive. The 'great little trains of Wales' are still going strong, and the modern service along Cardigan Bay to Barmouth, Harlech and Pwllheli is perhaps the most scenic in the UK. But the region is also a paradise for steam enthusiasts with several services chugging through the scenery.
Everybody becomes a walker in Snowdonia. Even those who hate any form of physical exercise will be moved to take short walks away from their car, if only to visit the shores of a lake or get a good photograph. The walking possibilities are endless. Read more here (link to walking feature). It is impossible to deny that the region has a reputation for bad weather. But, while it is true that the high peaks of Snowdonia receive a generous amount of refreshing rain to keep the land beautifully green, many people do not realise just how mild the climate is away from the high ground. Indeed, sheltered towns near the coast like Conwy hardly ever see snow. The Gulf Stream sends us warm water from Mexico, while the flow of westerly winds mean that the weather tends to be changeable - most easily characterised by the phrase 'mild and damp'. If for some strange reason it does rain, there are plenty of options in the little towns and villages. Llanberis, in the heart of Snowdonia, has a range of attractions to suit all the family. The old slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, although just outside the boundary of the National Park, has underground mines to visit - where you can learn about the lives of the quarrymen who once worked here. Beddgelert is a lovely village in a delightful location. Apart from the heart-rending legend which gives the village its name (Gelert's grave), the sheer beauty of the surroundings and charm of the little shops and cafes will tempt you to stay whatever the weather. The medieval walled town of Conwy is one of Europe's finest. Built in the twelfth century by Edward I to accompany the famous castle, the walls were intended to protect a group of English settlers from Welsh attacks. Caernarfon and Denbigh have similar histories, built as 'plantation towns' to quicken English colonisation. Conwy also boasts Plas Mawr, a magnificently restored medieval merchant's home and Aberconwy House, which dates back to the 15th century. Conwy has been designated a World Heritage Site and is a must for all visitors to the region. Snowdonia National Park celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. What better excuse could you have for a visit? | 
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