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Llandudno
Llandudno is the long reigning queen of elegance among North Wales seaside resorts.
With the distinctive curve of its sweeping promenade, unspoiled seafront architecture and sophisticated one-time townhouses, now turned into equally sophisticated guest houses, little wonder its pierside hotel has historically been called The Grand.
There is an undeniable sense of old fashioned grandeur at the heart of this town, enhanced by wide avenues, impressive vistas, designer shops and stylish iron verandahs stretching out across expansive pavements. It's not hard to imagine how Victorian and Edwardian ladies in ample skirts would stroll along taking the air and the opportunity to indulge in a little 'hob-nobbery'.
Tourists today could be forgiven for thinking they too had stepped back to another era at the annual Llandudno Victorian Fair. Locals, holidaymakers and day trippers get in festival mood by dressing in period clothes for an array of parades, vintage car rallies, street entertainers' performances and Victorian themed events over a May bank holiday weekend.
For Llandudno might be one of the 'smart set' among seaside towns, but she's also got a playful side. See Punch and Judy on the prom, smile your way around the colourful botanical trails of Happy Valley gardens, given to the town by Queen Victoria to celebrate her golden jubilee. Or take a trip up the Great Orme to hear the laughter of children and adults enjoying an energetic day's fun on the dry ski slope and toboggan run (tel: 01492 874707).
Get a bird's eye view from Llandudno's famous cable cars (tel: 01492 877205) - the longest in Britain, built in 1902 and stretching a mile each way. At the top of the Orme are the historic copper mines( tel: 01492 870447), open from February to October, and the original St Tudno's Parish Church, where open air Sunday services are still held.
If cable cars are not your thing take a journey on the Victorian tramway (tel: 01492 574237), more than a century old and still offering excited passengers a first class journey. It operates via a system similar to that used in San Francisco.
For a less busy experience the Little Orme could be the place to go, quieter than its sister and a perfect location for a refreshing sea view hike. A walk along the pier can also be invigorating - at 2,295ft, it's the longest in Wales.
Llandudno has a magic quality too. One glance at its surreal White Rabbit statue is enough to convince visitors of that. It marks the approach to a 'real life fantasy land' at the Alice in Wonderland exhibition centre (01492 860082).
Lose yourself in yet more dramatic children's and adult tales at Venue Cymru (tel: 01492 872000), Llandudno's modern theatre complex which boasts a diverse year round programme. The world of creativity continues at Oriel Mostyn Gallery (tel: 01492 879201), home to arts, sculpture and photographic displays.
For shopaholics Llandudno is in the top league with chain store giants like Marks and Spencer a hop and skip away from more individual, sometimes offbeat gift shops and clothes boutiques, while, on the edge of town, top flight department stores like Debenhams hold court. There are cafes, bars and restaurants aplenty from silver service tables at the Empire Hotel to informal family pizza chains.
Outwardly Llandudno may present a vision of upmarket formality, but there's a more frivolous, fun-loving character hiding behind all those elegant curtains.
