Celtic Routes is a newly launched touring route designed to inspire intrepid travellers to experience West Wales and Ireland's Ancient East under their own steam, be that a day exploring one of the towns, a long weekend discovering a stretch of coastline, or a week-long action-packed holiday.
The Celtic Routes website (celticroutes.info) is designed with a diverse range of immersive experiences to make it easy for you to become the curator of your own Celtic Routes experience.
Naturally, some of these places are more well-known, but many of them take you off the beaten track on roads less travelled – helping you delve closer to the Celtic Spirit, exploring the outstanding land and seascapes, rugged mountains and ancient standing stones. Here are just some of the highlights of my own magical journey.
Carmarthenshire Day One
Our first Celtic Moment was at Pendine Sands, where we stopped to visit the Cambrian Ice Cream Parlour. Taking a short stroll along the Wales Coast Path, we enjoyed our coffee and ice-creams while admiring the long stretch of beach from a dizzying height.
The vast stretch of sand is home to numerous land speed records and so it came as no surprise to watch thrill-seekers and racing land-yachts below – an activity involving sitting in a three-wheeled go-cart powered by wind through the use of a sail – travelling at speed just inches above the sand.
The areas you can drive cars on the beach are limited now, but Pendine Sands still holds a special place in the heart of many racing-car enthusiasts (the world record through the centre of Laugharne. Just behind the hotel is SeaView, a pretty pale-yellow house where Dylan and wife Caitlin once lived, now a B&B.
