Dare I say it...(Christmas!)

This year seems to have gone even faster than any other year has ever done before. My mum says it's because I am getting older.

Christmas Experience Day Gift Vouchers are on sale now and are featured on the homepage of our Activity Wales website. There you go, I've said it!

'Early bird catches the worm' is on the tip of my tongue right now.

It is that time of year (again) when it doesn't matter how hard we try not to think about it, we all can't help but to start thinking about and planning for Christmas. For me, it's probably when Scott Mills first plays Mariah Carey's 'All I want for Christmas' on the radio that I know it's coming is inevitable.

At Activity Wales we try our very best to offer something special for everyone, which makes our Experience Day Gift Vouchers a perfect choice for the top present for your family and friends this year. They come neatly presented in a gift box, including a free drawstring sports bag.

For something a little different, we have introduced our 'Events' Gift Vouchers.

The Long Course Weekend in Tenby, Pembrokeshire consists of The Wales Swim, The Wales Sportive and The Wales Half and Full Marathon. The idea being, that if you know somebody who just needs a little push in the right direction to take part in an awesome event held in Pembrokeshire next year; you can buy them a gift voucher for their entry into all or one of the events across the course of three days, 8th - 10th June 2011. Then they have no excuse but to take part!

Isn't it also a great way to shift those few extra pounds that we all succumb to at Christmas and New Year?!

Aside to the events gift vouchers we do of course still offer our firm favourites, such as Pleasure Flights, Rally Driving, Kitesurfing, Quad Biking, Coasteering, Horseriding...as you can see the list is endless! To view everything that we can offer you it is probably best for you to check out our activity gift search, which you can find on the left hand side of the homepage.

Happy Christmas shopping...!

A Spectacular Ironman Wales

Ironman Wales was amazing. The scenes across Tenby and Pembrokeshire were phenomenal, something both the residents and athletes will never ever forget.

The atmoshpere was electric from 7 in the morning until the black of midnight with crowds of supporters, friends and families lining the streets and cheering the athletes on as they past through their towns and villages.

Ironman Wales was held in Tenby on Sunday 11th September and is the biggest sporting event to be witnessed in Pembrokeshire. The event, which has already become recognised as the toughest Ironman course in the world, challenges athletes to a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride finishing with a marathon of 26.2 miles.

Ironman Wales brought the communities within South Pembrokeshire together and created a magnificent atmosphere that was felt by everyone that was in any way involved with the event. The positive feedback that has been recieved about the support, friendliness, hospitality and cheer of the local people of Pembrokeshire is simply overwhelming.

Pembrokeshire is so very proud of their Ironman Wales and can't wait until 2012!

(Follow www.facebook.com/ironmanwales).

Pembrokeshire - 3rd Hiking Destination in the World

The accolades for Pembrokeshire just keep on coming. This beautiful county is already gushing with pride for having had recognition for it's sandy beaches, wildlife and spectacular scenery in the past and now the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path has been named as one of the greatest hiking trails in the world.

Last year the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path celebrated it's 40th anniversary and it is outstanding that this amazing recognition of coming third in the top 10 hiking destinations in the world emphasises even more how admired the coastal path still is by locals and visitors from across the world 40 years later.

I am still blown away by the scenery that surrounds me every day, my mum and I walked from Broad Haven South round to Freshwater East a few weekends ago and it was simply stunning. We were the only set of footprints wandering across the beaches, the blue sky and sunshine was upon us and mum spent time picking wild mushrooms growing alongside the path. I hope they weren't magic! If only we had thought to bring our swimming gear - the clear, bright blue sea was calling.

Everyone must witness our Pembrokeshire wonder. Whether you wish to come alone and hike across the Coastal Path, bring your family to spend time playing on the sandy beaches or have fun wandering the county with a loved one, we can help to arrange this for you. Just give us a call on 01437 766888.

Harry Potter Magic Remains

Last night I watched the 50 most brilliant Harry Potter moments.

It is magical to learn that the scene of which was filmed on our home turf in Pembrokeshire at Freshwater West beach has excelled in greatness coming within the top five most brilliant Harry Potter moments.

I watched the clip in awe last night as I recognised every inch of the fabulous beach and felt so proud to know I have made many footprints and my dog many paw prints in that very sand!

Freshwater West beach features in The Deathly Hallows (part 1) and plays the backdrop for the scene in which sadly, the adorable little elf Dobby dies. But if anything, this sad moment only emphasizes the significance of the role the beach played at such an iconic moment in the film.

I love Freshwater West beach , it has a long stretch of sand, laced by pebbles and loads of rocks to climb as well as being a haven for surfers all year round.

Pembrokeshire is renowned for it's fabulous beaches and coastline and if you have never visited before it is definitely time to arrange a holiday! I don't even mean in the height of the summer holidays, in fact wandering the beaches arm in arm when there is nobody else around is the best time - first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

Activity Wales can help to arrange an overnight stay, weekend break or long holiday to Pembrokeshire, where you can visit the very beach that has been recognised for it's outstanding beauty, not in just Harry Potter but the Robin Hood epic too.

Whilst you are visiting Freshwater West you can try a spot of Surfing, the waves are incredible.

Well done Freshwater West and Pembrokeshire - what a gem!

(P.S The picture shows me and my dog in front of the shell house at Freshwater West beach!)

Adventure Week in Pembrokeshire

This adventure package is perfect. Great for those couples looking for something new to try together, a group of friends looking to celebrate their graduation or for a fun family looking for their next challenge.

Our Adventure Week in Pembrokeshire has proven such a hit in the past that it has got to be within our top holiday activity packages in Wales. Pembrokeshire is such a stunning place to visit and has the most beautiful unspoilt scenery. beaches and a wicked coastline.

This particular package offers you seven nights self catering cottages accommodation, a day of Kitesurfing, Coasteering and a wildlife boat trip around Ramsey Island with prices from around £500 per person based on two or more sharing.

For further information on availability and booking in regards to our Adventure Week in Pembrokeshire please call a member of our team on 01437 766888 or e-mail info@activitywales.com.

Summer Frolics for the Family

It is usually around this time of the year Activity Wales start getting excited and ready for the summer! W e talk endlessly to people who have chosen to holiday to Wales and would like to arrange family activity days for them to partake in during their visit.

They have certainly come to the right place to discover brand new experiences as well as old fashioned favourites with Activity Wales!

Coasteering – Everything your mum told you not to do as a kid at the beach! If traversing along cliffs, scrambling and jumping from heights is your thing, then I advise you not to miss out on a session of Coasteering. You will NOT be disappointed.

Quad Biking – This is a firm favourite for many and has been for as long as I can remember. There is something naughty about biking across the rolling welsh countryside with the mud splashing beneath you and feeling every lump and bump you ride over!

Horse Riding – Is every little (and big girls) dream. There is no better way to experience Wales’ unspoilt, beautiful countryside than on horse back. As a horse rider myself, trust me that there is something very special and inspirational when you are utterly trusting in your four legged friend as you ride experiencing the wonders of Wales.

Activity Wales have so many summer activity experiences to offer you, your friends and family that if I rambled on about every single one of them this blog post would be endless!

We can help to arrange exciting new activities that you have always wanted to try, perhaps Gorge Walking, White Water Rafting or Kitesurfing or you may want to re-visit past childhood memories with a spot of Surfing, Sea Fishing or Sailing.

Don’t be afraid to give us a call with any thoughts or queries you may have to make your holiday to Wales that extra bit special and memorable. Activity Wales showcase the very best of what Wales has to offer and we want you to experience as much as you possibly can whilst you are holidaying here.

Our Activity Wales team are available to chat on 01437 766888 or you can e-mail info@activitywales.com.

Winners of Father's Day Competition

A big thank you to all entrants into our Activity Wales Father's Day competition, we very much enjoyed having a look at all of your pictures! We are now delighted to reveal the lucky winners along with their fantastic prizes:

Emma was lucky enough to win a Paintballing session at Adventure's Outdoor Activity Centre, Helen is to claim Coasteering at Celtic Quest Coasteering, and then both Non and Matthew are to visit Heatherton for a game of Adventure Golf.

Activity Wales would like to thank our fabulous activity providers who generously donated these great prizes that have been won within this Father's Day competition.