Caernarfon, Wales

After leaving Ireland on yet another ferry, we arrived in Wales and found a hidden gem. I had booked us a room for one night in a small little town called Caernarfon simply because it was close to where we disembarked from the ferry. I had read that there was a castle there, but that's really all I knew about the place.

Caernarfon is a lovely little coastal town in Wales with a population of less than ten thousand people. It's very quaint and quiet, but what makes it really special is its castle and the history behind it. The Caernarfon Castle was built by Edward I of England after he defeated and killed the last prince in Wales in 1282. When Edward's own son was born in Caernarfon Castle in 1284, a legitimate Welshman, he was crowned the "Prince of Wales." Each successive Prince of Wales has been crowned here, to include Prince Charles. Laurel and I, being lovers of the Royal Family, were thrilled to make this discovery.

The castle is pretty spectacular and is honestly one of the largest and most fun castles we've explored. It has an unusual figure eight, or hourglass, design where the middle of the castle narrows thereby forming two huge courtyards on each end. This picture was taken from one end of the castle, and you can see the narrowing in the middle. You can also see just how gigantic this castle is, and we were able to explore literally every nook and cranny of it.

This is the pathway to the King's Gate which serves as entrance to the castle today just as it did hundreds of years ago. This was probably one of the most intimidating castle gates in all of the UK in its prime. The gate was equipped with four or more doors, five of the lattice type vertically-closing gates with spikes at the bottom, as well as numerous holes that could be used for dumping boiling water or oil onto unwanted visitors.

There are lovely sea views from atop the castle.

I spy my favorite boy on the planet in this picture! ;)

I begged them to play dress up, and they did! They still occasionally appease their Momma and her ridiculous requests.

I think Caernarfon Castle will go down as one of our favorites we visited in Europe. Its history and sheer magnitude make it one to remember for sure. Presumably, we will watch Prince William become the Prince of Wales in this very spot one day and say "hey, we've been there!"