British colonists and the British military in Canada brought rugby football to North America. Along with association football or soccer, it became popular in American and Canadian universities. At the time soccer and rugby were not as differentiated as they are now and teams would negotiate the rules before playing a game. The sport of American football evolved from these intercollegiate games.

The centre for Welsh rugby is the Millennium stadium right in the centre of Cardiff. Wales play games in November and again in February / March. Each game is a sell out with 74,000 spectators and many times that packing out the pubs, bars and restaurants. With the roof closed and everyone on their feet singing the Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, it is an intense and emotional experience – even for the visiting fans.

No less exciting is the local derby between 2 village teams played every Saturday between September and April and watched by a hundred “Dai Hards”. (That’s a Welsh joke – Dai is the Welsh diminutive for David and is pronounced “die”)

If you would like to take in a rugby, soccer or cricket match during your trip, please let us know and we will check the schedule for games and times.

Wales has breathtaking opportunities for serious walking throughout Wales. Favorites include the mountains of Snowdonia and the hills of mid Wales. Huw and Alun have both walked the 186 mile Pembrokeshire coastal path, from St Dogmaels to Amroth.

Our favorite stretch is the circular walk from Marloes to Musselwick via Martins Haven and the Lobster Pot pub. There are less strenuous walks around lakes or along canals in every corner of Wales. Please let us know if you want to complete a long distance hike over several days or simply a post lunch stroll and it will be built into your schedule.

The beaches of south Wales offer some great waves for surfers of all abilities . On these same beaches, once used by local people to collect seaweed for their fields, you can harness the wind for kite-surfing and Kirsty Jones, World kite-surfing champion, trained here in Wales.

From offshore to inland, Wales also offers an extensive range of sailing, canoeing and kayaking.

Over the years, Wales has had 10 World boxing champions and at one stage in 2007, we had 3 simultaneously; Gavin Rees, Enzo Macarinelli and the incomparable unbeaten 46-0 Joe Calzaghe.

Wales competes in Olympic sport as part of the Great Britain team. We had 5 medalists in 2008, including Gold medal winner Nicole Cooke, and 49 in total in the modern era.

Wales has 176 golf courses. Ian Woosnam won the US Masters in1991 (and also achieved world number 1 status). In 2010, Wales will be hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time.

Tanni Grey-Thomson was born with spina bifida. She has won 15 Paralympic medals including 10 golds for distances from 100m to 800m. She has also won the London wheelchair marathon 6 times.

Not bad with a population base of 3 million. But it is not all elite sport. The World bog snorkeling takes place every August near Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales. Competitors of all ages and standards snorkel against the clock through a peat bog. Please do jump in. Lovely!

Wales has an excellent range of sea, coarse and game fishing options . Experienced fisherman will know exactly what they are looking for and we will gladly make the arrangements.

Boat fishing for mackerel is fun for all the family including youngsters and absolute beginners. And mackerel tastes best straight from the sea, simply grilled or barbecued.

Wales is home to some of Europe's finest surviving examples of medieval castle construction. Welsh castles can be divided into three categories: Norman Castles, Native Welsh Castles and Edward Castles.

The stone castles of the Normans were built shortly after the Norman victory over the Saxons in 1066. Outstanding castles in this category include Chepstow, Caerphilly and Pembroke, all located in South Wales. The fully decorated Cardiff Castle, in a class all its own, is a must-see for visitors to South Wales.

The second category is the native Welsh castles built by Wales’ own princes and ruling royal houses including Castell-y-Bere, Dolwyddelan, Carreg Cennen and Criccieth. These castles, scattered throughout the country, are best known for their dramatic and scenic settings.

The third category are the Edward Castles built by King Edward I in the 13th Century to subdue the rebellious princes of North Wales. The four Edward Castles of North Wales have attained UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The four castles, Harlech, Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris, known as the Iron Ring, can be visited over a long weekend.

Here is a non-exhaustive (but potentially quite exhausting) list of things to do:

• Take the underground tour at the Big Pit National Coal Museum at Blaenavon
• See how your forefathers might have lived in one of 40 re-erected historic buildings at the National History Museum in St Fagans
• Visit the small city of St Davids and its historic cathedral
• Climb our highest peak, Snowdon (fitness and weather dependent) or take the railway up the mountain
• See a show at the fantastic Millennium centre in Cardiff Bay
• Experience characterful and quaint shopping for Welsh crafts like lovespoons
• Or go canal boating, fishing, sailing, surfing, walking, coasteering, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, orienteering, golfing
• Or just relax!

Here are some links to further information on activities and sports in Wales:

List of Welsh Golf courses

2010 Official Ryder Cup website

Fishing in Wales

Walking in Wales

Best Beaches in Wales

Official Welsh Rugby Union website

The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Find out about Coastering watersport

Best surfing in Wales

Welsh Castles

Welsh Museum - the Welsh pit industry