Gower Peninsula © Theodore Scott

This small peninsula on the southern coast of Wales packs a big punch. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the UK government, Gower is home to some of the most popular holiday destinations in Wales, including the resort towns of Swansea, Mumbles, Rhossili, and Llangennith. Though it's just 16 by 7 miles (26 by 11km) in size, the area has a large concentration of Blue Flag-certified beaches, including Bracelet Bay, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Port Eynon, and the Swansea Marina.

The Gower Peninsula also contains a number of historical attractions, including the island of Burry Holms, which has been inhabited since the Iron Age; Cefn Bryn, home to Arthur's Stone; Giant's Grave, a prehistoric burial chamber containing 4,500-year-old skeletons; and the Norman castle ruins at Threecliff Bay.

The main reason to holiday in Gower is its natural beauty though, and beyond the beaches and the cities you'll find many miles of pretty walking trails, flowering gardens, scenic vistas, and abundant wildlife.