Atop its own rocky headland between two beautiful beaches, this ruined castle commands epic views of the north Wales ...

Wales, which is part of the U.K., is not a prisoner of its past. And while it shares the island of Great Britain with England and Scotland, it's no replica of its better-known neighbors.

Altogether, Wales boasts more than 400 castles within its 8,015 square miles -- an area smaller than New Hampshire. Moreover, North Wales has a major share, since this region was the scene of the ...