Inspiration
Things to do when it rains in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Never let the rain put you off having an adventure in Eryri (Snowdonia). There is lots to do and so much to see even when the wet weather comes to visit. Here are our favourites things to do when it rains in Eryri…
Surf Snowdonia has a new name. And some pretty awesome new adventures!
The award-winning Surf Snowdonia is set to re-launch this Easter with a whole bucketload of exciting new adventures and a brand-new name.
£50 Discount at our holiday cottage near Surf Snowdonia
This luxury holiday cottage accommodation near Surf Snowdonia in Conwy is the perfect base from which to enjoy the numerous adventure activities that are so popular here in North Wales.
Surf Snowdonia Competition
The wonderful people at SURF SNOWDONIA are giving Dioni guests a chance to win a beginners surf lesson for two!! Simply click on the following link to enter the competition: ENTER THE SURF SNOWDONIA COMPETITION
Watersports Snowdonia Style
With its miles of stunning coastline, beautiful lakes and rivers, there is plenty of opportunity in North Wales to take part in some of the best water sports the UK has to offer. As Wales is celebrating its incredible waters this year with The Year Of The Sea, we thought we would introduce you as to what is available when it comes to Watersports Snowdonia Style…
SURF SNOWDONIA'S MUD RUN CHALLENGE EVENT IS BACK FOR ITS SECOND YEAR!
If you’re a fan of obstacle course racing – now one of the UK’s fastest growing sports – then Waves, Mud and Mountains at Surf Snowdonia might be just what you are looking for. https://youtu.be/SVQYJIpEzw4 The mud run challenge is back in North Wales for its second year, and organisers promise it is going to be an event longer, harder and muddier than before! It takes place at world-first inland surf lagoon, Surf Snowdonia, on Saturday 24th March 2018. Competitors taking part in the 10k Waves, Mud and Mountains course can expect to find themselves pitted against natural and man-made obstacles, including over-water agility tests, a mud-based assault course, ice bath and barrel carry. They will also take on the might of Surf Snowdonia’s wave pool – the biggest in Europe – by running through its powerful man-made waves. Surf Snowdonia says it is the equivalent of pushing against a colossal 6 million gallons of water…
Where To Go For A Romantic Weekend In Snowdonia
Valentines Day is on the horizon and if you are thinking about where to go for a romantic weekend in Snowdonia, you are spoilt for choice with all the things you can do here. To help you whittle it down, here are some ideas of what you can do and where to stay to make your holiday a memorable one… A BIT OF ADVENTURE? SELF CATERING BARN CONVERSION IN THE CONWY VALLEY | CONWY-BARN If your significant other likes a bit of adrenalin-fuelled adventure, then a visit to Zip World Velocity or Surf Snowdonia might be on your list of things to do. Conwy Barn is perfectly situated for an adventure weekend with the mountains in the background and lots on your doorstep to to have a weekend to remember. A HOT TUB WITH A VIEW? WOOD BURNING HOT TUB AT MELIN BYRDIR A wood-burning hot tub with uninterrupted views out over the…
GETTING FIT SNOWDONIA STYLE 2018
So 2018 is here and no doubt the subject of a fitness challenge has come up on more than one occasion over the last few days! Snowdonia is home to some of the best organised marathons, triathlons, swims and walks, giving a very varied offer ensuring that there is something for everyone. To give you some inspiration, here are our top 10 challenges to help with getting fit Snowdonia style… ANGLESEY HALF MARATHON 4th March Moving away from the epic mountainous runs that the area is known for, the Anglesey Half Marathon is a ‘quick’ run with an undulating course starting from the Menai Suspension bridge. With the stunning Snowdonia mountain range to look at while you run around Anglesey, it is said to be a great course to do in order to get you run ready for a full marathon. WAVES, MUD AND MOUNTAINS 24th March Following a successful first year, Surf Snowdonia’s…
SHOP LOCAL FOR CHRISTMAS SNOWDONIA STYLE...
Supporting local businesses is always high up on my list of priorities and you might be surprised by how much ‘local sparkle’ you can add to your Christmas offering. To give you a nudge in the right direction, here is our low down on how to shop local for Christmas Snowdonia style… EXPERIENCES Gifting someone an experience is great – the long lasting memories and serotonin high that comes with these far out weigh the quick dopamine rush from unwrapping a ‘material’ object. There is alot on offer in Snowdonia, so here are 5 of the best: ZIP WORLDZip World offer 8 different types of activities from the longest zip line in the world, underground trampolines and a roller coaster in the forest. A great range of prices and something for all the family. MORE INFO SURF SNOWDONIA Surf Snowdonia is perfect for any budding surfing enthusiasts or those pro’s who want to see what the…
TOP 5 | THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY IN SNOWDONIA
Never let the rain stop you in Snowdonia. It’s part of the furniture and there are lots of things to do even when it pours down. So if the rain decides to visit when you are staying, here are the top 5 | things to do on a rainy day in Snowdonia. 1 – WATER SPORTS It’s wet anyway so take advantage of all the watersports we have on offer. From canyoning, gorge walking, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking and Sup’ing, it’s all available on the many stunning lakes in the area. Snowdonia Adventure Activities, Adrenalin Addicts and Bala Watersports are some of the providers. Surf Snowdonia should also be on your to-do list in the rain. 2 – STEAM TRAINS The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands is a steam train that runs from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog over the Snowdonia mountains and around the lakes. Expect stunning scenery in what is a spectacular trip. There…
RETURN OF THE UK PRO SURF TOUR TO SNOWDONIA | NORTH WALES
The 22nd October 2017 sees the return of the UK Pro Surf Tour to Snowdonia. This is the 3rd year that the event will be taking place at Surf Snowdonia in Conwy and it is a great opportunity for you to see the UK’s most exciting surfers. Drawing a crowd of 2000, it is set to be a great day out; a mini festival vibe with live music, refreshments and food served all day at Surf Snowdonia’s cafés, deli and bar, it is something for all the family with free entry and parking. The UK Pro Surf Tour showcases the best UK surfers in the best surfing spots. You’ll see the UK’s top male, female and junior surfers compete to take the top spots in in their respective categories; competitors qualify on merit with a cash prize in each category. David Reed, the director of the UK Pro Surf Association said of the location; “Surf Snowdonia provides an…
SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA
A recent study showed that if every adult living in the Snowdonia area spent £5 a week in a local shop as opposed to the big chain stores, the local economy would benefit by approx £26 million every year. What better way to support the community than to buy local this Christmas. To give you some inspiration as to what’s on offer, here’s our guide to SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA… HAMPERS There are so many lovely local food and drinks brands and they make for really great presents, especially those who are difficult to buy for. BODNANT WELSH FOOD | CONWY – have a good selection of wine, cheese and condiment hampers using all locally sourced produce. RHUG ESTATE | CORWEN – offer incredible meat hampers; everything you could want for Christmas. KERFOOTS | PORTHMADOG – they have a good selection of ready made hampers or you can create your own if you…
Christmas Markets In North Wales | 2016
It’s hard to believe that we are only 6 weekends away from Christmas making it time to start putting things in the diary. In my experience, there is nothing better than a Christmas Market to get you into the spirit of things – with all that great food, mulled wine, local crafts and music, you cannot fail to get into the festive swing. Here are my Top Christmas Markets in North Wales | 2016: LLANDUDNO CHRISTMAS FAYRE 17TH – 20TH NOVEMBER With 165 stalls, this is one of the bigger markets . A Dickensian theme runs throughout the 4-day event held in this quintessential Victorian seaside town. Lots of local crafts, food and drink. ABERSOCH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 25th – 26th NOVEMBER This fair takes place throughout the village of Abersoch and has become quite a big event in the calendar. A very family orientated weekend makes this a really great event. PORTMEIRION FOOD…
New Year Resolutions
New Year resolutions usually involve reflecting upon self-improvement; do more exercise, spend more time with the kids, lose weight, be more sociable….the list goes on. Sadly however 88% of us will fail…. and the reasons why?….35% of us set unrealistic goals, 33% don’t keep track, 23% forget about them and 1 in 10 made too many. Not a good outlook, however there are ways to increase your chances of success: Focus on 1 or 2 key goals in stead of a big list – when one resolution falls by the wayside, the others usually follow suit. Make your resolutions public – you are more likely to succeed if others are watching what you’re doing! Be specific about what you want to achieve and by when i.e loose 10lbs by April vs loose weight Monitor your progress with mini goals along the way Prepare for your resolution i.e put a plan in place on how you are…
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
2015 has been a fantastic year for Dioni with lots of new additions to the family showcasing how much self catering has changed over the years. Beautiful holiday cottages which offer that home from home feel and in some cases the chance to live in that house you really want for a week of two. So we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our guests that have come and stayed with us in this beautiful part of the world, the cottage owners who work tirelessly throughout the year offering incredible experiences for those who visit and last but not least the local companies and business who have offered our guests discounts and promotions to make their stay in Snowdonia that little bit more special including: Snowdonia Adventure Activities Pant Du Cider Surf Snowdonia Pormeirion White Water Rafting Caffi Castell Harlech St Davids Golf Course Ski Llandudno Glasfryn park We look forward to…
Buy Experiences, Not Things...
It’s loomimg. That time when we have to decide what to get our loved ones for Christmas. It gets harder and harder every year and I don’t know about you, but in our household we seem to have everything we need. Getting more ‘stuff’ means a) having to make room by discarding perfectly good other ‘stuff’ b) adding to a pile that after a couple of weeks will gather dust and c) also adding to the already fraught management of ‘screen time’! There is a lot of research to support that taking part in an ‘experience’ creates more long term well-being than new material possessions. They tend to be done with others so involves proper social engagement (as apposed to the virtual kind). Accomplishing challenges adds to your personal identity and growth and the memories from an experience create a strong sense of happiness. So taking all of this into consideration and throw in the fact…
