Betws-y-Coed, United Kingdom

Sprawled out across a flat plain at the confluence of the Conwy, Llugwy and Lledr valleys, BETWS-Y-COED (pronounced "betoos-er-coyd"), the much-vaunted "Gateway to Snowdonia", is hard to avoid. Overlooked by the conifer-clad slopes of the Gwydyr forest, the town is undeniably appealing, and boasts the best selection of hotels and guesthouses in the region, but after an hour mooching around the outdoor equipment shops and drinking tea you may well be twiddling your thumbs. For serious mountain walkers, the best advice is to continue on, but for everyone else there are some delightful and popular easy strolls to local beauty spots; this is also a major mountain-biking centre.