Organize your stay Wales
Covid-19 : current situation Wales
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Wales. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Wales
Great Britain voted against the euro in a referendum in the autumn of 2002. As a result, the pound sterling is still used in Wales.
A book consists of 100 pence and the smallest unit is the penny, commonly spelled "p". You will find coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50p and £1, £2 and notes of £5, £10, £20 and £50. There are no restrictions on the amounts leaving or entering Wales.
In March 2020, 1 pound = 1.09 euro; 1 euro = 0.91 pound.
Budget & Tips Wales
In general, life in Wales is a little more expensive than in France (except for restaurants) and a little cheaper than in England (the local cost of living in Cardiff is 20% lower than in London, for example).
Tips: In Wales, service may not be included in the bill. If "service not included" is written on the menu, then it is customary to leave 10-15% tip for the waiter. Think about it! Otherwise, as in France, the tip you leave depends on your good will, knowing that it is not customary to leave a tip in pub bars.
Merchandising: Not very common practice in Wales: prices are ... fixed. It is therefore useless to try to negotiate in shops. With the exception, of course, of flea markets.
Passport and visas Wales
Until October 2021, a valid identity card will suffice, after which a passport will be mandatory. The transition period should last until 2021
Beware of the entry conditions for your pets: although the United Kingdom no longer imposes the legendary quarantine on our little furry creatures since 2000, the regulations remain strict. Make sure you have enough information before you leave! You can consult the website of the British Embassy in France.
Driver's license Wales
A French or Belgian licence is sufficient.
Health Wales
The public health system in the UK operates very differently from the French system. Unless you prefer to use a private (often expensive) doctor, it is not really possible to choose your doctor. General Practitioners (G.P.) are assigned to each person according to their place of residence: it is therefore advisable to consult a doctor from the list in their neighbourhood. It is this doctor who refers his patients to specialists.
To receive NHS care in the UK, you must be resident in the UK. You may be asked to prove this. If you are not a resident, you may have to pay for NHS care. It is therefore strongly advised that you travel on an insured trip.
Security Wales
Wales is low risk. Just follow the rules of caution and common sense. By avoiding visiting deprived areas late at night, and avoiding signs of wealth that could attract the attention of pickpockets, you are not risking much.
Homosexuality is still quite taboo in Wales because of the importance attached to religion in the country, but things are gradually changing, especially in cities like Cardiff.
Time difference Wales
It's still an hour earlier than in France. On the last Sunday in March, the clocks are moved forward one hour to switch to daylight saving time. In autumn (last Sunday in October), we switch to winter time.
Spoken languages Wales
The English language is spoken throughout the region, although some, increasingly rare, will prefer to converse only in Welsh. All around Wales, and especially in rural areas, the accent can be surprising. Nothing to do with the clear and distinct syllables of the national BBC, to understand the Welsh English accent, it is better to listen carefully... So don't hesitate to ask for repetition or to slow down the pace.
The Welsh language is spoken fluently by 20% of the population and understood by more than half of the population. On road signs, in the many cases where a town has a Welsh and an English name, both are mentioned.
Foreign languages are poorly mastered even though there are courses at school. There is little chance of meeting French speakers, even though many Welsh people will tell you how much they love French. In the major museums, some leaflets and audio guide commentaries are translated into French, but nothing is systematically translated.
Electricity and measurements Wales
Electricity: 240 voltage and 3-pin plugs: an adapter is required.
Measurements: In Wales, as in the rest of the United Kingdom, we weigh in pounds, measure in feet and acres, kilometres are traded for miles. It's up to you to know the equivalences because only the gram and the kilo make a timid entry into the British markets .
Length
◗ 1 inch =2.54cm
◗ 12 inches = 1foot = 0.3m
◗ 1 yard = 3 feet = 0.9m
◗ 1 mile = 1.6km
◗ 1 centimeter = 0.394 inch
◗ 1 meter = 3.2 feet
◗ 1 kilometer = 0.6 mile
◗ 1 kilometer = 0.54 nautical miles
Weight
◗ 1ounce(oz)=28.35g
◗ 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces = 453.59 g
◗ 1 quarter = 28 pounds = 12.70 kg
◗ 1 gram = 0.03 ounce
◗ 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds (lb)
