Wales glistens during the autumn months, and for lovers of myths, magic and great food, there’s no better time to visit. The Abergavenny Food Festival (Sept. 20–21) welcomes celebrity chefs and tastings to one of the U.K.’s biggest food events. The Mold Food and Drink Festival (Sept. 27–28) and Anglesey Oyster & Shellfish Festival (Oct. 11–12) offer weekends filled with fabulous culinary opportunities. Near its iconic castle, the Gwledd Conwy Feast in Conwy dishes up music, art and traditional Welsh foods.

For an up-close-and-personal experience, embark on the Clwydian Range Food Trail with stops at award-winning producers of fine Welsh fare including handmade cheeses at The Blaenafon Cheddar Company, matured in underground chambers at the Big Pit Mining Museum; and the Welsh Whisky Company in Brecon Beacons National Park, the country’s only remaining distillery and makers of Welsh spirits including Merlyn liqueur.

In addition to fab fests, check out Wine Trail Wales. More than 20 grape varieties are grown across the country, with plenty of sipping and wildlife: Stroll through the Vale of Glamorgan’s Glyndwr Vineyard with llamas, or commune with red kites at Jabajak Vineyard in Carmarthenshire. Elsewhere, enjoy tastings and tours at Ancre Hill Estates, producers of biodynamic wines and champions in the sparkling wine category at the 2012 Bollicine del Mondo International Competition in Italy for their 2008 vintage.