Candis Welsh wonder Magical Portmeirion resembles a film set – and indeed, it once was. Flic Everett takes a trip to the hidden Italian village nestled between the hills of North Wales and the coast It’s tough to plan holidays abroad this year – so it’s lucky North Wales has its own little slice of Italy, perched on the edge of the Llyn Peninsula. Set in subtropical-style formal gardens and surrounded by glorious woodland wending down to the sandy beach, the village is made up 13 self-catering cottages, two luxury hotels, gift shops and cafes, a spa and a Gelateria that serves bara brith ice cream. Its quirky unexpectedness, just a couple of miles from the busy seaside town of Porthmadog, is part of its charm.