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Cardiff
 Spring is a great time to
visit Cardiff. Summer is pleasant, but I personally prefer spring when it’s
not too warm, just nice and breezy with the fresh scent of budding flowers
in the air.
Wild, Rugged- Absolutely Romantic
To me, Wales summons up visions of a wild land with beautiful rugged
countryside and a dark Celtic past - terribly romantic. Interestingly, there
are theories that King Arthur himself was Welsh and one account claims Sir
Lancelot fled to Cardiff after the king found out about his affair with
Queen Guinevere.
Legend aside, the modern world knows of Cardiff for its industry,
particularly coal mining. However there’s actually quite a lot of exploring
that a tourist can do. Originally an unassuming harbour town, Cardiff is now
a lovely metropolis with just the right touch of being modern yet
traditional, offering everything from beautiful scenery to a rich history
dating back to pre-Roman times.
Relax... Chill... Take
Your Time...
 Sightseeing in Cardiff is easy as almost everything is within walking
distance. Plus you can purchase ‘Cardiff Cards’ at tourist information
centres in the city. These cards give you discounts when visiting most
tourist sites as well as restaurants and shops.
Cardiff is situated between three rivers the Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney,
a strategic location which perked Roman interest in 4 AD, adding it to their
list of conquests and building a fort over the site which is now Cardiff
Castle.
I love castles- though they all seem alike, the truth is each tells its own
story, reflecting the often turbulent history of a city within its walls.
Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) is no exception. Built by the Normans in
the 12 century over the original Roman keep, some of its original Roman
structure can still be seen.
The best thing about Cardiff Castle is that it’s right in the middle of the
city which makes it a good starting point for nearby places of interest.
Other castles worth visiting are the Castell Coch (Red Castle) and
Caerphilly Castle both just outside of Cardiff. If you need further
incentive, Caerphilly, a small delightful town not 10 miles from Cardiff, is
known for its cheese.
 I also took a stroll along Cardiff Bay (Bae Caerdydd), once the largest coal
exporting port in the 19th century. Located just one mile from the city
centre, I chose to take a waterbus there but you could also drive or take a
bus. There is also ample parking for those who would prefer to drive. The
waterfront has pedestrian walkways and you can spend an entire day eating,
relaxing and exploring its attractions by either going on a cruise or going
to the discovery centre, Techniquest. There are plenty of other activities
and sights to do and see and don’t worry, there’s no need to rush as there
is accommodation if you want to spend the night there.
For a quick tour of the city, one could also take the Centenary Walk. I
decided to try this and was quite happy to discover that I could learn much
about the city at my own time and pace, assisted by the map and guidebook
provided.
 ....Or
Let Down Your Hair!
After a relaxing day ‘discovering’ Cardiff, I decided to be a little more
adventurous and took a quick trip to the Oakwood Theme Park in Pembroke,
just a few hours away. This is Wales’ largest theme park and definitely
worth the trip if you’re into such fun. Warning: Be prepared to scream! Some
of the rides aren’t for the faint-hearted! Don’t worry though, as there are
more ‘sober’ rides which the entire family can enjoy together.
Besides all that, let’s not forget also that Wales is renowned for its
beautiful countryside and rugged landscapes. A trip to Cardiff wouldn’t
quite be complete if it didn’t include walking the Taff Trail where you can
truly absorb a bit of Welsh countryside.
All in all, visiting Cardiff is a great way to do a little R&R – rest and
relax. I certainly did both!
Book Cardiff
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