| The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is really a city on the | | | | restaurants as per the prices, if you plan to eat |
| move. Home to over 350, 000 people, this city | | | | out at any of the restaurants in Cardiff: Assuming |
| underwent a tremendous and progressive | | | | you eat a three course meal accompanied by a |
| development over a period of time. It is home to | | | | half litre of wine, then you should expect to pay |
| an impressive coal empire and has evolved into | | | | the following prices for different grade |
| one of Europe's most beautiful maritime cities, | | | | restaurants: **** (over £40) *** (£25 |
| embraced by lovely countryside. Of all the major | | | | to £40) ** (£10 to £25) * (under |
| reconstruction that the city has witnessed, a | | | | £10) The prices usually include taxes and tips. |
| prominent mention should be given to the | | | | Shopping: You can shop till you drop in the |
| impressive appearance of the Millenium Stadium, | | | | specialist shops and boutiques within the seven |
| which greets you as you come out from the | | | | Victorian and Edwardian arcades situated in the |
| railway station. The Millenium Stadium dominates | | | | city centres. Important departmental stores such |
| the skyline on the western edge of the city | | | | as Howells are open from 9am to 6pm, although |
| center and is home to many major sporting and | | | | this is not a rule. There are some shops that are |
| entertainment events. | | | | open on Sundays too. Special activities: Wales is |
| If you visit Cardiff, you are sure to be impressed | | | | home to a lot of Eisteddfod festivals around the |
| by the peaceful and carefree life that greets you. | | | | country. You can feel the ancient Celtic heritage in |
| The city is famous for its quality of life. Though | | | | their music and movies. You can purchase the |
| most of its residents live in the suburbs, they | | | | tickets to the cultural events in Cardiff through |
| have to travel only for 10 or 15 minutes by public | | | | phone, box offices or online. The city is famous |
| or private transport to get to the city center. | | | | for the male choir voice, which is the hallmark of |
| The suburbs have a unique charm akin to villages | | | | the Welsh pride . |
| and hamlets that dreams are made of. | | | | Food & Drink: Tiles: This is an internationally |
| Places of interest: Cardiff Castle: Also known as | | | | acclaimed part of the St. David's hotel. The |
| Castell Caerdydd, Cardiff Castle was founded in | | | | restaurant has the best seafood in Cardiff and |
| Roman times and became the foothold of the | | | | you could also have a breathtaking view of the |
| Norman Empire. Even now you can see the ruins | | | | Millennium Waterfront as you savour the seafood |
| of the Norman Empire here. The Victorian look of | | | | with a tasty glass of wine. Underdeb: This is one |
| the castle was the brainchild of the third Marquis | | | | restaurant that is so popular that you would have |
| of Bute (1848-900). He employed an architect | | | | to reserve seats for the place days in advance. |
| called William Burges who decorated the ornate | | | | Home to some creative and tasty dishes; this |
| interiors of the castle with murals and added | | | | place would keep you craving for more. LeGallois: |
| neo-Gothic towers with murals, stained glass | | | | This hotel is famous for some interesting and |
| windows and decorative carvings. The castle also | | | | distinctive French food with a Welsh twist. You |
| has two military museums and massive grounds. | | | | also get the best customer service and a pleasant |
| The famous Bute Park came into existence from | | | | ambience. Izakaya: This trendy Japanese |
| the grounds of the Cardiff Castle. Millennium | | | | restaurant at the Millenium Quay has the best |
| stadium: This 72,500-seater stadium is one of the | | | | Japanese Sushi food (more than 70 varieties) in |
| most modern and luxuriant sports stadiums in | | | | Cardiff. Dorothy's: You get the taste of local food |
| Europe. You can take advantage of the guided | | | | to make you feel like a red-blooded Welsh with |
| tours to visit the pitch, the royal box, the dressing | | | | the best fish and chips you could find. The chicken |
| rooms of the players and other areas. Cardiff | | | | curry is one more dish you cannot miss. |
| Bay: This beautiful place introduces you to some | | | | Benedicto: You have the best of Italian dishes |
| of the finest architectural work in Cardiff. The | | | | here. The wine tastes amazingly fine and you can |
| Cardiff Bay barrage was open to the public after | | | | have a gala time here. However, you would have |
| June 2001. This led to a creation of a fresh water | | | | to keep away from smoking if you want to |
| lake and a 12 km long waterfront with parks, | | | | enjoy the food and the ambience. Hotels & |
| shopping complexes, entertainment centres, bars | | | | Accommodation: |
| and restaurants. Techniquest, a science museum, | | | | Cardiff has an abundence of beautiful hotels with |
| and Norwegian Arts church arts centres are the | | | | excellent accommodation facilities. The hotels |
| other prominent landmarks here. Museum of | | | | could be classified into 4 different pricing |
| Welsh Life (Amgueddfa Werin Cymru): This | | | | categories: |
| beautiful museum is set in 104 acres of Parkland, | | | | **** (over £150) *** (£100 to |
| in St. Fagans, west of the city centre. You would | | | | £150) ** (£50 to £100) * (under |
| be impressed with the extensive collection of | | | | £50) |
| precious Welsh literature, works and | | | | The prices listed above are for a double room per |
| craftsmanship. There is a collection of historic | | | | night, including tax and breakfast. |
| Welsh townships, farms, tannery, pottery, | | | | Here are selections of hotels in cardiff: Cardiff |
| Victorian schoolrooms etc, which have been | | | | Park Plaza Angel Hotel Thistle Cardiff Millennium |
| purchased from different places in Wales and | | | | Lodge Cardiff Sandringham Hotel The Royal Hotel |
| rebuilt in the huge grounds of the museums. | | | | Macdonald Holland House Hotel The Big Sleep Hotel |
| Another notable image would be of the Iron-age | | | | The Lodge by Macdonald Novotel Cardiff Centre |
| Celtic village. | | | | Village Hotel Cardiff Cardiff Moat House Hotel |
| Things to do: Travel- The public transport in the | | | | Quality Hotel Cardiff Future Inn Cardiff Bay |
| city is provided by the bus. The main provider is | | | | Campanile Hotel Cardiff The Copthorne Hotel |
| the Cardiff Bus. The buses have an operation | | | | Cardiff Manor House Hotel Tadross Hotel VALE |
| time of 0530-2330 hours. The buses have | | | | HOTEL, GOLF & SPA RESORT Best Western |
| reduced hours during the public holidays and the | | | | Mount Sorrel Hotel |
| weekends. Alternatively, you can hire the services | | | | Entertainment: |
| of a taxi. They are either black hackney cabs or | | | | The New Theatre Park Place, founded in 1909 |
| cars with company logos that indicate that they | | | | and refurbished in the 1980s, is a premier venue |
| are used for public transport. There are | | | | in Wales for hosting popular plays, theatres and |
| companies like Black Cabs, DragonTaxies and | | | | dances. The New Wales Millennium Dance Center |
| Central Taxis, which can help you hire the | | | | is another famous place for international |
| services of their taxis. Visitors are expected to | | | | choreographers and native dancers to exhibit their |
| pay about £4.00 for a trip across town. The | | | | talents. Mary Ann Street, Capital Odeon and the |
| traffic is quite heavy during the peak hours, which | | | | Millennium Plaza are important venues to screen |
| would be Monday through Friday 0800-0900 and | | | | mainstream movies. |
| 1700-1800. If you want to rent a car, then you | | | | Cardiff is a city that is still growing. With the |
| would have to own a valid driving license. It could | | | | Welsh getting its due as a nation in its own right |
| usually be a national driving license. If you are a | | | | and the city completing its 50 years as the state |
| tourist, then you may also do with an International | | | | capital last year, Cardiff is the perfect resort for |
| Driving Permit. You need to check the kind and | | | | any tourist who wants to witness a city on the |
| the grade of insurance given to you along with | | | | road to progress and prosperity, albeit retaining its |
| the car hire. Eating: Follow the gradation of the | | | | strong Celtic roots. |