Cardiff and Caerphilly Castles
Caerphilly Castle. Image Courtesy: Laurette Reynolds
One of the main heritage attractions of Wales, a visit to Cardiff castle is a must. Located in the city centre, its walls and towers conceal more than 2,000 years of history. You can go on the castle quest, explore the wartime shelters that were used during the Second World War, take a tour of the clock tower and much more. A 15- minute train ride will bring you to Caerphilly and a five-minute walk from the station will bring you to Caerphilly Castle, the biggest in Wales. Constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century, it is the second largest in the UK. With the special shows and the tour of the castle, there's plenty to do and you might want to plan spending the entire day there.
For the Shopaholics
If you like to shop till you drop, then head Saint David's shopping mall, located in the heart of Cardiff. With many well-known brands including John Lewis, Debenhams, H&M, Marks and Spencer, The Body Shop, Hamleys, The Disney Store, the Apple store, Accessorize, Boots, Clarks, Mango, Mothercare, Primark, Swarovski, Vero Moda and more, you might have to start looking out for a luggage store, to buy a new suitcase. Once you have enough stuffed bags, it's time to stuff you tummy. Make your way to their food court, which has a number of restaurants and cafes including Nandos, Pizza Express, Ruby Tuesday, Starbucks, TGIF, The Bagel Bar and Wahaca. If you look through Cardiff's little arcades, you'll find unique things, which can either be extremely cheap or super expensive. There are costume shops, jewellery stores and even a shop selling Indian things. There's The Games Workshop, in the city centre, where people come from all over to play and buy Warhammer fantasy creatures. Even though the sets and games are super expensive, people can play the actual games which are laid out on huge tables. The games are quite complicated, but the boys can rattle off all the rules from memory. Don't forget to check out Forbidden Planet in the city centre, which stocks comic book- and superhero-related merchandise.
Millenium Stadium
The Millenium Stadium. Image Courtesy: Getty
Wales is a very prominent rugby-playing nation. Cardiff has the Millennium Stadium, where you can watch some rugby games. The stadium, which opened in June 1999 has the first fully-retractable roof in the UK. When there is a game on, you will find people on the street standing in the rain and watching the game either through the windows of a pub or if its an important game then there'll be TVs set up with tons of people gathered around. Even in the pouring rain! There'll be babies in arms to old men who probably need to be carried themselves.
Have a Dr. Who experience
At the Dr.Who Museum. Image Courtesy: Megan Scott
For Dr. Who fans, Cardiff Bay has a Dr. Who experience. Right from the train station, there are signs with daleks on them leading you to all the action, where you can go through a simulation process in which you help the doctor (Matt Smith) get out of the Pandorica 2. The whole experience last approximately half an hour and then you exit into the museum and look at old props, sets and costumes from the show.
For the Foodies
Take your pick from the famous grub food available at pubs to full-course meals. Image Courtesy: Laurette Reynolds
Walk down the alleys in the city centre and you’ll be sure to find little cafés, which serve the most delicious food. Pieminister has the best pies; vegetarian, non-vegetarian and even healthy options! A must-try are some freshly-made Welsh cakes from the Cardiff market, where you can find different flavours of Welsh cakes— plain, original, chocolate chip, jam and lemon curd. If you're a pub person, you're in for a treat. You'll find one round every corner and they serve some of the best Ales and food; more than just grub food, they also have full-course meals on their menu, which include well-prepared steaks and pies, Sunday roasts, steak and Ale pie, Welsh lamb and on certain days, especially at the pubs along the countryside, you would be lucky to try some game meat (duck, quail, rabbit). But you'll always find the favourites like burgers, bangers and mash, curries, fish and chips, calamari rings, smoked Scottish salmon, and wings and crisps.
With inputs from Megan Scott
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