Cardiff is one of the most beautiful cities in the United Kingdom and thousands of visitors travel to the Welsh capital for various reasons every year.

The city is home to the National Assembly of Wales, BBC Studios that film programmes such as Casualty and Doctor Who, and numerous venues that host sporting events and concerts. We take a look at just a few of the key attractions that can be seen in and around the city, and give a few examples of the best places to visit in the surrounding area.

Cardiff Bay and Penarth

The bay area is the most picturesque part of the city, with beautiful views and a host of eating establishments for all ages. Tourists can witness some spectacular boats and yachts down at the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club or can take in the atmosphere and thrilling vibe at the pubs after a day of shopping. There is plenty of activities and attractions for families, with the Doctor Who museum and an appealing walk that can take you to the attractive little town of Penarth. The town is host to a number of local shops and restaurants, while there is also the Penarth Pier – which has an art gallery, a cinema and a cafe. These two places are certainly must-visits if you travel to Cardiff and you won’t be disappointed by the breath-taking scenery and chilled atmosphere of the two locations.

Millennium Stadium

The 74,500 seater stadium is one of the standout venues in the city. Home to Wales’ rugby union side, the Millennium Stadium stands tall in the centre of Cardiff and attracts thousands of people for sporting events and concerts. In 2017, the arena will host the UEFA Champions League final and plenty of supporters will descend on the city – which will only add to Cardiff’s spectacular atmosphere. British sides Chelsea and Manchester United will be hoping to feature in the showpiece event and punters can keep up-to-date on all news and odds on UEFA competitions betting markets ahead of the big event. Meanwhile, the likes of One Direction and Rihanna have headline shows at the iconic venue.

Image by abragad

Queen Street

Queen Street is home to the most popular shops in Cardiff and tourists can enjoy an afternoon of shopping before visiting some of the local eateries. Situated in the heart of the city, there are numerous shopping centres within five minutes of this street, including St. David’s – which is now the ninth largest shopping establishment in the United Kingdom – and Queens Arcade. If you are looking for cheaper bargains, the likes of Primark and H&M are never too far away, while Zara and River Island are also close by for the fashion aficionado. Cardiff is well renowned for being one of the best shopping cities in the United Kingdom and, with excellent transport links in and out of the city, it’s certainly well worth a visit for a day or two.

Image by joncandy

Main image 
by evacaiden

These days, the fact that there are so many low-cost airlines serving French airports from up and down the UK makes air travel to the continent something of a no-brainer. That is, until you start to iron out the actual specifics of each transport option at your disposal.

Ask any sample group of Brits what makes more sense and chances are very few will take the corner of the classic ferry crossing – even the faithful Channel Tunnel takes a backseat to air travel. Why? Well, primarily for the simple reason that planes tend to shoot across the water at a much faster speed than the average ferry. Top this off with agreeable fairs and you have what appears to be the only sensible way to travel, but as is the case with so many things in life, it’s not quite as black-and-white as it appears.

False Economy

In the first instance, it’s sensible to take a look at the real costs associated with both options. For example, when you pay to take a car over to the continent you pay a single fare for the car, its occupants and literally as much luggage as you want to take. By contrast, head over on the plane and you have to pay per person, add on the luggage fees and then pay to get to the airport in the first place. Assuming you’ll also be needing transport on the other end, car rental fees and general public transport costs can add up to a bill way in excess of the flight itself… certainly more than the ferry would have cost.

Quality Time

But, some may argue, going by plane saves you a ton of time on which a price cannot be put… or so you’d think. Admittedly, it takes a plane a couple of minutes at the very most to cross the channel, but how about the two hours you need to spend at the airport checking in, passing through security and hanging around? And the transport to the airport in the first place? And waiting for your bags on the other side? A ferry crossing may take around an hour if rounded-up, but this doesn’t come close to the three, four or five hours you’re realistically looking at to take a flight to France.

Freedom of Choice

If you want to leave things until the last minute or find you need to change your itinerary late on, chances are with an airline you’ll be looking at either a massive surcharge or an outright brick wall. With ferry and train crossings however things are much more flexible and prices don’t tend to rocket through the stratosphere in the days and weeks prior to each service departing. And as we all know how plans can change at the drop of a hat where families are concerned, locking into an airline booking doesn’t instil a great deal of peace of mind.

A Better Way to France… especially for families!

For families in the UK, holidays in France are an ideal place to take the children and enjoy everything on offer in France. The cross channel ferry provides a very attractive way to travel, especially for families as this graphic created by Brittany Ferries clearly shows.

Image source: Brittany Ferries – Ferry VS Plane to France

And the Winner Is?

Every mode of transport has its pros and cons, but when travelling the few miles from the UK to mainland Europe, there’s really not a great deal to gain by making things even more complicated and long-winded than they need to be. Or in other words, that classic ferry crossing or train service really does have more to offer than many would give credit for.

Exploring a town, city or region for the first time is always great fun, and there are various ways you can go about it, from the conventional to the wacky, weird and wonderful.

Playing it safe and taking the traditional city tour can be great for those of us looking for a dependable, reliable way to make sure we don’t miss out on any highlights.

But for those among us seeking a little spirit and adventure in our voyages of discovery, there are usually fairly inexpensive alternatives to the humdrum, injecting that frisson of excitement into our experience of a destination.

Take a look at these five delicious European mad modes of transport from east and west, to guarantee your sightseeing has an air of eccentricity about it! Click the numbered headings to read more about each quirky conveyance.

1.) Enjoy a city tour of Prague in a shocking pink Škoda Felicia convertible…

Although Prague is culturally and economically on a par with the rest of its European counterparts today, you can still hark back to cold war days with a tour of the city’s hotspots in this iconic communist convertible.

2.) Take the longest trolleybus ride in the world – from Yalta to Simferopol…

Most tourists opt for a plane or taxi, but you can cruise through the Crimean mountains in a genuine old Škoda trolleybus on this epic 86 kilometre journey at the pace of a snail.

3.) Ride the meanest, greenest solar train to see what’s what in Maastricht…

It’s quirky, clean and fun, and will get you round the sights of the Dutch city of Maastricht using nothing but the power of old Phoebus himself.

4.) Drive your own Trabant around Berlin’s east side…

Get behind the wheel of a real, live genuine Trabant and explore Berlin as part of a Trabi Safari. It’s not so bad once you’ve mastered the revolver gear shift…

5.) From the French frontier to the Dutch border, discover the scenic Belgian coastline on the Kusttram…

The De Lijn Belgian Coastal Tramway is a great way to cover the whole of Belgium’s diverse coastline – all 68 kilometres of it!

Avignon, with its sunshine and ancient charm, proved to be the perfect place in which to begin my conquest of Provence!

In all my global ramblings, the South of France was an area I had never explored. Not that I didn’t want to, mind! I just sort of thought that I’d get around to it eventually, once I’d done with the more exotic destinations on my travel list.

Partly with greener affairs in mind, and partly down to my inherent dislike of flying, JimBob and I had decided some time ago to do whatever exploring we could by land and sea starting, for ease and convenience’s sake, with those quarters ideal for city breaks more readily reachable from good old Blighty.

Avignon’s stunning Palais des Papes – something you’ll definitely want to see on your city break

Belgium had quickly become our destination of choice, with an odd foray into the Netherlands proving more than propitious, but it was now time to extend our rangy, intrepid tentacles en France, stretching ourselves a little farther than its compelling capital.

In need of some summer sunshine, we fixed upon a region which we felt would incline itself toward some seasonal splendour, and selected the ancient walled city of Avignon as the harbour in which to affix our little red pin of destiny; this was going to be a fabulously sunny, summer city break.

Plans were put afoot, and the balmy June day of our departure arrived. London was easily attained courtesy of our trusty Virgin Pendolino, that gallant chaise which has conducted us on many a zestful journey’s first leg, and a ten minute walk connected us with our Eurostar at the Magnificent Splendour that is St Pancras International station.

Usually bound for either Brussels or Paris on this remarkable pretender amphibian, today would see a mere ninety minute hop, skip and jump to Lille, where we would avail ourselves of the connecting TGV service, which would whisk us almost tout de suite (well, a modest five and a half hours) directly to the Pont d’Avignon itself, save for a ten minute shuttle ride from the new, slightly out of town TGV station, making Avignon city breaks extremely simple. In fact, c’est du gateau! It’s worth noting too that, during the peak summer months, Eurostar operate a direct service to Avignon, which then travels the extra half hour on to Marseille.

It’s that famous bridge again; the Pont d’Avignon by night

A late arrival meant repairing straightway to our hotel, the very conveniently situated ibis Avignon Centre Gare, where we were met with the warmest of welcomes and partook of a mug of ale each in the finely appointed reception bar. We both settled back into plumped up cushions and mused in excited contemplation over the blissful days that would follow.

After a very comfortable night, we were ready to explore. The Provençal sunshine shone brightly on our little old righteous selves and propelled the temperature up to a cool 37 degrees in the shade; this would do very nicely, thank you very much!

The Middle Age capital of Christendom, Avignon prides itself on an exceptionally preserved cultural legacy which, largely adopted by UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites, comprises not only the aforementioned bridge, but also the hugely impressive Palais des Papes with its large baroque façaded square, the Museum of the Petit Palais, Avignon Cathedral, Notre Dame des Doms and magnificent stretch ramparts that gambol splendidly away from the Garden of Les Doms to the foot of the bridge on the Rhone bank.

Avignon city breaks are a great way to chill and soak up the atmosphere in the South of France

The most impressive sights can be examined at a glance on the exquisite Petit Train, and then explored more leisurely on foot, as indeed can the many weinds and byways strewn with haphazard shops, awash with curios. Bars and restaurants are plentiful, and al fresco dining is undoubtedly de rigeur.

Our mornings would begin slowly and, skipping what looked like an excellent breakfast at the hotel in favour of an open air brunch, we would meander down to the seam of excellent eateries lining the Rue de la République and Place de l’horloge, and – taking up temporary residence at one or other of them – plan the rest of the day. Oftentimes, we would take thé au citron at Le Forum, a well-founded, reliable hostelry, before availing ourselves of some provender from their sassy little menu – usually l’escargot or moules frites.

After a deliciously unhurried repast, afternoons would be spent mooching and exploring, with perhaps a jug or two of ice cold beer before sojourning across the Rhone to take the refreshing waters of the open air Olympic pool on Île de la Barthelasse which, although charging a rather steep €10 for admission, was most certainly a highlight.

A summer evening view of Avignon from across the Rhone

Towel-less, we would dry au naturale in the baking late afternoon heat, and call back at the Palais des Papes square for further refreshment, which could be taken easily in the lazy bustle of a holiday city at its best. As the shadows lengthened over the Hotel of Currencies, it was our cue to return once again to our own hotel, and prepare for the evening festivities. These would usually entail venturing within the walls once more, where outdoor dining would again be the order of the day, occasionally at the rather excellent O’Neills Irish Pub, where one’s viands and victuals can be savoured whilst perusing the comings and goings of the Rue de la République.

With the return à Londres being pretty much a straightforward reverse of the outbound trip, it puts the magic and majesty of Avignon within easy grasp of the discerning holidaymaker who is desirous of combining his or her city breaks with a more traditional summer holiday.

If you fancy a change from your usual Spanish or Greek resort, then Southern France – so easily reached sur le train – could be just the ticket.

Pictures: Nige Burton

One thing that is almost as important as where you stay in Northern Ireland is where you eat. Belfast has undergone a little bit of a culinary revolution and has some fantastic places to visitors and locals alike to enjoy. There is a variety of fare and prices so there is something for everyone to enjoy and here are five of the top choices according to research and reviews from sources such as TripAdvisor.

Bia: 216 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6AH:

The food served at Bia is listed as Irish, Bistro, Asian fusion, Sandwiches and it gets top marks all around. They serve Breakfast/Brunch and Late Night food so you can stop in just about anytime. With a focus on high quality food, service and reasonable prices.

Holohan’s: 1 Lanyon Quay, Belfast BT1 3LG:

This hot spot has a focus on classic Irish cuisine and serves it all day fresh and hot. Customers who go rave about the service and how good the food tastes, the often time special seared scallops served on pearl barley risotto with pea puree and bacon seems to be a favourite.

The Dock: Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT1 2QH:

This restaurant boasts European cuisine and a unique twist, it is an honest box café. What this means is that the buns, soup and coffee have no price tag on them. The café just trusts that people will pay a fair price for what they get. The staff is even volunteers! This unique aspect and the great food make it a must stop café.

Howard Street: 56 Howard Street, Belfast BT1 6PG:

A restaurant that offers a variety of gourmet food including lavender infused Hendricks. They have a lunch menu, Ala carte and a Pre theatre menu as well.

Saphyre: 135 Lisburn road, Belfast, BT9 7AG:

Serves Irish contemporary food and serves a menu for Breakfast/Brunch through late night. The fare here is fine dining and you will leave being impressed and feeling like you have been treated like royalty.

Thinking of a culinary exploration of Belfast? Base yourself at the nearby La Mon hotel for as little as €87 per night. You won’t even have to travel far for a taster of what Belfast has to offer as their Shakespeare restaurant has a menu worth travelling for and the awards to back it up.

To sit, of an evening, in a quietly bustling city square, devoid of traffic save for the intermittent buzz of a passing cycle hither and thither, your horizon a vista of spires and steeples sympathetically lit in cinematic blue and gold, sipping local wine and tasting local dishes, is surely a slice of Heaven itself.

It is what makes European city breaks so special, that elusive, season-hardy café society that the English shun and covet at the same time.

Maastricht has bars and restaurants like these aplenty, but one of particular note and fulsome character has to be the remarkable Brasserie Monopole, resplendent in red and purple on Vrijthof.

The beers, wines and spirits are of the usual high standard, but it is the conviviality and food that set this little venue among the supremos. Whether choosing a light and local bite, or a more substantial meat, fish or pasta dish, this fine example of Dutch eateries will stay with you longer than most.

A few hours spent here is most certainly a few hours well spent.

Visit www.brasseriemonopole.nl

Brasserie Monopole
Vrijthof 3
6211 LC Maastricht
Netherlands

0031 (0)43 321 4090

Email info@brasseriemonopole.nl

There is something very special about a European city break. It almost matters not whither you go; splendid town halls, vast and thriving squares, twisty cobbled weinds and ancient churches abound.

When exploring Holland, the first, and a very deserving, port of call is the capital, Amsterdam. But most Brits tend to overlook two other of our favourite Dutch cities, save for a dismissive nod to connections with war crimes trials and treaties – namely Den Haag and Maastricht. The former is covered elsewhere in these pages, so it is to the second of these fine metropolises that we bend our attention here.

Situated adjacent to the River Maas, this majestic conurbation seamlessly blends old with new; ancient with modern.

From the 17th century Stadhuis on Markt, with its splendidly ornate and melodious bell tower, quite happy to regale an audience with fullsong every hour on the hour, and a chirrupy burst of just a stanza or two to mark the quarters, to the vastness of Vrijthof, sporting a skyline comprising the spires of Sint-Servaas Basiliek, the Romanesque church of Saint Servatius, on its far horizon, Maastricht is a city that doesn’t disappoint architecturally. A place of deep histories and subtle energy, this dynamo of an urban settlement imbues the wanderer’s soul with a temperate excitement that informs the tourist that, if he hasn’t already, he must become a traveller with all fortitude.

Boasting 52 churches – one for every week of the year – and over 400 bars – more than one for every day of the year – Maastricht has the wherewithal to entertain the most discerning visitor. Turn a different corner and there is something new to peruse, walk another street and some ancient wonder presents itself. Akin with many of its European counterparts, the city has a great student population, and this lends itself to a feeling of vibrant relaxation.

Whether one requires to simply while away a pleasant few hours – or even days – just basking in the laid-back charm of the city, or more actively partake of its many museums, events and cultural diversity, Maastricht will not be overlooked by the adventurer displaying even an ounce of sagacity.

World Travel Blog especially recommends:

Tijl Uilenspiegel
Break your fast leisurely whilst watching the world go by on the city’s famous and beautiful Markt…
Find out more

Café La Clé
Situated on Maastricht’s quaintly picturesque promenade, this stylish little café bar is one of the few to offer a late drink…
Find out more

Brasserie Grand Café Amadeus
Tucked up a serene little byway off one of Maastricht’s busy shopping streets, this eatery offers simply divine local dishes…
Find out more

The Maastricht Solar Train
Be green and lean whilst exploring this fine city, with the uber environmentally friendly little solar train…
Find out more

D’n 11e Baog
Perfect for taking in the hustle and bustle along Maastricht’s promenade, and with a delightful view of the River Maas…
Find out more

Brasserie Monopole
Be where it’s at in the city hubbub of Vrijthof, while safely tucked into a quiet corner to enjoy your victuals…
Find out more

It’s a romantic notion, akin to an inherent idea alive in an abundance of souls worldwide, transcending time, tide and all mortal perception; a soft, quiet evening in the right quarter of that anciently magnificent city of Paris can surround one with a deliciously impenetrable aura of bliss.

Such an evening was hewed from the rain soaked streets of that wonderful metropolis in the 12th district, on the north bank of the Seine, from a quiet table for two on the pavement of En Attendant L’Or, an unassumingly perfect little bar that mademoiselle fortune threw in our way.

Watching the dampened throng dash backwards and forwards, whither does not concern us, whilst partaking of a leisurely glass or two of beer, over discourse with good friends, is time spent most agreeably. When the tenacity and volume of the rain persuaded us, finally, to repair to the cosiness of the interior, the pleasantness of the experience was not diminished even slightly, and we availed ourselves of the tempting provender, supplemented by further supplies of ale, with alacrity.

When it was eventually time to bend our steps back to our hotel, it was with a sweet sorrow that we left this beautiful establishment in our wake; good bars are plentiful, but perfect ones are found only once in a big blue moon.

Visit www.facebook.com/En.Attendant.Lor.Paris

En Attendant L’Or
6 Rue Faidherbe
75011 Paris
France

Tel.: 0033 1 43 71 43 10

Email kandia75011@gmail.com

Part – some would say all – of the excitement of exploring a new city is rooted in the thrill of surprise.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of discovery, of treading streets which are familiar to countless previous visitors and inhabitants, but which feel completely new to you. And if you find yourself wandering up Nottingham’s Victoria Street, you’ll find yourself astonished in all the right ways when you encounter the Pit and Pendulum, lowering mischievously behind a suitably brooding facade.

Part of the Eerie Pubs group – which has spread its cadaverous fingers across the UK, from Aberdeen to London – the Pit and Pendulum is the kind of easygoing rock-Goth-grunge bar you like to think you’d have gone to when you were an angsty teen. The guitar-music backdrop is loud enough to enjoy, but won’t drown out a conversation. The “spooky castle” decor (complete with grotesques, chandeliers and alchemy apparatus) treads a fine line between moody drama and knowing, nudge-wink camp throughout this sprawling venue. And it’s dark enough to be atmospheric without making you fall down the stairs.

Fundamentally, though, the Pit and Pendulum is a damn fine eating and drinking establishment. There’s an excellent choice of bottled beers and cask ales, not to mention all the spirits and cocktails you’d care to mention. Meanwhile, a surprisingly extensive food menu runs the gamut from light snacks to full meals, making this a hostelry catering for all appetites.

It’s tasteful, it’s tasty, and it’s absolutely brimming over with character. Whether you’re fortunate enough to be able to visit regularly, or only have chance for a single swift pint (if the Titanic Porter’s on draught, it comes highly recommended), the Pit and Pendulum is the kind of pub you feel a whole lot richer for having visited.

And besides, any alehouse that hides its toilets behind a false wall in the library has got to be worth a look, hasn’t it?

Visit www.eerie-pubs.co.uk/pit-pendulum

The Pit and Pendulum
17 Victoria Street
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG1 2EW
England

Tel.: 0044 (0)115 950 6383

When exploring a fine city which has, over many centuries, sprung up majestically along the banks of a river, it can always be accounted to good fortune when one finds a suitable café bar adjacent to that waterway.

Kesselskade, running alongside the very tributary from which the ancient Dutch city of Maastricht takes its name, has more than a couple of handfuls of such establishments to offer the hungry and thirsty adventurer in need of provender. One of our favourites is D’n 11e Baog.

Affording an excellent view of the Maas and its passing marine traffic from the promenade terrace, and ample street front and indoor seating for less than clement weather, this friendly hostelry has a goodly menu of meat and drink at less than tourist prices.

Great service from the efficiently amiable team, combined with well kept beers and tasty food, make this cosy little corner bar the riverside place to make for. Highly recommended.

Visit www.11debaog.nl

Café D’n 11e Baog
Kesselskade 61
6211 EN Maastricht
Netherlands

Tel.: 0031 (0)43 390 0606

Email info@11deBaog.nl