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Celtic villages, 'Cariad' vines and castle views

Within one hundred acres of attractive countryside, a magical place has been created. Authentic dwellings from different period in Wales' history have converged to form the enchanting St Fagans National History Museum. Visitors are welcome to explore all the buildings from humble 2000 year-old mud huts to an impressive Elizabethan mansion house. Seize the opportunity to see a potter, weaver, wood-turner, baker, tanner and many more authentic craftspeople at work. If the aroma of fresh baking has tempted you, try lunch in the self-service restaurant or, indeed, Welsh cakes in the Victorian tearooms. Afterwards, relax in the heady fragrance of grapes at Llanerch Vineyard. This lovely vineyard not only produces award-winning Welsh wines under the 'Cariad' label but also conducts fascinating tours of the vineyard and winery which, even better, conclude with a wine-tasting session. Finally visit Castell Coch ('Red Castle'), the turreted fairy-tale castle set upon the wooded hills just north of Cardiff. Just try not to let the beautiful interior of this romantic building distract you from sometimes looking out the window, where spectacular views of Cardiff can be enjoyed.

- St Fagans National History Museum (Tel: +44 (0) 29 2057 3500, www.nmgw.ac.uk)
- Llanerch Vineyard (Tel: +44 (0) 1443 225877, www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk)
- Castell Coch (Tel: +44 (0) 29 2081 0101, www.cadwales.gov.uk)

Cardiff from the first to the twenty-first century

Set in the heart of Cardiff, Cardiff Castle is stunning. Dating from the coing of the Romans, it has embraced the legacies of several different eras and thus, uniquely, a 12th century Norman Keep now stands by ornate neo-Gothic Royal Apartments. The guided tour is well worth the experience, blending humour with a befitting appreciation of the lavish and opulent decoration of this dream castle. Just opposite the Castle, a tradition Welsh lunch can be appreciated in The Celtic Cauldron.
After lunch, a superb way to get a feel for this spectacular city (and easiest on weary feet!) is to hop on an open top bus tour outside the castle. This tour not only allows you to get on and off at your leisure but even takes you right in to the twenty-first century, to the rejuvenated Cardiff Bay area. Disembark here and begin at the futuristic Visitor Centre or also called 'The Tube'. Alow a few hours to check out a wealth of Attractions such as the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Goleulong Lightship 2000 and the UK's leading science discovery centre Techniquest. Facing a sea of bizarre contraptions, puzzles and enthusiastic people 'experimenting' in Techniquest has proved the perfect catalyst to encourage both the young and old to join in the fund an marvel at the wonders of science. Alternatively, visit the most vibrant arts development in Europe today: the Wales Millennium Centre. A guide will show you around this amazing building, providing not only a world class stage for ballet, opera, theatre and dance but also a house and production base for seven diverse arts companies.

- Cardiff Castle (Tel: +44 (0) 29 2087 810044, www.cardiffcastle.com)
- Cardiff Bus Tour (Tel: +44 (0)1708 866000, www.citysightseeing.co.uk)
- Cardiff Bay
- Techniquest (Tel: +44 (0)29 20 475 475, www.tquest.org.uk)
- Wales Millenium Centre (Tel: 08700 40 2000, www.wmc.org.uk)

Welsh taste and sportive fun

Fancy a Wales' taste, why not visit Llanerch Vineyard, the largest commercial vineyard in Wales. The vineyard has 7 acres of vines, where you can follow trails through acres of protected farm woodland and lakes and don't forget to taste the wonderful Welsh wine at the visitor centre.
Then take in Dyffryn Gardens, an estate dating back to the 7th century with a magnificent garden populated by outstanding specimens from early 1900's worldwide plant hunting expeditions. Fancy something more active? There is paintball, clay pigeon shooting, archery, quad biking and even 4x4 off roading, such as Drive and Shoot.
Play a Ryder Cup Course - passengers can play a round of golf on a Ryder Cup Course (2010) at Celtic Manor Resort.

- Llanerch Vineyard (Tel: +44 (0)1443 225877, www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk)
- Dyffryn Gardens (Tel: +44 (0) 29 205 93328, www.dyffryngardens.org.uk)
- Celtic Manor Resort (Tel: +44 (0) 1633 413 000, www.celtic-manor.com)

The Valleys, black gold and bygone times

To discover the Black Gold that transported Cardiff to affluence, head for the Rhondda Valley (north of Cardiff). Rhondda Heritage Park marks the spot where, after an underground ride, the mysteries of mining can be unearthed. Indeed coupled with lively stories by former miners, reconstructed village streets and fascinating exhibits, an illuminating insight into colliery life is afforded. Lunch in the Gallery restaurant before moving on to the neighbouring valley.
Follow the underground experience with an exciting 'overground' experience. The Taff Valley Buggy Trail offers the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful Welsh landscape, but from the perspective of a 200 cc Honda All Terrain Vehicle!
The third valley in this tour, the Rhymney Valley, locates an intriguing late-Tudor mansion house, Llancaiach Fawr Manor. But it is perhaps what is inside that is even more unusual. Caught in a time-warp, the manor has remained in the 17th century; its servants still speak and dress in period style and will entertain you with fascinating tales and gossip linked with the turbulent Civil War period.

- Rhondda Heritage Park (Tel: 01443 682036, www.rhonddaheritagepark.com)
- Taff Valley Buggy Trail (Tel: +44(0) 29 20 831658, www.adventurewales.co.uk)
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor Living History Museum (Tel: +44 (0)1443 41224)

Museum, Miner & Manor
(also suitable in wet weather)

A tour of variety and contrast. Visit the National Museum of Cardiff, built of elegant Portland stone in the heart of Cardiff's Civic Centre, and meander through some stunning exhibitions, including the Evolution of Wales, a dazzling journey through the last 4,600 million years, using robotics and audio-visual effects, the National History of Wales exhibition and especially the priceless collection of Impressionists and post-Impressionist paintings- the largest outside France. Then travel north out of the city for about 40 minutes along the A470 to the green Valleys of Wales and to Rhondda Heritage Park (signposted from A470). An ex-miner will guide you on a "cage" ride to the pit bottom to explore the mine's underground workings and will entertain you with colourful anecdotes of life during Wales' coal dynasty. A period village street also brings social history vividly to life. Once you've whizzed back up to the surface enjoy a light lunch in the self-service restaurant and explore the art gallery and gift shop.
Winding your way back to rejoin the A470 you will find that Llancaiach Fawr is only a short hop away (located approximately 20 minutes away off A472, exiting A470 further north at Abercynon). Llancaiach Fawr is a 17th century Civil War manor house, where costumed servants will revive gossip and tales of life during the times of Colonel Edward Prichard as master of the house. It's one of Wales' most haunted houses, so if you don't get out before dusk closes in you may want to hang around to catch a glimpse of a spectre or two or take part in a candle-lit ghost tour (October-March). An annual events programme including falconry, Civic War battles, archery and country fairs ensure there's never a dull moment at the manor.

- National Museum of Cardiff (Tel: +44 (0) 29 2039 7651, www.nmgw.ac.uk)
- Rhondda Heritage Park (Tel: +44 (0) 1443 682036, www.rhonddaheritagepark.com)
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor Living History Museum (Tel: +44 (0) 1443 41224)

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