Cardiff, United Kingdom

Cardiff is well-served for entertainment of all types. From the world-famous National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera to the various professional and semi-professional theatre companies centred in the city, from large scale pop concerts to solo performances, there is something to suit every taste. Being a multi-ethnic city, you can also find entertainments from different cultural traditions—Japanese drummers, Chinese musicians, Indian dancers. And if you prefer to be an active participant rather than a spectator, there's a multitude of city centre clubs and pubs that have dancing into the small hours. Some of them even offer dancing classes so you can brush up on your technique before hitting the disco floors.

Classical Music, Opera & Ballet St David's Hall is the obvious choice. Home to the National Orchestra of Wales it features a full programme of classical concerts including the Welsh Proms in July and the Cardiff Singer of the World competition every two years. There are also regular visits from ballet and opera companies, and top class orchestras and soloists from all over the world have played here. Opera lovers should give the New Theatre a ring. Tickets for the Welsh National Opera seasons always sell out very quickly, though it's sometimes possible to get tickets at short notice if you don't mind where you sit. Recent years have seen operas by Britten, Janacek and Tchaikovsky as well as the much-loved Verdi and Mozart offerings. The Sherman Theatre also has occasional opera and operetta productions—the Cardiff Gilbert and Sullivan society perform here.

For something a little more unusual try the Norwegian Church Arts Centre or the Point in Cardiff Bay. Baroque ensembles, guitar soloists and international groups make regular appearances.

Ballet lovers have less choice, but St David's Hall stages ballet performances every Christmas, the Northern Ballet makes regular appearances at the New Theatre and Diversions Dance Company may be seen at the Sherman. Also look out for modern dance performances at Chapter Arts Centre.

Popular Music For the big pop concerts you'll have to go to the Cardiff International Arena or the Millennium Stadium, and be prepared to book well in advance. There are, however, some smaller venues that are surprisingly good. The Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay has several featured acts. Live Jazz is on offer at the city centre's Jazz Cafe and Riverbank, which overlooks the Millennium Stadium. St David's Hall also features some popular music on its programme, though it tends towards easy listening, folk and country.

Welsh speakers and learners are always welcome at Clwb Ifor Bach, a pub and club that acts as a showcase for up-and-coming Welsh bands and soloists as well as featuring groups from other parts of the British Isles. Indeed, many of the city centre pubs have regular live music nights—check out the local publications for full details of what's happening on any night.

Theatre From classical to contemporary, there's plenty of choice. The New Theatre is Cardiff's largest stage and features a mixed programme of West End and Broadway hits, Shakespeare, Ayckborn and Oscar Wilde comedies, contemporary drama and family pantomimes. Close by, the smaller Sherman is more experimental in nature and features youth theatre productions in the smaller studio theatre and comedy, small-scale opera and off-beat drama in the main theatre. Many Welsh writers are showcased here, so come along if you want to sample some local talent. Chapter Arts Centre also offers experimental drama, including works by the students at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, while in the summer months there are open-air productions of Shakespeare and popular comedy dramas at venues such as the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle.

Cinema There is a twelve-screen UCI Cinema in Cardiff Bay (pictured above), which has a full programme of all the latest films. Chapter Arts Centre is the premier 'Art House' cinema and runs an annual film festival that features the best of world cinema.

Comedy Cardiff Bay is a prime spot for comedy with the Glee Club. Cardiff's first dedicated comedy venue, it features some of the biggest names on the UK circuit. St David's Hall and the Sherman Theatre both feature performances by new and established names (acts from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival often turn up in the Sherman). Many of the city's pubs also host comedy slots. See the local newspapers for details.

Daytime Entertainment There's plenty to see and do in Cardiff during the day. You could spend a whole day in the National Museum & Gallery. One of Cardiff's best known landmarks, it has several large art galleries and exhibition rooms and, unusual for a museum of this size, entry is free. For a taste of Welsh history take a trip to the open air Museum of Welsh Life. Again, entry is free and there are often special events in the summer and on public holidays. Children, meanwhile, will love Techniquest, the 'hands on' science centre in Cardiff Bay. Back into the city centre, Cardiff Castle houses a small museum and a guided tour is recommended to anyone with an interest in history, architecture or interior design. Follow this up with a meal in one of the many city centre restaurants and a trip to a concert, show or club, and your time in Cardiff will fly by.

From luxury five star hotels to homely bed and breakfast establishments and even a couple of youth hostels, Cardiff boasts a wealth of accommodation in all areas of the city and to suit all budgets. Business and leisure travellers are equally well-served. The major business hotels are to be found in the city centre and Cardiff Bay, while the outlying areas of Roath/Cathays and Canton/Riverside have an abundance of smaller hotels and guest houses, many within a easy walk of central Cardiff. Go a little further out of the city again and you'll find a selection of budget motels and more luxurious country house hotels that offer easy access to the M4 and, from there, all of south Wales; perfect if you're travelling by car.

One of the beauties of Cardiff is its compact size. The city centre can be crossed on foot in a matter of minutes and contains, alongside the famous shopping streets and arcades, the main concert hall, theatre, the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff International Arena. There are also a large number of pubs and clubs, making for a busy and noisy nightlife, especially on weekends. Central hotels are generally of a good standard and are within walking distance of the major attractions of the city. The top luxury hotels include the Thistle, a stone's throw from Cardiff's New Theatre, the Paramount Angel Hotel with its marble floors and crystal chandeliers, and the modern elegance of the Cardiff Hilton—a five star hotel with a purpose built health suite, with views of Cardiff Castle and the Wales National Museum & Gallery.

Of course, the combination of luxury rooms and central location doesn't come cheap, but those who are on a tighter budget will also find something close to the centre to suit them. The Sandringham Hotel features live jazz in its downstairs bar several nights a week and is moderately priced. Another option is the Cardiff Marriott, a modern, tower block hotel set close to the cafe quarter of Cardiff - so called because of the preponderance of trendy little restaurants and bars. Or, for the true trendsetters, the Big Sleep Hotel contains some rooms that were designed by the actor John Malkovich.

If you're not a fan of big hotels, there are still plenty of very nice places to stay close to the centre of Cardiff. Walking out of the centre past the castle and stadium will take you to the broad, tree-lined Cathedral Road where you'll find an abundance of family-run hotels converted from the enormous, Victorian town houses that once stood here. The Hayes Court Hotel has its own licensed restaurant. Or, closer to the Millennium Stadium, sports fans may enjoy the Riverbank, which backs onto the stadium, or the Clare Court, run by a former Wales International footballer. All of these are within 5-10 minutes walk of the city centre.

Also within a short walk of the centre is Cardiff Bay, which is an essential place to visit for modern culture vultures. It is home to the National Assembly for Wales and boasts parks, restaurants, galleries, concert venues and a large leisure complex, all with a distinctively modern flavour. For the ultimate in luxury in this area, spend a night or two at St David's Hotel & Spa set on the waterfront. All rooms have balconies overlooking the Bay. Budget travellers may opt for the Holiday Inn Express.

Moving away from the city centre, the student areas of Roath and Cathays offer plenty of cheap bed and breakfast accommodation in small guest houses that are conversions of private homes. A popular area, public transport into the city centre is good and there are plenty of local shops, restaurants, pubs and takeaways. Roath Park with its lake and clock tower rivals the city centre parks for the number of visitors it attracts. Hotels include Beeches, overlooking the park, the family run Albany and The Lynx, which are both on a main bus route into town.

Some people choose to stay on the outskirts of the city and travel in by bus or train. For a quiet, coastal holiday, wend your way to Penarth—a Victorian town that offers cliff-top walks, a pebble and sand beach and spectacular views over the channel. The atmosphere is quiet and elegant, and Cardiff city centre is only ten minutes away by train. The Raisdale House Hotel has a four-poster suite while the Glendale Hotel is a pleasant, five minute walk through gardens to the sea.

Alternatively, you could choose to stay in the Vale of Glamorgan and enjoy the beautiful countryside. The Old Post Office is located in the village of St Fagans, close to the Museum of Welsh Life. A little further away, towards Barry in the south, is the Egerton Grey Country House Hotel, once a 17th century rectory. Or, if you're a golf fanatic, try the modern Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Golf & Country Club with 9 and 18-hole courses, a driving range, practice area and full leisure facilities. All are within easy reach of Cardiff by car.

Wherever you choose to stay, be it city or country, you can expect a warm welcome, cooked breakfasts and a wealth of interesting places to visit right out the doorstep. Cardiff has been attracting an increasing number of visitors in recent years so, whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, you'll find yourself in good company.