Take a Short Break in Cardiff

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales teems with great architectural landmarks in its many gothic castles and cathedrals. If you are a tourist looking to enjoy your vacation in this place, you will surely appreciate this vibrant developing city. It is continuously changing but many of its traits as a small town still stand out.

The city boasts of bustling town, great shops, and a lot of historical sites. In Wales, you must drive your rental car (if you’re a tourist) to Cardiff too see The National Museum, National Assembly for Wales, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Wales Millennium Centre, the Cardiff Bay barrage and Coal Exchange.

There are a lot of options for accommodations, which can suit any kind of budget – hotels, aparthotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, inns, or motels. For a more outdoorsy kind of vacation and adventure, you also can choose from many self-catering cottages, apartments, villas, cabins, lodges, or mobile homes.

Everyone will surely enjoy the heritage coastline of Cardiff what with its beaches, cliffs, and breathtaking mountain views. Enjoying nature the Cardiff way could be the best one you’ll have because you also will learn a lot of lessons in history, which this city is very full of.

A lot of activities are in store from cheap to really extravagant. Campsites and caravan parks also provide accommodations to guests. Some of the many activities you can do while in Cardiff are:

•    Boating/Sailing
•    Canoeing
•    Cycling
•    Fishing
•    Golf
•    Hang Gliding
•    Mountain Biking
•    Motorsports
•    Parachuting/Paragliding
•    Skydiving
•    Surfing
•    Water Skiing
•    Windsurfing

Traveling to new places mean exploring their food too. Eating should be fun too with restaurants that serve Italian, French, Indian, and Thai. There are cafes, bars, pubs, and pizza parlors too.

Cardiff Airport Information: Facilities for Passengers

The Cardiff International Airport flies to over 60 destinations and accommodates more than 400 connecting flights across the world. It has made the 2 million-passenger mark in 2007, demonstrating an annual growth of 14%. That made this regional airport the fastest growing one in the United Kingdom.

Cardiff is situated in the village of Rhoose, south west of Cardiff in Wales. This airport has also served as the faster commute from North to South Wales instead of the cheaper but slower way, A470 or rail link.

Going to and from the airport is easy through any of the public transportation services like bus, taxi, coach, or rail. The roads have ample signs posted at access roads. The airport also provides valet services and parking spaces for those who might need to leave their cars for their trips. There are cars for hire too via the four rental companies that include Avis, Hertz, National, and Europcar.

The airport was built to serve as a quick and easy terminal for customers. The ground level houses the check-in and ticket counters, the arrivals hall, and the baggage claim area. The first floor is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars that suit one’s budget. On this same level you will find the departure lounge where more shops are also located.

Business travelers or those traveling for a vacation can use the executive lounge located at the extension of the International Departure Lounge and Facilities. Passengers can make use of fax, photocopying machine, and telephone for any purpose they need them for. The area is for members 18 years above. Fees apply.

For parents traveling with their small kids, there are family facilities like changing area in toilets, play area, games and entertainment zones, as well as in-flight entertainment for children.

Aside from catering the businessmen, tourists, or children, there are facilities intended for traveling passengers with special needs. Passengers with reduced mobility are assisted to the special assistance points around the airport.

Guide to Cardiff International Airport

Cardiff International Airport in Wales has reached its 2-million passenger count in the year 2006. People looking to travel to Cardiff for its historical appeal, shopping spots, parks, and nightlife go through this airport that provides amenities for all kinds of travelers – businessmen, children, or the disabled. There is only one terminal serving all passengers who travel to more than 60 destinations.

The main terminal entrance fronts the check-in desks and ticket desks. On the same floor are the arrivals hall and baggage claiming section. For departing passengers, the lounge and the international pier is on the first floor. All concerns can be directed to the airport information desk, which is located in the pre-departure area on the first floor.

Check-in schedule in the departure area is as follows:

-    3 hours before departure for international flights
-    2 hours before departure for European flights
-    1.5 hours before departure for domestic flights

If you want to hire a car during your vacation, you have four choices: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, or National. All these car rental companies are strategically located just out side the arrivals section of the airport.

There are taxis around the airport too, that can be used to get to town. Checker Cars is the official taxi provider at the Cardiff Airport. They accept pre-booking if you will call them for the details. Other taxi choices include Cardiff Air, Monmouth, Spright, Caverndish, Budget Airport Transfers, Carda, Atlas, and Business Class Executive Travel.

The airport is located 12 miles south west of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Cardiff Airport handles domestic and European flights. It is easy to get out of the airport because there are efficient public transport links with bus and coach lines.

The National Express Coach Service provides transport services from any destination in the United Kingdom going to the Cardiff Central Bus Station. At the bus station, bus service X91 will take the route from Cardiff Central Station to the airport. Buses are scheduled every hour from Monday to Saturday. During Sundays and bank holiday Mondays, buses are scheduled every two hours.