CD Traveller » Cardiff

What’s hot: July 2011

Editor — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:31:03 +0000

WHAT’S HOT

CD Traveller tells you what’s hot and what’s not in the travel world. This month Cardiff, Chicester and Chernobyl all get the thumbs up but trips to Tibet are more fizzle than sizzle

Hot

Cardiff
Forget the Caribbean. It’s Cardiff that has been voted one of the top ten travel destinations for summer 2011 by none other than National Geographic magazine. The Welsh capital was voted sixth best alternative hotspot behind Muskoka Cottage Country (Canada), Patagonia (Argentina), San Juan Islands (Washington), Minneapolis (Minnesota) and Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska).

Chichester
Chichester is renowned for its annual festival which attracts leading names from the worlds of classical music, comedy, rock, jazz and literature amongst others. Catch the action while you can: the festival runs until July 10. For the full programme, visit www.chifest.org.uk

Indonesia

Borodudura, an ancient religious site in Java, Indonesia was recently named one of the 10 prettiest places in the world by Yahoo Travel. Amazingly, it’s still not really on the travel radar but, if you’re into places like Angkor Wat, this ancient seat of Buddhist and Hindu tradition is a must. It was built in the eighth century and consists of a truly massive temple built in a clearing in the jungle. Behind it, the smoking crater of Mount Merapi makes for a brilliant backdrop. When you get there, stick around until late afternoon when you can catch an amazing sunset from the top of the stupas.

Carlton Tower Hotel
2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Carlton Tower Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge. When it opened in 1961, it was the capital’s tallest hotel, and one of its most expensive: standard rooms started at £5 per night – the Tower Suite cost £50. Find more information on the Carlton Tower Hotel at www.jumeirah.com/JumeirahCarltonTower

Chernobyl
Despite the fact that Japanese travel has been down following the Fukushima disaster, the event has given an unexpected boost to tourism at Chernobyl. Folks are flocking to the infamous Ukrainian post meltdown ghost town, where they can take a gilded tour of its environs, and have lunch in the nuclear plant’s cafeteria. Radiation levels are carefully monitored, though I’m not sure about common sense.

Not

Summer holidays
A poll by ING direct has revealed that more than 17 million Britons are sacrificing their summer holiday (be it a vacation or a staycation) this year in an attempt to reduce debts. NG Direct chief executive Richard Doe said: “It’s clear that a tough economic climate is causing consumers to pull off a very difficult balancing act – cutting down on debt while dealing with rising prices – so it’s not surprising that the summer holiday is often being sacrificed.”

Tibet

Planning a trip to Tibet? Think again. Tourists have been banned from entering the Chinese occupied region for the second time this year. The ban has been imposed to mark the 60th anniversary of China’s rule over the Himalayan region and is scheduled to last until July 26 although there are reports that tourists won’t be allowed into Tibet until mid August at the earliest. Chinese citizens, however, have not been included in the ban.

Climbing on the Trafalgar Square lions
Tourists could and should be banned from climbing onto Trafalgar Square’s lions, according to consultants conducting surveys for the Greater London Authority (GLA). The inspectors say that that people are causing considerable damage to the 144 year old four sculptures, which have sat at the foot of Nelson’ Column for 144 years, and are calling for a no climbing ban.

School holidays
Education secretary, Michael Gove, has called for a change to the current school holiday system. If Mr Glove gets his way, state educated children will enjoy a four week break in the summer instead of a six week one. Mr Glove’s reforms would lead to the shortest summer holiday in Europe. What do you think of Mr Glove’s plans? Post a comment below and share your thoughts with other CD Traveller readers!

Virgin Atlantic

Usually its BA’s staff that are striking but the beleaguered British airline seems to have sorted out its cabin crew dispute. Not so Virgin Atlantic where pilots are refusing to back down from a walk out. Strike dates haven’t as yet been announced but it’s likely that a first walk out will take place this month and will affect those flying to Australia, California, the Caribbean, Florida and the Far East. Lets hope that Sir Richard Branson can make his pilots, The pilots, who earn up to £110,000 a year, see sense – and soon.

James, the Giant Peach and the Norwegian Sailor’s Church

Editor — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:27:19 +0000

Norwegian Chuch as it was

In Cardiff Bay, not far from the Millennium Centre is what you might consider an oddity, a church. What’s so strange about that you might say, Wales is full of churches and chapels. The difference is that this is a Norwegian church which tells a story about Cardiff that many people don’t know. And today, Norway’s national day, it re-opens after seven months spent on refurbishment.
The church, founded by Oslo based Herman Lunde was opened only in 1868 between the old east and west docks and was for the religious and social care of Norwegian sailors. That the church was extended quite a few times in order house all its work shows just how well used it must have been by the sailors. And how many Norwegian sailors there must have been. At the height of its use it was welcoming 73,000 Norwegian sailors to Cardiff each year. They had arrived on hundreds of vessels to transport coal back to Norway and other countries. By now the church had become a seamen’s mission where sailors could read and catch on the news from back home, revel in the own culture and chat away the hours with other seafarers.
Today, the church is in Cardiff Bay. Why? As coal shipments from Cardiff declined so did the visits by Norwegian ships. Gradually the church fell into disuse and suffered at the hands of vandals. As the Bay was redeveloped, the church was dismantled and, luckily, stored. Money was raised in both in Wales and Norway and the church was re-erected on its present site. It re-opened in 1992 and since 2006, is managed by the Cardiff Harbour Authority. Having undergone another bout of refurbishment it is now open again for visitors. As a survivor, it is now the oldest surviving church in the UK to be founded by the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission.
In its time the church was known throughout the world as a meeting place for sailors. Today it provides a legacy of a time when coal was vital to Cardiff’s development. But most people associate coal with Wales, if not Cardiff. What is less well known is how big a meeting place it turned out to be for different nations. And the Norwegians were one of the largest groups of latterday “invaders”. One of those invaders was the father of Roald Dahl. The family regularly worshipped at the church and Roald was the first president of the trust that was set up to preserve it. Without the church maybe no Welshman called Roald Dahl. And no Chocolate Factory for Charley, giant peach for James or Big Friendly Giant for children of all ages to enjoy.

The Great British Cheese Festival

Editor — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:59:05 +0000

Cardiff Castle, Wales

RHS Show, Cardiff

Editor — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:02:07 +0000

Bute Park, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Members: In advance £7, on the day £10
Non members: In advance £8; on the day £10

The Terminal

Editor — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:10:44 +0000

Birmingham
Forget dark, satanic mills and concrete flyovers. England’s second city (and one with more canals than Venice) is home to Birmingham International Airport – your ticket to a brilliant break! The airport – which is currently celebrating its 70^th anniversary – is the UK’s fifth largest airport and, owing to its enviable position (Birmingham is slap bang in the heart of England), easy to reach be it by road or rail.
Craving some culture? Plump for a city break; there are flights from Birmingham to virtually every European city imaginable. Classic city breaks – step forward Paris and Prague – never date, but for full holiday bragging rights try Tallinn (this season’s hot shot) or Berlin.
If the above all sounds a tad too highbrow, you can fly from Birmingham to the Bahamas or Barbados where you can plonk your towel on sand whiter than a dentist’s chair for some serious r&r – now that sounds good to us…

Bristol
Stat fans maybe curious to know that Bristol International Airport (so called since 1997), has one of the shortest international airport runways in the country at 2,011 meters. The rest of us will be more interested to hear that from the airport, which is located 8 miles outside Bristol city centre, we can catch flights to Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Paris and other popular destinations.
Sure, Bristol is worth a browse. After all travel specialists Lonely Planet, did declare it to be ‘south western England’s largest and coolest city’ and the SS Great Britain (Britain’s biggest ship when it was launched in 1843) and Clifton Village – a pretty Georgian part of town – are both pretty fab.
However anyone with a brain is not in Bristol – they’re in the Balearics. For while many are settling for stay-cations (which have become so mainstream that they’re now in the dictionary), here at On the Beach we prefer a real vacation. If like us, you want to travel, check out our affordable flight options from Bristol airport. We’re willing to bet that when you’re having fun in Fuerteventura or sunning yourself in Spain for less than you’d spend in a week in Blighty, you’ll agree: stay-cations aren’t such a smart choice after all.

Cardiff

Around two million passengers pass through Cardiff airport every year and for good reason; it’s the only airport in Wales offering international flights. So regardless of where you live in Wales and where in the world you want to holiday, we reckon you’ll be flying out from the Welsh capital.
And it’s not a bad option by any means; following a £7 million refurbishment in 2006, Cardiff International Airport certainly looks the part. Plus not only does it have style, it also has substance; in the last six years, Cardiff has twice been voted one of the Top 10 UK Airports in the Telegraph Travel Awards.There are flights from this award-winning airport to all the top travel hotspots. Alicante and Amsterdam are the most popular options but for something a bit more exotic but nonetheless manageable – exactly what a holiday should be – try the USA and Caribbean.

Edinburgh
Edinburgh airport is flying high. Case in point? Budget airline Ryan air increased flights from Edinburgh despite removing routes from other UL aviation hubs. All of which means that if you have decided to escape to sunnier climes (a decision that makes sense given the arctic weather conditions soggy summer), Edinburgh is as good an airport as any from which to depart to your destination du jour.
Cash poor? Panic not. You can beat the recession by flying at our lowest fares to exciting winter sun destinations. Egypt is always a winner – and we have flights to no fewer than five Egyptian ‘hot spots’ including sun soaked Sharm el Sheikh. Morocco can’t quite compete with Egypt’s heat; nonetheless you can still top up the tan sun by flying from Edinburgh to the exotic beach resort of Agadir. Then of course, there are the Canary Islands – the top winter sun destinations for Brits and a manageable four hour flight ride away…

Gatwick

Opened in 1958, Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport (and the eighth largest in Europe) so if you’re heading off on your hols, there’s a good chance you will be jetting out from good old Gatwick.
It’s a decision that makes sense: Heathrow may have hogged the headlines in recent years but it’s Gatwick that has walked away with the best airport award at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards on more occasions.
On the food front, there’s Apostrophe, Eat, Frankie and Benny’s, Garfunkels (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it), the ubiquitous McDonalds and many more but why not start your holiday in style at swanky seafood bar Caviar House? Good retail therapy is another of Gatwick’s draws. Along with the usuals (that’s you Boots, Books etc and The Body Shop), there’s a Harrods, a Goldsmiths and – our favourite – an All Saints, which sells some of the coolest clobber around for both guys and gals.

Glasgow
Edinburgh may be the capital of Scotland but Glasgow is the country’s capital of cool (branding itself ‘Scotland with style’), which helps explain why more jet setters use Glasgow Airport – 8.1 million each year or an average of 22,100 passengers per day if we want to be specific – than Edinburgh.
People flock to Glasgow not for castles and kilts, but for cocktails and cuisine and this is evident at the airport too. Bars like Bargo, Drum and Monkey and J&R Tennent Bar boast a lively scene – and a fully stocked bar.
Gourmet options aside, Glasgow is – as you would expect – a seriously good looking airport (recent developments include a £10 million international pier extension, and the first phase of a £31 million terminal extension and there are plans for further refurbishment plus a new rail link by 2013).

For the low-down on six more UK airports, log onto the CD-Traveller website tomorrow

Britain is Alive with Pride

adrian — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:40:55 +0000

The phrase above is the slogan that Visit Britain us using as part of its advertising campaign to encourage Americans to come and see us. The slogan thought up by Californian, Jay Masunaga, in a competition designed to publicise Britain as a holiday destination for the gay community.

To complement the promotion, Visit Britain has also come up with categories of people to whom Britain would appeal. These are Foodies, Night Owls, Event-Goers, Culturati, Chillers and Fashionistas. You can guess what most of these are but how about Chillers? My first thought (OK I am old-fashioned, as I now know) is that these who visit haunted sites and go on the Jack the Ripper walks around the east end of London. No, these are people who want to be pampered and who’ll travel to country house weekends.

Each month, for the next ten, a different destination will be highlighted for American visitors. Brighton, the first location, is viewed by many as the gayest place in the UK. The Lanes, the Pavilion, the Pier and the week long Pride Festival will be some of the attractions highlighted to potential visitors. After Brighton has its month of publicity come Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle. Two areas, North Wales and the Highlands, are also publicised and given a month on the US website of Visit Britain as well.

Although this promotion runs only over there, visiting the US website of Visit Britain can be fascinating. It confirms some of those thoughts we have of how overseas people see us, for example the stereotypes like pageantry and the history. And then every so often, how it profiles us shows that the world is moving on after all and understanding the changes that have occurred.

Cruise Appeal

Editor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:40:37 +0000

Initially one of the travel sectors that bucked the downward trend was that of cruising. On the face of it, the reasons seem obvious. Everything’s included in the price so you know what you are paying for and you paid in sterling so there were no nasty foreign exchange surprises. That didn’t necessarily turn out to be the truth as we mentioned earlier and some cruise business slumped. One part that remained resilient was where holidaymakers started their cruising from the UK. According to Gill Cruise Centre, just of half a million of us started a cruise in the UK, 20% over 2008. Of the bookings Gill made in 2009, over two thirds decided to start their cruise in the UK.

Why?

Gill thinks it is because fly cruises involve the hassle of airports. Starting in the UK removes that.

But cruise companies are also looking at visiting parts of the UK and now the Welsh government is looking to attract more. 6 cruise ships docked in what Lord Nelson praised as one of the best harbours in the world, Milford Haven, last year and one even went to Newport (CD-Traveller 15^th July 2009 ). So now, 5 ports, Cardiff, Fishguard, Holyhead, Milford Haven and Swansea have formed Cruise Wales to try and attract more cruise ships to visit.

Why? Well it was estimated that one cruise stay in Milford Haven was responsible for injecting £170,000 into the local economy and that was for just a one day stay.

How long before other groups copy this Welsh example?

Mini break of the month: Cool Cardiff

Editor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:52:03 +0000

Why go
The Welsh capital has undergone a renaissance in recent years and modern developments like St David’s compliment Cardiff’s historical past.

Must see and do
Cardiff Castle (www.cardiffcastle.com) with its fairytale towers and spires and opulent interiors should be your first port of call. It’s a truly remarkable site with a history that spans over 2000 years; Romans slept here, noble knights held court here, and the Bute family, with extraordinary wealth and vision, transformed the Castle into a romantic Victorian fantasy. In 1947, the 5^th Marquess of Bute gave the Castle and its extensive parklands to the people of Cardiff.
Continue your cultural odyssey over at the Norwegian Church which offers an insight into the industrial heritage of the docks. Built in the 1860s as a ‘home away from home’ for Norwegian sailors, the Church was also the location where children’s author, Roald Dahl was christened. Furthermore, entry is free!
Another must is the Millennium Stadium which has hosted the Rugby World Cup, twice (1999 and 2007) and six FA Cup Finals (little wonder then that Cardiff has been designated a European City of Sport for 2009). In addition, the Stadium has staged concerts by Madonna, U2 and a raft of other big events – it’s a versatile all year round venue owing to its retractable roof and removable turf. You can get a look behind the scenes by taking a guided tour. See www.millenniumstadium.co.uk for details.
Meanwhile fans of the hit TV series Doctor Who can meet K9, encounter the famous Daleks and see costumes worn by the Doctor and his assistant at the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition in the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay. Find out more at www.doctorwhoexhibitions.com.

Top shops
Cardiff has been crowned one of the UK’s top five shopping cities and for good reason; there are enough shops here to clothe you for life.
Right now, the buzz is all about the brand new St David’s Centre (www.stdavidscardiff.com) which opened on October 22. This mammoth shopping destination was built using 25,000 tonnes of steel and, at 1.4m sq ft in size, is equivalent to 30 football pitches of retail space! As you would expect given its size, there are umpteen options for all budgets and tastes but pick of the bunch is the John Lewis department store.
If, however, trawling around the avenues and aisles of this cathedral to consumerism holds little appeal venture to the Victorian and Edwardian arcades where you’ll find one off boutiques and cafes with character. Elsewhere every Sunday, stallholders set out their wares (think organic beef burgers and Fair-trade coffee) at the Riverside Farmers’ Market on the banks of the Taff.

Best bites
Foodies should make a beeline for Cardiff Bay (www.visitcardiffbayinfo) – catch the No 6 bus from the City Centre. The city’s revitalised dockland area is now one of Europe’s most exciting waterfront developments and is chock full of buzzing bars and restaurants. CD Traveller can vouch for BA Orient (www.baorient.com) – a stylish cocktail and dim sum bar in mermaid quay that’s popular with Cardiff’s movers and shakers. For something sweet, stop off at Fabulous Welshcakes; as well as Welshcakes, these guys specialise in heavenly handmade chocolates.

After dark
Award winning Wales Millennium Centre (www.wmc.org.uk), is Europe’s most exciting performing arts centre that also serves as a home to among others the Welsh National Opera and Diversions – the contemporary dance company of Wales. This swish cultural venue is Wales No 1 visitor attraction so try to catch a concert if you can. If you’re purse strings are suffering somewhat (we are in a recession after all), check out the lunch time concerts in the foyer for free!

Best kept secret
While very much a part of the UK, Wales has its own culture and language – as the bilingual sign posts all around the city show. Anyone wanting to learn the Welsh language – one of the oldest spoken languages in Europe – can sign up for an intensive language course at the National Language Centre in North Wales. But for an instant Welsh lesson, pop into the rehearsal of one of Cardiff’s Welsh Male Voice choirs.

Sleepover
Voted one of the 25 hippest hotels in the world by upmarket glossy Conde Nast Traveller, The Big Sleep is situated at the southern end of the city centre, opposite Cardiff International Arena and five minutes from Cardiff Central Station. Accommodation consists of 81 rooms – many designed by actor John Malkovich – and all are airy, spacious, supremely comfortable (rooms have king sized beds, 15 channel satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities, fluffy towels and fantastic views of the city)and even better, won’t cost you a fortune. Rates start at £45 per room, per night including a continental breakfast which can be packed for you to take away or eaten in the communal dining room. To book a room, visit www.thebigsleephotel.com

Cardiff Poppies

Editor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:26:44 +0000

I was in Cardiff yesterday for a meeting about tourism. Cardiff has transformed itself over the years. It has had the castle, the National Museum and the shops for years to attract tourists. Then along came the regeneration of Tiger Bay. Now there is a new shopping area that has just opened so on the way to the meeting I thought I would have a quick look. Judging from the number of people there it has attracted initial support and, when the rest of the shops open, it will probably have good Xmas sales.

But what caught my attention were not the shops but the poppies. Outside Cardiff Central station. On two metal structures large plastic poppies were hanging on metal branches. And in St Mary Street there were more. It was quite a simple idea but effective. Not only did it brighten the area but it served as a reminder of the poppy appeal. I’ve not seen this done anywhere else and for all I know Cardiff does it every year. It’s just a little thing but enough for some children to point to it and ask what it meant. “Are they real flowers,” I heard one child say. Almost like Christmas lights being an attraction for people to come in see them, do these poppies achieve the same?

Tomorrow is St David’s Day

adrian — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:45:00 +0000

Disregarding the little event in Paris last night, Welshman will be out to enjoy themselves tomorrow as a variety of events and processions occur. Or will they?
St David’s Day has never been a public holiday and has never had the appeal that the Irish allot to St Patrick who may well have been a Welshman. Nonetheless, over the last few years a number of events have sprung up to celebrate the patron saint of Wales and because this year the day falls at the weekend. More people than ever might be out at events that will be held up and down the country..
Biggest will be the sixth annual parade through the streets of Cardiff and that, of course, will be free. In North Wales, the celebrations last longer and Colwyn Bay holds a week of festivities, which oddly enough is also the sixth time they have done it as well. Their event actually begins today with the emphasis on music and even includes a 30 foot tall St David!
If you have never been to the little city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire, you have missed one of the prettiest and tranquil places in Wales. There, tomorrow, will be told traditional stories by David Ambrose, one of the great storytellers and, in fact, storytellers pop up in a number of places from Beaumaris to Tintern.
Further afield in Chicago, the Wrigly building will be decorated in red, white and green lights in the evening
So, enjoy the weekend and forget the tragedy of Paris.