Whenever I mention to people that I am from Wales in the UK they tend to think of coal mines and heavy industry, but nowadays, there is very little heavy industry in the country and within easy reach of most parts of the UK, Wales has a lot to offer the visitor as it is steeped in history and legend.

Throughout the centuries, Cardiff, the capital of Wales, once one of the foremost centres for coal exportation in the world, has now completely lost its image of being a dirty coal-mining port, and boasts a fairy-tale castle, the National Museum of Wales, eye-catching architecture, flowering trees, ornate flowerbeds and large shopping mal, recently extended in 2010.

Cardiff Castle has a history that goes back to the eleventh century. Built on the site of an old Roman fort, many non-Welsh people settled in and around the Castle. This brought about a lot of conflict from the the native Welsh. Kidnap and murder of the Norman Lords and Welsh alike, was not unknown.

If we fast forward to 1865, we find that Cardiff Castle underwent an amazing make-over, by the famous  architect, William Burges who transformed the castle into the wonderful ornate fairy-tale creation that is seen today. The work was carried out on the orders of the Third Marquess of Bute, a very affluent property owner in Wales, who told Burges that money was no object and to spare no expense in the work. It is this marvellous work that attracts many visitors today, with its medieval and ornate decoration, that includes: the 'Chaucer Room', based on  Chaucer's works; the richly decorated Arab room; the Summer Smoking Rooms decorated with emblems of the universe, to name but a few.   Peacocks inhabit the grounds and screech-like calls can be frequently heard when there is a lull in the traffic that goes about its business in the city. Cardiff Castle is truly a magnificent for the visitor to Wales.

About five minutes walk from the Castle, is St. David's shopping centre, that has recently had a huge extension added and now occupies the larger portion of the city centre. Within the centre we find St. David's Hall, where there is a variety of entertainment all year round, from our Welsh singing stars like Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones to famous entertainers from all over the world.

Dotted around St David's Centre sit quaint Victorian arcades, with an array of "olde-worlde" shops, that seem to hold a fascination for many "Cardiffians" and visitors to the city.

Before I close this article, I feel I must give a mention to Cardiff's  indoor market, that favours fresh produce particularly fish of  every kind you can imagine. These are sold on the largest stalls that dominate the main entrance. There is a strong fishy smell as one approaches, not to everybody's taste, but once inside the market, the smells disappear and there are a variety of stalls selling materials, ironmongery, pottery and lots more. The market also has a balcony where there more stalls selling  second-hand and new products including CDs, DVDs, videos and vinyl record.  There small cafes to sit and  watch the trader working with their customers below.

I would say that it would take much more than a day to explore what Cardiff City has to offer.