Birmingham and Cardiff

Cardiff and Birmingham city centres have recently undergone extensive regeneration so as to bring them up to date as cultural, modern cities.

Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, with its city centre castle, graceful Victorian shopping arcades and chic new waterfront, the city has succeeded in making itself noticed. Cardiff is Wales's major business, tourism, transport and political centre. The city has seen a lot of progress since the waterfront area at Cardiff Bay was developed in the 90s with the addition of the Welsh Assembly building.

Main Attractions One of the main attractions in Cardiff has to be the 2000 year old Castle where it is possible to take a tour of the inside. An impressive relic from the Norman past, you can also see remnants from the Roman era in Wales here. The National Museum holds an art collection that was donated by two local sisters and the museum now has the largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including the works of Renoir, Monet and Cezanne. One of the areas that has seen a lot of improvement over the last few years are the old Cardiff Docklands, now Cardiff Bay. There is a lake for sailing and water sports and Mermaid Quay. Also on site is the Wales Millennium Centre, a huge arts centre showing opera, ballet and popular West-end musicals.

Shopping There are quite a few quirky souvenirs you can buy to remember your trip to Wales; a Welsh rugby shirt adorned with the red Welsh dragon, love spoons, a Welsh doll and a St Davids tartan scarf amongst them. For bargains take a walk down Queen Street, or head to the High Street Arcade and Castle Arcade for more independent shops such as the Welsh Tartan Centre. Central Market is great for second-hand books or vinyl records or search for antiques and bric-a-brac at Jacobs Antique Centre.

Birmingham

Birmingham is Britain's second largest city, situated in the heart of England, the array of cultures, beliefs and lifestyles here gives it a lively atmosphere. Most of the centre of the city was destroyed in World War Two and the buildings put up in their place were replaced with no thought given to their design. However since the 90s a lot of improvements have been made and the city has managed to hang on to its industrial heritage whilst transforming the city.

Main Attractions Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark pays tribute to the steel industry for which Birmingham is famous. The Sloss furnaces operated from 1882 to 1971 and the monument demonstrates an important piece of Birmingham's industrial history and innovative artwork by resident metal sculptors. Arlington Antebellum Home is a Greek revival mansion built in the 1840s and located in stunningly landscaped grounds. The mansion displays antiques and a collection of decorative arts from around the world. The Civil Rights District features the Civil Rights Institute and Museum, Kelly Ingram Park and Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Close by is the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Shopping You cant visit Birmingham and not go shopping at the famous Bullring. At one time, a 1960s concrete monstrosity it has been reinvented into a huge shopping centre with the best department and chain stores as well as many independent traders. Also visit the Jewellery Quarter where designers create unique custom made items at reasonable prices.

Accommodation Finding accommodation in Birmingham or Cardiff should not be too difficult, since there are hundreds of Birmingham hotels and Cardiff hotels available from budget to luxury class, in any suburb of the towns at ( http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/ ) and ( and http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Cardiff/ )

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers online bookings for hotels in the United Kingdom, like Birmingham hotels at ( http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/ ) and Cardiff hotels at ( http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Cardiff/ )