Cardiff and the Ancient Castle
Cymru is the Welsh word for the country we call Wales, land of 700 castles. It’s just an easy ferry ride or a short flight from Ireland, Scotland, or England, but it is worlds away. Most people speak Welsh as easily as English, and this is a surprising delight. The road signs in Wales are in English and in Welsh—Cardiff and Caerdydd, for example.
In the heart of the capital, visit Cardiff Castle. It started life as a Roman fort 2,000 years ago and later became a Norman stronghold. (The tower views are astonishing.) Beautiful parklands grace the grounds. These grew up when the castle became a Victorian fantasy palace. This place is made for exploration. Imagine the lives and loves of all those who walked these same grounds ages ago. Shake off your dreams, head to Cardiff Bay, and revel in the vibrant Wales of today.