The Cardiff Initiative is the organisation responsible for the development and promotion of Cardiff as the capital City of Wales, by marketing the city as the gateway to Wales and by exploiting its potential as a premier destination in Europe, for business and leisure tourism.

Cardiff is celebrating its centenary as a city and its 50th year as Wales' capital in 2005. The city is already buzzing in anticipation of the celebrations so now is the time to pay a visit this dynamic European capital.

The capital city of Wales has altered beyond recognition over the past decade or so. Massive investment in the city, the regeneration of its docks into a superb waterfront and a general interest in all things Welsh, from its music scene to its new Assembly, mean that Cardiff is rapidly earning its place as an exciting European destination.

Cardiff, being a capital city, has the good fortune to house such national gems as the National Museum of Wales - housing one of the largest Impressionist collections in Europe outside Paris, the Museum of Welsh Life, the Welsh National Opera and stunning civic buildings surrounded by acres and acres of parkland. The city offers a year-round calendar of events (for the very latest, contact Cardiff Visitor Centre on 029 20 227281 or www.visitcardiff.info) but a night out in Cardiff is usually an event in itself.

Despite all the recent changes, however, Cardiff still remains a famously friendly city which has managed to retain its villagey feel.

Travel

Cardiff Central Station is right in the heart of the city and is the main hub for trains and buses from all corners of South Wales. Junction 29 (a) from the M4 is the main access route from the East and junction 33 from the West.

If you are travelling further afield the introduction of the low cost airline bmibaby and additional routes from Air Wales makes the award-winning Cardiff International Airport the ideal choice to travel from. Cardiff Bus operate the Airbus Xpress (X91) from Cardiff Central Station. Buses run every half hour Monday to Friday and hourly on Saturdays (two hourly Sundays in conjunction with service X5). For more information contact Traveline - 0870 608 2 608.