“In these stones horizons sing” is the inscription on the brilliant bronze and slate front of the new Wales Millennium Centre, home to Cardiff’s arts and culture organisations. Written by the Welsh poet laureate, Gwyneth Lewis, the phrase neatly reflects Cardiff’s industrial past, hints at a promising future for the cultural centre and the city itself, and points to the relationship with the sea.

It’s a city that is living and breathing change. In the past 10-15 years, Cardiff has been transformed from a dirty, depressed, post-industrial city to a vibrant, multicultural capital. The regeneration of Cardiff Bay, the new opera house in the Wales Millennium Centre, the Millennium stadium and the changing character of the city in general have all played a part in the sense of revival.

Despite its history, which most obviously manifests itself in the form of the Roman, Norman and Victorian castle right in the heart of the city centre – Cardiff is still a young place: this year it celebrates 50 years as the capital of Wales and just 100 years as a city. It has a large student population which helps ensure a lively nightlife - even if Cardiff does suffer slightly for being a major destination for stag and hen weekends.

The shopping is great - pedestrianised high-street areas give way to charming Victorian and Edwardian arcades, and the city’s restaurants are gaining in reputation. A big draw is also that Cardiff is small enough to make a quick escape to the countryside.

A 10-minute drive will take you north out to the woods around fairytale Castle Coch, west to the greenery of the Vale of Glamorgan or south to the heritage coastline. People are friendly and the city has just the right mix of ingredients to cater for several different types of weekend breaks.