Cardiff used to have a bit of a dour reputation but has been rejuvenated by investment based around the 1999 Rugby World Cup and the sporting mecca that is the Millenium Stadium. A year round stream of sports-mad visitors have transformed the nightlife into a sparkling gem of fun, divided between two clearly defined districts: in the city centre, the atmospheric and traditional pubs are fuelled by the local brew, Brains SA (standing for Special Ale at the start of the night, Same Again midway through and Skull Attack the next morning); if that doesn't float your boat, head for the new Cardiff Quayside where foxy Welsh lasses abound in the trendy bars that boast outdoor seating with the best views in town when the weather is good.

Activities for during the day are plentiful with quad biking, clay shooting and other motor and field sports in the fabulous Welsh countryside plus the opportunity for a variety of extreme sports for the more adventurous. Try your hand at coasteering, climbing, abseiling or gorge scrambling for a weekend to really brag about come Monday in the office.