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by Maria Williams, Mar

Swansea is located in the heart of Swansea Bay, one of Wales? most
beautiful regions, with landscapes incorporating sandy beaches,
waterfalls, rolling countryside and deep valleys. Swansea itself is the
second largest city in Wales, and a highly popular tourist destination,
widely known for providing excellent shopping facilities and plenty of
things to do.

Places of interest

Swansea has a diverse array of places to visit. The many attractions
found in and around the city are designed to give the tourist and
casual visitor a wide range of things to experience ? whether you want
to get back to nature and enjoy the picturesque parks, learn more about
the region's history, or simply enjoy some of the city's exciting
culture. A small selection of places to visit includes:

Swansea Bay. This sandy beach stretches out for five full miles and
is additionally within walking distance of the city centre. Choose a
romantic stroll on the beach, or if you're feeling adventurous, pick
from the rollerblading and cycling activities on offer.

Swansea Museum. Over 160 years old, the museum is home to
collections of art, ceramics and Egyptology, whilst the history of the
city is presented in a way to engage and entertain every visitor.

The Dylan Thomas Centre. Learn about the famous Welsh poet at this
permanent exhibition, which offers a yearly programme of events and a
festival every year in the autumn.

Gower Heritage Centre. This rural museum offers something really
special ? a working, twelfth century corn and saw mill. There are lots
of activities for the kids to take part in, from craft-making and
puppet theatres, to animals and play areas.

Plantasia. You'll discover this gigantic hothouse right in the
centre of Swansea ? and be prepared to undertake a voyage of discovery,
as you witness exotic flora and fauna in tropical, humid conditions. A
perfect place to visit, whatever the weather!

Things to do

When it comes to activities, Swansea has it covered. When you've
finished shopping ? and with hundreds of shops to browse, it'll take
you a while ? then you can choose from lots of exciting things to do,
like the following:

Rainbow Sailing School. Enjoy a taster day and sail around the
Gower coast with an experienced guide.

Breakout Adventure. If outdoor adventure's your thing, then choose
from a selection including canoeing, surfing and climbing.

Clyne Gardens. If you have a love for nature then you'll enjoy the
many delights to be found in these beautiful gardens; come and see
water features, the bog garden and more.

The Chocolate Factory. This working factory gives visitors a chance
to take a tour and see how chocolate is produced, with sampling at
every opportunity.

1940's Swansea Bay. This recreation provides an authentic
experience of life during WWII, and brings new meaning to the phrase
?living history?. Take part in an air raid; try living on rations, and
more.

Food & Drink

If it's food and drink you're after, you'll find that Swansea offers a
selection of choice restaurants and eateries, with something provided
for every taste. Both traditional Welsh fare and seafood are
specialities, but the city is also home to many restaurants serving
international recipes, so you have plenty to choose from. There are
also dozens of cafes and takeaways if you're not looking for the full
wining-and-dining experience. Some of the finest eateries include:

Abernethy's. Located in the Maritime Quarter, this restaurant
serves up Welsh dishes as well as international favourites. There's
also a leisure area nearby which enables you to work off your food.

Bizzie Lizzie's Bistro & Restaurant. If you're looking for
traditional Welsh meals then this is the place to come. There are many
specialities and vegetarian dishes to choose from.

Bouchon de Rossi. A restaurant offering plenty of French cuisine,
located right in the heart of Swansea's city centre. Choose from
salads, crepes and more.

Eleo's Brasserie. If you're a fan of European food then this
restaurant is a great place to visit. Spanish and Portuguese meals are
made on the spot, and there's a wide variety of wine to choose from to
compliment your meal.

Gallini's. As a coastal city, Swansea is noted for its fine fish
and Gallini's is the perfect place to sample it. Italian dishes are
also available, and the restaurant offers pleasing views of the Marina
whilst you eat.

Hotels & Accommodations

Swansea is a popular tourist destination and there are plenty of places
where you can find accommodation. Many of the hotels are on the
seafront and offer a combination of great prices with friendly
atmospheres. Stunning sea views are something you'll quickly become
used to during your stay. Alternatively, if you look a little further
inland, you'll find many unique family-run guesthouses and inns that
offer home-cooking and comfortable rooms. Other alternatives include
self-catering, including bay apartments; many campsites and caravan
parks; hostels and more.

Entertainment

If you want to be entertained during your stay in Swansea, you'll
discover numerous venues all offering a diverse range of
entertainments. For instance, the Swansea Grand Theatre regularly
offers a programme including ballet, drama, music and opera, as well as
something for the kids. If it's nightlife you're looking for, then
you're advised to take a trip to the Wind Street area, which is known
as the liveliest in the city! Here you'll discover numerous
restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars, and plenty of live entertainment
just waiting to be enjoyed.

Swansea is one of those places that people keep coming back to, time
after time. The Welsh Tourist Board is keen to attract visitors and
has, in recent years, spent £30 million on developing a new
attraction, the National Waterfront Museum. Meanwhile, your visit to
the city would be amiss without a trip to the indoor market, where you
can choose from fresh fish and local delicacies, as well as purchase
all the souvenirs and unique gifts that you could ever want. With
stunning scenery and lots of interesting attractions, Swansea is one
place you'll want to discover for yourself.

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this resource box accompanies the article, together with working
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Biography

Name: Maria Williams
Website:
Biography: Maria writes for - providers of .

As one of England's newest cities, Sunderland is a city with a
difference. It combines a modern, bustling centre with a relaxing green
environment, stunning coastal scenery and a refreshing attitude to
life. In Sunderland, quality of life and quality of environment go hand
in hand. The rapidly improving city centre has an enviable location,
set right on the mouth of the River Wear, next to an award-winning
coastline and surrounded by easily accessible countryside. Add to that
a range of outstanding heritage, cultural and sporting attractions and
you'll find that Sunderland has everything you need for an ideal short
break.

Places of interest:

Sunderland has one of the few national museums based outside London -
the National Glass Centre. It has a Winter Garden, a 21st century
palm-house in a city-centre park; one of Britain's earliest Christian
churches; and a university that is a fashionable destination for young
film-makers.

Penshaw Monument is one of the North East's most prominent
landmarks; it was built in 1844 in honour of the first Earl of Durham,
John George Lambton. Located opposite Herrington Country Park, Penshaw
Monument stands magnificently above the city on a limestone hill in the
middle of the Great North Forest and affords views as far as Durham
Cathedral and the North Pennines.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens was awarded second place in
the Large Visitor Attraction category, Excellence in England awards,
Sunderland's museum is hugely popular with visitors of all ages. A
range of fascinating multimedia presentations tell the city's story
from its early foundations to the present day. One of the galleries
boasts an extensive collection of paintings by LS Lowry, who considered
Sunderland his ?second home?.

The National Glass Centre is based in an innovative new building on
the north bank of the River Wear. It is dedicated to promoting glass
and all its uses; in design, technology and as a vehicle for artistic
expression. Here you can explore the history of glass making in the UK
and see examples of the contemporary glass maker's art. It is a
fascinating experience for visitors of all ages.

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is located on the top floor
of the City Library and Arts Centre. It has received critical acclaim
for its changing exhibitions programme, featuring the current work of
local, national and international artists.

Fullwell Mill is the most complete windmill in the North East and
is located just north of Roker. Built in 1821 from the magnesium
limestone from nearby quarries, it features a purpose-built visitor
centre that offers a glimpse of the workings of a 19th century
windmill. The ancient art of corn milling is demonstrated during the
guided tour of the mill's five floors.

Things to do:

The award winning beaches and nearby parks play host to a number of
Sunderland's annual outdoor events. These include the annual
international air show and the Waterfront Weekend featuring world
music, art and theatre. There are some spectacular coastal walks to
suit all ages and the sands of the city's beaches at Roker and Seaburn
are the perfect place for walking and jogging. The cliff-top parks to
the north of the city, allow you to walk the Bede's Way or follow the
Walney to Wear cycling routes.

Roker & Seaburn Beaches just north of the city centre provide a
wonderful seaside playground for adults and children alike.

Washington Wildfowl & Wetland Centre is a great family day out.
This recreated wetland provides a 'stop over' and wintering habitat for
migratory water birds after their passage over the North Sea. It is a
haven for curlew and redshank and a breeding ground for flocks of
herons. The Wetland Discovery Centre offers a view of the wide range of
wildlife and a programme of art exhibitions.

Marine Activities Centre is Sunderland's main focus for all types
of water-based sports and leisure activities, from sailing and canoeing
to pleasure fishing or a river cruise. Take a boat trip out along the
Wear to enjoy the varied riverscape or try out more water sports and
other activities at the centre.

The Sunderland Wall is Europe's premier indoor climbing centre,
where the facilities and courses cater for everyone from the novice to
the die-hard crag rat.

Sunderland International Air show attracts over a million visitors
every year to the seafront at Seaburn to watch the thrilling displays
by jet fighters, vintage aircraft, helicopters and aerobatic teams,
including the world famous Red Arrows.

Food & Drink:

You will find that Sunderland offers the visitor the choice of world
cuisine. From Italian cuisine to the latest Japanese sushi bar, you'll
find a huge range of restaurants sure to get your taste buds tingling
and your mouth watering.

Marine Activities Centre boasts an Italian restaurant with
panoramic sea views.

The Roker Hotel/Restaurant is one of the most popular venues in the
area, providing great service and food, along with a private bar for
all dinner parties.

Chaplin is a traditional pub in every sense, benefiting from a
prime city-centre location and outdoor picnic tables during the summer
months.

Vivaldi is near the Winter Gardens. It is a plush, modern venue
offering.

Italian dishes from seafood risotto to spinach gnocchi, and more
exotic dishes such as Szechuan cured beef with crisp rice noodles and
duck on garlic mash.

Throwingstones restaurant serves the needs of visitors to the
National Glass Centre. This ground-floor restaurant is where you can
relax with a cappuccino or tackle a full three-course meal.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Sunderland offers a range of visitor accommodation to suit all tastes
and budgets. Available accommodation ranges from three and four star
hotels to cosy guest houses and bed & breakfasts.

Entertainment

In the evening enjoy Sunderland's theatres, bars and clubs.

Chase is a retro-styled bar complete with large leather sofas and a
grand spiral staircase. Downstairs there is a large L-shaped bar while
upstairs there are two bars and a wood-floored dance floor. DJs play
R&B, soul and house every night. The blend of music fits the venue
perfectly.

The Point opened September 2005 and is Sunderland's newest
entertainment complex, comprising of four venues in one. The building
itself was once the City's cinema but lay empty and derelict for many
years before its multi-million pound re-development.

The Sunderland Empire is the North East's largest theatre and a
splendid example of Edwardian architecture. Recently refurbished, the
Empire boasts 21st Century facilities and is the only theatre between
Manchester and Edinburgh capable of staging large West End productions.

Sunderland has everything you need for an ideal short break. Whether
you are after relaxation, invigoration or both, Sunderland's
distinctive mix of city, coast and countryside will definitely be a
breath of fresh air.

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hyperlinks.

Biography

Name: Maria Williams

Website:
Biography: Maria writes for
- providers of .

Article Source : Guide to the City

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