Visit Southern Wales Blog

I saw a very good tweet this morning from @marcwebber (re-tweeted by @trutourism).  It read:

Expensive business being a Welshman. We have TWO Valentines days to shell out for! (25th Jan & 14 Feb)

Yes, that's right, as well as the more widely known St Valentine's Day, we also have our own, traditional day to celebrate - Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen (or St Dwynwen's Day if you prefer), and it is celebrated this Friday (25 January)

The history of St Dwynwen and how this day came to be celebrated is told on the Museum Wales website.

If you're looking for an ideal gift to give someone special then how about a traditional Welsh lovespoon.

Traditionally the wooden spoon was given by a man to a lady as a token of his affection.  He would carve the spoon from a single piece of wood and was considered an early form of an engagement ring.  The spoon usually contained a number of symbols which all had different meanings, including a horseshoe for luck, bells for marriage, hearts for love and a lock for security.  Caged balls are said to indicate the number of children the couple would have.

The tradition continues today, although we're more likely to cheat and buy the spoons from a craft shop rather than make them ourselves.  Of course, being in the technological age, you can even make and send an e-lovespoon.

More information on Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen and the Top 10 romantic things to do in Wales can be found on the Visit Wales blog

Take a look at this great video.  It features Gorge Walking, Horse Riding, Golf, Foraging, Surfing and Shopping.

Fantastic that you can all do these things in an area of Wales not usually renowned for outdoor activities - Bridgend.

Have a look and then click Discover to find out more

Event - Interceltic Festival
Location - Porthcawl
Date - 1 - 3 March 2013
Website

It's almost that time of year again when the seaside resort of Porthcawl reverberates to the sound of some great Celtic music.  It's time for the annual Porthcawl Interceltic Festival.

Singers, dancers and musicians from Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Brittany, the Isle of Man and of course Wales descend on the town's Grand Pavilion for three days of concerts, performances and sessions. 

Although the pavilion is the base for the weekend's festivities, the whole town gets into the Celtic spirit with events happening throughout the resort.  The highlight being the Parade of the Celts - a colourful procession through the town's streets by the festival's participants, many in their National Dress.  The parade heralds the start of the proceedings which then continue all weekend.

Never ones to be content with sending boring old Christmas cards, our friends at visitcardiff.com have gone one better this year.  They have produced this fantastic video which features the people of Cardiff telling us what Christmas means to them.

As you can see it means different this to different people, but what have they missed out.  What would you add to the list?

So sit back and enjoy the video.  Nadolig Llawen

Event - A Victorian Christmas
Location - Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Date - 15 - 16 December 2012
Website



Join in with the festivities this Christmas in the picturesque surroundings of Bryngarw Country Park.  The Victorian themed event will feature lots of entertainment for all the family.

Have a go and the fairground rides or try your hand at some of the traditional fun and games.    There'll also be a chance to browse stalls full of local crafts and food as well as hot chestnuts, toasted marshmallows, mulled wine and mince pies.

And of course there'll be an appearance from the man himself - Father Christmas.

In May this year, Wales became the only country in the World to have a dedicated footpath running right around its coast.

At over 800 miles long, theWales Coastal Path runs all the way from Chepstow in the South East, through Cardiff and the traditional seaside resort of Porthcawl and onwards to the beautiful Gower and Pembrokeshire coasts. From there it heads North towards Ceredigion and Snowdonia before finally heading along the North Wales coast to Llandudno before coming to an end in the North East Corner.

In the seven months since the path opened many writers and bloggers have ventured out and have given their opinion on the path or certain sections of it.

One of the most comprehensive I've found is Charles Hawes' blog, who seems to have covered most of the South Wales section of the path.

Also worth reading is the Bald Hiker's (Paul Steele) account of his walk along the path from Merthyr Mawr through Porthcawl and to Kenfig National Nature Reserve. Look out too for some fantastic images.

He describes the pretty hamlet of Merthyr Mawr as "a beautiful small quiet place with historic church and thatched cottages" and Kenfig National Nature Reserve as "a calm, surreal beautiful remnant of what was a huge sand dune system"

Have you walked part of the path? What did you think? Let me know which was your favourite part and any tips you have for other walkers setting out.

The big game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff this Saturday is Wales v New Zealand.

Now, I don't really want to draw attention to the game as it is likely that Wales will loose (and quite possible loose heavily). The reason I'm writing about it is that it gives me a perfect opportunity to play this video - a spine tingling moment from 2008 and Wales refusing to be intimated by New Zealand's Haka.

The National History Museum is one of Wales most popular visitor attractions. Located in the village of St Fagans, just a couple of miles from Cardiff City Centre, the outdoor museum is home to dozens of buildings brought to the site from every corner of Wales before being re-built brick by brick. Each building tells the story of Wales from a different era and perspective. Buildings include a row of ironworkers cottages, a school and even a church.

St Fagans is a wonderful place to visit the whole year round, but is especially atmospheric in the run up to Christmas. Its Christmas nights events are especially popular. This year's event runs from 5-7 December and sees the whole site lit up to get you in the festive spirit.

Father Christmas sets up his grotto in front of the roaring log fire in one of the old farmhouses, there's carol singing, brass bands and a chance to experience the ancient Welsh tradition of the Mari Lwyd. There are also traditional fairground rides, craft stalls and plenty of festive food and drink.

Don't forget to wrap up warm and bring your torch! Nadolig Llawen.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from here and further information can be found here

What a great video from last year's Winter Wonderland in Cardiff. It was taken from the top of the Star Ride. The amazing 60m ride towers above the ice rink and other fairground riders below and gives an amazing view of Cardiff - just as long as you don't mind heights.

For details of other Christmas events happening in Southern Wales then please click here.

Make things go with a bang this bonfire night by popping along to one of our sparkling events.

Sparks in the Park
Cooper's Field, Cardiff
3 November 2012
Cardiff's Cooper's Field will be host to the 32nd annual Sparks in the Park firework display, the largest regular annual fireworks event in Wales and one of the largest in the UK.

There will be an amazing display of pyrotechnics, a beast of a bonfire as well as funfair rides, live entertainment from Capital FM, food stalls and many other family attractions.

Visit the website for more information

Fireworks Concert
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
3 November 2012
Join RWCMD Chamber Orchestra for a traditional fireworks concert ahead of Cardiff's spectacular Sparks in the Park at 7pm. Handel's sparkling, explosive and spectacular Music for the Royal Fireworks forms the centrepiece of this exuberant celebration of timeless baroque classics including Bach's irrepressible 3rd Brandenburg Concerto and the sublime Air on a G string. A concert that will certainly leave you fizzing!

Visit the website for more information

Fireworks Spectacular 2012
Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
3 November 2012
Remember, remember this date for November and see in the 2012 bonfire celebrations with a bang! Following last year's sell-out event, join us once again for a magnificent festival of fireworks as we light up the sky above Celtic Manor.

Enjoy a fabulous fireworks extravaganza with a dazzling display ensuring plenty of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' under a lively sky full of crackling colours. There will also be live music and entertainment, children's funfair rides, a licensed bar and even a special appearance from our Resort mascots. With lots of tasty winter warming treats to enjoy during the show including a hog roast, hot dogs, burgers and home-made toffee apples, wrap up warm and celebrate with us for what promises to be a truly memorable night for the whole family.

Visit the website for more information

Fireworks Display
Caerphilly Castle
3 November 2012
This annual fireworks display organised by Caerphilly Town Council promises a spectacular sight, with the majestic Caerphilly Castle as the back drop.

Visit the website for more information

Firework Spectacular
Caldicot Castle
4 November 2012
The Firework Spectacular organised by Caldicot Chamber of Commerce will take place at Caldicot Catsle on Sunday 4th November.

Visit the website for more information

Fireworks SkyShow 2012
Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil
5 November 2012
The annual Fireworks SkyShow 2012 will be held in Cyfarthfa Park home of Cyfarthfa Castle, Museum & Art Gallery on Monday, 5th of November 2012. Gates open at 6.00pm for a 7.15pm display, fired by the Professionals. Arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Visit the website for more information