Things to do in Cardiff
Go white water rafting in Cardiff Bay
The International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay is home to Cardiff International White Water (tel: +44 (0) 2902 082 9970; www.ciww.com). Designed by the team behind courses at Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, it's a purpose-built water sports centre, where you can try indoor surfing, zip lining or white water rafting.
Hear the roar at the Millennium Stadium
The Welsh take their rugby very seriously, and there's no better place to make like the locals than the national stadium (tel: +44 (0) 2920 822 432; www.principalitystadium.wales). Matches take place throughout the year, and you can also catch international football fixtures here.
Quad bike through the countryside
Not only is the Cardiff countryside blessed with beautiful scenery, it also has the ideal terrain for quad bikers. Quad Challenge (tel: +44 (0) 1269 592 734; www.quadchallenge.co.uk), an hour from Cardiff, has a purpose built woodland centre and routes can be tailored to each rider's ability. If you're trigger happy rather than a petrolhead, you can also try paintballing.
Run away with the circus…for an afternoon
NoFit State (tel: +44 (0) 2920 221 330; www.nofitstate.org) has played to over 250,00 people in 15 different countries since forming in 1986, and offer classes to anyone that's ever aspired to run away with the circus. Lessons include Tightwire, Trapeze, Circus Aerials and - if heights aren't your thing - Hula Hooping.
Trot across the Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale of Glamorgan, with its hills, forests and beaches, has plenty of horse riding opportunities. St Brides Major Riding and Trekking Centre (tel: +44 (0) 1656 880000; www.valeriding.co.uk) offers treks and lessons for both more and less experienced riders. For meatier treks and riding holidays in the Brecon Beacons, try Tregoyd Riding (tel: +44 (0) 1497 847 351; www.tregoydriding.co.uk).
