Spectacular Welsh capital

Cardiff – or Caerdydd as the Welsh say – has evolved to become a vibrant, contemporary and cosmopolitan city, as I discovered on a short break with my son Matthew.

Arriving at Park Plaza hotel, we transferred our luggage to one of its fabulous rooms.

The award-winning hotel is located in the heart of Cardiff city centre, ideal for visiting the castle, Millennium Stadium and other attractions.

Complete with stunning Elemis Spa, the contemporary deluxe four-star city centre hotel offers friendly service with excellent facilities.

The Laguna Health and Spa has indoor pool, spa bath, steam room, gym, therapy rooms, relaxation lounge and offers a wide range of Elemis treatments.

And if you are hungry, where better to enjoy a fabulous dinner than in the award-winning Laguna Kitchen & Bar? The breakfast is really good too, with hot buffet, cereals and continental options. Matthew was rather taken with the pancake machine that produced hot, fresh, mini American pancakes.

With bags unpacked and a quick bounce on the bed for Matthew – it's what kids do – it was time to explore. Our first stop was Cardiff Castle. It is the easiest of landmarks to locate as the city revolves around its majestic walls.

The Roman fort has over the years seen additional building from all eras. John Crichton-Stuart, The Third Marquess of Bute, who was one of the richest men in the world in Victorian times, transformed Cardiff Castle into the mock gothic splendour of today.

The focal point, a 12th Century Norman keep, must be climbed as it offers superb views over the city. Other fabulous features include the house tour which takes you through opulently decorated rooms. The tour runs every day on the hour and lasts approximately 50 minutes (additional charge of £3 per person).

Spectacular fairy-tale apartments are rich with murals and carvings, stained glass and marble, all created by art-architect William Burges.

For Matthew, the wartime shelters were a favourite. Within the walls of the castle are tunnels which came into their own as air-raid shelters during the Second World War.

More than 1,800 people could take shelter within the walls. When the sirens sounded, city folk would rush to the shelters. Special ramps were built so that people could gain access into the walls quickly. A visit to see the air-raid shelters, to hear the sounds from a bygone era or join a guided tour, is a must.

A short bus ride from the city centre, we arrived at Cardiff Bay. The former docks area of the city used to be the largest port in the world. These days the bay is one of the world's largest regeneration projects. Marinas, apartments, water taxis, opera houses and a parliament building can be found at the waterfront location. The area around the Millennium Centre is known as Mermaid Quay, packed with shops, bars and restaurants. Wales Millennium Centre is a stunning focal point to the bay. The building of glass and slate is home to seven of Wales' major cultural institutions, including the Welsh National Opera. The Bay is also home for The Doctor Who Experience. Themed around the legendary timelord, it has recently been upgraded to feature an immersive walking attraction based on Peter Capaldi's incarnation of the iconic role.

Packed with amazing special effects and exclusive filming with Mr Capaldi, this multi-sensory experience is fun for the family and fans alike. You can join one of the Doctor's helpers for an interactive journey that takes you on an adventure through time and space, battling some of the timelord's foes. Matthew enjoyed this a lot and even though I am not a huge Whovian – as fans like to be known – it is a well-thought out attraction.

Being more of a Tom Baker era fan, I took particular interest in the museum at the end of the tour.

Here you can take photos alongside props, costumes and monsters from the show, including Cybermen and Daleks.

Ours was only ever going to be a flying visit, and the city has so much more to offer.

Sports fans will be thrilled by a tour of Millennium Stadium. Queen's Arcade Shopping Centre is the heart of the city, perfect for retail therapy.

The National Gallery and Museum of Wales is the big domed building next to City Hall. The museum is one of the finest in the UK. Highlights include the Evolution of Wales gallery and Archaeology Galleries, packed with Roman relics, Celtic Crosses, and Bronze Age gold. The Davies Collection is the largest of its type outside Paris, with Impressionist and Post Impressionist paintings by Cezanne, Renoir, Rodin, Monet and Van Gogh to name a few.

Travel facts

Paul Naylor stayed at Park Plaza Cardiff. For current room rates call 02920 111 111 or visit the website www.parkplazacardiff.com

For details on attractions and links to specific sites see the site www.visitwales.com/explore/south-wales/cardiff