Down at the bottom of Wales is the Vale of Glamorgan, home to many peaceful towns, crumbling castle and beaches.
It's worth exploring the area with towns like Penarth and Kenfig or the more brash seaside town of Barry.
It's an area where you can really immerse yourself in the culture of Wales thanks to some notable museums and festivals.
A must is the annual Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music - a feast of music from living composers which has a different theme every year.
Or why not go to the Wales International Storytelling Festival in the medieval gardens surrounding St Donat's Castle on the South Wales coast.
Another option is the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, just three miles from nearby Cardiff. Sited on 100 acres of parkland, it's one of Europe's largest open air museums with all you could wish to know about Wales and the Welsh.
Forthcoming events for West Glamorgan
October 9th, 2008
Russell Howard at Swansea Grand Theatre
