Birmingham is England’s second largest city and is situated half way between London and Manchester in the Midlands. It was once considered to be ‘the workhorse of the world’ because of its thriving manufacturing and motoring industry. But, since the Rover factory was sold to a foreign buyer, this has dwindled. However, Birmingham has remained a powerhouse and, with the erection of impressive structures like The Bullring Shopping Centre and the abundance of vibrant nightclubs and designer shops, it still remains a cultural epicentre and the ideal destination for a weekend break or a business trip.

Outsiders and locals alike often refer to Birmingham by its nickname ‘Brum’, a name dating back to the 19th Century and highly appropriate given the city’s car building history. Birmingham is known for being a diverse and bustling city which is home to the largest concentration of dedicated jewellery shops in Europe.

A two-day break
Two days is just enough time to experience a taste of Birmingham. All of the major tourist attractions that Birmingham has to offer are within easy reach of the Hotel Campanile Birmingham [link to relevant page]. On your first day, why not head to the nearby Bullring Shopping Centre and treat yourself to a shopping spree? In the evening take a moonlit stroll down the banks of the canal on your way back to the hotel. On your second day you could visit the world famous Jewellery Quarter and have a look at the wide variety of decorative jewellery made by master craftsman. Finish off your trip by dancing till dawn in one of the city’s many nightclubs. 

A week-long stay
A week will give you plenty of time to discover Birmingham. Art and culture lovers should visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery where there is an elaborately-decorated grand piano and a Renaissance-inspired wedding chest. In The Custard Factory you can buy vintage clothes and accessories, and The Great British Eatery has award winning food which is fantastically priced. 

A Family Holiday
Kids and chocoholics alike will savour a trip to Cadbury World. See your favourite chocolate treats made right in front of you and sample the finished product. Highlights are the talking chocolate splodges on Cocoa Road and the African Adventure Play Area. 

Transport
As England's second biggest city, Birmingham has great transport links including an international airport, located about 8 miles from the city centre, a train service, which has trains to the Midlands, Manchester, Stratford[ Link to relevant page] and London. The road links in and around the city are equally good. The expressway is a mini motorway which provides access to the local area. Birmingham can be reached easily from surrounding cities via the M6 Motorway. If you prefer a slower pace, why not take a pleasure cruise on a traditional barge on the nearby canal.

Gastronomy 
As one of the largest and most diverse cities in England, Birmingham has a wide variety of eateries to choose from, from traditional English restaurants to Asian cuisine. The Canalside Café is a rustic pub-style eatery which serves homemade soup and has lovely canal views. If you prefer more up-market British food, visit Bank, a glass-fronted restaurant with a contemporary interior. Or climb aboard Away2Dine’s dinner barge and have a luxury meal while drifting down the canal next to Hotel Campanile Birmingham.

Events
Birmingham hosts several festivals throughout the year including the Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival in summer, and the Mosley Folk Festival in August.

Interesting Fact
More than 40% of British jewellery is made in Birmingham’s world famous Jewellery Quarter.

Useful links
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/
https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/
http://www.away2dine.co.uk/