For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany.
21.07.2023 - 07:41 / roughguides.com
2022 really has been Birmingham and the West Midlands’ time to shine. Not content with hosting a brilliant summer packed with Commonwealth Games sport and Birmingham 2022 Festival fringe events, locals are swiftly looking forward to Christmas. And what a show this vibrant region has in store.
From the UK’s largest German Christmas Market to an orchestral reenactment of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, here’s what to put in your West Midlands diary this festive season.
3 November — 22 December 2022
With more than five million visitors descending on the city during its prolonged festive period each year, it’s no wonder that Birmingham’s Christmas Market is officially the largest of its kind outside of Germany and Austria. Dozens of pop-up huts selling traditional Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery, wooden toys and cosy knitwear prop up New Street. At its beating heart, Victoria Square, the market comes alive. Expect live music, clinking beer steins and footlong bratwursts aplenty. Come for the glühwein, stay for Chris the Singing Moose.
Find out more about Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market.
German market sparkling at Christmas, Birmingham © Monica Martini/Shutterstock
3 November 2022 — 8 January 2023
For those who want to continue the festivities after Christmas and into the New Year, Birmingham’s famous ice rink and big wheel are on hand to help you just do that. Each year the Christmas Market seems to get that little bit bigger. This pair provide proof of that, with stalls and crowds now spreading out past Victoria Square and towards the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square. Alongside Brum’s biggest ice rink, there’s also a bar serving everything from hot chocolate with marshmallows to mulled wine and cider. Meanwhile, the big wheel – best hopped on just before twilight – offers unrivalled views of the city centre and beyond.
Find out more about Birmingham’s ice rink and big wheel.
Big wheel in Birmingham © dzphotogallery/Shutterstock
26 November — 23 December 2022
Hot chocolate! (If that means nothing to you, you need to watch the Tom Hanks Polar Express film, stat). Treat the kids (or yourselves, because let’s face it: who doesn’t love this film) to an authentic festive train ride this Christmas. Departing from Birmingham Moor Street Station, the Polar Express train ride will head to Dorridge and back. During the journey, actors reenact some of the most famous elements from the revered 2004 animated film. Dancing chefs will parade through the carriages with hot chocolate and cookies, while Santa will bring each child a silver bell to keep, as seen in the film. This live reenactment on a steam train is not to be missed – kids can get photos with the performers afterwards, too.
Find out
For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany.
According to research from Germany-based Cruisewatch: “Booking the respective cruise destination at the right time can realistically save you up to 71 percent reductions off your cruise.”
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
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For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
When it comes to exceptional escapes, the South African province of Limpopo is ahead of the game. Just a few hours drive or a short flight north of Johannesburg, Limpopo offers visitors the unique opportunity of combining safari and first-rate golf. It's home to both one of the largest game parks in the world, the prestigious Kruger National Park, and a wealth of word class golf courses.
Whether you want to keep fit while on holiday, or just explore new corners of the UK on foot, Jen and Sim Benson – authors of the new Wild Running: 150 Adventures on the Trails & Fells of Britain – have compiled their five favourite running routes in Britain.
Taken from the new Pocket Rough Guide , this is our pick of the best pubs in London .
From historic bars pouring the finest whiskies to gastropubs serving up gourmet burgers, when it comes to Edinburgh nightlife, there's has a drinking den to satisfy every craving. There are some world-class establishments in the city – but also plenty of duds. Follow our guide (and steer clear of the Grassmarket) for the best night out the Scottish capital has to offer.
Of course Britain has more than its fair share of world-class art galleries and exhibitions, but sometimes it's more interesting to find artwork out and about in public spaces. Here's a few of our favourite al fresco pieces, drawn from travel bible Make The Most Of Your Time In Britain.
If you've got wheels, wanderlust and a spot of time, a road trip in Europe offers the chance to see the continent at a more relaxed pace. From the sunny shores of Portugal to the dungeons of Dracula's castle in Transylvania in Romania, the following itineraries can be easily combined, shortened or altered to suit your wayfaring tastes. Here are 9 of the best road trips in Europe, a clutch of which also feature in our run-down of the best countries for summer in Europe.
If you live in North America you’ll probably need no introduction to Outlander. This epic TV series is already massive on the western side of the Atlantic and has finally hit UK TV screens courtesy of Amazon Prime. For the uninitiated, think of Outlander as a cross between Game of Thrones and the movie Braveheart.