London:home of cool Britannia



One of the true great cities of the world, London is a year-round tourist mecca. Few cities can offer the wealth of historical and cultural splendour that London does. From the pageantry, pomp and ceremony of the royal quarter to the sheer elan of the theatres and clubs and shopping, London is a world unto itself.

transport:getting there and getting around:

The UK has excellent transport network of domestic flights, coaches, and railways. There are ferries from Europe and Ireland and trains from France and Brussels via the Channel tunnel. London is the center of the UK rail network with seven major lines converging on the capital.

Climate

The weather is the main preoccupation of the British and with good reason - it's so unpredictable. The capricious nature of the weather can result in some surprises and it's wise to be prepared for anything. But on the whole, the climate is temperate. Temperatures in summer range from 14-30 Celsius. In the winter, temperatures plunge to 1-5 C, the days are short and dark and frosts and snow are the order of the day.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in London

events

Other than all-year round concerts, sports events, plays and shows, there are world-famous annual events too. For sports fans there's Wimbledon in May and classical music buffs can attend the proms, a series of concerts in the Royal Albert Hall during August.

If you enjoy a touch of pageantry, you can enjoy the changing of the guard in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11:30am every day in summer and every other day in winter. And if you're there in April, don't miss the trooping of the colour on the Queen's birthday.

Birmingham:city of a thousand delights

Once called the ‘city of a thousand trades’, Birmingham is now home to the UK's second largest population and a gateway to the heart of England. Birmingham is now home to a broad array of visual and performing arts, music and theatre from such institutions as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

transport:getting there and getting around:

From London, you can reach Birmingham in just 2 hours and 30 minutes along the M40. Birmingham International Airport (BHX) connects with many far-flung destinations including Dubai, Chicago and New York. Birmingham is also a hub for long-distance rail and coach services. Birmingham New Street Station is the major train station. For long distance coaches, the coach station in Digbeth. Local buses are boarded at the Bull Ring bus station. Birmingham also has an extensive network of cycle routes.

Accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Birmingham.

events

*Birmingham social and entertainment calendar is filled with concerts, art exhibitions, and comedy shows. Here are just a few of the most popular.

*With a large Irish population, one of the years most exciting events is the St Patrick's Day Parade Festival held in March.

*September ArtsFest: This is the UK's largest free arts festival. It draws over 100,000 visitors each year.

Manchester:soccer mecca and cool, green metropolis

Famous now for its high-profile soccer teams, Manchester is another British city with a history dating back to the Romans.

transport:getting there and getting around:

Efficient transport services make Manchester the gateway to the North of England. Trains regularly connect with London Euston. Journey time is around three hours. National Express coaches serve Manchester from a variety of destinations. Manchester International Airport connect with a range of domestic and international destinations. Public transport in Greater Manchester includes buses, coaches, Metrolink trams, and the local rail network.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Manchester

events

*Manchester Jazz Festival 21 - 28 July, citywide. The best contemporary jazz from the north and beyond.

*Manchester Pride. 17 - 27 August Manchester's annual gay festival.

*Manchester Food and Drink Festival in October celebrates the finest Mancunian food and drink.

*Manchester Christmas Lights Switch-on in November at Albert Square. Celebrate the beginning of the festive season.