Birmingham - West Midlands is a city that one cannot enjoy fully with a short holiday. The city requires a vacation that will provide you with the time to take in both the historic and modern beauty of this marvelous city. There are many historic sites and unique elements to the city that lie waiting to be discovered by the visitor taking their time to wander.

Home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Xchange, and Hippodrome, the city celebrates dance during the annual International Dance Festival. Visitors can watch the many styles of dance brought by performers from all over the world. Or, you can participate in dance classes, programs, and activities that are exciting and fun.

The theatres in Birmingham provide regular entertainment and performances by local musicians, actors, and dancers. The symphony and ballet both have their historic beginning in Birmingham and provide both classical and modern works for guests. During the festival you will find street performers, entertainers, and musicals performing throughout the city on a daily basis.

Visiting the Jewelry Quarter is a great way to see a working Victorian District. The city has renovated much the the district and you will find many shops, boutiques and cafes that provide the ambiance and flavor the living and working in the Jewelry Quarter when it was at it's busiest. The District still produces the finest jewelry in the world and gives a visitor an array of unique visual experiences when they visit.

The historical architecture provides a visitor with a wide range of sites to see. You can visit St. Chad's cathedral, built in'39 and enjoy the beauty of the building. Inside you will find relics from the medieval times and some beautiful sculptures. The unique English Baroque style is found in only a few parts of England. You will find this type of architecture here in Birmingham. The rich colors, and bold shapes that make up this style can be found in the Castle Bromwich Gardens that have been restored to their original beauty. The glass house at the end of Holly Maze is a beautiful example of this architectural style.

Several miles of the 29 mile canals that flow through Birmingham have been restored and offer you cafes, shops and boutiques along this unique motorway. A visitor can catch one of the boats that travel the canals and see much of the city's beautiful architecture and hidden treasures from the water.

The Botanical Garden is a beautiful fifteen acre site that provides you with a wonderful opportunity to see the Victorian style in a garden. The bandstand in the central garden is home to many of the events that take place in Birmingham year round. You will enjoy the renovated glass houses that provide themes ranging from sub-tropical to desert climates.

The city offers a visitor many museums and galleries that provide both Birmingham - West Midlands historic beauty and the influence of modern architecture and growth. It provides a vacationer with an enjoyable and unique trip to a city that has a unique and friendly character.