| With the seaside remaining the traditional, popular | | | | Center, you'll come face to face with everything |
| United Kingdom holiday getaway, many | | | | from shrimps to giant sea turtles, and learn tons of |
| holiday-makers never look beyond the beachfront to | | | | great stuff from Sea Life experts. Hey, how does |
| see what other great alternatives are out there for | | | | coming face to face with the UK's first Hammerhead |
| an end-of-Summer getaway. | | | | sharks sound? |
| Let's face it, the fantasy of deserted golden | | | | The Birmingham Hippodrome: This famous venue |
| beaches, fun in the sea and relaxing bar-b-ques with | | | | offers something for everyone. Treat the family to |
| the family is more akin to travel agents' brochures | | | | an evening of entertainment with some of the |
| than reality. If, like so many others, you've done the | | | | biggest-named shows around. |
| United Kingdom beach holiday in the past, more often | | | | The Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses: |
| than not the experience revolves around bored | | | | This 15-acre oasis of horticultural delight opened to |
| children, overcrowded beaches, overpriced, sand in | | | | subscribers in 1832. Today, you will find beauty, |
| your pants and the constant worry of sunburn; not | | | | peace and tranquillity combined with excellent visitor |
| exactly the perfect way to spend relaxing quality | | | | facilities for the whole family. |
| time with the family, is it? | | | | Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: Here you can |
| "So what else is there for a fun-loving family to do?", | | | | see art and objects spanning seven centuries of |
| I hear you asking. | | | | European and world history, and culture. Find out |
| Breaking with tradition and heading for a major city | | | | more about Birmingham's past, or see the Egyptian |
| may not seem, at first, like a great way to get away | | | | mummies, which are always popular with the kids. |
| from the stress of modern life. City breaks, although | | | | ThinkTank: This most modern of science museums |
| not offering the sea air and sound of surf rolling up | | | | lets visitors investigate everything from full-size |
| the beach, in some ways offer far more. Take | | | | locomotives and aircraft to intestines and taste buds. |
| Birmingham as an example: there is a wide range of | | | | There's also the awe-inspiring, truly breathtaking |
| activities to keep everyone entertained, and with | | | | planetarium for any amateur astronomers out there. |
| some exceptional early booking deals available from | | | | IMAX Theatre: Jaw dropping and spectacular, that's |
| the likes of Travelodge and other popular UK hotel | | | | the IMAX Cinema at Millennium Point (in the same |
| chains, a week long city break could work out | | | | building as ThinkTank). It's by far the largest movie |
| cheaper than a trip to the seaside. | | | | screen in the Midlands - as high as a five-story |
| In terms of entertainment and places of interest, | | | | building and as wide as four buses. It's also got 3D |
| here are just a few examples of what can be found | | | | technology to bring the action right to the very tip of |
| in and around Britain's Second City, Birmingham: | | | | your nose. |
| Cadbury World: Opened on 14th August 1990, and | | | | Every city has its unique points and attractions. |
| remains the only purpose built visitor centre in the UK | | | | Indeed, chances are that a trip to the city just might |
| devoted entirely to chocolate. If you want to stay in | | | | be more entertaining and relaxing for the whole |
| the good books of your wife or partner, be sure to | | | | family than the hard to find serenity of the perfect |
| include this on the tour trail. | | | | beach. So, next time you're planning a family holiday |
| Sea Life Center: Fancy diving beneath the sea | | | | or weekend getaway, consider the alternatives and |
| without getting your hair wet? At the Sea Life | | | | keep the dynamic city of Birmingham in mind. |