[ad_1]
TRAVEL agents are selling trips to Birmingham for the sole purpose of visiting the UK's largest Primark, as we revealed last week.
But what if your idea of a weekend in the second city of England does not include five floors of fast fashion?
My partner and I set out to find out if there was enough to do to entertain two guys.
After a 90-minute train ride from London, we arrived at an Airbnb crumbling near the sumptuous jewelery district, within walking distance of all the hotspots in the city.
Prices were reasonable – around £ 75 per person for two double rooms, one with bathroom and a large living room with kitchen.
It was a Friday night, so we needed a drink and visited a bar called Gentleman and Scholar, just around the corner from Birmingham's vibrant nightlife.
This most relaxing place specializes in whiskey and cigars.
The next morning, we organized a street art tour in the outskirts of the city.
Called Stunning Street Art Tour + Chance To Tag, it is hosted by Airbnb.
Our Kashif guide had an incredible knowledge of each artist and drawing – and it turns out that renowned street artists from around the world traveled to the hugely popular area of Digbeth, Birmingham, to leave their mark.
We spent the afternoon listening to live music on Place Saint-Paul and sipping cold cider cans before taking a seat in the mailbox, the most elegant destination for shopping, lifestyles and restaurants.
Inside, you'll find Pall Mall barbers who want to give us whiskey and welcome rum upon arrival.
As the evening went down and the surrounding bars became more and more lively, we headed for a delicious Thai meal at the contemporary Siamese of Brindley Place.
They are proud of their reasonably priced badtails and food, and they have certainly met expectations.
Then we went back to the mailbox and plunged into the Aluna badtail bar, which is right on the cbads, which makes Birmingham famous.
Overlooking the water, with rows of parked barges, you'll struggle to find a better place to drink.
Whether it was for inflamed preparations or for smoking dry ice, he was far from sipping a pint of beer in a stuffed London pub.
The next morning, we took a ten-minute train from New Street Station to Bournville, home of the chocolate-themed Cadbury World attraction.
A building steeped in history, it's a wonderful place for families. Kids will love the interactive adventure that shows how Cadbury has become the largest confectionery manufacturer in the world.
And of course, there is all the free chocolate.
Need some relaxation – if not extra snacks – we ended up at the luxurious Everyman cinema in the mailbox.
RIDE ON
Disneyland becomes a "ghost town" with almost no queue for the most popular rides
Here, the experience of the film is taken to the next level, with comfortable sofas, food and drinks brought before the beginning of the film.
A delicious hamburger and fries watered by a lager – without having to leave my seat – were the end of our trip.
And we still have time to visit this Primark.
Go: Birmingham
Stay here: Airbnb offers great city center stays, as well as experiences to dig beneath the surface of the city. See airbnb.com.
MORE INFORMATION: For shopping and restaurants, see mailboxlife.com and visitbirmingham.com.
[ad_2]
Source link