Birthplace of the industrial revolution, Birmingham is shaking off its dreary manufacturing reputation to reveal a cosmopolitan world city. Situated in the geographical heart of England, the UK's second largest metropolis is a mixed bag of cultures, dotted with a colourful array of continental eateries, modern shopping arcades, sweeping plazas and vibrant markets.

Much of the area now covered by Birmingham's metropolis was originally the northern corner of the ancient Forest of Arden. Birmingham came to life in the mid 1800s as a major manufacturing town owing to the large deposits of exploitable coal and iron nearby. Despite heavy bomb damage during World War II's 'Birmingham Blitz', much industrial heritage is still present in Britain's 'canal city', which has more waterways than amorous Venice. Built over 200 years ago, the canals, which once bore the raw materials that would spawn the industrial revolution, are now principally used for pleasure and provide a moody backdrop to the historic buildings, restaurants and pubs that site alongside, most notably at charming Brindley Place and the Gas Street Basin.

Churning out the likes of JRR Tolkien, Robert Plant, Black Sabbath and The Streets, the Brummies have done their fair share of creative contribution. An impressive live music scene now illuminates the evenings and an exhaustive listing of events can be found in the free fortnightly publication, A rich bounty of cuisine and culture make up the world renowned Balti Triangle and the curvaceous Selfridges store with its mottled futuristic 'skin' is not to be missed at the Bullring centre, a commercial hub that has been in use since the Middle Ages. For a breath of fresh air, head to one of Birmingham's five Green Flag status parks and enjoy the shade of the city's dense oak tree cover.

Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Address: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Birmingham

Admission: Free Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Closed on Good Friday, 24-26 December and New Year's Day

Telephone: (0)121 414 7333

Balti Triangle

Address: Sparkbrook area Birmingham

Selfridges Store

Address: Upper Mall East, Bullring Birmingham

Admission: Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Address: Chamberlain Square Birmingham

Admission: Free, special exhibits may charge a fee. Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm (opens 10:30am Friday), Sunday 12:30am-5pm.

Telephone: (0)121 303 1966

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

Address: 75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley Birmingham

Admission: Free Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (summer); Tuesday to Saturday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (winter).

Telephone: (0)121 554 3598

Bullring Markets

Address: Bullring Centre Birmingham

Admission: Indoor Market open Monday to Saturday 9am-5:30pm. Open Market and Rag Market open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm

Drayton Manor Theme Park

Address: Near Tamworthon on A4091, close to Junctions 9 and 10 of the M42 Birmingham

Admission: £32 (adults), £25 (children); concessions available. Open March through October 9:30am-5pm.

Telephone: 0844 472 1950

Birmingham International Carnival

Where: Handsworth's Soho Road to Perry Barr Park,Birmingham

When: August 2011 TBA

ArtsFest

Where: Centenary Square,Birmingham

When: 10 - 11 September 2011

Birmingham International Jazz Festival

Where: Various,Birmingham

When: 1 - 10 July 2011

Opus

Address: 54 Cornwall Street Birmingham

Food Type: British

Al Frash Balti Restaurant

Address: 186 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook Birmingham

Food Type: Indian

Café Ikon

Address: 1 Oozells Square, Brindley Place Birmingham

Food Type: Spanish

Itihaas Indian Restaurant

Address: 18 Fleet Street Birmingham

Food Type: Indian

Simpsons

Address: 20 Highfield Road, Edgbaston Birmingham

Food Type: French