By Jessica Montevago

There’s a reason why “second cities” is trending in travel: fewer crowds, a myriad of experiences, and more affordable price point. Don’t overlook Birmingham, which has undergone a transformation over the past decade and emerged as a dynamic destination with something for everyone.

Explore the lively canal quarter.

Built around the city's historic canals, Street Basin and Brindleyplace are home to dozens of bars and restaurants built up along its waterways. After a bite to eat, visitors can learn more about the impact canals had on the city’s industrial heritage by jumping on a narrowboat for a tour, which are available throughout the year.

Step back in time with the Peaky Blinders.

Following notorious gangsters in post-war Birmingham, Peaky Blinders has proven to be a massive TV hit across the globe. Fans of the show can take a dedicated walking tour, visiting landmarks associated with the real-life gangs who were the inspiration behind the on-screen Shelby family.

Indulge in iconic shopping destinations.

Travelers might need to put aside a whole afternoon to shop at the world’s largest Primark, an affordable fashion retailer. A visit should also be paid to Brummie landmark, the Bullring, a giant mall with history dating back to the Middle Ages. Across town, Mailbox houses British luxury department store chain Harvey Nichols.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Take in art and culture.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is known for housing the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings in the world. At the Lapworth Museum, families can enjoy everything geology—from rocks and fossils to volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs.

Curb your chocolate craving.

Kids and adults alike can satisfy their sweet tooth at Cadbury World, the factory of England’s flagship chocolate brand. Tours include a deep dive into the history of chocolate and Cadbury confectionery, plus interactive stations where kids can try their hand at tempering the sweet stuff.

Kick it at the football stadium.

Villa Park is one of the oldest and most famous stadiums in Europe; it has been home to the Villa since 1897. Sign up for a behind-the-scenes look at the 42,000-capacity stadium or catch a Premier League game.

See the inspiration behind Tolkien’s Shire.

JRR Tolkien’s inspiration for the Shire can be found just four miles south of central Birmingham in the Hall Green area. The Lord of the Rings author grew up here in the 1890s and drew upon his memories from childhood for the creation of the Shire. Sarehole Mill, a 16th-century working watermill, now serves as a museum with a permanent Tolkien exhibition and is the starting point of a guided Tolkien walk.

Brindleyplace

Where to Stay

For a more private and independent experience, serviced apartments are a popular option in Birmingham. Book clients at the Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre, where a central location near the Bullring and the city's main attractions is hard to beat. The property has 108 comfortable studios and one-bedroom apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, living area, and free WIFI. Other perks include breakfast, a gym, and laundry room.

For light sleepers, No. 8 Waterloo Apartments boast soundproofed rooms—a welcome respite from the city outside. Room offerings include deluxe and premium apartments that can sleep two and two-bedroom apartments that sleep up to four people. Centrally located, it’s easy to walk to Birmingham’s main attractions.

If clients wish to stay outside of the bustling city and retreat to the countryside,

Moor Hall Hotel, part of Best Western’s Premier Collection, is nestled among sunken gardens and woodlands in nearby Sutton Coldfield. The sprawling 83-room property has a range of amenities, including a sauna, spa, fitness center, and indoor swimming pool. The Oak Room offers fine dining while the Country Kitchen offers more casual fare.

Located on the canal side of the city, the AC Hotel Birmingham is in the middle

of all the great waterside bars, bistros, and restaurants. In the morning, though, guests should be sure to try the traditional English breakfast at the hotel’s Lounge Bar. Bright and spacious guestrooms, a fitness center, and coffee shop round out the offerings.

Ideal for business travelers, the Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre is just five minutes’ walk from Grand central train station and the International Conference Centre. It’s only a 10-minute train ride for flights into the Birmingham Airport. A dedicated conference floor has 11 meeting rooms for up to 300 delegates. If a break from work allows, guests can enjoy cocktails and dinner overlooking the city at b1 Restaurant.

Whether its apartment-style hotels or an upscale countryside retreat, Birmingham is a vibrant city with a multitude of accommodation style options to meet your clients’ needs.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: The cube behind brick buildings alongside a water channel in central Birmingham

Delve into the past this election year by adding these sights and exhibits to your itinerary.

By Patricia Harrison

Every year, crowds of visitors from around the world flock to Washington, D.C., to see the museums, monuments, memorials, and other historic attractions. With the 2024 presidential election happening this November, this year is a particularly timely one to delve into America’s past in our nation’s capital. To help you plan the perfect itinerary, we rounded up some of our favorite ways to experience history in Washington with some tried-and-true ideas for where to stay.

Tour the sights of the National Mall

Washington’s National Mall and Memorial Parks attract more than 25 million visitors every year and is the most visited National Park Service site in the United States. While it’s impossible to see all the monuments and memorials (there are over 100 scattered amid 1,000 acres of green space), several are within close walking distance. For example, you can cross seven off your list on this two-hour self-guided walking tour, including the Lincoln Memorial, where 36 columns represent every state in America at the time of the president’s death; Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is etched with the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives to serve our country; and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, where 22 quotes from the leader’s presidency are engraved into granite walls.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Check out these impactful exhibits

The Smithsonian Institution encompasses 21 museums, which house some of the country’s most treasured artifacts. If you’re interested in learning more about the most powerful office in the world, stroll through The American Presidency exhibit in the National Museum of American History. There, you can see more than 900 items, such as Abraham Lincoln’s iconic top hat, gowns worn by the First Ladies, and Bill Clinton’s saxophone. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, investigate some of the darkest periods of our country’s history at the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, where powerful objects such as Harriet Tubman’s shawl and a slave cabin emphasize stories of inhumanity and resilience. Find out how American Indians are depicted in American history, popular culture, and identify at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Americans exhibit, which touches on everything from the Cleveland Indians’ mascot to the Tomahawk missile.

The Smithsonian Institution

Dine at these legendary restaurants

Washington, D.C.’s dining scene brims with historical hangouts. Pop into the original Ben’s Chili Bowl in the U-Street Corridor for a half-smoke, a grilled dog served on a steamed bun and topped with spicy chili, mustard, and onions. The casual joint, established in 1958, has served the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Martin Luther King, Jr., and former President Barack Obama. Pair a dozen oysters with the jumbo-shrimp-garnished Bloody Maryland cocktail at Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House, lauded as Washington’s oldest saloon. You may even run into politicians feasting on steak and seafood at The Monocle Restaurant, a nearly 45-year-old fine-dining institution that is frequented by members of Congress.

Where to Stay

Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
Housed in the former post office building, this property blends historic charm with elegant touches and amenities. Savor exquisite Japanese cuisine at Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa, and don’t miss the 360-degree views from the 270-foot deck of the clock tower.

InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf
This waterfront hotel opened in 2017 in The Wharf neighborhood, home to tons of shops, restaurants, and events. Guests rave about InterContinental’s rooftop pool with gorgeous panoramas of the Potomac River and the pampering treatments at the luxury spa.

The Hay Adams Hotel
The Hay Adams, located downtown on Lafayette Square near the White House, is housed in an Italian Renaissance–style mansion. Grab a cocktail at the Off the Record Lounge, a swanky drink den decked out with red booths and caricatures of the city’s political elite.

Riggs Washington DC
This boutique property was formerly Riggs National Bank, which managed the finances of 23 presidents and their families. Look for features honoring its past life, including the bar housed in the original bank vault and rooms and suites with touches inspired by safety deposit boxes.

The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill
While the Royal Sonesta is the newest hotel on our list—the property debuted in fall 2023—it has already earned rave reviews. Popular perks for guests include a great pet policy (all well-mannered four-legged friends stay for free) and a convenient work suite for professionals.

Lyle
Whether you’re in town with colleagues, family or visiting solo, Lyle caters to all types of travelers. Ask about amenities such as fresh-baked treats for pets, rooms equipped with kitchenettes and children’s books and toys, and the 24-hour fitness center with a Peloton Bike.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Lincoln Memorial

Birmingham: England’s Second City Has a Bit of Everything