The best thing about cities that have been down and out is how dramatically they can be reinvented. Take Birmingham for example. Once all about toil and industry, today the city is brimming with fun things to do. Rent a barge and cruise along the canals lined with shops and restaurants. Or head indoors to the Ikon gallery and the BMAG for everything from an Egyptian mummy to the latest art installations. If you're curious about this area's gritty past, the Black Country Living Museum has trams that will bring you deep into a coal mine. Book your hotel today at rates that are almost as brilliant as Birmingham itself!