Stepping out of the ICC Birmingham, you will either find yourself in Brindleyplace, a picturesque network of canals bursting with bars and restaurants or in Centenary Square, opened in 1989 to mark the centenary of its city status, taking a break from the Congress is easy and rewarding.

The Victorians called Birmingham, ‘the workshop of the world’ and its heritage dates back to the Middle Ages. Want to find out more? Then a visit to Birmingham Cathedral is a must, while the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter tells the story of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s renowned jewellery and metalworking roots.

For culture, Birmingham has a compelling and eclectic arts scene. The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelites in the world while The Ikon is one of Europe's leading contemporary art galleries, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts sits happily in between with exhibits old and new.

Music lovers will be glad to hear that the Symphony Hall is a mere stone’s throw away, and it is regarded, by many, as the finest concert hall in Europe. If you have more contemporary tastes, there are hundreds of smaller venues across the city hosting not only well known bands, but up and coming artists.

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Want more? Then there is always the wide variety of nightclubs, comedy performances, theatres and cinemas. If shopping is more up your street, a visit to the Mailbox, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, in its iconic building, should be on your to-do-list. Something a little different can be found in the Balti Triangle. The shops here sell Eastern style clothing, exotic fabrics and jewellery all lavishly displayed.

With over 500 restaurants, including three Michelin starred establishments and hundreds of bars and pubs, you are spoilt for choice. The only limitations are your budget and imagination! There are stylish restaurants and café bars at the Mailbox and Brindleyplace and a whole range of pubs, bars and restaurants along Broad Street. The Chinese Quarter, with its array of restaurants and specialist supermarkets, is just a short walk away and the legendary Balti restaurants can be found all over the city most famously in the Balti Triangle.