| Newcastle upon Tyne, and the North-East overall, | | | | catches the eye. Inside, visitors can watch |
| have a well-earned reputation for passionate | | | | rehearsals in practice and join workshops, as well |
| football fans, fine ale and a rather | | | | as international concerts covering every possible |
| incomprehensible, if endearing, dialect; and there's | | | | musical genre in three performance spaces all |
| no doubt that these things will be in evidence on | | | | designed for incredible acoustics. |
| any visit to Newcastle and Gateshead. However, | | | | Also in the Quays development you'll find the |
| with the recent installations of outstanding public | | | | huge BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, |
| art and music venues, alongside marvels of | | | | which houses a constantly changing programme |
| architecture and engineering from Victorian times | | | | of exhibitions and activities so there's always |
| to the present day, there's actually much more to | | | | something fresh, and the award-winning 'Blinking |
| the modern Tyneside than these proud traditions. | | | | Eye' Millennium Bridge. Locals are understandably |
| One obvious reason to visit is, naturally, to watch | | | | proud of the bridge with its elegant, unusual tilting |
| Newcastle United in action at the iconic St. James' | | | | construction, and consider it superior to London's |
| Park, situated right in the centre of the city. The | | | | equivalent as it opened on time and doesn't |
| spring's Tyne-Wear derby against bitter rivals | | | | wobble! Art lovers should also check out the Side |
| Sunderland, is a particular favourite for the locals, | | | | and Laing galleries, with plenty of nearby street |
| but be prepared for feelings and emotions running | | | | sculptures and installations including the sparkling |
| high! | | | | Blue Carpet Square, and the monumental, |
| A recent survey of Barclays Premier League | | | | 20-metre tall public sculpture 'Angel of the North' |
| supporters found Newcastle fans to be by far the | | | | by Antony Gormley OBE in Gateshead. |
| most dedicated to their club, cheerfully sacrificing | | | | There's just too much to pack in to one day, but |
| time with partners and families to attend matches. | | | | luckily, plenty of varied accommodation is available |
| Perhaps thanks to this fervent support, the 'Toon | | | | in the 'canny toon'. At one end of the spectrum, |
| Army' are having a great season, and if you're | | | | hostels such as the Albatross Backpacker Inn |
| lucky enough to witness anything like the ludicrous | | | | provide a cheap and very cheerful place to stay; |
| overhead bicycle-kick goal that Obafemi Martins | | | | or if you're feeling a little more flush, then more |
| scored against Bolton - not to mention his | | | | up market accommodation is available in places |
| flamboyant, gymnastic celebrations - it'll have | | | | such as The Swallow Hotel Gateshead, which has |
| been well worth the trip. Afterwards, soak up | | | | a pool, spa and sauna, and is ideally situated right |
| some of the local atmosphere, banter and brew | | | | in the centre of the Newcastle-Gateshead |
| at the much-loved Strawberry pub just outside | | | | conurbation. |
| the Gallowgate end, which can proudly proclaim its | | | | The compact city centre is crammed with |
| chips to be 'the best that Sir Bobby Robson has | | | | entertainment, museums, shopping and nightlife, |
| ever tasted'. | | | | while if you venture a little further a field in search |
| If football leaves you cold, or if you've been | | | | of tranquility you'll find scenic locations like Alnwick |
| there, done that and fancy something a bit more | | | | Castle Gardens, Northumberland National Park, |
| highbrow, there's a wealth of stimulating cultural | | | | Hadrian's Wall and Holy Island, and miles of |
| sights and happenings just minutes downhill from | | | | beautiful, unspoilt coastline. Many of these |
| St. James' on the historic Quayside. The unique, | | | | destinations are accessible via the affordable and |
| curvy, glittering outline of The Sage Gateshead, | | | | efficient Metro service from anywhere in |
| designed by Lord Foster's practice, immediately | | | | Newcastle, Gateshead or Sunderland. |