Creative Republic

Today I came across a double page spread in Visit Birmingham’s Pocket Guide for 2009. It basically gives you an example 48 hour itinerary for a weekend in Birmingham. Reading it reminded me just how much to do there is in Birmingham, but looking at it in more detail I considered; could I afford this weekend in Birmingham? Not that Birmingham is a particularly expensive place, just the example itinerary had some of the premier attractions included - as it should I might add, that's the job of a tourism guide! But I got to wondering what an alternative 48 hours might look like, how it would compare for cost, and would it be as interesting, or maybe even more interesting?

So, to get started I have detailed below the itinerary from Visit Birmingham. The original obviously did not have cost estimates, so I have had a dig around and added some prices to it myself. I’ve based it around a 2 person trip only. Might do a family one later.

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Saturday

“We’ll start the day with some fun!”
It could be Cadbury World - to shower in chocolate rain and chase runaway Creame Eggs…
Entrance Fee: £13.45 per person
Spending Money: £10 on chocs

“Time for Lunch…”
Let’s eat by the waterside. The Oriental Bar and Restaurant was voted one of the best Pan-Asian resturants in the country. It’s at the Mailbox.
Lunch for 2: SINGAPORE STYLE FRIED NOODLES and STIR FRIED NOODLES WITH CHICKEN - CHINESE with Drinks.
Total: £21.50

“Art or Jewellery? You choose.”
How about the wonderful Pre-Raphaelite collection at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery? It’s the biggest in the country. Free Entry. Or we could wander through the Jewellery quarter. We might spot a bargain or have something designed.
Free. Luverly Jubbly.

“I’ve already booked dinner”
Its at the award winning Lasan Restaurant off St Paul’s Square. Contemporary Indian menu, sounds perfect.
Starters: Hyderabadi Seekh Kebab and Paneer Dil Khush Tikka (V)
Mains: Allepy Fish Curry and Thengapal Duck with Peshawari Nan and Pilau Rice
Desserts: Chocolate Mousse and Mango & Almond Crumble
To Drink: Chianti Rufina, Fattoria di Basciano (Bottle of)
Total: £87.90

“Lets go on somewhere”
I’ve heard about the Arcadian - it’s a great nightspot in the Chinese Quarter. Or shall we head across to Summerrow? There are some cool places to drink there, and Mechu has a champagne bar.
Couple of drinks each in the Arcadian: £12
Singapore Sling and Champagne Cocktail in Mechu: £17.90
Club Entry: £20
Drinks in Club: £40
Black cab in the early hours to accommodation in the suburbs: £20

And for sunday…

“We’ll take it easy this morning”
A stroll around the Sunday Flea Market at The Custard Factory sounds pretty interesting, or we could look in for some gentle, interactive fun at ThinkTank, Millennium Point’s Science Museum.
A couple of breakfast Crepes and a bit of spending money at the market: £20
ThinkTank entrance fee (still for 2, we’ve both made it up this morning…): £18

“Simpson’s next - but without Bart or Homer!”
Fantastic! An unforgettable Michelin-starred Sunday Lunch - the restaurant’s open until 2pm”
From the lunch menu:
Tartare of sashimi tuna, avocado,aubergine, quail eggs & Avruga caviar
Roast Gressingham duck, bok choi, cashew nuts, yellow peach, five spice sauce
Cœur de Guanaja chocolate & raspberry mousse, cacao streusel & raspberry sorbet

and

Terrine of ham hock & chicken, sweetcorn purée, truffle vinaigrette
Fillets of sea bream, red & yellow pepper fondue, crispy polenta, fennel cream
Vanilla panna cotta, poached peach & lavender espuma

Conde de Valdemar: Martinez Buajanda, Rioja,Spain2005
Total: £86

“If we can’t decide, let’s do both”
While you are having your spa treatment at the Hyatt, I’d like to call into the Ikon Gallery. It’s got a great reputation. Very innovative and wide-ranging work. Free entry too, so you can have that chocolate facial at Amala.
Total: £70

“Lunch was great; I’d just like a really authentic, light Italian dish”
Me too. Back to St Paul’s Square then. Pasta di Piazza looked pretty good.
Neptune Pizza and Risotto Italiano: £17.10
Couple of glasses of wine: £7

“Now, one final treat before we go…”
The Electric Cinema! Brilliant! This is how great movies should be seen. What an amazing place, and what a history. It beats our multiplex for sure.
2 x entrance (with a Sofa) to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: £24

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Nice. Ok, so that lot has cost me: £498.30

I’d like to put together an alternative itinerary for a weekend in Birmingham. I still want to retain some good eating and drinking and some memorable experiences, but I’m interested to see what we can do for lesser budgets.