Recently Newcastle has transformed itself in to the north east’s top tourist location in addition to turning into the regions business centre. Investment in the city centre along with the neighboring areas have helped to make a modern, dynamic city that includes a number of world class facilities and frequently comes top in the best locations to live and work in the united kingdom. There are numerous reasons to visit Newcastle and it has been selected as the United kingdom’s favourite city break for four consecutive years in The Guardian/Observer travel awards. Newcastle provides a wide range of great attractions for the family and a weekend break won’t be enough to explore all of them. It is well known that the north east is a hotbed of sporting zeal and seeing that Newcastle United are back in the Premier league there are sure to be thousands of soccer fans from across the nation doing the trip to St James’s Park. The Great North Run is another event that draws in tens of thousands of runners and spectators to the city each year and also helps to raise millions of pounds for charity. Shopping in Newcastle is something of a pastime for its inhabitants and it’s not hard to understand why. The MetroCentre has the biggest shopping centre and complex in Europe with many top name brands in one location. With the Newcastle Quayside Market starting in July 2010 plus the already established Grainger market, Jesmond market and the Farmers & Country marketplace you’re hard pressed not to get a bargain somewhere. Newcastle is well known across the nation for its nightlife and it has something to offer everybody to guarantee a terrific night out. The Quayside and the Bigg market attract a lively, young crowd and for the slightly more mature there are a large number of traditional pubs, theatres and also excellent restaurants. And of course no visit to Newcastle would be complete without sampling the famous Newcastle Brown Ale at least one time. There is a great range of hotels in Newcastle to choose from when you’re reserving your accommodation for the weekend. From B&B’s to five star hotels there’s accommodation to match each and every pocket and I can personally recommend the Rosebery Hotel in Jesmond as a wonderful place to stay.