Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a colourful city in the north east of England with a rich history, cosmopolitan present and vibrant future. Local people are known as Geordies, and speak a dialect of English that incorporates facets of Scottish and Norse. Newcastle Brown (Broon, in Geordie) is the beer of choice, and patrons enjoy it in many traditional pubs. The city has Roman roots, with Hadrian's Wall ending here in the fort of Segedunum, and there are still ruins to explore in the city's suburb of Wallsend. Newcastle is separated from neighbouring Gateshead by the River Tyne, but is linked by several bridges, including the Tyne and Millennium Bridges, easily the most photogenic.

The Centre for Life is the embodiment of modern Newcastle, an important stem-cell research centre and academy of health and education. For art lovers, modern and classic works mingle together in the Laing Gallery, and shoppers will not be disappointed by the Metro Centre, the largest shopping mall in Europe, featuring stores, a cinema, restaurants and even its own chapel.