If you're thinking about a holiday in the north-east of England, a trip to Newcastle could be the perfect choice.

The region is chock-full of fun activities, interesting historic sites and natural beauty, while the friendly people, delicious local cuisine and fabulous shopping will certainly make you feel at home.

Whether you're going on a business trip, want to spend a weekend with your family or are looking for a romantic city break, here at NewcastleGateshead – the official tourism organisation for the area – we can help you plan the perfect getaway.

Learn about local attractions and find out what's on – there's always a gig or festival to be found. We can even help you book accommodation that suits your requirements, whether you're looking to go self-catering in Newcastle, or want a luxury hotel or a youth hostel in the city centre.

See the sights

Located on the River Tyne, Newcastle and Gateshead are cosmopolitan areas with plenty of historic architecture, museums, shopping centres and restaurants serving up mouth-watering dishes.

The river itself is a major destination for sightseers, as an eclectic mix of picturesque bridges connect Newcastle and Gateshead. The newest is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which was completed in 2001. Its contemporary design features two sweeping arches, and the entire structure tilts when boats need to pass underneath.

There's also the Tyne Bridge, an expansive green archway bridge with impressive steelwork that was constructed during the 1920s. Five other bridges also span the waterway.

City walking tours are available for much of the year – they include strolls along the river and provide loads of insight into and interesting information about the history of the region.

Standing on the edge of the river on the Newcastle side will also give visitors the best view of another of the area's distinctive landmarks: The Sage. This arts and music venue opened in 2004 and its unique organic design has become a local icon.

If you're looking for a bit of history, head to the Castle Keep – this medieval fortification is Newcastle's namesake, and was built in the late 12th century. Grainger Town is the historic district and is where you'll find many of the finest buildings from the city's Victorian heyday.

The beginning of Hadrian's Wall is just outside the city centre, and travellers can also visit the remains of Segedunum, a Roman Fort that dates back to the 2nd century. Alternatively, if you'd like to get a bit of fresh air and see some lovely landscapes, the Northumblerland coast and Tynemouth areas are all ripe for exploration.

Plan your next getaway with NewcastleGateshead

To find out more about what to see during your visit to the north-east, visit the NewcastleGateshead website today. As well as giving a glimpse of everything that the region has to offer, we can also make it easy for you to book the perfect accommodation for your requirements.

In addition to the various hotels and B&Bs in the area, there are also a number of self catering holiday apartments in Newcastle, and these are particularly popular among families and groups travelling to the region.

For example, there are luxury self catering apartments in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which feature modern furnishings and offer exquisite views of the Quayside area. Or you could opt for self-catering cottages in Tynemouth that are just a short trip to the city centre, but also offer easy access to the local areas of natural beauty.