Discover the secrets of ... the perfect weekend break.

When it all gets a bit too much, a weekend break provides the perfect excuse to leave everything behind and indulge in a little rest and relaxation. Whether it's a treat, escape or romantic break, there's nothing like spending a couple of days away from the worries of everyday life.

With rich history, vibrant culture, sweeping landscapes and buzzing metropolises just waiting to be explored right on our doorstep, you don't even have to leave the country. Plus, a weekend break in the UK is more environmentally friendly and you won't have to desparately flick through a foreign dictionary just to order a bottle of wine...

But how to know where to go? Click on the categories below to find out what these fair shores have to offer.

Culture

For an all-singing, all-dancing, culture extravaganza, London's West End theatres, plethora of performing arts and wealth of galleries and museums are truly second to none. Further afield, Liverpool is currently celebrating its status as 2008 European Culture Capital, offering more galleries and museums than any other city in the UK outside London, as well as theatres, poetry - thanks to the rich Beat Poet heritage - and, of course, The Beatles Story.

The bi-annual St. Endellion Music Festival in Cornwall takes place for a week during Easter and in the Summer and brings together musicians from all over the world, while north of the border in Edinburgh, the celebrated Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and other festivals, including Jazz, Film and the Military Tattoo take place throughout August. For lovers of literature, Stratford upon Avon is abundant in Shakespeare history.