If East Yorkshire is not on your destination list for this year - then it should be.

Proudly sat on the banks of the River Humber, Kingston upon Hull boasts a fantastic city which breathes history, culture and progression.

It fantastically weaves its traditional heritage and important historic significances with its modern installations and attractions.

It was crowned the UK City of Culture in 2017 and fully deserves this title, which it will keep for four years.

During my visit I stopped at one of the city's iconic modern attractions, The Deep.

The aquarium, opened in 2002, which has more than 5,000 animals within its walls, which range from sharks, manta rays to clown fish.

It is one of the Millennium Commission's successful projects and has fantastic penguin feeding demonstrations, interactive learning material and more.

There's something there for all ages and The Deep helps promotes the importance of cleaner seas, how humans interact with sealife, as well as learning all about what lives in our earth's oceans.

There's also a cafe which opens from 10am to 5.30pm, meaning you can take the whole family and have somewhere to stop and grab a bite to eat.

For £12.60 for adults and £9.90 for children (its online prices, under 3's go free) you definitely get your money's worth.

The economy of Hull was built on trading and seafaring, which lead to merchant's houses and warehouses popping up all across the city.

I discovered this fascinating history during a delightful tour of Hull Old Town.

Our tour guide, the magnificent Paul Schofield, took us on two-hour fact-filled wonder around its old buildings, learning about its most famous MP, William Wilberforce, who led the abolition of the slave trade movement, Hull Minster, and how one incident in Hull may have led to the start of the English Civil War.

Going hungry in this city is something I will safely say could not happen, with its vast restaurants and cafes.

During my stay I managed to grab a bite to eat at a delightful cafe, Liquid Jade.

This vintage-esque independent business had a fantastic selection of teas and coffee and a range of sandwiches to eat -well worth a visit if you want a quick bite during your travels.

Going thirsty will also be impossible in Hull, with a vast range of traditional pubs, fancy bars and trendy ale houses, there's a tipple for everyone.

During my stay I was able to have a go at making my own gin in a masterclass experience at the Hotham's Gin School and Distillery - housed in Hull's Trinity Indoor Market.

A three-hour course, lead by owners Simon and Emma, included a detailed guide on how to brew your own flavour of gin, picking from dozens of ingredients, as well as learning about the history of gin - and being given lots of free drinks along the way.

This was a fantastic experience, from selecting and smelling each ingredient, to putting on the wax finish on the cork, a must try for every gin lover.

Its award as the city of culture is backed up by its brilliant museum quarter and art galleries.

Here there are several free museums to visit, such as the Streetlife Museum, Wilberforce House, and the Hull and East Riding Museum, all packed with interesting features and facts from the city's past.

Humber Street and the surrounding marina are full of fantastic places to eat.

Ambiente Tapas took my eye, a beautifully decorated Spanish restaurant.

Feeling peckish after all the gin-making, I selected some beautifully cooked chorizo patatas, albondigas de la casa - pork meatballs to me and you, and, brocheta de pollo, a very nice chicken skewer dish.

The service was very good, with a polite waiter who made sure all needs were catered for, and food was brought to us hot and fresh in a good time.

Three dishes cost £10.95, which was a fantastic price considering the quantity and quality of each one.

They left me feeling full and very content.

I stayed in the Holiday Inn on the marina, which was very comfortable and very close by to all the marina attractions, bars, restaurants, and only a five minute walk into the city centre.

Kingston Upon Hull is not only a city on the up, but a city that has managed to put itself on the map and become one of the most must-see places in the north of England.

FACT BOX

Main routes into Hull include the M62, leading into the A63, from the west.

The M180 leading to A15 over the Humber Bridge from the south.

Masterclass gin distillery experience £150 (www,hothams.co.uk)

Holiday Inn Hull Marina room: Reservations on 0371 423 4876 or www.holidayinn.com

The Deep (www.thedeep.co.uk) £14 on the door; child aged three to 15, £11