| Rightly famous for its fantastic sport,
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| | of the late, great Haçienda - unmissable
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| music and nightclubbing, it's a vibrant,
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| | for all the 24-hour party people.
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| historic yet forward-thinking city - but
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| | After all that culture, you'll then be
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| for many of us, the image conjured up
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| | ready to unwind and thankfully there's
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| when we think of Manchester is still one
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| | brilliant nightlife wherever you turn.
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| of soot-covered cotton mills, viewed
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| | There's the stylish, extravagant Gay
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| through sheets of rain.
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| | Village around Canal Street; Manchester
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| However, in a recent BBC survey, 48% of
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| | has been called the Gay Capital of the UK
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| respondents chose Manchester as the UK's
| |
| | and there's plenty here to back up that
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| Second City (ahead of Birmingham,
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| | claim - bars, restaurants, shops, clubs
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| Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool, the
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| | and naturally, the gay football team.
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| European Capital of Culture) and it's an
| |
| | Alternatively head over to Deansgate for
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| ideal destination for an energetic,
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| | comedy, upmarket drinking and haute
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| unique weekend or short break on the
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| | cuisine or down Oxford Road into the
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| cutting edge of culture and cool.
| |
| | happening student quarter with its
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| One of the first things to strike you on
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| | countless pubs and clubs. There really is
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| arrival in Manchester is the amazing mix
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| | every conceivable venue for that cosy
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| of stately, Victorian red-brick and
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| | pint here, including the Temple of
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| breathtakingly futuristic modern
| |
| | Convenience, a tiny, underground bar
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| architecture. The award-winning Imperial
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| | housed in a decommissioned public toilet!
|
| War Museum North, designed by
| |
| | With the city located right in the middle
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| Deconstructivist superstar Daniel
| |
| | of the country, there's just no excuse to
|
| Libeskind, is a great place to start -
| |
| | miss out on Manchester. There's a huge
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| and from the observation platform atop
| |
| | international airport, while its also
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| the Air Shard tower you can view the
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| | easily accessible by train or road if
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| canal, Salford Quays and The Lowry
| |
| | you'd rather cut down on the carbon
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| gallery, theatre and opera house complex.
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| | emissions. Several fine bars, restaurants
|
| Take in the historical sights of the
| |
| | and hotels are situated around Piccadilly
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| Victorian Gothic Town Hall and
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| | station in the centre of town. Try the
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| neo-Classical, circular Central Library
| |
| | Malmaison Manchester, a gorgeous building
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| at Albert Square. From there, the sheer,
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| | which was once a cotton warehouse, then a
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| sparkling Beetham Tower is immediately
| |
| | dolls' hospital, but is now a sumptuously
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| attention-grabbing as it's the UK's
| |
| | slinky, stylish place to chill out in the
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| tallest building outside London. Also
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| | funky red bar, be pampered in the
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| don't miss nearby Exchange Square with
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| | basement spa and finally crash out in one
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| its giant ferris wheel and the stunning,
| |
| | of the indulgent rooms or dramatic
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| triangular glass exhibition centre Urbis,
| |
| | suites.
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| which is home to fascinating art and
| |
| | There's so much to do and see that it'd
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| cultural exhibitions throughout the year.
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| | be mad not to stay a night or two in the
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| Among others, there's currently a free
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| | city that coined the term 'Madchester',
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| show on celebrating the 25th anniversary
| |
| | after all.
|
