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