Manchester, like many of its northern cousins, has a growing reputation among the "Nation's Youth". It has the world's greatest football team (in Bolton Wanderers) and some of the best nightlife this side of the Tropical Rainforests. The city is booming and signs of further regeneration are everywhere. There are more pubs, cafe's, and Tapas Bars than you could throw a stick at and fewer Manchester United fans than in Beijing. The tram system is fantastic and the new "Leisure Quarter" on the site of the bomb blast is set to be a beauty. Even so it is amazingly easy to get around on foot - 10-15 minutes max to get from one end of the city to the other.

If you like eating, or find that it is useful for long-term survival, then check out China Town for, er, Chinese. So many people from around the world have settled in Manchester and so we end up with an entire "Curry Mile" near the university, kebab shops galore, Thai, Mexican; hell even Fish and Chips. And Tapas bars (that's pubs with cooked nibbles that you pay for).

Musically there's something for everyone even though the mecca that was the Hacienda has now been auctioned off. The Nynex Arena is a pretty decent venue for bands and Bridgewater Hall, we are told, is a place purpose-built for the Halle Orchestra so take a sneaky peeky if that's your thing. Loads of bands have sprung up from this place - most in the Hacienda haydays - and now the club scene is thriving again with clubs catering for the whole 9 yards; trance, dance, techno, garage, leftfield-breakbeat-with-skatehop-4/4beat-ragga, etc, etc. Affleck's Palace shopping arcade is a good place to get some clubby-wear.

The city centre is also alive with cultural attractions. The fascinating Castlefield Heritage Park tells Manchester's story from Roman times with a range of museums and attractions built around the site of the world's first passenger railway station. The city centre is home to yet more museums, six theatres and several art galleries. Whether your interest is in fine art, classical drama, natural history, musicals or alternative cabaret - the city always has something on offer.
Manchester loves its sport and not just football - apparently the cricket team ain't bad and they're building a new athletics stadium and massive swimming pool in their bid to attract major sports events and more cash.