Manchester - Weekend destination

I used to live in Edinburgh. Years before that I worked for American Express in London handling bookings for tourists arriving in the UK from far-off places like Japan, Taiwan and the US. I would book these travellers in to top hotels in London, York, Chester, Stratford and Edinburgh, and off they would go to get a real taste of life in Britain. Or would they?

There is no doubt that the cities I mention should always be included in a tour of our island.

However, I've travelled a lot around the country in the past 20 years, and it is clear that other cities have 'grown up'. They may not feature the narrow Tudor streets, olde worlde pubs and Norman castles, but they are in fact a better representation of life in Britain today.

Since I'm from Manchester, I've obviously witnessed the improvements in my city more than anywhere else. Especially since I lived in Edinburgh at the time of the IRA bomb in 1996, and came home several years later to see the great facelift after that, followed by the sprucing up for the Commonwealth Games.

However, I could also be singing the praises of Liverpool, Glasgow or Bristol. All great cities in which to spend some time.

To those who have had a say in the re-shaping of the City of Manchester - its architecture, shopping, vibrant nightlife, excellent airport and Piccadilly station, galleries and museums, plus its (red!!) football team, I say congratulations. Let's take pride in the nature of our city and its people. It won't be long before American Express come knocking on our door!

Roger