Manchester is synonymous in many people's minds with entertainment and the city has given us arguably the world's best-known football team, as well as some great bands. Oasis, New Order, The Smiths, Buzzcocks and Joy Division all hail from Manchester. In the 1980s, the 'Madchester' scene saw the rise of The Inspiral Carpets, The Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses, who all gravitated around the famous Haçienda nightclub. The city also hosts the world-renowned Hallé Orchestra. It is the home of Granada TV and the long-running soap opera Coronation Street. The BBC has recently relocated to Salford Quays too, which has further increased the concentration of creative talent in the city.

The MEN Arena in Manchester has hosted some of the world's greatest music acts, as well as comedy and sports. Lady Gaga has performed there twice and it has also seen performances from Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Westlife. In general, nightlife is centred in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, which has some great clubs. Don't forget to also visit Chinatown, which has some excellent Chinese restaurants.

One of the city's most famous icons is Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. You can tour the ground and see behind the scenes, which is a great day out for football fans. Rivals Manchester City play at the Etihad stadium, which hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002. The building of this stadium and expansion of facilities in Salford is typical of the rejuvenation the city has enjoyed in recent years.

Manchester's history is chequered, with the Industrial Revolution imposing dreadful hardship and working conditions on workers, who toiled beneath the smoking chimneys that Lowry painted so well. But perhaps it is the same workers' grit that has kept this city vibrant and spirited. It could have disappeared into an industrial wasteland, but it didn't. It survived and thrived and has risen magnificently to the challenges of the modern age. You can find out about the history of the city by visiting the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and the People's History Museum. The Salford Museum and Art Gallery has a reconstructed Victorian street to amuse children.

Art galleries are also a feature of the city. The Whitworth Gallery houses a large collection of watercolours and textiles. The stunning Lowry Centre provides state-of-the-art gallery space on Salford Quays for the city's collection of Lowry paintings. It also houses two theatres. The Cube Gallery is focussed on modern urban design and architecture. Don't forget to check out what's on at the legendary Cornerhouse for film and cultural activities. It has outgrown its space and is due for a move, but it's always packed, which is testament to the quality of its offerings. Whatever your artistic tastes, you will probably find them catered for somewhere in the city.

One survivor from the industrial age in Manchester is the Manchester Ship Canal, which linked Liverpool and Manchester, enabling manufactured goods to be shipped out and raw materials to be shipped in much more quickly. You can take cruises down the canal today to Liverpool. The old Manchester Town Hall still stands in Albert Square. It was built in the Gothic-revival style and is considered to be one of the most noteworthy Victorian buildings in the country. Architecture enthusiasts should also visit Manchester Cathedral on Victoria Street.

Other places to visit in Manchester include Market Street, the pedestrianised heart of the shopping area and Canal Street, which is the home of the gay community. The largest shopping mall is The Trafford Centre. Look out for the stunning Beetham Tower, which dominates the skyline. If you fancy an up-market night out you can take a ride up the tower to Cloud 23, a bar which offers stunning views of the city from the 23rd floor. It's currently Manchester's tallest building and England's tallest residential tower.

If Manchester is your base it's easy to get out of town, with easy access to Leeds, the Lake District, the Peak District, North Wales and the seaside resort of Blackpool. Manchester really is the gateway to the North. Manchester flights are extremely competitively priced, so you can easily have an inexpensive weekend break.

Flights to Manchester (MAN) from London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) take just an hour and could not be more convenient.  Flights are operated several times a day with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

You can also fly there from many other domestic airports such as Southampton, Newquay, Exeter, Belfast, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as islands such Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Flights are operated by flybe and easyJet.

Manchester also has an extensive international network of flights from many European city and beach destinations, as well as long-haul destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia which connect to pretty much the entire globe. Emirates, Singapore Airlines, US Airways, United, American Airlines, Delta, Air France, Lufthansa, easyJet, Ryanair and Norwegian are just a few of the airlines operating into Manchester.

Getting to and from Manchester Airport is easy, as there are nine trains per hour to Manchester Piccadilly Station. Bus numbers 43, 44 and 105 go into the city centre.

Choosing the right area to stay in during your break in Manchester is essential to make sure you maximise your time. Whether you're visiting for sport, shopping, culture or history, there will be a type of accommodation to suit you.

City centre hotels are best for those looking to experience Manchester's great shopping, bars, restaurants, and attractions such as Manchester Museum, John Rylands Library and the Museum of Science and Industry. Those looking to stay somewhere with more of an alternative scene and quirky shops and bars could consider booking a hotel in the Northern Quarter.

Sports fans who are visiting to watch Manchester United or to go to OId Trafford cricket ground should look for hotels in Trafford. This will give you easy access to these sports sites while still being within easy reach of the city centre. This is also the best area to stay in if you are planning to hit the shops in the Trafford Centre or go to one of the attractions such as Airkix or Chill Factore.