What to See and Do in Manchester

Once you've dragged yourself away from your apartment, stretch your legs on an  Urban Culture Trail and be wowed by the city's amazing musical heritage from the Halle Orchestra to Factory Records and the Hacienda.

In stark contrast to our apartments' sleek interiors, take a guided tour of the jaw dropping, neo-gothic  'library in cathedral form'built in memory of one of Manchester's wealthiest nineteenth-century industrialists, John Rylands. And if Pugin's your bag then head for Manchester Monastery.

In with the new. Check out the very contemporary design of the Imperial War Museum North by  Daniel Libeskind (and its fascinating exhibitions).

Retail therapy? High rollers could check out DKNY, Armani,Vivienne Westwood (with a separate  Anglomania and accessories store), and the divine accessories hall at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. For modest budgets, Manchester offers all of the high street favourites and areas such as the Northern Quarter offer sanctuary to independent designers - many of whom can be found in Afflecks Palace.

While you're in the Northern Quarter make sure to visit the renowned Craft and Design centre for unique works of art. And you could eat at Sweet Mandarin - highly recommended by sweary mary Gordon Ramsay.

Funky, unique Manchester has some amazing bars and restaurants - so many it really is hard to choose the best. However, we always rate The Cornerhouse for its ability to combine good food and drink with cutting-edge films and visual arts, and the cocktails at The Alchemist are top notch.

"Self catering couldn't be more groovy." The Telegraph's Stella magazine

"There are no bellhops nor a gym...instead you get a Mac Mini, free Wi-Fi, an espresso machine and a juicer (oranges included)." The New York Times

""..the Rotunda is superbly located bang in the city centre with New Street and the famous Christmas market less than 20ft from our door – perfect for dropping off those heavy shopping bags."" North Devon Journal