Travel

[MtP07]

Mtp is going to spend all his time on Canal Street ! make of that what you will :D

You lil ********er... :D You've met my gf! :D

[MtP07]

From the two maps, definitely "City Centre" but I wouldn't say there's masses of touristy things to do in either.

The quays area has a few things, Lowry Centre and art gallery, War Museum, Designer shopping outlet, cinema and a few restaurants. These are all located close to where it says "Bridgewater Canal" on the map.

That's a very liberal interpretation of Salford Quays by the way. I've only ever lived in Stretford and Eccles and they're certainly not part of the quays imo, just plain old suburbs. Oh and Trafford Park is one of Europe's largest industrial estates so not much to do there, although there is a go-karting centre.

In the City Centre you're mainly looking at a few museums including the Museum of Science and Industry, The Peoples History Museum, Manchester Museum and Urbis. There's a couple of art gallerys, one in the city centre and one a little off the map close to the University.

In the town itself you'll also find a couple of cinemas and about 5 theatres. There's also much more in the way of night-life with numerous clubs/ bars/ restaurants / comedy venues / music venues etc. and there's just a much more lively feel to the place.

Within all that there's areas that are distinct with a general style/theme running through them.

Close to the University and Oxford Rd in general (just off St Peter's Square) it's students heaven where the beer is at it's cheapest and there's quite a few pubs/bars with live music.

Castlefield and the locks (near g-mex on the map) is kind of laid back in a trendy sort of way. It's where the ultra-chich used to hang out alot although it's not nearly as snobby as it once was.

The Northern Quarter, close to where StrikerCW stayed is culturally diverse and offers lots of different ethnic food (just north of Piccadilly gardens on the map).

East of Picadilly Gardens is the gay village which is on the whole a friendly, welcoming place. Don't necessarily be put off by the name (just in case you were), as it's relaxed around there with many pavement cafes and stuff like that. Alot of women used to say they enjoyed hanging out in that area as they felt safe, this in turn has attracted more straight men to the area so it's not completely gay, just relaxed and chilled.

Sort of south of Piccadilly gardens on the map is China town. It's not huge but another good choice of restaurants.

There's a big shopping area close to Market Street and that's where you'll find the Arndale Centre, a large mall. Close to that is the triangle which has upmarket shopping and near there is the Printworks which houses a cinema, casino, hard rock cafe and a few bars. The city centre portion of the A56 on the map is Deansgate which is quite a bustling street full of shops/restaurants.

There's a few "squares" in town. St. Peters, St Anns and Albert that are ok just to hang out in and relax with shopping areas nearby. Albert square also houses the town hall which is quite an impressive building I suppose.

There's not masses to do but to cut things short the city centre would be best imo as there's much more life and energy about the place. You'll never go short of somewhere to eat or drink.

If you mark a triangle on the map between Gmex, Victoria and Picadilly metrolink stations you're pretty much incorporating most of the interesting stuff. I don't know what your legs are like but I'd happily cover that whole area on foot.

We've got decent public transport anyway (bus and metrolink) and there's tons of taxis about if you choose to stay outside of the city centre.

That's a shortened version of what I PM'ed Striker with when he came to stay, if you're reading this and still have them then go ahead and forward them to MtP07. I don't mind. Actually, now I think of it, they'll still be in my "sent items" folder. If you want them Mtp07, just say so.

Edit: You're getting it whether you like it or not, I'll copy and paste it. :)

Oooh, my new tour guide. ;) Thanks so much for the info! I definitely owe you a pint or 10 when I get there... :)

[MtP07]

Anybody have a preference of Aer Lingus over Ryan Air?

[StrikerCW]

Whichever one is cheaper. IIRC the Aer Lingus is a little more of a real airline as opposed the cheap ones. I don't really remember though. :o

[50 Euro]

Whichever one is cheaper. IIRC the Aer Lingus is a little more of a real airline as opposed the cheap ones. I don't really remember though. :o
Yep, Ryanair is more of a budget airline, a la Southwest.

Flown Aer Lingus loads of times, no complaints...:)

[JC7rox]

I can't believe no one has taken the Aer Lingus joke....

[Howard Zinn]

I was accepted into my study abroad program and will be spending spring semester in Dublin. :)

Does billy still post around these parts? I think it's about time for a meet-up. :D

[StrikerCW]

I was accepted into my study abroad program and will be spending spring semester in Dublin. :)

Does billy still post around these parts? I think it's about time for a meet-up. :D
NICE. Its a nice city. You'll have fun (not too much hopefully. :D)

[Howard Zinn]

Striker, how are the women? :D

[StrikerCW]

Striker, how are the women? :D
Better per capita than in London and Manchester. But not as good as Barcelona.

[Leto]

Anyone been to Cork or Galway? I've spending 4 days in Ireland in Dec. and I'm trying to figure out the best itinerary.

Galway's a great place to visit - very laid-back, musical, artsy, loads of pubs. It'd also be a great place to see some traditional Irish music or hear it spoken, if you have any interest in that side of things.

[Leto]

Anybody have a preference of Aer Lingus over Ryan Air?

It's cheap = I like it. I've got Dublin-Edinburgh for 20 euro return in November (which my college is paying for...I love junkets). It depends how long your flight is though, it won't be overly comfortable. That said, the couple of times that I've been on Aer Lingus it hasn't been especially pleasant either, and they're more expensive.

[Numquam Moribimur]

Ok it's offical this time ! I'll be Irleand/England in May of 07 for about 3 weeks ! so start planing now to meet with me :D

[jayro75]

Galway's a great place to visit - very laid-back, musical, artsy, loads of pubs. It'd also be a great place to see some traditional Irish music or hear it spoken, if you have any interest in that side of things.

Seconded.....

[StrikerCW]

Ok it's offical this time ! I'll be Irleand/England in May of 07 for about 3 weeks ! so start planing now to meet with me :D
Where you going, NM?

[Numquam Moribimur]

County Mayo - louisberg/westport...My fam still has a house there then spend sometime in dublin then london/Bristol and then Manchesterrrrrrrr :D

[mhtwins113]

So I have a hell of a chance of being able to go across the pond and study somewhere in the UK for a semester. Can I get some recommendations from Euro-posters as to which university back there offers the best total package (i.e. academics, social life, location, weather, etc)?

And for the record, yes the University of Manchester is available to me. :p

[Howard Zinn]

Ok it's offical this time ! I'll be Irleand/England in May of 07 for about 3 weeks ! so start planing now to meet with me :D

Will you be in Dublin the first two weeks of May?


So I have a hell of a chance of being able to go across the pond and study somewhere in the UK for a semester. Can I get some recommendations from Euro-posters as to which university back there offers the best total package (i.e. academics, social life, location, weather, etc)?

And for the record, yes the University of Manchester is available to me. :p

Which semester will you be going?

[mhtwins113]

Which semester will you be going?
Fall 07 or Spring 08.

[Leto]

Fall 07 or Spring 08.

Tut tut...when you're over here it's autumn '07 or spring '08 ;)