MANCHESTER: history, art, football, beer, bees and friendliness
Text and Photos by Cesare Zucca
Welcome to Manchester, England: a mix of Victorian structures, former industrial buildings and spectacular ultramodern constructions. A ballet of styles and architecture often highlighted by the birthplace of world-famous football, a city full of world-class art galleries and a music scene that has seen the local band Oasis take centre stage. 
Oh, and bees, which have been the iconic symbol of this city of hard-working, industrious people since 1840, rightly proud of its connection to the industrious insect. When you walk the streets of Manchester, look around and you will see them everywhere.
In Manchester you will discover legendary pubs, trendy restaurants, food markets, vintage record shops, trendy boutiques and the colourful atmosphere of the Village, one of the most famous gay neighbourhoods in Britain. 
In short: days full of excitement and a nightlife that will have you dancing from dusk till dawn accompanied by generous pints of beer, and what a beer!
Ready for your tour of the city?
A great solution will be to join the Free Manchester Walking Tour, a free excursion that every day at 11.00 starts from the Alan Turing Memorial, .
and where you will be accompanied by a guide who will illustrate the history of the city.
TO SEE
The Cathedral dating back to 1215 and characterized by its large neo-Gothic tower, the pulpit and the wooden apse and the splendid stained glass windows. John Rylands Library, a spectacular Gothic-style building that houses reading rooms, a library and high spiral staircases.
Manchester Art Gallery, houses collections of fine art, ceramics and costumes.
Manchester Museum, to discover the history of the city
Science and Industry Museum, traces the development of science, technology and industry with an emphasis on the results achieved by the city in these fields.
National Football Museum, a paradise for all football fans and Etihad Stadium, the spectacular home of the famous Manchester City football team. 
For its innovative design, the stadium won the special award of the Association of Structural Engineers in 2003 and, a year later, also that of the British Architects.
VINYLMANIA
Music lovers and record collectors will discover exceptional emporiums, such as the Vinyl Exchange, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records, famous throughout the world. There are also many gems in the suburbs such as the Sifter in Burna, immortalised in the Oasis song “Shakermaker” while in Chorlton, Kingbee Records offers a treasure trove of rare records including the albums by Wet Wet Wet, Meat Loaf, Nirvana, Pearl Jam or a precious Beatles album autographed by Lennon or MacCartney
THE NORTHERN QUARTER
Here we are in Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, the trendiest area of the city. Here you will find the largest number of second-hand shops on a single street in the whole of the United Kingdom. 
Starting from Piccadilly Gardens to Blue Rinse, a huge vintage shop that sells clothing by the kilo, you will discover many eclectic emporiums including Oxfam Originals, Gone Fishing, Affleck, Cow and Zeffa, known and appreciated for over 40 years.
FOOD TO ENJOY
Among the local specialties we find “Lancashire Hotpot”, a stew based on lamb, onions and potatoes, the famous “Manchester caviar” which is in fact a delicious puree of peas, served with meat or fish. Enjoy the pie, a savoury pie filled with meat and vegetables and enriched with an inevitable touch of cheese. 
“Manchester Egg” is the most representative dish of the city. It is a pickled egg covered in sausage meat, breaded and fried, while among the desserts “Eccles Cake” stands out, composed of two circular layers of puff pastry filled with currants.
On a weekend in Manchester it is a must to taste the most iconic dish of the city: fish & chips. You will find it everywhere and the best, according to the locals, is The Fish Hut. I have tasted it and I confirm it: tasty, tender, crunchy.
WHERE TO EAT
Mackie Mayor is a street food paradise specialising in international cuisines, from New Wave Ramen to Pico’s Tacos, to vegetarian dishes at Grub, Society, which hosts five excellent local kitchens, while Vocation offers 40 types of craft beers, considered among the best in the world.
Speaking of beer, treat yourself to a stop (or stops…) at the city’s traditional pubs.
Among the most renowned: Pelican, Piccadilly Tap, Beermoth, Smithfield Market Tavern and the historic Marble Arch on Rochdale Road.
My favourite? Wether Spoons Seven Stars, busy, welcoming and very popular with Mancunians, hosts a sensational collection of beers and tasty traditional foods.
I loved Sam’s Chop House, a historic pub that has been welcoming Manchester’s foodies with the best of British food and drink since 1868. Check out their menu and you’ll find everything that makes old England. I enjoyed their famous “Corned Beef Hash” topped with poached egg, bacon and gravy, followed by a meat pie and kidney pudding, mashed potatoes and creamed peas….
If you want to experience essential and pleasantly alternative cuisine, here is Erst, by chef Patrick Withington. The menu is a collection of small plates designed for sharing, the dishes change depending on whats in season and the quality of the produce available
One of the most popular dish is the beetroot is chopped into irregular shapes and roasted with some spices, vinegar, brown sugar and olives until beginning to char. They’re served with ajo blanco which is sharpened with sherry vinegar then a sauce made with green chilli and coriander goes on top to freshen it up.
WHERE TO SLEEP
Hotel Indigo
Welcome to a charming eighteenth-century structure with a well-deserved 4 stars, literally a stone’s throw from Victoria Station, therefore an excellent point of arrival and departure, well served by a train that will take you to the Airport in 40 minutes. In addition to the standard rooms and the uniquely designed boutique rooms, inspired by the history of the neighborhood.
the hotel offers large suites with private balconies from which you can enjoy the view of the city skyline.
You will also find a well-equipped gym open until midnight.
In Manchester, showers are frequent and often unexpected, if you have not packed an umbrella the hotel provides very useful umbrellas for rent. What a good idea !
The food part is also carefully hospitable, starting from the generous breakfast, up to the restaurant-cocktail bar Mamacium, which serves delicious dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. You will find a classic British menu with an innovative Northern touch in a fresh and imaginative approach. You will find a classic British menu with a Northern twist in a fresh and imaginative approach. 
I enjoyed a delicious pie filled with braised beef, cooked in beer and served with tender broccoli, mashed potatoes and a homemade gravy.
At this point, all you have to do is add Manchester on the list of your next weekends dedicated to beauty and taste.
You will not be disappointed!
A special thanksto Elinor Dunn and the great staff of Hotel Indigo.
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