Manchester (United!)

Manchester city is a vibrant, cool city with an ancient past stretching from the Roman times. The mix of old and new side-by-side results in a striking blend unlike some places where it can get quite haphazard; here, its historic buildings co-exist beautifully with glass and steel structures; the Wheel of Manchester located within a dog's bark away from old English pubs, cathedrals, etc.



The people in Manchester are to my observation: warm, fun-loving, football/soccer-crazy, and have a more laid back persona than their brethren in London. Oh yeah, and beer-loving people..




The highlight of any trip to Manchester, however, without doubt, fan or no-fan of soccer, you've gotta admit is Old Trafford. The great thing about it is that it's not too far away from the city centre, you could reach there by taking a tram (Metrolink) or bus just a couple of stops from the city.

Old Trafford, the famous soccer stadium or the home ground for the Manchester United Team. The best way to learn all about the pitch and the magnificent stadium which can fit 76,000 excited fans is to take the tour. Of course, the best way to enjoy the stadium is to buy a ticket to watch one of the live matches watching your favourite team! But for the rest of us, a visit to the stadium is quite a consolation!

Some general info of the tour:
- Lasts approximately an hour
- Costs 10 Pounds per person
- A guide (ours was a seriously charming; or rather charmingly serious yet hilarious guy called Stuart or Stewart?) will take you in and out Old Trafford and relish you with bits and pieces of behind the scene tales, history, etc
- Of course, get your cameras ready!
- Some spare change for souvenirs from jerseys to mugs to key chains


I shall not divulge any further info for fear of spoiling the fun of what you get to see inside and enjoy. A final note to my readers is that on the way there, I noticed a couple of sign boards prohibiting drinking. Alcohol + over enthusiastic soccer fans = a potential brew of trouble?

Old Trafford, definitely one of the highlights when you come to Manchester, especially to you guys M.U. fans!!! Stepping into the same walls where the big names have scored triumphs and slugged it all out is an experience to remember!