Exchange Square, Manchester.Credit: Getty Images
PENNY-PINCH
Manchester is wonderfully walkable. Start in the funky Northern Quarter at Home Sweet Home with eggs on sourdough and a cuppa ($10; cheeseburger toastie.co.uk). Pop into the nearby Craft and Design Centre in the light-filled 1870s fish market building, where artists sell their wares (free; craftanddesign.com). Browse second-hand record and booksellers en route to the National Football Museum. It's not just for Man U supporters; the collection is ecumenical (free; nationalfootballmuseum.com). There are many other fabulous museums in Manchester; connect to the city's gritty roots at the Museum of Science and Industry (free; mosi.org.uk). Jamie's Italian ($20; jamieoliver.com) is in an ornate old bank building. Rest for the night at Old Trafford Lodge, with views of the historic cricket ground ($88; lccc.co.uk).
TOTAL: $123.75
EASY DOES IT
Grab an authentic Italian sandwich and great coffee at Salvi's Mozzarella Bar ($15; Exchange Square) before you venture out via the Metrolink ($6 return) to Old Trafford Football Ground for a "Theatre of Dreams" museum and stadium tour ($33; manutd.com). Back in town, Yang Sing does an amazing cheap and cheery express three-course lunch ($22; yang-sing.com). Spend the afternoon tracing Manchester's music scene ($45; manchester musictours.com). Now it's time for a handcrafted beer and some excellent traditional English grub at Sam's Chop House ($54; samschophouse.com). Keep the music theme going with a stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, which inhabits the Free Trades Hall - in the very early days of punk the Sex Pistols played there ($185; radissonblu-edwardian.com).
TOTAL: $360
SPLASH OUT
It's full English breakfast time - there's a big day ahead. The Deli Didsbury is a local favourite for a classic fry-up with Italian influence ($25; thedelididsbury.co.uk). Spend the morning cruising the historic Manchester Ship Canal ($70; merseyferries.co.uk). Then take a hire car back to Old Trafford ($150; various) and don't forget to bring your pre-booked ticket to see Manchester United play. Settle into a VIP experience complete with catering and free bar ($360; matchday vip.manutd.com). Jump on the Metrolink tram back to town ($6) for a masterful cocktail at The Alchemist ($16; thealchemist.uk.com). Next, a late supper of light Pacific Rim flavours at chic Australasia ($100; Australasia.uk.com) before retiring to boutique hotel Velvet ($675; velvetmanchester.com).
TOTAL: $1402
The writer was a guest of Virgin Atlantic and Visit Britain.
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