Manchester, UK
Airing Date: Aug 5th, 2002
CLICK HERE for a pictorial history of the Australian athletes at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.
CLICK HERE for a pictorial history of the Australian athletes at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Manchester is about a three and a half hour drive from London. Apart from Games, the city is characterised by its local specialties.
Being home to bands like Oasis, Simply Red and the birthplace of the Bee Gees, the city has a strong music culture.
Soapie fans will know Manchester's second major export - Corrie, or Coronation Street, the world's longest running TV soap.
Finally, you can't go past soccer. With sporting star David Beckham calling Manchester home, it's little wonder that soccer is the number one Mancunian passion.
To explore Manchester, start by visiting Castlefields and The Salford Quays, which used to be the heart of Manchester during the industrial revolution. Today, it's a cultural hotspot.
The Lowry, named after one of England's favourite artists, LS Lowry, is another famous complex which includes restaurants, a theatre and art galleries.
A new and shiny addition to Manchester is the City of Manchester Stadium, which will very soon host the Commonwealth Games. While exact details about the games are top secret, there's a rumour that the lighting show is going to be absolutely sensational. The stadium will be home to the opening and closing ceremonies, the Rugby Sevens and the track and field.
Just a short distance from the stadium is the Velodrome, where - if you're brave enough - you can road test a competition bicycle - but beware, they don't have brakes.
When it's time to dine in Manchester, experience the local way of life with a feast at Sam's Chop House. Here you can sample traditional English meals that stretch over several courses and includes delicacies like roast beef and blood pudding.
In the Manchester pubs the talk is all about football, so a tour of Old Trafford Stadium, the home of Manchester United, is a must. United are the richest football club in the world, and guided tours are so popular they run every 10 minutes. A trophy room and museum are both included in the tour so visitors get to see exactly where the players hang out.
The facts
Thai Airways International flies to London daily. Their UK Europe Dollar Deals start from $2007 return from Sydney and $1887 from Perth during low season. Includes taxes, conditions apply. This includes a flight to Manchester on British Midland plus $200 in traveller's cheques.
Thai Airways International
Tel: 1300 651 960
The behind the scenes tour of Old Trafford Stadium costs $22 for adults and around $15 for kids.
Old Trafford Stadium
Entry to The Lowry is free.
The Lowry
Tel: 0011 44 161 876 2000 (international)
A meal at Sam's Chop House costs around $80.
Rooms at Le Meridien Palace Hotel start from about $203 per night.
Le Meridien Palace Hotel
Tel: 1800 622 240
England's North Country
Tel: 0011 44 1904 702 205 (international)
British Tourist Authority
Tel: 02 9377 4400
