Senior travel editor for The Independent, Simon Calder shares his Top 5 favourite things about Manchester.

Museums

The museums and galleries are fantastic, to pick out a few I'd have to choose The Lowry, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Imperial War Museum North. More info.

Curry Mile

Eating is really important wherever you are and you can eat your way around the world in Manchester, including in Rusholme - Curry Corridor, where I first went about 25 years ago and have been going back ever since. More info.

Manchester Airport

The transport links are wonderful - I love what's happened to Victoria Station, and I must say I'm a huge fan of Manchester Airport, particularly in Terminal 1 where you can see the whole apron and people connecting with the world. More info.

Metrolink

Talking of transportation - trams; aren't they great?! They enhance any city and it's so good that Manchester has an expanding network. More info.

Mancunians

Fifth and most importantly - the people! There's nothing like Mancunians.