Even though the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester has long faded into history, the knock-on effect has been enjoyed and sustained.

This has not only benefited the city itself but also the towns and villages around it.

Here are major shopping centres, magnificent markets, terrific tourist locations and restaurants which have both traditional and ethnic dishes.

Many Lancastrians hope that the 2012 Olympics will provide a boost for the county but most do not see this happening.

The Manchester Museum, the award winning Museum of Science and Industry, and the Whitworth Art Gallery are worth travelling miles to see.

There are good train and tramway links right into the heart of the city.

In the heart of the city is culture in abundance with the Royal Exchange Theatre built inside the former Cotton Exchange being a real flagship.

The splendour of this building has been restored and celebrates the hey-day when cotton was a powerful king.

The Town Hall and Square is a Victorian masterpiece and here is the excellent Information Centre with lots of free literature on offer.

A visit to Castlefield is a must because this celebrates the fact that Man-Chester, with a hyphen, was once an important Roman settlement not quite smothered by the Urban Heritage Park which includes the oldest passenger railway station in the world.

Manchester City now play at the City of Manchester Stadium and in 2008 became the richest club in the world whilst the Old Trafford area provides both soccer and cricket with world quality stadia.

At present the cricket ground is having a major refurbishment.