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Although it holds no official title, most people consider Manchester to be England's second city. From its origins in the Lancashire textile boom of the 19th Century, it has grown into one of the country's most cosmopolitan cities, and is well worth visiting for a break or weekend stay. Due to its situation, it also serves as a useful stopping-off point for visitors to Wales or Scotland who may wish to see some of the country as they travel. For all these reasons, it's well worth investigating online hotel bookings for a short stay in Manchester.

One of Manchester's premier attractions is its shopping, which is some of the best to be found anywhere outside London. Several high-end stores and boutiques have outlets here, and there are a number of large shopping centres that bring together some of the High Street's biggest and best-known shops. A good place to start is the Trafford Centre, which features well-known names from French Connection, Hugo Boss to Space NK and Zara. Situated in the west of the city, it's handy for the M60 motorway and has excellent public transport links. If you prefer to stay in the centre of Manchester, the Arndale shopping centre is sited right in the heart of the city, and features an equally impressive range of shopping.

Manchester is also well known for its vibrant cultural and music scene, and is particularly popular among young people. The city boasts some of Britain's premier clubs, and there's a thriving nightlife centred on areas like Duke Street. Manchester led the revival of British clubbing in the early 90's and has produced bands such as the Happy Mondays, the Charlatans, and of course Oasis.

If you prefer to eat out, there is a wealth of options to suit every budget and palate. Manchester is particularly renowned for its Indian and Pakistani cuisine; until you've eaten in one of the over 50 restaurants or takeaways that make up Rusholme's 'curry mile,' you've not really had curry.

There are also plenty of well-to-do suburbs, places such as Knutsford and Wilmslow, or fashionable Didsbury, just a few miles outside the city centre. Transport throughout Manchester is cheap and efficient, and the city's Metrolink system means that you can get to places like the G-Mex Centre and the MEN Arena quickly and easily. Add the network of buses and trains to the mix, and the result is a city that you don't need a car to explore.

The city's sporting heritage has always been a large part of its appeal. It's home to the world-famous Manchester United, of course, but there's much more to Manchester than Beckham and Best. Ever since the Commonwealth Games were held in the city in 2002, Manchester's sporting facilities have been second to none. Of particular interest is the Velodrome, a state-of-the-art cycling facility that is widely regarded as one of the world's finest ' and fastest - tracks. The city also boasts some fine swimming pools and ancillary sporting facilities, as well as the 48,500-seater City of Manchester Stadium, built specially for the Commonwealth Games and now home to Manchester City football club.

If you're looking for accommodations in Manchester, it pays to book ahead. The city's hotels are generally of a high standard, but it can sometimes be difficult to get rooms without a booking, particularly in summer months, or on weekends when Manchester United are playing, as the city plays host to an influx of visitors from around the country, as well as from Ireland. Online hotel bookings can take a lot of the hassle and stress out of finding a room, and help you enjoy everything that Manchester has to offer.