Ask the crew: Akash Vijay Bhanaje’s top things to do in Manchester
We spoke to Akash Vijay Bhanaje, Flight Attendant at Cathay Pacific, about his favourite British city: Manchester. From football fan must-visits to fantastic Chinatown restaurants, he shares his travel tips below.
“Before visiting Manchester, I was told it was mostly a business hub with unpredictable weather. But I’m a natural explorer, so I wanted to see it anyway – and I’m glad I did.”
Credit: Alberto Manuel Urosa Toledano/Getty Images
Must-do
I was excited to see Manchester’s two iconic football stadiums: Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium , the homes of Manchester United and Manchester City, respectively. Despite not being a big sports fan, I wanted to soak up the atmosphere. I recommend booking a tour of the grounds for the best experience. I also loved exploring Manchester’s theatres – the Palace Theatre was a highlight – and its bars, especially those in the arty Northern Quarter.
One of the best Manchester day trips I can recommend is going to Wales. I joined a guided tour which made the whole thing very convenient. The first spot we stopped at was Conwy Castle, which was beautiful and so well preserved. You can go to the very top of the castle and see its sprawling grounds. However, my absolute favourite place in Wales was a little rural village called Betws-y-Coed. It was the epitome of picturesque.
Credit: Akash Vijay Bhanaje
Must-eat
There’s a great place in Betws-y-Coed called Hangin’ Pizzeria ; I highly recommend the wild garlic pizza. Back in Manchester, I’d head to Chinatown – something I do in every city I visit. Yang Sing serves some of the most amazing Cantonese food that I’ve ever had outside of Asia.
Must-pack
The one thing they got right about Manchester? The weather is unpredictable. So I made sure to carry a waterproof bag and keep my compact umbrella with me at all times.