BelfastLive's James Martin McCarthy took on the extreme daytrip
Creators bag bargain basement flights to a different country, before returning home on the very same day - after a whistle-stop tour of their destination. And it seems Manchester is not exempt from the trend.
We were on the 7:05 a.m. flight, bleary-eyed but buzzing with energy. The new security arrangements at Belfast International meant that getting through the airport was a breeze. From parking my car in the long-stay car park to sitting in the departure lounge, it took just under 10 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise.
Our first stop was one of those quirky destinations you don’t typically see in travel guides, but for anyone like myself who grew up watching Blue Peter, the garden is a nostalgic must. Given that we had visited on a Tuesday, we chose not to do the experience as filming was ongoing, and you wouldn't have the opportunity to see the actual set. However, we did wander around the perimeter, where we caught a glimpse of the Weatherfield Police Station, the community centre, and a Freshco delivery van, which is often seen in the background of shots on the show.
By now, it was nearing lunchtime, and Manchester’s Chinatown was calling. It’s the second-largest in the UK, and the unmistakable red archway welcomed us as we strolled through the streets, filled with restaurants, bakeries, and shops selling everything from dim sum to bubble tea. We nipped into an Asian supermarket and grabbed some snacks to stick on our backpacks before wandering around the area and taking some photos.
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