Manchester Old Trafford stadium by mari

Manchester’s iconic Old Trafford stadium is home to the mighty Manchester United, and will be hosting many of the Olympics football games. The football tournament kicks off on the 26th of July and tickets are completely sold out for the events.

Team GB’s first game at Old Trafford is on the 26th of July against Senegal. The country has high expectations for the team, captained by veteran Ryan Giggs. Odds are in favour of team GB winning, and hopes are high after England’s strong performance in the Euros – but regardless of the score a great atmosphere can be guaranteed.

If you couldn’t get a ticket for one of the matches at Old Trafford, there are many other places to catch the action. Large screens are being put up outdoors around Manchester so that local residents as well as tourists can watch the events from the streets. The first of the screens was fitted in the city centre, in Exchange Square – a major shopping and entertainment district. The square also features the world’s largest Next store, as well as a Selfridges, so it’s a great place to go shopping and catch some of the action.

As a special event, all of the Team GB Cycling events will be shown at the National Cycling Centre (Manchester’s international standard velodrome). The events will be on a big screen and all of them are free to attend. Other events being held at the centre include the Watt Bike Challenge on the 4th of August, where participants test how much power they can output on a training bike, and the Cycle Jumble on the 5th of August, which should be a great place to find bike-related bargains.

Many of Manchester’s pubs will be showing the games too; Yates’s, in Portland Street, The Lost Dene in Deansgate and Zoo Manchester on Grosvenor Street are some of the city’s favourite sports bars and are all showing the games. Going to the pub is a great way of feeling part of the games if you didn’t manage to get tickets and all the pubs should have a fantastic atmosphere.

Much like London, travel within Manchester is going to be affected while the Olympics are on. Manchester Piccadilly railway station is expected to be busy between the 26th of July and the 7th of August. Some of the events are taking part on weekdays and during the day time to it will be best to check your travel in advance.

If you’re thinking about visiting Manchester during the Olympics, consider staying in a serviced apartment in Manchester which would be an ideal place to stay for business travellers, families and couples alike.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

The main feature of the town is Acireale Cathedral. It dates from the 16th and 17th century, however it was rebuilt in the 18th century. The facade is from the 17th century, which is the work of Giambattista Basile and has a beautiful portal of marble and alabaster (17th century). The majestic interior has a dome and is richly decorated with frescoes (created in the 18th century).

The city’s heart is a Piazza del Duomo, where this cathedral is situated. There is also the Palazzo Comunale, which is building from the second half of the 17th century built in a typical Catalonian Baroque style. There is also a Basilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo from the 17th century. It boasts a beautiful architectural design with ornamental decoration.

You should visit also the public gardens and Villa Belvedere. Here you can enjoy really a beautiful panoramic view of Mount Etna and the sea. You can then take a pleasant walk through beautiful scenery and exciting surroundings, along the steep slopes of The natural reserve La Timpa and get to a picturesque fishing village – Santa Maria la Scala.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

Acireale is also known for a famous Carnival, which attracts people from around the world. It is considered the most beautiful carnival in Sicily. For 2012 it is planned from the 4th to 21st of February.

The city has two patrons – St. Venera (celebrated on the 26th of July) and St. Sebastian (celebrated on the 20th of January).

View Acireale – a place of the most beautiful carnival in Sicily Italy in a larger map

View Acireale – a place of the most beautiful carnival in Sicily Italy in a larger map

The post Acireale – a place of the most beautiful carnival in Sicily | Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.