A special guest post by Jill Love.

I love my Travel Pro Pilot case carry-on rolling suitcases with the little Eiffel Tower emblem. They are tattered and battered and have a history almost as long as me and my husband. They have been on trains, planes, ships, buses and automobiles. They have been tossed around, broken and bruised along the way but they have had so many happy adventures with us.

I love carry on luggage because it makes traveling so much easier. I simply whisk through the airport to my destination. Our Travel Pro Pilot suitcases have shared so many wonderful memories with us. On our first trip to Italy years ago, we arrived in Rome and took the train to Florence. It was our first experience on a train in Europe complete with dining car. It was thrilling to watch the landscape change as we rode into Tuscany. I also remember the romance of Paris in the winter, walking along the Seine at one in the morning. It was freezing. The only one warm (or smart) were our suitcases in the hotel room. We would get in the room our feet frozen and pour a hot bath and defrost. The bed with a thick down comforter was really inviting after a long day of sightseeing. The box of Belgian chocolates on the pillow was a welcome treat as was the best hot chocolate I have ever had served in the finest French Limoges.

The suitcases wear their tatters like a badge of honor. They are veterans of travel. Parts are missing or broken. The zip that you pull to open the case has broken off years ago and in its place I put a keychain. It works great (though it looks a little funky). One of the plastic feet on the bottom to aid in its standing upright is broken. A battle scar from being tossed around on so many flights. But they still roll along.

My Travel Pro's French Connection

I don’t think we ever have to worry about anyone rummaging through them. They don’t look like they’d have any treasures inside. Maybe it is the hot pink and lime green vinyl luggage tags attached. I found the ugliest and brightest tags so they would stand out in a sea of black suitcases.

I often wonder what their favorite trip was. The road trips through mountains, getting lost (one of our specialties) in Verona, our beach or historic vacations?

A few years back I bought two new red suitcases because I thought it was time. The Travel Pros were looking pretty worn and maybe they should retire. I started to pack my new suitcases and to my surprise, they didn’t hold nearly as much. And I just couldn’t go on vacation with them. So the new suitcases are in the garage (still unused) and my old suitcases are getting ready for the next adventure. So T-Pros, I think we better start packing. Where are you going, you ask dear suitcases? California, here you come.

About this week’s guest writer
Jill Love is a travel industry consultant for Gerson Lehrman, a social media enthusiast and a lover of all things travel. With over 20 years in the travel industry (with a specialty in cruises) Jill is very happy to plan your cruise vacation. Catch Jill on Twitter while she’s planning her next adventure which includes a never ending quest to find the perfect pizza.

Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Seminyak, Bali

Read the accompanying post: Bali, the island of Gods

Manchester is a fascinating city in northwest England that’s a destination in its own right. On a casual stroll around the city, visitors will feel the city’s unmistakable spirit that lies in its pioneering past and in its trendsetting present. I found a board in the Manchester Art Gallery that beautifully describes the Manchester ‘Attitude’.

Manchester is home to a wide array of brilliant historical sights, impressive museums, a vibrant cultural scene and a pumping nightlife – the city’s energy is absolutely infectious. I recommend spending at least three full days to see the sights and to get a feel of the city. It’s not easy to compile a list of things to see and do for a city that has so much to offer. I’ve given it a try anyway and I hope you enjoy Manchester as much as I did.

1. Gawk at the stunning interior of the John Rylands Library – this library, located along Deansgate Street, is easily one of the most beautiful libraries I’ve ever seen. The central reading room is a special treat.

John Rylands library

2. Visit some of the fabulous museums and art galleries – Manchester teems with museums and art galleries. Go on a history hop by starting at the Manchester Art Gallery, then head past Lincoln Square (stop for a moment to read the plaque under the Abraham Lincoln statue) to the stunning People’s History Museum, before continuing to the Museum of Science and Industry (home of the world’s first train station). And save some time in your itinerary for a walk down Oxford Road.

Palace Hotel

3. Take in a performance at one of the many theatres – the number and diversity of cultural events in Manchester at any given time of the year is pretty staggering. Attend a musical at the famous Palace Theatre or a ballet performance at the Opera House. Look up what’s on stage at the Contact Theatre, the Dancehouse, the Royal Exchange (a stunning building), the Bolton Octagon or The Lowry.

4. Admire the Victorian architecture – Manchester boasts some of the most breathtaking examples of Victorian architecture anywhere. The Town Hall is a prime example, as is the Palace Hotel. Check out Albert Square, Deansgate Street or the Canal Street neighbourhoods for more gorgeous buildings.

Barton Arcade

5. Go on a shopping spree – Manchester has a diverse shopping scene spread out across King Street, Market Street, St. Ann’s Square and Deansgate Street. There are large malls like Manchester Arndale as well as charming arcades (my absolute favourite is the historic Barton Arcade with its stunning iron-and-glass façade) and high-end boutiques (along King Street). For an alternative shopping experience, head to the Northern Quarter (see point 6) or the delightful Chinatown.

6. Go retro at the fascinating Northern Quarter – the bohemian quarter of Manchester is a pure delight, especially for fans of indie clothes and music. Afflecks, with its eclectic mix of little vintage clothing boutiques, jewellery and artwork shops, is a great place to start. Then head for the Crafts and Design Centre which is housed in the beautifully restored former Victorian Fish and Poultry Market. The Northern Quarter is also famous for its vinyl record stores (check out Piccadilly Records on Oldham Street), retro shops and trendy cafés. A great way to spend a rainy afternoon is to go café-hopping in the Northern Quarter – have a long lunch, chat with the locals and admire the beautiful design interiors. I certainly enjoyed it!

Wheel of Manchester

7. See Manchester from above – one option is to hop onto the Wheel of Manchester. It’s a cool 14-minute ride that provides visitors with a spectacular view of Manchester’s skyline and the surrounding hills. Alternatively, you could head to the Hilton Hotel’s ‘Cloud 23′ Skybar for a drink and to enjoy the view. The Hilton is located in the Beetham Tower, Manchester’s tallest building. The Skybar has panoramic windows and peepholes in the floor.

8. Stop for a street performance on Market Street – I loved the many street performances along Market Street, ranging from rock bands, the ’statues’, violinists to a cappella singers. Look out for my favourite: the man sitting in the invisible chair.

Invisible chair

9. Explore the nightlife – Manchester boasts a pulsating nightlife centred around the Deansgate Locks, Oxford Road and the Gay Quarter at Canal Street. There are literally hundreds of cafés, discos, bars and pubs to choose from. For a fun people-watching experience, walk down Canal Street on a Saturday evening. If you’re looking for a quirky local experience, pop into the historic Circus Tavern on Portland Street for a pint – it’s one of the smallest pubs in the UK (it really is tiny!).

10. Catch a football match at Manchester United or Manchester City – Manchester boasts two football (soccer) clubs that are famous all over the world. Man U is the more successful of the two (with the most English Premier League titles) and is also the richest, most valuable club in the world. On the other side of town, Man C’s new owner has grand ambitions, with plenty of cash to match. The fierce rivalry between the two clubs makes it an intriguing spectacle for the casual spectator so if you’re in town during the derby, don’t miss the match!

I bet it is!

Note: my trip to Manchester was sponsored by Creative Tourist.

Read other articles in the Velvet Escape “Ten” series:

• Ten things to do in Macau
• Ten things to do in Birmingham (UK)
• Ten incredible bridge walks
• Ten velvet escapes for 2010
• Ten unforgettable city cruises
• Ten things to do in Cape Town
• Ten things to do in Kuala Lumpur
• Ten things to do in Hamburg
• Ten things to do when you travel alone
• Ten reasons to travel alone

“My velvet escape travel tip” is a guest series about what the name ‘Velvet Escape’ evokes and what that would be in the hometown of the guest writer. With this series, I hope to uncover travel tips from places around the world to help visitors have a truly local experience.

Velvet Escape – the name sounds perfectly suited for a show horse, be it a hunter/jumper, dressage horse or a beloved pony. With their velvet soft muzzles and ears, horses remind me of velvet and horseback riding is the perfect escape for this equestrian. Let’s go on a Velvet Escape to Fort Bragg, a couple of miles from Mendocino in northern California.

You’ll need a car to get to Mendocino and Fort Bragg from San Francisco. I must warn you that the road to Mendocino and Fort Bragg is windy. If you are prone to carsickness, hop in the driver’s seat and take in the awesome scenery and saltwater smells of the Pacific Ocean.

Once you arrive in the charming village of Mendocino, you’ll have many lodging options. Two of my personal favorites are Alegria Oceanfront Inn and MacCallum House. Both of these properties offer horseback riding packages that partner with Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Fort Bragg.

Once you arrive at the ranch, you’ll take in the sights, smells and sounds. Horse lovers know what I’m talking about; the smell of fresh alfalfa hay in the feed bins; the feel of the well worn leather as you settle into the saddle and grasp the reins.

What’s unique about a riding experience at Ricochet Ridge Ranch is Mendocino County’s geography. Riders can select from an ocean ride, forested trek in the redwoods or combine the two. The horses pick up their pace when the sea salt hits their nostrils. The ocean waves crashing in the distance tells them that they are almost at the beach and soon will be able to stretch their legs.

If you are looking for scenic views high above the trees, owner Lari Shea has established long-time relationships with neighboring ranches, allowing her horses’ access to fern and tree lined trails that will connect you with your spirit. Bring your camera, this Velvet Equestrian Escape will not disappoint.

About this week’s guest writer
Nancy D. Brown is a professional travel writer and blogger at What a Trip. A third generation Californian, Brown loves horseback riding and has created Writing Horseback to combine her love of travel with her passion for horseback riding. When she’s not traveling, she lives in Northern California with her husband, two teenagers and a yellow Labrador.

Follow Nancy and Riding Horseback on Twitter.

Become a Writinghorseback fan on Facebook.

Read more ‘My velvet escape travel tips‘:

• Leuven, Belgium
• Roatan, Honduras
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Tulum, Mexico
• Phoenix, Arizona, USA
• Tuscany, Italy
• Melbourne, Australia
• Seville, Spain
• Zambezi River, Zambia
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Liguria, Italy
• Tokyo, Japan
• New York City, USA
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Paris, France
• Lanzarote, Spain
• Whitsunday islands, Australia
• Normandy, France
• Lake District, Cumbria, England
• Nova Scotia Atlantic Coast, Canada
• London, England
• Miami, Florida, USA
• Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
• Bali, Indonesia
• Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Tucson, Arizona, USA
• Toronto, Canada

I’m going to Brunei for a few days to attend a cousin’s wedding. Brunei is a small sultanate on the island of Borneo. It’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan (sounds really exotic!) is about a two-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Brunei’s long coast faces the South China Sea while it borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak on three sides. Its population of several hundred thousand is predominantly Muslim and they live a comfortable, prosperous life, thanks to many freebies (there’s no income tax here and medical is free) and subsidies (from housing to higher education to cars…) from the state, which in turn, earns billions each year from oil and gas. In the 1980’s, the Sultan of Brunei was widely known as one of the richest people in the world.

Oil and gas are the mainstays of the economy though services, especially tourism, are gradually being developed. Aside from bits about its history and economy, I don’t know much else about Brunei. I’ve heard about the Sultan’s massive palace and the floating village in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and that’s about it. Oh, one more thing I do know… Brunei is a ‘dry’ country – the sale and consumption of alcohol in public are strictly forbidden. Yikes! That’ll be another first for me – I’ve never been to a ‘dry’ country!

I’ll be tweeting about my trip to this country which most people know little of (well, unless you’ve been there and/or you work in the oil industry and/or you’re a geographile . Follow me on my trip by checking out my Twitter feed below or conducting a search on Twitter – I’ll be using a terribly fancy hashtag: #bruneitrip.