One reason why it is nicer to walk down Barcelona's Ramblas than through Manchester's Exchange Square is the weather and not even the most inventive council can do much about the infamous Mancunian rain.

ECONOMIST: Buzzing with clich��s

At 11 in the evening in a very busy area outside the opera on the Ramblas, he was surrounded by the three man in their thirties who slipped his wallet out of his pocket along with 400 euros, his credit cards, and his passport and identification.

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