The journey there is always the best part! Up early to hop on the train with your backpack and travel sweeties, all set for the adventure ahead! Although, in a fashion typical of one who does not travel light (I'm not pointing fingers at my mum at all!), it was more like a carry-on film than an inspirational travel montage. But the chaotic train journey was all forgiven as soon as we entered a city which was, I have to admit, not at all like I had expected.
After a pre-trip nosy on Google street view, I was set for anther grey and rainy British city with a McDonald's at every street corner. What I found was sunshine and a perfect skyline of modern and archaic buildings, a shopping experience unmatched by any city in Scotland (although Glasgow is debatable), loads of amazing places to visit and Costa coffee shops. Lots of Costa coffee shops. And it's safe to say that we took full advantage of the phrase "but first, coffee!"
Here are a couple of my favourite parts!
Albert Dock
After what seemed like hours (and what was, in reality, only 15 minutes) of dragging our luggage through the town as my brother and I continuously asked our mum "Are you SURE you know where you're going?", we made it to our hotel, located at the Albert Dock. And what a beautiful place! I had heard about Albert Dock before but as soon as we arrived there, I fell in love with it. The pretty little boats, quaint little shops, cosy looking restaurants and of course, the Liverpool Tate Gallery. I thought it was the perfect place to chill out for a few days.
The Cavern Club
One thing that is impossible to over-look in Liverpool is that it is, in essence, one big Beatles fanclub. I've lost count of the times I've heard a different version of "Here Comes The Sun" from each of the buskers along Paradise Street. There is even a yellow submarine in the dock, which you can see in the first photograph! All of this only adds to the charm of the whole city! It's fairly common knowledge that The Beatles originated in Liverpool but the true home of The Beatles is a tiny underground club and bar, hidden away in a back street of Liverpool, known as The Cavern Club. Knowing my complete undying love of live music, my mum couldn't wait to take me to The Cavern Club. I was a little hesitant at first, mostly due to the dark stairs spiralling down into a dingy underground space. But upon hearing the unmistakable sound of a live acoustic set at three in the afternoon, I knew I was going to love it! With the names and initials of visitors from years gone by inscribed over every inch of stone wall and music playing from 2pm until late almost every day, it is definitely one of the best quirks of the city of Liverpool!
The Mersey Ferry
I absolutely adore being on a boat. And a trip on the famous Mersey Ferry was so much fun, not to mention the incredible view of the city from across the water! And as you can see from the photograph, we had a "friendly" flock of seagulls following the boat on our trip across the water and back. Although the weather doesn't look very nice, it was a beautifully warm day and the sun shone for most of it!
After a pre-trip nosy on Google street view, I was set for anther grey and rainy British city with a McDonald's at every street corner. What I found was sunshine and a perfect skyline of modern and archaic buildings, a shopping experience unmatched by any city in Scotland (although Glasgow is debatable), loads of amazing places to visit and Costa coffee shops. Lots of Costa coffee shops. And it's safe to say that we took full advantage of the phrase "but first, coffee!"
Here are a couple of my favourite parts!
Albert Dock
After what seemed like hours (and what was, in reality, only 15 minutes) of dragging our luggage through the town as my brother and I continuously asked our mum "Are you SURE you know where you're going?", we made it to our hotel, located at the Albert Dock. And what a beautiful place! I had heard about Albert Dock before but as soon as we arrived there, I fell in love with it. The pretty little boats, quaint little shops, cosy looking restaurants and of course, the Liverpool Tate Gallery. I thought it was the perfect place to chill out for a few days.
 |
| Albert Dock at Night |
The Cavern Club
One thing that is impossible to over-look in Liverpool is that it is, in essence, one big Beatles fanclub. I've lost count of the times I've heard a different version of "Here Comes The Sun" from each of the buskers along Paradise Street. There is even a yellow submarine in the dock, which you can see in the first photograph! All of this only adds to the charm of the whole city! It's fairly common knowledge that The Beatles originated in Liverpool but the true home of The Beatles is a tiny underground club and bar, hidden away in a back street of Liverpool, known as The Cavern Club. Knowing my complete undying love of live music, my mum couldn't wait to take me to The Cavern Club. I was a little hesitant at first, mostly due to the dark stairs spiralling down into a dingy underground space. But upon hearing the unmistakable sound of a live acoustic set at three in the afternoon, I knew I was going to love it! With the names and initials of visitors from years gone by inscribed over every inch of stone wall and music playing from 2pm until late almost every day, it is definitely one of the best quirks of the city of Liverpool!
The Mersey Ferry
I absolutely adore being on a boat. And a trip on the famous Mersey Ferry was so much fun, not to mention the incredible view of the city from across the water! And as you can see from the photograph, we had a "friendly" flock of seagulls following the boat on our trip across the water and back. Although the weather doesn't look very nice, it was a beautifully warm day and the sun shone for most of it!
 |
| View of Liverpool from across the Mersey River |
Liverpool Cathedral
I'm a sucker for religious architecture so, much to my brothers boredom, I insisted we visit Liverpool Cathedral. What a place... It was (excuse my cliché word choice) breathtaking. And the best part was visiting the top of the tower as it gave us a 360 degree view of Liverpool and you can imagine my childish excitement when I realised "I can see our hotel from here!"
 |
| View from Liverpool Cathedral tower. (Our hotel is beside the big wheel!) |
I could spend days writing about all the great things we did in Liverpool and all the amazing places we saw. It was a trip well needed and one even more enjoyed. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in need of a chilled out AND exciting city break!
Thanks for reading! Until next time!
-Racheal
P.S
 |
| Albert Dock |
 |
| Inside Liverpool Cathedral |
 |
| Albert Dock from our hotel bar window, sunset. |
 |
| Padlock fence (I'm not sure what they're officially called) |
 |
| City lights at night |
 |
| Liverpool Chinatown Arch |
 |
| Me beside a lion statue outside Chinatown |
 |
| The big wheel right outside out hotel room window |
