So, I'm just back from Liverpool and I have to talk about how good it was. I had always been interested in going there as I'd heard so many good things about it from family and friends. This trip came about because my boyfriend wanted to go to a Liverpool match and I, being the great girlfriend that I am, agreed to go with him (even though I know feck all about football). Despite my initial thoughts of 'ugh, football', I actually ended up having a really good time and saw what a great place Liverpool is!
Getting there
When travelling around the time of a football match, the price of everything will sky rocket. From flights to accommodation, you will find yourself paying more than usual. However, at any other time, the prices are fairly reasonable and you can often get some super cheap deals on Ryanair. The flight is only about twenty five minutes so getting there is so handy. Your arse has barely touched the seat by the time you arrive!
Where to stay
Accommodation is pretty much the same as the flights. The prices will go up around the time of the matches but apart from that, they aren't too expensive. We stayed in the Travelodge on Exchange Street which was fine. The room was pretty basic but it was clean and comfortable and the hotel itself is in a great central location which is in walking distance to bars, shops and the Albert Dock. My only criticism is that there was no free Wi-Fi in the hotel. This might not be a problem for some people but if you're like me, a social media addict with a phone bill the length of O'Connell Street, then you certainly don't want to use your mobile data while abroad. There is a huge selection of hotels in Liverpool so do your research and you're bound to find something that suits what you're after.
Sport
The main purpose of our trip was to see the Liverpool v Bournemouth on April 5th. Although I have no interest in football (apart from my love of Jürgen Klopp) I did end up enjoying the match and it was something to tick off the bucket list. I'd never been to a football match and I thought that I would be bored out of my mind but it was actually a lot of fun. The atmosphere was great and we were seated in the new stand just beside The Kop so we had a decent view of the game. It sounds stupid but I couldn't get over how different it all looks in real life. I mean, on TV they make it look so epic with slow-motion shots and replays but when you're there, it's literally just a bunch of lads kicking a ball around! I wish I had more to say about it but I'd be bullshitting if I rambled on about football so I'll just say it was good and leave it at that!
Museums & Attractions
Liverpool is such a vibrant, cultural city and there is so much to see and do. The Albert Dock is a great place to walk around and take in some of the city's history. There are some great museums around here too such as the Museum of Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Tate Liverpool, the International Slavery museum and loads more. These museums give a great insight into the history of Liverpool and are a must-see for any sport or music lovers. Checking out the museums is a great way to spend an afternoon and, if I haven't convinced you already, it's worth noting that the majority of them offer free entry so you can save your money for pints!
Nightlife
Speaking of pints, if you are looking for somewhere to go for a wild weekend then Liverpool is the place for you. The city is renowned for it's fantastic nightlife and it definitely lives up to it's reputation. From live music to night clubs, there is something for everyone and you are bound to have a good time wherever you end up. While in Liverpool, you have to check out Matthews Street which is home to some great shops, bars and of course, the famous Cavern Club. The Cavern Club is a well-known music venue which has hosted many musicians over the years, most notably Liverpool's golden boys, The Beatles.
No trip to Liverpool would be complete without a trip to the Cavern Club. It's a must-see for any Beatles fan and offers live music every night of the week. As it's a huge tourist trap, it's always very busy but it's definitely worth a look as the music is good and there's always a bit of craic to be had. As we were there on a Tuesday night, we just had a few drinks in a couple of the pubs along Matthew Street and although they weren't packed, there was still a good atmosphere. I've been told that on the weekends the place is absolutely mental so if you're looking for a mad night out then you'd probably be better of coming on a weekend.
Shopping
As well as the nightlife, Liverpool is also amazing for shopping. The Liverpool One area has all the shops you could want, from Primark, Topshop and H&M to more high-end designer stores. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm not that big into shopping. I mean, I like shopping but I get a bit overwhelmed when there's too much choice. I especially dislike trawling through clustered streets to check out different shops but I have to say, shopping in Liverpool is very easy and convenient. All the shops are together in one large open area so you don't have to walk for miles to get to everything. There's a great buzz around the streets with all the buskers and performers and we even saw Irish band Keywest busking outside Primark. (Proving that you really can't go anywhere without bumping into someone from home!) Check out all that Liverpool ONE has to offer: https://www.liverpool-one.com/shopping/
Food
There are also some decent restaurants such as Jamie's Italian and Pizza Express if you want to grab a bite to eat while your out shopping. Another great place for food is Red's True Barbeque on Hanover Street. It's an American-style barbeque restaurant with a great selection on the menu. If you love meat then you'll love this place. I had the pulled pork and slaw with chips and refried beans and it was divine!) There is also a Krispy Kreme kiosk right in the centre of Liverpool One which basically made the whole trip worthwhile for me. Seriously, if you haven't tried a Krispy Kreme doughnut then you definitely should if you ever get the chance. There are so delicious and you will be genuinely saddened by the fact that we are deprived of them here in Ireland. (I even brought some home in my hand luggage!)
One of my favourite places that we ate was Cosy Club, which is located on the main high street. It's a nice spacious restaurant with a cool vintage feel and they offer a great lunch and dinner menu. I had pancakes with bacon, egg and maple syrup and, although it didn't photograph well, it was sooo good. (I know, it looks like an eggy mess plopped in the middle of a pool of grease!)
I would highly recommend Liverpool to anyone looking for a fun city break. It's a fantastic place with so much to offer and there really is something for everyone. From museums and shopping to music and sport, there is so much to do and you definitely won't be disappointed. Getting around Liverpool is super easy as most of the attractions and shopping are within walking distance so you don't have to worry about catching buses or trains which is always a plus. The city is buzzing with atmosphere and the people are extremely friendly and helpful which made me love it even more. A trip to Liverpool really is what you make it. It can be as chilled out or as high energy as you want, depending on what you choose to do. As we were only there for a short time, there was a lot that we didn't see but I definitely plan on going back again so hopefully I will get to experience a lot more of this wonderful city! (Krispy Kreme, we will meet again...)
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