Liverpool

Arts & Culture

Liverpool boasts two Cathedrals which are major attractions in their own right. The Anglican Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral are fine examples of internationally recognised architecture.

Spend a morning at the new World Museum Liverpool; it's a great family outings. Art lovers shouldn't miss the Walker Art Gallery and Tate Liverpool with lots of exciting exhibitions in store for 2007.

Musical

If music's more your scene, take a Liverpool Beatles Tour, with the Magical Mystery Tour, Cavern Club, Casbah, Beatles Story or the Mathew Street Festival in August. Younger music lovers might prefer Creamfields on August Bank Holiday weekend, or Chibuku Shake Shake, while Wirral hosts the International Guitar Festival every Autumn.

Maritime

Trace the thread of maritime history through Liverpool, starting at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. From the museum, head down to the Pier Head and Three Graces, before taking a Mersey Ferry across the river, where you can visit Spaceport at the Seacombe terminal.

Shopping and Nightlife

Take a wander through central Liverpool, stopping at the new Met Quarter, home to a host of designer stores including Armani, Gucci and Prada. Visit Cavern Walks for stylish boutiques including Bardot, Cricket and Vivienne Westwood, before heading over to the waterfront to the Albert Dock with its bars and boutique shops. Spend the night in style back in the city centre at Alma de Cuba or Korova.

Southport's wide boulevards have earned it the title "Paris of the North". But there's something else it shares with the French capital - an irresistible range of boutiques, high street names and continental markets. The obvious place to start is Lord Street, but Chapel Street, Eastbank Street, Tulketh Street, Wesley Street and King Street should all be on your list too!

Sport

Red or blue, you can tour both of Liverpool's football stadia - Everton and five times European Champions Liverpool. The Grand National is run every year in April and racing returns to Merseyside for November's North West Masters meeting. The winners of the Round the World Clipper Race cross the line here in July.

Southport, affectionately known as England's Golfing Capital on England's Golf Coast, boasts 15 top golf courses, six of which are championship standard. The most famous is Royal Birkdale, which will play host to The Open Championship again in 2008.