Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 24)

DESTINATIONS Walker Art Gallery RESTAURANTS Liverpool is better known for music than food, but there are some appealing options for price-conscious travelers. Pumphouse at Albert Dock (011-44871-207-9136) is the place to try scouse, a hearty and filling lamb stew. An ample portion and a pint of one of the local brews cost less than $15. The Welkin on Whitechapel (011-44871-207-9296) is a family-friendly restaurant in the heart of the city’s pedestrian mall, serving organic milk and food free of artificial colors and flavors, as well as classic fish and chips, panini and broiled salmon. The pub is upstairs. Arguably the city’s best restaurant, The London Carriage Works (011-44-151705-2222, www.hopestreethotel.co.uk) emphasizes fresh local, organic ingredients in a traditional setting. Simply Heathcotes (011-44-151-2363536, www.heathcotes.co.uk) features sleek, bright decor and a creative, modern menu also using local ingredients. The White Bar is tucked inside a historic brick structure within the modern, atrium-style Liverpool Radisson (011-44151-966-1500, info.liverpool@radisson sas.com). The hotel also boasts one of the city’s four Clef D’Or concierges. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 One ferry stop will appeal to families: The Blue Planet Aquarium (011-44-151-3578800, www.blueplanetaquarium.com) features one of the world’s largest underwater viewing tunnels. Underwater Street (011-44-151-2272250, www.underwaterstreet.com), in the Cunard Building, has five themed “edutainment” areas for kids ages 2 to 10. Hard Day’s Night Hotel Scheduled to open early in 2008 in a landmark 1848 building around the corner from the Cavern Club is the world’s first hotel with a Beatles theme (011-44-151-2361964, www.harddaysnighthotel. com). Each of the 110 rooms will tell a different part of the Beatles story and will be decorated with original artwork by NYC artist Shannon (www.theshannongallery. com), plus some by Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The hotel restaurant, Blake’s Brasserie, is named for Sir Peter Blake, who designed the Sgt. Pepper’s album cover, and will have artwork inspired by that famous cover. Developers also are planning a Beatles-themed wedding chapel, with what spokesperson Victoria Geoghegan described as a “retro, sophisticated look,” not the kitschy glitz of Elvis–inspired wedding chapels in Las Vegas. A hop-on/hop-off double-decker bus (www. city-sightseeing.com) makes multiple stops, including The Cavern Club (011-44-151-2361965, www.cavernclub.org), where the Beatles played before they got famous. There is still live music five nights a week in this re-creation of the original basement site. Outside, a “Wall of Fame” lists some of the golden oldies who’ve performed at the club, from Richie Havens to Acker Bilk, the Yardbirds and the Rolling Stones. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs in St. George’s Hall, a favorite building of Queen Victoria for its gold-leaf chandeliers, Minton tile floors and impeccable acoustics. It is opposite another magnificent Victorian building, the Walker Art Gallery, with its collection of Medieval and Tudor art, and a Rembrandt or two. Liverpool’s Anglican Church is another must-see. It is the largest and tallest church in the U.K. and the fifth largest in the world, designed by the same architect who designed Britain’s iconic red telephone booths. The 10,000-pipe organ is the world’s biggest, and the sandstone neo-Gothic structure dominates the skyline. At Crosbey Beach, just 20 minutes from downtown by metro train, more than 100 life-size bronze statues of the human form stand, looking out to sea. At high tide they are submerged up to their noses, and at low tide they are completely exposed, like sentinels. Created by sculptor Anthony Gormley, these statues have guarded coastlines in Germany, Belgium and Norway before settling here, likely permanently. Gormley says they symbolize our efforts to remain upright while being pulled by the tides of time. Few things compare with immensely popular British soccer, called football—not to be confused with American football. Tickets to home matches of the Liverpool Football Club (www.liverpoolfc.tv) can be difficult to find, but you can please clients with a tour of the stadium, including team dressing rooms, and a visit to the team museum, where European and world trophies are displayed. Liverpool intends to regain its stature as an important cruise port—the new cruise ship dock, a superliner’s length from the Cunard Building, already has welcomed the line’s QE2. I CONNECTING YOU For more on attractions in the 2008 European Capital of Culture, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/liverpool 24 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 http://www.city-sightseeing.com http://www.city-sightseeing.com http://www.blueplanetaquarium.com http://www.cavernclub.org http://www.underwaterstreet.com http://www.hopestreethotel.co.uk http://www.heathcotes.co.uk http://www.liverpoolfc.tv http://www.travelagentcentral.com/liverpool

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Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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