The word Liverpool alone is enough to summon up a wealth of exciting images. And as one of England’s most exciting cities – hip, artsy and edgy Liverpool certainly doesn’t disappoint. Known for giving the world four lads who would change music forever, Liverpool will be forever linked with The Beatles. And when you visit, you’ll never be too far from Fab Four landmarks like the iconic Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. The Beatles, however, are just a part of what makes Liverpool such a dynamic and pulsating city.

The city’s famous and breathtaking waterfront with its Three Graces was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there’s no better introduction to Liverpool than from the deck of a ferry boat cruising along the Mersey.

Albert Dock and its surroundings are some of the most vivid reminders that Liverpool is a city rising from the ashes of the gloom and doom Thatcher years. Like Manchester, its neighbour to the east,  Liverpool has bounced back in a big way. The Three Graces are made up of the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building and these are the heart and soul of Liverpool architecture.

A number of Liverpool’s best tours leave from Albert Dock as well, including the Shiverpool Ghost Tours and the Yellow Duckmarine tour that will take you through the city’s streets and waterways in an authentic World War 2 landing vehicle.

Liverpool is also home to some of the UK’s best museums and galleries including the Tate Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and the International Slavery Museum.

And the Merseyside is still kicking out some of the UK’s best beats and bands. The city is awash in live music venues from the world famous Cavern Club and small intimate pubs to trendy dance clubs and a big arena.

Liverpudlians, also known by the more colourful term “Scousers”, know how to have a good time and the city’s nightlife is one of its most endearing qualities. With traditional pubs, pumping clubs and those great music venues, Liverpool parties with the best of them. The famous Liverpool wit and sense of humour is always on display with the locals and it usually takes no more than a simple “hello” to get them talking.

Liverpool is also home to one of Europe’s largest Chinese communities. Chinatown, with its ornate and exotic gate, only adds to Liverpool’s reputation as one of England’s most diverse cities. And a stroll through Liverpool’s Chinatown won’t be complete until you’ve stopped off at one of the restaurants that are a shade more authentic than the chips and curry sauce you’ll get at the chip shop.

No travel article on Liverpool would be complete without mentioning football. The beautiful game is a massive force in the city’s social, economic and entertainment circles.

Anfield, home to one of Europe’s most successful clubs – Liverpool F.C., is hallowed ground for supporters and one of the best places on earth to watch the sport, if you are lucky enough to score a ticket that is. But, if you can’t get in on match day there are tours on offer where you get to see where the lads suit up and walk out onto the pitch to the thundering chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The impressive Liverpool F.C. museum and the five European cups the club has won will delight any football fan.

But Liverpool F.C. isn’t the only club in town – not by a long shot. Everton F.C. is one of England’s most historic football stadiums on this planet. While getting a ticket to see Everton, or the Toffees as they are known to their fans in reference to a toffee shop that long ago sat outside their grounds, may be a bit easier than Liverpool F.C., Everton F.C. consistently finish in the top 6 and supporters have come to expect qualification for European club tournaments like the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.