UNUSUAL CITY BREAKS
Dear Readers,
In the spirit
of keeping things diverse, we are now going to discuss the Travel Trend of city
breaks. Now, certainly not a new thing,
of course, but potentially one could argue in recent times city breaks have
become even more popular.
The thing is
this, dear Readers, a lot of people, certainly those without children, who are
both working full time don’t have time to take a week’s holiday. Think about it: a whole week out of your diary? Unfortunately in this day and age, this is to
some people, unthinkable. And I’m not
just talking about people who are heads of huge businesses, or high-fliers, so
to speak, I am talking about pretty much everyone. If you own your own small business or a shop
for example, and have few or no staff, it’s equally as hard.
Therefore
today we are going to look at some unusual examples close to home (for most of
us) and try and give you some inspiration to have a potter around a city not
too far from you.
Liverpool
We are going
to look first at Liverpool. Once a place
to avoid, since it was given city of culture in 2008 Liverpool has undergone a
remarkable transformation. Almost the
entire of the docklands, once derelict, have been re-gentrified into
apartments, restaurants and leisure facilities.
Made famous by possibly the most famous band in the World, the Beatles,
Liverpool had a lot to live up to.
Heavily bombed in the war, and since then, suffering extreme poverty, it
has taken decades for the city to become what it now is. FABULOUS!
The first
thing to remark upon is the people. For
our non-UK readers, the Liverpool accent is notorious and love it or loathe it
(personally, dear Readers, I love it), it is certainly something to
experience! Along with the accent comes
of course, the people. Now, be prepared
to meet the most hospitable, most friendly, kind people you have ever met. I never forget on my first solo trip to
Liverpool, I wanted to try and find the iconic shop, Cricket (more on that
later), I was completely lost. It went
against the grain for this Southerner (don’t even make eye-contact, let alone
speak to anyone) to ask for directions, but boy, I was glad I did. The lady practically invited me to her house
for a cup of tea! They are friendly bar
none. Even in the posher places where, certainly
in the likes of London, you get scowled at then ignored, yes I am talking to
you, sales assistants in Dior (don’t ask), they are friendly and
welcoming. You couldn’t feel more
comfortable in a city if you tried.
The next
thing to remark upon is the architecture.
It’s hard to miss the Liver Building and it is architecturally
spectacular. As is the city itself with
beautiful buildings all around. The
re-gentrification has clearly carried on from the docklands into the city
centre with a whole new area (Liverpool One) some would argue making it ever so
slightly generic but it’s nice all the same.
So what are
we recommending, then? Well how about
this for an itinerary: I would suggest
you stayed in one of two places. You’ll
find at the Albert Dock all sorts of eateries and bars and the most wonderful
Titanic exhibition which is free and totally fascinating, completely worth a
visit. It’s also where they used to film
Richard & Judy and the weatherman used to stand on the map of the British
Isles if you remember rightly, dear Readers?
Next to it is Stanley Dock and the home of the Titanic Hotel. It’s about £140 a night for a double room but
it is pretty special and very, very cool.
It is a beautiful location and really quirky in a good way. You just cross the road and you’re in the
centre so you don’t have to walk far. You’re
right on the famous Mersey so it can be a bit on the nippy side, but the views
are gorgeous. So it’s either that or, if
you really want something super authentic, you’ll need to head to the Hard Day’s
Night Hotel.
We haven’t
mentioned them yet, really, but let’s face it, you can’t come to Liverpool and
not talk about the Beatles. For true
fans, there’s nowhere else to stay. Now,
warning you now, if you want a good night’s sleep I would stick with the
docklands. This hotel is not for
sleeping, certainly not sober sleeping.
This is for a good time. The
location is perfect for the bustling Cavern Quarter where things are certainly at! It is clearly Beatles-themed and it is
really, really fun. And pretty cool to
be honest. You’re looking at about £90 a
night for a double room.
Right so that’s
the hotel sorted. Parking you’re looking
at ample parking in the docklands and with the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, you’re
best off dropping your passengers and luggage off and parking in the Liverpool
One carpark. Details, details, boring,
let’s talk about the Beatles. For all Beatles
fiends, you’ll need to head to the Cavern Quarter whatever you do. It’s hard to miss! There you will find lots of bars and a really
great atmosphere, reminiscent I always found to that of Covent Garden. There’s an excitement in the air. There are Beatles memorabilia shops a-plenty,
but where it’s at is the Cavern itself.
That famous nightclub you must have heard of. It is still functioning and even in the
day-time, toddle in there and there will be bands playing. It’s a great atmosphere, and actually very family-friendly. It is absolutely fascinating and really worth
a visit. For those who like their
shopping, the Cavern Quarter is also excellent for that. There is a shop there called Cricket, made
famous by the WAGs of the Liverpool football players but, as you can imagine,
your Hapless Blogger has been there once or twice, and it is a fabulous
shop. Very typically Liverpudlian: very unassuming. Unpretentious and full of the most fabulous
collection of designer clothes you could imagine. You’ll probably see someone famous in there
and they won’t care either. You’re
trying on the same pair of Louboutins as Colleen Rooney? So what?!
There are a
squillion bars and restaurants and it all depends on what you want. So I have to go on my own recommendations and
for dinner, I insist you go to San Carlo.
A little bit like a posher version of Donatello’s in Brighton (more on
that later, but you may know it), it likes to display photos of its famous
visitors all over its walls. Not for
from the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, so not far to stumble back from, it is lovely
and the food is out of this world. Not
cheap, but a lovely place to see and be seen.
Liverpool is
a very forward-thinking city in all aspects of its development, and you will
have an unforgettable time there.
Manchester
Another city
one once avoided, Manchester has undergone some serious development just as
Liverpool. Much bigger, it is just as architecturally
beautiful. Honestly, dear Readers, if
you have never been before, just go, as it’s not at all what you think. And the trams! For some reason I had no idea there where
trams there! Such a novelty, but beware,
they are silent! Unlike driving into
Liverpool which is a complete doddle, Manchester is bigger and busier, so I
would recommend letting the train take the strain. So much easier and no car to worry about
parking.
Where are we
staying? Well, we’re only going for one
night, so what about the Great John Street Hotel. This is a former Victorian school and what
one might call “uber-chic”. It really
does kill several birds with one stone:
you are close to the shopping and eating districts but if you really
wanted, you are also within view of Grenada Studios and we all (well, some of
us) know what is filmed there…the famous Coronation Street (aaaaggghhhh heaven
for some and hell for others and our European friends ready this won’t have a
clue, but Coronation Street is a very well-known programme in the UK, and some
people make a special trip to Manchester to visit the set…I said “some” people
but chacun a son gout). With its own
Oyster bar and rooftop terrace (bliss) this will cost you £225 per room, but
hey, it is what it is. Or indeed you
might prefer the eccentric Hotel Gotham.
Architecturally fascinating, it is a themed hotel, aimed at 1930s
America ergo Batman kind of era, all moody and gangster with smart suits and
hats (you get the picture). Another one
with a rooftop terrace, you are right next to the shops, bars and restaurants. You’re looking at about £215 a night.
Right,
culture or shopping? You can have both: the Manchester Art Gallery and the People’s
History Museum are well worth visiting.
Then the Arndale Centre is great for shopping, but in typical Hapless
Blogger style, I would recommend you headed to Selfridges and Harvey Nicols, especially
to the resto in Harvey Nics as the views are fab. For some more views and actually a great way
of getting your bearings of the city, take a trip on the Manchester Eye. It’s right next to Harvey Nics so you can’t
miss it, and it is utterly worth it.
Eating and
drinking? Well, my dear Readers, the sky
is the limit. It depends what you want
and you can get pretty much anything. If
you want a real hoot of a night out, go to Canal Street which is the gay bar
district. Such a great atmosphere and
such fun. If you want to see and be
seen, you could head to San Carlo, Manchester, but we went there in Liverpool,
so I would suggest heading to Rosso.
Uber chic and very trendy, it is simply lovely at Christmas time, as is
Manchester, actually, the Christmas markets are lovely.
Glasgow
Goodness we
are definitely following a theme here, dear Readers, aren’t’ we?! Glasgow, another city which was once one to
avoid, is now just lovely. Honestly it
has to be one of my favourite cities ever.
Like Liverpudlians, Glaswegians are simply the nicest people you will
find. With a gorgeous accent, they are
just so friendly. If you’re feeling
brave, take a drive through the Gorbles.
Known as the roughest area, you probably wouldn’t want to dwell there at
night, but even that didn’t feel too scary to me…but maybe I am just naïve…Glasgow
is a similar size to Liverpool, so easy as anything to drive into and park.
Another
stunning example of beautiful architecture, it really does take your breath
away. Buchannan Street and Sauchiehall
Streets in particular. But I have to
say, once on a diversion in the northern districts of the city, I simply couldn’t
get over the beautiful buildings there, too.
Where are we
staying this time? I would suggest
either Dakota Glasgow which is just behind Sauchiehall Street so very
central. It’s really cool with gorgeous
rooms and a dedicated Champagne bar and cigar terrace…I mean, what’s not to
love? It’s in the old work and pensions
building and is really lovely. You’re
looking at roughly £122 per room. Or you
may prefer the Kimpton-Blythswood Square Hotel which, again, is as central as
can be. Dating from 1823, this is the
former home of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club. It is beautiful and a wonderful way to spend
time here. You’re looking at about £158
per room.
So what are
we going to do? Well, it is just so full
of atmosphere, honestly just have a wander around. The buskers and street artists are the best I
have ever seen. My favourite street must
be Buchannan Street with the original House of Fraser, and the stunning
Princes Square shops. About half way up
Buchannan Street, after Princes Square, turn right and you will find a whole row
of gorgeous little oyster and champagne bars.
In terms of
eating and drinking, Glasgow has you covered.
It has become quite the foodie mecca. If you wanted Michelin starred food I would
suggest you went to Ox and Finch on Sauchiehall Street. Super relaxed with clearly excellent food and
cocktails to die for. Or in fact, eat in
either of the hotels I have recommended…or check out my little oyster bars…
Cardiff
Cardiff is
much smaller, and I am not going to lie, dear Readers, not as great for the old
shopping as the rest of the cities we’re talking about. Obviously your Hapless Blogger is a bit of a
shopping connoisseur and if you are, too, then Cardiff isn’t where you want to
go.
However, it
is a brilliant night out and has a great atmosphere. It is also fab because it has two
interesting, if not centres, areas you could say. It has Cardiff Bay and it has the city
centre. Now if you fancy the Bay, you
want to stay at the iconic St David’s Hotel (Google it, it’s quite something)
which is right on the water with all the boats and the Bay area itself which,
like our other cities, has seen some significant re-gentrification allowing it
now to be a lovely place to wander with fab bars and restaurants. But back to the hotel itself and it is
considered one of the best hotels in Wales.
It has an innovative bar and restaurant and is about a 25 minute walk to
the city centre. You’re looking at from about
£141 per night.
If you wanted
a more central hotel, stay at the Radisson Blu in the centre. You would choose this one (as long as you don’t
mind heights) as an executive room with panoramic view is £107 a night and what
a view it is, dear Readers. Thoroughly
recommend.
What to do
and see? Well, I know that not all of
you will be into this, but if you are, go and watch Wales play rugby. Even if you don’t understand the rules (moi)
it is such a great thing to do, and the atmosphere is indescribable. Honestly, if you can, watch them play New
Zealand. It’s off the scale and the best
atmosphere afterwards too, no matter which side wins. Or another thing to do is watch an outdoor
concert in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
Another fabulous and atmospheric experience.
As we said,
the shopping isn’t all that, but a must visit attraction is the enormous indoor
market. What a range of butcher’s
stalls, greengrocers and fishmongers…partial to a whelk myself (I realise I am
in a minority here) do stop here, dear Readers…even if you end up trailing
through Cardiff with an interesting smell attached to your shopping bag…
There are
clearly hundreds of bars and restaurants.
A personal recommendation (they always seem to be Italian?!) is Giovanni’s
in the main shopping area right next to the arcades which are so pretty and
there are some really unusual shops in there.
Giovanni is something of a celebrity chef now but his resto is so
authentic and very, very Italian. Not at
all expensive, it really is the place to go in Cardiff.
Brighton
If you don’t
know Brighton, it is something of a legend in its own lunchtime. The Gay Capital of the UK perhaps, but it has
something for everyone. Completely and
utterly different to the previous cities, this is a beachside resort. It has it all, really: excellent shopping, fabulous entertainment
including a stunning pier with rides and merry-go-rounds, a beach, and the
infamous i360 which is a sort of very tall flagpole that you can go up…
Famously home
to Fat Boy Slim and his cronies, your Hapless Blogger was fortunate enough to
grow up in that era of impromptu concerts on the beach and the Honey Club…none
of which exist anymore (neither does any evidence, as this was pre-social media
thank goodness!), but there are still some pretty cool clubs in Brighton if
that’s your bag.
Architecturally
it couldn’t be more different to our other cities either, but just as beautiful. Where are we staying? Well, shall we go a bit classical then a bit
trendy? The obvious place to stay is the
Brighton Grand where famously the IRA tried and failed to blow up Maggie
Thatcher…It is as classic as classic goes, and is the quintessential seafront
hotel with clearly fabulous views and the most spectacular lobby and dining
room. It goes from £215 a night for a
room with a sea view and if you want to do Brighton in the classic seaside
style, then you must stay there. Now,
here’s a bit of local knowledge for you:
it’s a “thing” basically almost all artists “kipping” in Brighton for
the night stay at the Old Ship Hotel. It
is nothing to write home about to be honest.
The bar and restaurant is quite nice, but the rooms, well, there are
definitely nicer rooms to be had in Brighton, but the point is, if you are here
seeing bands, as a lot of people are, the after-party almost always happens at
the Old Ship (right on the seafront again, not far from the pier) and it’ll
only cost you £61 a night…but remember: what
happens in the Ship, stays in the ship!!
What to
do? Too much! You need more than one night but you may not
survive two! By day you must go on the pier
it is just such a great experience. There
is also the Brighton Pavilion to visit and an ice rink to fall over on there in
the Winter. The shopping is fabulous and
the Laines are stunning. Teeny, tiny
little winding streets with quirky shops.
Another proper pastime essential for Brighton is people-watching. You will see sights you never even believed existed
at all times of the day…believe me! Pop
up to North Laine and see even more bonkers sights, getting high on the ambient
smell of weed…
Where to eat
and drink? Well, there are bars and restaurants
galore, of course. And once more, we
visit yet another Italian establishment, Donatello’s! This, like Giovanni’s and San Carlos likes
having pictures of its famous patrons on its walls. I have been going here for 30 years and it is
wonderful. Not in the least bit expensive,
the best ever time to go is at Sunday lunchtime where you find big family
groups all enjoying themselves…you could be in Italy…
Bath
Lastly, but
by no means least, is the beautiful city of Bath. By far the smallest city on our list, Bath
has to be the most attractive. It is truly
stunning. The architecture is unique and
absolutely something else. Possibly the
most stunning in the World, and certainly the most distinctive.
Bath has a
lovely atmosphere. Very much a rugby
city, it is dominated by the game at the weekends! The people are so lovely too, and so
welcoming.
Where are we
staying? Well, it has to be the Royal Crescent
Hotel. Bath is so unusual, and has what
they call the “Circus” and the “Royal Crescent”. Basically buildings built in a circle and a crescent
shape. The Royal Crescent Hotel is next
level, however, and I dare to say it, the most beautiful, most refined, nicest
hotel in this post. The thing with Bath
is that it doesn’t feel like a city, if you know what I mean. And because of its size, you can really get a
feel for the countryside at the same time.
The Royal Crescent Hotel is at the top of the city with a beautiful park
in front of it and behind the Crescent are the most beautiful gardens. I keep using the word beautiful but I really
mean it. It is the stuff of Alice in
Wonderland or The Secret Garden-type dreams.
Rooms go from £264 for one night.
It is quite a thing to have afternoon tea in the Dower House (part of
the hotel) or to sip Champagne on the lawns in the Summer.
If you didn’t
want to eat in the hotel, just toddle round the Crescent and there are some
beautiful restaurants. If you’re there
in the Winter and in particular the Christmas Markets which must be some of the
most picturesque in Europe, you must go round the corner and down the first
street on the left. Here you will find
an old-fashioned German shop with beautiful things, toys, artefacts, and in
their basement they have the most gorgeous café where you will find the best
hot chocolate of your life!
Or if you can’t
quite stretch to Royal Crescent prices, stay at The Gainsborough Bath Spa. Now, as we all know, Bath is famous for its
Roman baths (DO NOT DRINK THE WATER YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!). What’s fabulous about the Gainsborough is
that is has access to the naturally heated thermal waters where through the spa
in the hotel you are able to swim! How
cool is that?! It’s pretty smart and
very, very central. You are looking at
about £200 a night. You are right in the
thick of things, too and Bath has many, many beautiful bars and
restaurants. Another hotel of note is
The Bird. A five minute walk into the
centre, it has terrific views and is from £99 a night.
For something
typically Bathonian, pop in to Lambretta’s bar for a quick pint and a chat with
the locals (incidentally, if you are very, very strapped for cash, round the corner
from Lambretta’s is Pratts Hotel…Faulty Towers has nothing on this place, but
it is cheap)…
Something you
really should do, apart from visiting the Abbey, the Roman Baths, Sally Lunn’s
Bath Buns and the Royal Crescent, is to go to the Thermae Bath Spa. This is just wonderful and right next to the
Gainsborough if you stay there. A beautiful
experience with different pools and various steam rooms etc etc but the main
thing is the enormous Jacuzzi on the roof.
Here you have a panoramic view of the city and it really is like
something out of James Bond: you get in
the lift and then the doors open onto this infinity jacuzzi and just the sights
of the city. It is fabulous and you must
do it. The shopping goes without saying
so I won’t bore you with it. Or if you
are there in the Summer, take a boat ride from Pulteney Bridge up the river Avon
to The Boathouse pub…just superb.
There. I could go on all day but I won’t, dear
Readers. Hopefully you’ll have some
refreshed vigour to visit our beautiful home-grown cities, and perhaps our
European readers might have got some new ideas.
Until next
time….
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