22 October 2015

Liverpool is a small but thriving city that is poised to flourish, quietly but steadfastly winning back its reputation after a half-century of struggle and economic decline. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004) and the European Capital of Culture (2008), the last decade has seen Liverpool's fortunes greatly improved. The recipe for success has been a heavy investment in development, both leading up to and following on from the plaudits of the mid-2000s, and the city is now reaping the rewards of that investment in increased tourism and retail. Fortunately for cruise passengers, much of Liverpool's redevelopment and revitalization projects have taken place in the city center, alongside the waterfront where cruise ships dock. Serving as prime examples, the revitalized Albert Dock houses numerous restaurants and attractions -- like the Beatles Story -- and the adjacent billion-pound Liverpool One retail park is the U.K.'s largest open-air retail complex. In terms of infrastructure dedicated specifically to cruising, in 2013, the city began a feasibility study on the Cunard Building -- one of the elegant edifices making up the "Three Graces" on Liverpool's Pier Head waterfront -- for use as the new Liverpool Cruise Terminal in 2015. Also in 2013, Liverpool achieved "turnaround status" -- allowing cruises to start and end at the city's docks. This combination of the potential new cruise terminal, along with Liverpool's moves to woo passenger vessels back signal a strong commitment by the city to continue its long, rich maritime history. Liverpool's favorable position on the River Mersey, along with its direct canal and railway links to the industrial Midlands allowed it to develop as a major international trading port as early as the 17th century. In the early 20th century, shipbuilding yards and docks stretched for miles along both banks, and more than 100 passenger ships were Liverpool-registered. In the days before air travel, these passenger liner companies such as Cunard and Canadian Pacific carried millions of immigrants to new lives in North America, while a host of other steamship lines connected Liverpool with South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. And the history of Liverpool's shipping success is reflected in its architecture. At Pier Head, just prior to WWI, Cunard Line began construction on its brand-new headquarters. The third of the Three Graces was completed in 1916, standing between the Mersey Docks and Harbor Board building (now called the Port of Liverpool Building) and the Royal Liver Building. Just inland from Pier Head other shipping line headquarters, mercantile trading companies and civic buildings set up shop, creating an architectural legacy now recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status. The city boasts some 2,500 grade listed (historic) buildings and 250 public monuments. The Albert Dock alone (built in 1848), makes up Britain's largest group of Grade I listed buildings. Conveniently, nearly everything of interest to the visitor is within a 10- to 30-minute walk or a short train under or boat ride across the River Mersey. And cruise passengers arriving in the city will find a warm welcome from Liverpudlians who are enjoying renewed confidence that their city has overcome the difficulties of its recent past.

12 August 2013

Naples has been a port of call for many of the cruises that my partner and I have enjoyed. However, for some reason we’ve never been to Capri. In June 2011 we again called at the port of Naples and this time we took the short journey by boat to Capri. Capri is an island, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. With its whitewashed stone buildings and tiny, car-free streets, Capri Town feels more like a film set in real life. It’s a pristine mix of luxury hotels, expensive bars, fancy restaurants and designer boutiques. After hours of enjoying the sights and the smell of lemons we found a restaurant that was situated in a small court-yard that to one side had a view of the sea. It had large white sails that blew in the wind and provided much needed shade from the sun (it was June and it was hot). The waiter sat us at a table that was set with a white linen table cloth ready for fine dining and we were not disappointed. It was a film set and I swear I could hear the music from the God father but my partner couldn’t. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Capri for a holiday go! We both had a lovely day to remember, so if you’re looking for a place to spend time with someone special Capri has my recommendation.