Liverpool's celebration of being named capital Of Culture for 2008 kicked off with a spectacular launch party, with former Beatles member Ringo Starr and local bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen and The Wombats giving performances in the city centre.

The city has spent a lot of time and money in preparing itself for an influx of tourists, flocking to the many hotels and taking in the sights and sounds of a historical city.

From the many museums and art galleries to the famous ferry cruises across the River Mersey - as well as a trip round the Albert Dock in the Yellow Duckmarines, an amphibious craft that provides guided tours of the city and its world famous waterways - the city has a wide variety of activities and tours to suit all tastes.

Fans of the Fab Four can enjoy a walk around the Beatles Story and a visit to the rebuilt Cavern Club, where the band first came onto the scene, before retiring for the night at the Hard Days' Night Hotel, a Beatles-themed hotel located in the city centre.

For music lovers - be it the Fab Four or the Philharmonic - Liverpool boasts a wide variety of venues that offer something for everyone. From the bustling live music bars of Mathew Street and the famous Carling Academy to the Empire Theatre, there'll be something going on to suit every musical taste.

After a night of music and merriment, tourists can relax and recover in a range of hotels dotted round the city, from the world famous Adelphi to a range of modern hotels tucked away in amongst the shops and restaurants in the busy shopping quarter.

For those wishing to visit and explore more of the North West, the surrounding coasts - from Cheshire to Cumbria - are dotted with a range of holiday cottages in picturesque environments, with the Capital of Culture just a train ride away.

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