William1982's VirtualTourist Home Page

Finally got back on the travelling trail after a few false starts. Made it to Finland this time to visit friends in Tampere and also visit Helsinki. Enjoyed a great night out in Tampere but some of the drinks were just plain nasty!!!))) Also just been to Oslo. Not sure when I'm travelling next, just arrived to live in Sheffield to become a student again )))) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Football is the passion in Liverpool, either red or blue, for me blue is the colour, royal blue! Nothing beats 3pm on a Saturday; Goodison Park rising up from behind rows of terraced houses, the click of the turnstiles, running to my seat in time to hear Z -Cars raise the roof off the Gwlady's street...priceless!!! My essential items for traveling are an Everton shirt and a football, there's always some one up for a game!!!

My city, Liverpool

It's strange but I've always taken my city for granted. My travel day-dreaming was images of Rome...or Prague...or any other great European city; anywhere but home. I appreciate the people, the culture, the history but fail to understand why 'my city' is worth a visit - believing the museums, the monuments, the landmarks are all somebody else's enjoyment. I 'did' a day as a 'Liverpool tourist' to see what my city is really about:- strangely enough I had 'locals' coming up to me and offering their assistance and city history!!!

What makes liverpool a place to remember? There's the Beatles, the most successful band in the world, and probably the real reason why travellers and VTer's visit. I don't think Liverpool really appreciates how much the Beatles are a big part of Liverpool. There's the pubs and clubs of the city centre with something for everyone - from a quite drink in 'a local' to the varied club and live music scenes (could be the next Beatles???). In fact alot of these places that were around in the sixties will have some claim to the fab four, either individual members came in for a pint regularly or maybe a certain John Lennon came in to use the facilities once!!!! We are also, unofficialy, the home of football (forget Manchester and London) and we people don't mind talking about it......

Overall, there's the unique atmosphere of an up and coming European city mixed with the history of a major shipping industry; the people who came to Liverpool to leave for some foreign shore and those who stayed to set up home. There's also the free museums on every aspect of Liverpool and Liverpool life, including life during the war and our shipbuliding industry.

Some facts -
1) Liverpool is home to around 550,000 people, with a metro area of around 1.5million people (Merseyside).
2) Liverpool was once the second city in the British empire behind London, and a favourite of Queen Victoria!!!
3) Liverpool was a main port and took many nationalities to the New World (USA). However, many stayed here to set up home.
4) Liverpool is home to the worlds most famous steeplechase, the Grand National at Aintree Racecource.
5) Liverpool has the most museums in one city in England outside of London.
6) Liverpool is the only site in England to have gained UNESCO world heritage status for its pier head listed buildings and dockland areas.

Liverpool's claim to fame :
1) The Beatles - need I say more???
2) Everton FC - that world reknowned football team known simply as 'the pride of Merseyside'.
3) The Pier Head - get a postcard depicting Liverpool and what do you see? Yes? - our famous waterfront (complete with Mersey ferry ).... and now a world UNESCO site!!!
4) Maritime Liverpool - once an important travel hub of the sea...including a certain Yellow Submarine (-;

The best thing about Liverpool? see for yourself (-:

European Capital of Culture 2008

Paul McCartney, 2003 - Capital of culture?? More like capital of the universe!!!

One thing I do when I travel is try to find the stadium or stadiums, either to take in a game of football (soccer/futbol/etc) or take some pictures. This has led to some funny situations over the years, trying my upmost to get into a particular stadium -then getting caught..... where I then profess my undying love for the game!!! Luckily most East European stadiums (so far visited) are easily accessible!!!

Anyways, most countries have been more than welcome to let me into their stadiums to take pictures and give me info on forthcoming games. The best info I got was from Ljubljana tourist information who bought a local paper so they could check for forthcoming football matches and then even phoned a friend (who liked football) so I could ask if a match was being played!!! My usual excuse is that I'm from Liverpool and we're all football fanatics, which usually meets with instant friendliness......and conversations about Liverpool FC!!! )-:

Anyway, the best stadiums I've been to -
1) Goodison Park, Everton (obviously)
2) Olympiastadion, Bayern/ 1860
3) Celtic Park, Celtic
4) Wembley, England
5) St James Park, Newcastle
6) Poljudsko Setaliste, Hadjuk Split
7) Hampden Park, Scotland

and the one's I want to see...
every one

The latest stadium visit was in Warsaw to see Legia play Zurich in the UEFA cup. Went to the game with two Polish guys who didn't speak a word of English apart from Vodka!!! Anyways, they were very friendly and got me into the culture of flag waving, shouting and enjoying the vodka - even if Legia lost 1-0!!!

Travelling is what life's all about; backpacking across some foreign country, spontaneous destinations, planning???? or lack of it, unusual sleeping arrangements, sharing dorms, sharing stories, meeting other travellers and above all trying to make money last!!! (-: My tip to achieve this - dodging fares!!!....no, only kidding!!! I mean travelling on foot!! Sure your trainers take a battering and may require some 'adjustments' in the form of miles of tape, glue and fake adidas stripes (see pic) but you get to see so much more.
People watching is always cool, and don't forget exploring all parts of a city (not just the tourist attractions), take in the culture (lots of beer is good too!!!) and talk to as many people as possible.

A language barrier??? A common language of smiling, nodding, pointing works every time!

Born in Liverpool in 1982, my first memories of wanderlust revolve around a classroom globe. Endlessly spinning, confused to find my city was just a drop in the ocean; bound me to discover.

Early holidays spent in North Wales, not too far for a child to get restless, not to near to feel completely at home. A rented farm with acres of land, an adventurous older brother and sister, this youngster was compelled to wander the big bad world....every field was the edge of the world, every tree the top of a mountain and every unknown a challenge.

Now?...it is that the edge of the world is every new country, the top of the mountain is every new challenge and everyone unknown is someone worth knowing.
So much to see.....

Travelling has become a big part of my life, I guess that's why this is VT??? There is nothing better than taking a train to a new city and working from there. I usually prefer to plan as little as possible, maybe because I'm too lazy or maybe just disorganized but it's also the best way to meet new people, usually looking for the same things as me! Usually I take my Everton shirt and a football with me so I can play football with as many people as possible. So far football on Miami beach and below the US Capitol building are the highlights!!!

Anyway, I've got to say my favourite country so far has got to be Austria. Salzburg happened to be my first trip abroad back in 1994 (if you don't count Wales as a European destination) and for some reason the place has never left me. In 2003 I had a chance to go back there, but this time I was able to do it my way. I think I spent about 4 weeks of my 10 weeks traveling in Austria and got to see a lot of the country, including hiking in Salzkammergut! Vienna was amazing, Graz was the capital of culture, Zell am See was picturesque, as were the mountains and in Salzburg I had some great nights out. I think once I learn a bit more German, beyond Wer ist die bahnhof and Danke, then I'll move out to Salzburg or Vienna.

As for 2004 travel , I started with Russia, then moved on to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, now it looks like I'll be traveling to Czech, Poland, Hungary and Croatia.....

Anyway lists -

Favourite places I've been to:
1. Vienna
2. Berlin
3. Salzburg
4. Budapest
5. Chicago
6. Split
7. Detroit
8. Prague
9. Glasgow
10.New York

A few strange choices??? I guess being from Liverpool has made me like the rougher side of life, ports city's are like a home from home, dirty bulidings are fascinating, you know a real lived in city.

Places I'd Most Like To Visit

1. St Petersberg
2. Moscow
3. Rio de Janeiro
4. Belgrade
5. Buenos Aires
6. Hamburg
7. Kaliningrad
8. Kiev
9. Napoli
10.Volgograd

This summer (2005) I won't be crossing off any places on my current list but going to be visiting Poland for the first time so here's to Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk et al.......and Bratislava.