A Liverpool attraction 'City & Beatles Tour - Blue Route' was named 10th in the Top 10 Experiences in the World for 2022 on TripAdvisor, and I was lucky enough to jump onboard.
An open boat canal cruise through Amsterdam topped the list, with a Dubai experience that includes quad biking and sand surfing through the red dunes coming second, but Liverpool was also on the list in all its glory - as it should be. I've lived in Liverpool for a few years now, and I've strangely never been on a bus tour, so I had to start at the top - right?
The popular tour starts on Gower Street and travels past the Royal Liver Building, St. George’s Hall, Liverpool Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Next, it ventures through the leafy suburbs to see Ringo Starr’s hometown, as well as Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s childhood homes.
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Along the way it stops at the charming Penny Lane and Strawberry Field for a photo opportunity, before heading back to the city centre along the dock with some history all about the River Mersey along the way.
The Tour
It was a beautifully sunny day in Liverpool on the day of my tour which was an absolute bonus, and I was keen to snap up a seat on the open top of the bus to catch some rays. It came as no surprise that the bus was absolutely rammed, and some ticket holders had to sit downstairs to enjoy the tour.
We were given a map and greeted by our tour guide Chris, who I can only describe as incredible, for many different reasons! Chris was filled with information about the city, and delivered it in such a fun and vibrant way that I didn't want the tour to end.
As we set off on our journey, Chris was already cracking jokes, making friends, and having a good old singalong to some classic Beatles tunes. I've found in the past that tours can be a little monotonous, especially when the tour guide lacks enthusiasm, but Chris was absolutely loving every moment, and that made me love it even more.
I found out facts I never thought I'd learn, facts that will stick in my head forever that can be regurgitated across the table at Christmas, especially to my Beatles mad parents. As a side note, this tour is absolutely for all ages, and there was a great mix onboard.
Although this tour is perfect for Beatles fans, you don't necessarily need to be a die hard fan. I like listening to the Beatles, but even when Chris referenced songs I'd never heard of, I wasn't made to feel left out in any shape or form.
The Blue Route doesn't just focus solely on the Beatles, it focuses on the city of Liverpool itself, and if I wasn't already mega proud to live here, I most certainly am now. In terms of timings, I really enjoyed the pace of the tour, which lasted approximately 90 minutes.
There was plenty of time for photos and Chris even snuck in a cheeky selfie on my camera roll when he was supposed to be taking a picture of me at Penny Lane! I attended this tour on my own and I absolutely felt part of the group, another reason why this tour is clearly so special.
After briefly passing Paul McCartney's house on Forthlin Road, it was time to head back to the docks, and most certainly time for a sing song. Chris whipped out his banjo and sang us a couple of classic Beatles songs including Maggie Mae, which really rounded off the tour perfectly.
The Verdict
Let's just say, I can see why this tour is top 10 in the world. It gives a real insight into the city of Liverpool, delivered with passion and liveliness. If you haven't been on this bus tour yet, I'd urge you to book it now, even if you've lived here for years it's still worth it.
It's 90 minutes of laughter, interesting facts and classic Beatles songs - what more could you want? The ticket cost me £18 with a £1.08 booking fee. Book your tour here.
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