Liverpool is more than the Beatles.  Selected in 2008 to be the European Capital of Culture, it is a city of landmark Victorian architecture, a killer football team, amazing cathedrals, and even its own unique raisin beer.  This 800-year old city offers “ex-citement” and the friendliness of Northern England to its visitors and inhabitants.  
 
Exile:   When feeling exiled or lonely, the best anecdote is often going to a lively busy public place, and in Liverpool you are spoiled for choice.  The Albert Docks along the sea have the largest collection of historic buildings in Britain, lovely restaurants and shops, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and yes, the Beatles Story.  The Docks, opened in 1846 by Prince Albert, had been one of the busiest and wealthiest ports in the world, importing rum, spirits, tobacco, and cotton.  With money came amazing architecture, and a visit wouldn’t be complete without a look at the Liver Building at Pier Head with its crowning sculptures of the Liver Bird, the city’s namesake.   The Liver Bird is the mascot of Liverpool, representing a cormorant which in past years were seen flying alongside the Mersey River.  
 
For more people watching, the Tate Modern is a splendid choice.   Built around a collection of post-impressions, pop art, and 1980s hyperrealism, the gallery also features rotating exhibits and installations.  The gallery is in a building called the Colonnades which looks out onto the waterfront, and the Tate Café is a wonderful place to have a cup of coffee and watch the boats.  Designed by artist Tobias Rehberger, it is a bright, colorful and welcoming place. The Colonnades also has a variety of funky shops, including Liverpool’s premier shop for Macintosh in case you want to look at the new I-Pods.  
 
Express:  If visiting the Tate has inspired you to engage in your own creative expression, try taking a class at the Performance Factory.  The Performance Factory is a performing arts academy offering instruction to all ages in dance, drama, yoga, ballet, jazz, singing, tap, musical theatre, hip-hop and funk.   If you have a day-job, there is a “power lunch” class in AstangaVinyasa yoga that will leave you feeling energized and recharged.  The Performance Factory also works with casting agencies for more serious practitioners of the creative arts.  
 
The Bluecoat Center for Contemporary Arts, currently undergoing renovation to create an exciting new art space, offers courses in printmaking, as well as a rotating series of exhibitions, literary debates, and community events.  
 
Exorcise: If dancing or yoga hasn’t exorcised all the demons, a visit to Liverpool’s magnificent Anglican cathedral and futuristic Catholic cathedrals might do the trick.