Liverpool is still probably best known internationally for being the birthplace of the Beatles, but the city continues to reinvent itself with every new generation and has long been one of the UK's leading cultural centres - an achievement which was formally recognised when the town was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2008. Full of theatres, museums, restaurants and shopping centres, this historic city which spans the river Mersey in England's North West is a great destination for a family holiday. And with a wide range of apartment and cottage rentals available both in the city centre and out in the surrounding countryside, there are some great deals to be had for a low cost trip as well.

Liverpool has something for all tastes. Sports fans have two major English football teams in the city with Everton and Liverpool FC, not to mention Aintree Racecourse just outside the town - the home of the Grand National. For art lovers there are brilliant galleries such as the Walker Art Gallery, or the Tate Liverpool - to which admission is free (apart from for some special exhibitions). The city is also well served with museums, including the Liverpool World Museum with its acclaimed collection of Egyptian artifacts, and the inevitable Beatles Story museum - for further Beatles-related attractions in Liverpool, see also the Fab4D cinema, the Yellow Duckmarine amphibious bus tours and various tours comprising the birthplaces of John, Paul, George and Ringo. The city centre is small enough to walk around, and there are also excellent shopping opportunities at places such as Liverpool One, a new retail development with three floors of outlets. Anyone interested in architecture will also head straight to the Albert Dock and Pier Head Waterfront, which were granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2004.

There are a wide range of rental properties available in the Merseyside area - trendy serviced apartments in the centre of town or down by the historic Albert Docks, or holiday cottages out in the Wirral a little further away from Liverpool. At around £700 a week for an apartment or cottage large enough for a family of four, there is the potential for some serious money saving in comparison to the cost of hotel rooms. Rent a serviced apartment or cottage for better accommodation deals, and also for money saving opportunities - preparing a few packed lunches in a cottage kitchen can really make the holiday budget stretch much further.