WHEN you think of the perfect festive trip, perhaps Liverpool is not top of your list.

The Christmas markets are fairly new for the city and you might think it is too close to home.

But we were invited to sample the magic which will make you think differently and place Liverpool firmly on your list of Christmas favourites.

If you travel to Liverpool by train, you are greeted by the Christmas markets as soon as you step out of the station.

Outside St George’s Hall, conveniently situated just across the road, you will find traditional stalls with everything from arts and crafts, gifts and the infamous Yorkshire Pudding Wrap.

Most striking of all is the Windmill Bar which towers above the other attractions.

Inside you can enjoy mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate and we were impressed with the view as we relaxed overlooking the brightly-lit huts below.

To sample a more modern approach to festive drinking, we headed over to the the iconic Liverpool ONE Christmas tree, a bright futuristic tower.

Underneath the tree's neon lights, you can enjoy refreshments in the Bar Hutte.

This is a ski chalet-inspired bar, complete with karaoke huts which you can book to pass the night with friends- the perfect private party.

A Christmas getaway would not be complete without Christmas shopping and what better place to buy for your loved ones than Liverpool ONE itself.

It features more than 170 high street stores, bars, restaurants and attractions.

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Build a Bear Workshop and Disney will excite the kids, while Pandora, Debenhams, John Lewis and Apple, amongst many others, gives you an abundance of choice to cross off those wish lists.

Worn out from shopping we were excited for lunch at LunyaLita situated in the Royal Albert Dock.

LunyaLita is the little sister to favourite Lunya and brings a taste of Spanish Tapas to the North of England.

If you haven't had tapas before, you pick a couple of small dishes which are bought to your table as soon as they are ready- a real winner for those of us who can never decide!

During our stay we visited a variety of attractions which open your eyes to the rich culture of Liverpool and everything it has to offer.

First on our list was the Royal Liver Building on the waterfront.

Members of the public can now step inside the iconic building and take a tour up to the tower to get up close and personal with the famous liver birds, Bertie and Bella.

Remember to cover your ears as you'll be standing right next to the famous clock bells as they start to ring.

It is quite something to see Liverpool from the sky, all the way out to Snowdon in clear weather, and it is definitely not a sight you will forget in a hurry.

While by the water, we had to stop by the Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival.

The iconic Pier Head has been transformed into a winter wonderland with the return of an ice rink and ice slide along with various food and drink huts.

What would a Christmas trip be without ice skating?

Strap on your skates and dance along to hits underneath disco lights to really get you in the festive spirit.

We loved it here, it is beautiful overlooking the water and the smells, sights and sounds of the nearby stalls conjure up a wholesome family feeling.

After using up our energy skating, we were lucky enough to visit Gino D'Acampo- My Restaurant just a short walk away.

I was amazed at how friendly the staff were, making you feel right at home and giving you plenty of advice on food and drink selections.

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Not that we needed any advice- everything was delicious and you definitely get your money's worth with great portion sizes and a huge menu selection.

The restaurant is stylish, upmarket, and somewhere I will definitely be going back to.

After consuming our weight in pasta and Bellinis- the berry one is gorgeous- it was time to retreat to our room for the night at Quest Serviced Apartments.

Quest apartments are new luxury apartments based right in the heart of the city in Church Street.

Decorated to the highest of standards, they are the perfect home away from home for your night in Liverpool.

Never have I been so impressed as each room is fully equipped to make sure you never want to leave, with a fridge, freezer and cooker, as well as a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.

After a pleasant sleep, we started day two of our trip in the iconic Mathew Street to visit the Magical Beatles Museum.

The museum pays homage to The Beatles and is full of unique memorabilia.

Spanning three floors, it was opened last year by Roag Best, the brother of original Beatles drummer Pete Best.

I have a new-found respect for the band, previously not knowing much other than the classic songs!

We were then treated to even more fantastic cuisine from across world, this time from Mexico.

Wahaca, near Liverpool ONE, includes small plates and main meals meaning you can decide what you want depending on how hungry you are.

I have to say, this was a highlight and I will be returning for more of the Prawn Cocktail Tostada and Duck Croquetas as soon as I can.

As a city which has everything you could wish for within walking distance, Liverpool really encapsulates that festive spirit.

If you want a Christmas trip for all ages, Liverpool is your answer.