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More than a million people packed the streets of Liverpool this summer to watch “Memories of 1914,” a tribute to the centenary of WWI. The story was told in the most unusual way. Three giant

marionettes—Grandmother, Little Girl and Xolo the dog—sailed in on the River Mersey tucked away peacefully in beds bigger than semitrucks. Over the course of five days, the Giants traveled and explored some of the city’s most iconic landmarks to the thrill of music and cheering crowds, sharing their own stories of war and triumph along the way.

The French street theatre experts Royal de Luxe designed the Giants, which are attached to a crane and operated by a regal group of Lilliputians who climb a platform and swing to the ground on ropes to make the marionettes walk, talk, blink, breathe, eat, drink and other lifelike movements. The mastery of the Giants came to a climax on Canning Dock as Grandmother and Little Girl ended their journey in an embrace.

“Culture is the rocket fuel that can drive this city forward,” said Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, before Grandmother’s awakening at St. George’s Hall. “The city’s image is built around this culture—it’s built in our DNA.”

About a 30-minute drive from Liverpool inside the ancient walls of Chester, culture and creativity are also the rave. The city

[ON LOCATION] JOHNALEE JOHNSTON

Historic cities beckon groups to go where they’re not supposed to go

England

began along the River Dee as a Roman fortress over 2,000 years ago where it served as a major maritime port. Under Medieval-era covered walkways, doubled-decked boutiques, pubs and eateries offer plenty to do. But it’s the meandering side streets that are the most alluring.

Marketing Cheshire’s Head of Partnerships, Nick Brown says, “It’s all about going where you’re not supposed to go. Allowing curiosity to take you beyond where you think you should be.” Somewhere in Liverpool, a 25-foot-tall Giant named Grandmother is sure to agree.

THE UNSINKABLE CITYLiverpool’s Titanic history runs deep—from the crew and musicians down to the ship’s glass and crockery. The ship took shape in Albion House, the headquarters of the Liverpool-based White Star Line. The building, affectionately called the ‘streaky bacon building’ by locals, has recently been converted into a 153-room Titanic Hotel to pay homage to these connections.

Just 5 minutes from Liverpool City Centre, the hotel’s Rum Warehouse boasts on-site catering and 15,000 sf of conference/exhibition space with waterfront views and floor-to-ceiling windows. Guest rooms are warm and earthy, containing the building’s original windows. The Merseyside Maritime

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Museum along Albert Dock has an entire program dedicated to the Titanic. Most notable is “Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story,” which explores the behind-the-scenes events that led up to the ship’s sinking. Titanic aside, Albert Dock offers tons of opportunities for culture and entertainment. The Beatles Story combines both, with interactive exhibits, rare ‘artifacts’ from the band and plenty of music. Tate Liverpool is one of four major sites for British art from 1500 to the present day.

Anchoring the Mersey waterfront is ACC Liverpool, which houses the BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena, and the soon to debut Exhibition Centre Liverpool, which once completed will bring ACC Liverpool’s total exhibition space to 160,000 sf. After a tour of the ACC, groups can take in the stunning panoramic views of of the city’s most iconic landmarks from the Liverpool Wheel. Seeing the UNESCO city from this perspective is a beautiful, not-to-be-missed experience.

After an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing around Albert Dock, take a stroll along the Mersey to Princess Dock for afternoon tea at the Malmaison. The 130-room hotel serves traditional tea in either a waterfront setting or within its gothic-inspired purple and black Malbar.

CHESTERPositioned amidst Grosvenor Park’s gorgeous rose gardens just a trot from the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre whisks delegates back to the days of Shakespeare. The theatre’s globe design, classic of a Shakespearean thrust stage, offers covered and open seating, picnic terraces and lawn space. Handcrafted props spark a sense of wonder and authenticity often lost to larger productions and venues.

The current 5th season offers a mix of Shakespeare and new adaptations of classic literature such as “The Secret Garden.” Expect to be brought into the story, essentially, as musicians and actors use just about every inch of the venue.

In the reign of Henry the Eighth, the first recorded horse race occurred at Chester Racecourse. It’s a real mind bender to think that the sprawling green, which is the oldest operating racecourse in England, was once a Roman harbor before the River Dee changed course. The racecourse is currently a hot spot for corporate events and functions.

And then there’s 1539, an on-site restaurant with a rooftop

“Culture is the rocket fuel that can drive this city forward. The city’s image is built around this culture—it’s built in our DNA.”

Left: Grandmother makes her way through an energized crowdRight from top: Entrance to Chester’s Roman Gardens, photo credit: Johnalee Johnston; smoked haddock fish cake at the Mal-maison, photo credit, Johnalee Johnston; guest room at the Titanic Hotel

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lounge and open terrace that overlooks the racecourse. Cocktail parties, dinners and private events all take place in the venue, which also recently underwent a major revamp that expanded and modernized spaces.

Whether your group is in the mood for the city’s vibrant Roman ruins, a beer or ale crawl, ghost tour, or to step into the shoes of some of the area’s most notable figures, Chester has you covered. Charles Dickens was a regular guest at the Best

Western Premier Queen Hotel. Groups can ponder this, learn about his other haunts and the hotel’s many marvels, including a recent $1 million revamp.

A Cathedral at Heights tour of Chester Cathedral will take groups up into cavernous stairwells and rooms, including the original bell-ringing chamber, to the top of the bell tower for panoramic views of the city. The cathedral’s history spans almost 2,000 years with much of its story told through stunning architecture and stained glass imagery. The main building has been host to concerts, drama productions, awards ceremonies, formal dining, conferences and television productions for up to 1,500 people in the past.

The Botanist places Chester smack in the middle of the herbal cocktail trend. Tucked away in the city centre, the eatery offers modern day “green” cocktail marvels like blackberry and rosemary fizz with blackberry puree, Broker’s Gin and fresh rosemary. The botanical theme of the venue falls toward the side of whimsy, with light fixtures made of trinkets, frames displaying seed packets and cocktails served in watering cans. Live entertainment is a regular occurrence.

Groups can partake in cocktail masterclasses, learning the secrets and history behind The Botanist’s dazzling concoctions, under the guidance of a mixologist. Ale tastings are also offered for groups up to six. The 90-minute sessions explore eight ales and beers with or without food pairings.

meetinchesterandcheshire.com; accliverpool.com;visitengland.com

The cathedral’s history spans almost 2,000 years with much of its story told through stunning architecture and stained glass imagery.

ACC Liverpool and the Wheel of Liverpool

The Secret Garden, Grosvenor Park

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