Staying in Liverpool over the Christmas Vacation

Today’s session

• What to expect over Christmas• An idea of a traditional British Christmas• Practical tips• Things to see and do in the vacation period

What is Christmas like in the UK?

• Family and friends• Rest• Going out• Food and drink• Decorations• Presents • Time for celebration

Shop opening hours

• Restricted opening times over Christmas and New Year

• Closed on Christmas day• Times usually displayed on poster at entrance• Plan ahead - have enough food to last a few

days

Transport

Bus and trains – reduced service

Taxi – increased fares, busy

University Service opening times

• University closes at 5pm Wednesday 23 December re-opens on Monday 4 January 2015

• Library - 23 December at 9.30 pm re-opens 29/30/31 December from 8.30 am – 6pm. Will resume normal opening

• Sport & Fitness Centre - closes at 8pm on Monday 21 December and will re-open on Saturday 2 January from 8.30 am.

• IST Closes at 5pm Wednesday 23 December re-opens Monday 4 January 2015. • In an emergency, call University security 0151 794 3222

If you are ill or have an accident• Call 999 if it is a serious emergency• Call 101 for police non-emergencies• Call 111 for NHS Direct - health advice and

information 24 hours a day• Royal Liverpool University Hospital, London Road• Chemist/pharmacist – how to find nearest branch• GP – if you are with Brownlow Group Practice

www.brownlowgrouppractice.org If you are not registered with Brownlow Group

Practice - seek information from your GP

Keep warm• Hat, scarf, mittens/gloves• Lots of layers and ‘thermals’ (special warm

underwear) • Waterproof clothes and footwear• At home:

– Blankets– Thicker duvet (15 tog is highest)– Hot water bottle– Hot drinks

Stay safe in ice and snow• Pavements can get icy – wear ice grips• If ice on the road, avoid driving• If you do drive, keep de-icer, ice scraper, a blanket, a

torch and a flask containing a hot drink in the car• If you will be away from your accommodation,

remember to leave the heating on lowto avoid pipes freezing and bursting

• Check weather and special weather warnings

Places to go/events in Liverpool

Liverpool Christmas Markets

Location: Lord Street, Paradise Street, Church StDate: Now until Tuesday 22 DecemberTime: 9 am onwards – 8pm

Snowflake Trail

Location: Throughout the cityDate: Now until 3 January 2016 Time: Anytime

Ice Festival•Ice rink•Ice slide - 30 metre slides 6 metres above park•Ice bar & Après Lodge – ice sculptures, hot chocolate and mulled wineLocation: Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONEDate: Now until 3rd JanuaryTime: 11am-7pm/9pmhttp://www.liverpool-one.com/icefestival

Pantomimes• The Everyman Playhouse• Rapunzel Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Panto• http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/r

apunzel-rock-n-roll-panto• Now until 23rd January

Pantomimes• Liverpool Empire Theatre• Dick Whittington• Now until 3rd January• http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dick-whitti

ngton/liverpool-empire/

Pantomimes• Epstein Theatre• Cinderella• http://www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/

cinderella.aspx

• Now until 3rd January

The Philharmonic Hall• A Hollywood Christmas:

http://www.liverpoolphil.com/16697/events-classical-music/a-hollywood-christmas.html

• Liverpool Welsh Choral Stars at Christmas: http://www.liverpoolphil.com/17832/events-classical-music/liverpool-welsh-choral.html

• The Spirit of Christmas (traditional British Christmas concert with Philharmonic Choir): http://www.liverpoolphil.com/16699/events-classical-music/spirit-of-christmas.html

• Santa’s Sleigh on Hope Street – Family Concert: http://www.liverpoolphil.com/16710/events-classical-music/santas-sleigh-on-hope-street.html

• Carols by Candlelight: http://www.liverpoolphil.com/17508/events-classical-music/carols-by-candlelight.html

• It’s A Wonderful Life: http://www.liverpoolphil.com/17820/events-film-comedy-amp-events/its-a-wonderful-life.html

Carol Services• 11 Liverpool Christmas Carol Concerts (including St

Georges Hall and the Anglican Cathedral):

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/11-liverpool-christmas-carol-concerts-10508877

Be a tourist!• Sightseeing in Liverpool

– Inside Metropolitan cathedral

– Up to the top of Anglican cathedral

– Up to the top of St. John’s tower

– Ferry across the Mersey

– Free museums and galleries http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/

Website: www.visitliverpool.com Email: info@visitliverpool.com

Things to do

Get part-time job

• Can work full-time during vacation period• How to find work...• Working During Your Studies Presentation -

Friday 11th December 1pm

Study!

– Study with friends– Revise– Get organised for the new term– Improve your English

Have your own British‘Christmas day’ with friends

• Christmas tree with lights and baubles

• Exchange gifts• Queen’s speech – 3pm Christmas Day• Cook Christmas dinner

Things to do: Ideas

• Seek opportunities to practise your English• Keep a journal and photographs/blog• Volunteer• Watch some Christmas films

Christmas films!

• It’s a Wonderful life (1946)

• Miracle on 34th Street (1947/1994)

• The Snowman (1982)• Gremlins (1984)• Die Hard (1988)• Scrooged (1988)

• Home Alone (1990)• The Muppets Christmas

Carol (1993)• The Nightmare before

Christmas (1993)• Elf (2003)• Arthur Christmas (2011)• Love Actually (2003)

Travel in the UK

Visit Chester, Manchester, Leeds, York, London, Wales, Edinburgh, Scotland

• Train - www.thetrainline.com• Coach - www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx • Megabus - www.megabus.com

IST Facebook page

• Staying in Liverpool over the Christmas vacation - UofL students

• Share ideas• Post what you are doing• Organise your own events• Invite others to join in • Ask if you can join in

Tell us what you have done!

• Send us your journal/link to blog• Photographs• Put photos on Facebook• Give us feedback for next year’s

workshop