Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A Day in New York City


A Day in New York City

Getting To New York:

Served by three major airports, two train terminals and a massive bus depot, New York City is the most important transportation hub in the northeastern USA. John F Kennedy Airport (JFK), 15 miles (24km) from Midtown Manhattan in southeastern Queens, is where most international flights land. Recently voted the third-worst airport facility in the world by business travelers, JFK is best avoided.

La Guardia Airport in northern Queens is 8 miles (13km) from Manhattan and services mostly domestic flights. If you're arriving or departing in the middle of the day, La Guardia is a more convenient choice than JFK. Newark Airport is in New Jersey, directly 10 miles (16km) west of Manhattan.

Eating In New York:

Need some recommendations? Try the relaxed gourmet cuisine of Portuguese restaurant Alfama on 551 Hudson Street (especially on Wednesdays); the funky yet provincial Italian hotspot, Max on 51 Avenue B; and in the summer there is always the 79th Street Boat Basin for sunsets, barbecued food and great atmosphere.

Getting Around In New York City:

There are 5 main ways to get around New York, they are;

By Subway

By Taxi

By Car

By Bus

By Foot

The subway isn't the cleanest form of transportation---homeless people live in stations and even in subway cars---but since everyone uses it all the time, central Manhattan is generally considered safe.

Nighttime is not necessarily a dangerous time to travel as long as you are taking a popular subway line, abstain from flashy jewelry, and are not going to one of the outer boroughs. Stay away from the platform's edge, and board the train during non-rush hours from the off-peak waiting area, marked at the center of every platform (this area is monitored by cameras, and the conductor's car often stops here).

Once you board, try to be in the same subway car as other people you think are safe and stay near the middle to be close to the conductor (you'll see his face from the platform).

During rush hour and in crowded stations like 42nd St.-Times Sq., hold your bag with the opening facing you to discourage pickpockets. A real concern for women is sexual molestation---there are quite a few crazies who ride the subways to brush up or grope others. If this happens, be loud in your indignation.

When dealing with taxi drivers, remember that they know where they are going better than you, so don't presume to know the best route to somewhere because it's what you've heard.

Remember to tip at least 15% and a minimum tip of at least 50 cents if not more.

Where To Stay:

Lambda Mews - New York City North Chelsea Guest House in fabulous residential loft. Located on West 30th Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway. Spectacular views of the Empire State Building are yours when you stay in my stunning 2,600 square foot loft.

An exclusive elevator takes you takes to the 6th floor with entry directly into my spacious living room. Because of this room's extra large windows it almost seems as if the Empire State Building is in the room with you, making for an unforgettable New York City memory.

More Where to eat:

If you're looking to splurge, try one of the Upper West Side's well-known and expensive restaurants, Cafe Luxembourg between Amsterdam and West End Aves, attracts the pre-performance crowd from Lincoln Center with its French-inspired food: cassoulet, escargots and interesting salads.

Prices range from $15 at lunch to $25 at dinner for main courses. Don't even try getting in here without a reservation.

What To See:

Waterfront Museum - Visitors can enjoy visual and performing arts programs and educational tours in marine history aboard the Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79.

Skyline Cruises - Skyline Cruises offers tours of all types, schools, international tourists, senior citizens, etc… completely customized to your specifications. Times, locations, food & beverage options, multi-lingual narration's and entertainment.

Madame Tussaud's - The American idea of wax museums will be changed forever when you visit Madame Tussaud's in the heart of New York. The Museum features over 175 wax figures of celebrities, sport figures and singers.

Carnegie Hall - Carnegie Hall is a world famous concert hall. For more than a century, Carnegie Hall has set the standard for excellence in performance.

Central Park - Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States. The park offers over 840 acres of landscaped and recreational areas that include a zoo, a theater, sports facilities, lakes, food, entertainment and lots more.

Where To Shop:

Calvin Klein 654 Madison Ave between E 60th and 61st Sts, is a study in elegance by the media savvy designer.

Barney's 660 Madison Ave between E 60th and 61st Sts, has become famous for treating potential customers as too fat, too poor and, in the men's department, too straight. This is the hip and haughty clothing chain's flagship store.

Valentino 747 Madison Ave between E 64th and 65th Sts, displays the creations of one of the world's best- known couture designers.

The massive Giorgio Armani 760 Madison Ave between E 65th and 66th Sts, shows that the world-famous designer can't stand to be outdone by anyone. Armani's gorgeous clothes fill four floors.

Prada 841 Madison Ave between E 69th and 70th Sts, showcases the Milan company's expensive and trendy offerings. The shoes start at $300.

Entertainment:

Go to the Blind Tiger Ale House on Hudson st and sample Ale's from all over the world. Great place to meet singles.

Monday, December 5, 2011

How To Take Your Dream Bahamas Cruise


How To Take Your Dream Bahamas Cruise

The Bahamas is arguably the most popular cruise destination for U.S. travellers, and is especially popular with first-time cruisers from the U.S. Only 75kms from mainland USA, the outer islands that make up the group can be reached within a matter of hours.
 
This makes the Bahamas an excellent choice of location for a short Bahamas cruise break of two, three or four nights away from home.

Some 700 islands make up the archipelago of the Bahamas, of which only around 50 are inhabited. Cruise lines generally focus on just two Bahaman ports - Nassau and Freeport.

Nassau is Bahamas' capital, and is located on the island of New Providence. It is a beautiful compact city that is easy to explore inside a day's shore excursion.

The city's charm is in its architecture - and of course its people. Late 18th century and early 19th century colonial buildings stand as reminders of Bahamas' British past.

Parliament Square in downtown Nassau offers a unique perspective on the city's architecture, watched over, as always, by a grandiose marble statue of Queen Victoria.

But Nassau is not just about history. It has a vibrant modern side too. Quality shops, fine restaurants and golden beaches, up onto which the inviting warm transparent waters of the Caribbean lap, are all there to be sampled. Activities such as snorkelling, diving and passenger submarine rides make for an exciting time in this tropical paradise. The nightlife in Nassau is buzzing too, with casinos and nightclubs offering the best of Bahamian life.

A Bahamas cruise to Freeport on the island of Grand Bahamas offers tropical paradise that is very close to home.

Easily accessible on a two-night Bahamas cruise, Freeport is a city that welcomes cruisers and tourists with open arms. Duty-free shopping is one of the biggest draws of Freeport, and the city itself features a 10-acre international bazaar - a real shopping paradise in the tropics!

The nightlife in Freeport is world-renowned.

Casinos, nightclubs and live entertainment in Freeport are amongst the best in the Caribbean, and make for a great night out when you're on a Bahamas cruise.

For travellers looking for a Bahamas cruise of a longer duration than four nights, some cruise lines offer special extended cruises, several of which incorporate a port call at a private island owned by the cruise company.

Bahamas cruises generally depart from ports in Florida. Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami port are the big three which offer cruises to the Bahamas. 

So, if you're looking to take a short romantic break, or just fancy a change of scenery for the weekend, why not get yourself down to Florida and book a Bahamas cruise.

Bahamas cruises are reasonably priced, and I guarantee you that the experience will be one that lives long in the memory...

-John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.azcruises.com now to book your very own dream cruise