New York
New York is genuinely one of the most incredible places I have ever visited. The whole city feels like stepping straight onto a film set: yellow taxis, steaming street vents, iconic skyscrapers and that constant buzz of energy. You simply cannot fail to be amazed.
One of my favourite contrasts is Central Park. After the noise and pace of the streets, you suddenly find yourself in this lush, green oasis. I chose the lazy (and very fun) option and hired a rickshaw. It was a fantastic way to see so much of the park in a short time, with someone else doing the hard work while I just sat back and took it all in.
Of course, you cannot go to New York without hitting the shops. From flagship designer stores to quirky boutiques and everything in between, there is something for every style and every budget. The buildings themselves are spectacular and, by the end of the weekend, I felt slightly dizzy from constantly looking up at the huge, gleaming skyscrapers towering overhead.
To get our bearings and see as much as possible, we hopped on a tour bus. It was a great way to tick off some of the big sights: the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Chinatown and South Street Seaport. We stopped for lunch around South Street and it was like stepping into a completely different world. With its quieter harbour feel, it felt miles away from the intensity of midtown Manhattan and is absolutely worth a visit.
As the weekend drew to a close, we squeezed in a trip up the Rockefeller Center. I am so glad we chose to go in the evening. Watching the skyline light up around you is breathtaking. For me, the real advantage of going up the Rockefeller rather than the Empire State Building itself is that you get that iconic view with the Empire State right there in front of you, lit up in all its glory.
New York was a thoroughly unforgettable experience for me, a city I would return to in a heartbeat.
If you are thinking about it, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to make it happen. Let me make it happen for you...
