NEW YORK

ARTS & CULTURE

The 4th of July is one of the biggest national holidays in the United States. This is the day that the country celebrates its birthday and that means a big party in the Big Apple. Don’t expect a piece of cake and some balloons, but rather parades, shows, lavish parties and spectacular fireworks. On perhaps the most important day of the year for Americans, New York offers you a ‘star-spangled’ programme.

SHOPPING

Seeing the large number of white bags with a red star when you exit the subway at West 34th Street will instantly indicate that you’ve arrived at Macy’s - New York’s first ever department store. The 10-storey building covers an entire block: the dream of every shopaholic!

SHOPPING

All of New York City is a shopper’s paradise, but no district manages to mix luxury and bargains, hip and classic, vintage and modern quite as well as SoHo does. Many large chains, small boutiques and countless designer shops are housed in industrial warehouses with typical New York fire escapes on the outer walls.

SHOPPING

Shopping in New York is definitely more than just endlessly trying on clothes and shoes. You can buy literally anything in the Big Apple, which has everything from gigantic bookshops to high-tech camera stores. Many large shopping chains have chosen to locate their flagship stores to this vibrant city, and with good reason.

CULINARY

In New York, the city that never sleeps, breakfast can mean anything. On lazy Saturdays or Sundays, it is widely accepted to have breakfast anywhere between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Brunch is a culinary institution in New York and most restaurants offer their guests an extensive breakfast menu including eggs, French toast, bagels and even champagne.

CULINARY

If New York City had its own drink it would surely be the cocktail. New Yorkers are obsessed with cocktails and bar staff have turned the shaking of these classy drinks into a true art. The range of cocktail bars the city has to offer is huge, with one being even more trendy than the other.

ARTS & CULTURE

Art galleries, theatres and unique museums: over recent years Chelsea has developed into the creative hub of New York City. The industrial character gives the district that raw edge which many artists love. There are currently an estimated 350 galleries in Chelsea alone and the number is still rising.

CULINARY

The hamburger is the symbol of American cuisine. The basic ingredients are simple: coarse ground beef on a crispy bun, possibly with a little lettuce and a drop of ketchup or mayonnaise. However, people who visit New York will soon discover that the possibilities are endless. And over the past few years the traditional ‘burger and fries’ has been making a comeback as a restaurant-quality dish.

ACTIVE & OUTDOOR

In the middle of Manhattan lies the city’s green heart: Central Park. This gigantic park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, ponds and sports fields. This is the place, in the middle of the busy city, where New Yorkers come to blow off steam. On Sunday, the roads in the park are closed and skaters, cyclists and joggers have the place to themselves.

ARTS & CULTURE

The Guggenheim Museum in New York was inaugurated in 1959, a very controversial event at the time due to its design. The round building was completely different from anything else seen in the city then. Today, the Guggenheim in New York is one of the most significant museums in the world - for its location, unique architecture, art collection and much more.

ARTS & CULTURE

The name Broadway immediately evokes images of theatres and musicals, but the theatre district is only a small part of this 24-kilometre-long street. Broadway runs at an angle through Manhattan from north to south, slicing through the chessboard-like street map of the city. Follow this iconic street and you will certainly learn more about this fascinating city.

ARTS & CULTURE

Affectionately called Lady Liberty, she is the symbol of freedom, hope and the American Dream. From Battery Park, boats depart daily to Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty looks out over the city. Although the statue doesn’t look particularly large from Manhattan, once on the island she commands an impressive presence. Visitors may climb all the way to the top and even look out from her crown.

ARTS & CULTURE

For many years, the ever-present Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world, had been stunning New York landmarks. Where the towers once stood there is now an impressive tribute to the victims of 9/11. The city is currently building new skyscrapers that will fill the hole in the New York skyline.

SHOPPING

New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world. During the New York Fashion Week, from 10-17 September 2015, the city is flooded with famous designers, notorious fashion bloggers and top models. This is the time of year when fashion lovers from around the world gather to admire the new spring and summer collections.