New York, the City that Never Sleeps
Whilst some people like nothing more than to spend their holiday in a sun, sand and sea location such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, many others prefer the bright lights, big city buzz of one of the world's top city destinations.
It all comes down to personal taste of course, but for those who want to get away from the humdrum of everyday working life and experience a truly phenomenal and exhilarating metropolis, then New York should be top of any city 'to do' list.
For starters, there is probably very little need to draw up a schedule when visiting what is the most populous city in the US.
On arrival at JFK International Airport, jump on one of the many buses or trains that are destined for Manhattan - which is the financial heart of the city and a major sightseeing hotspot ' and, after checking into one of the countless quality hotels New York has to offer, it's simply a case of wandering.
This may seem a rather aimless way of getting to grips with New York, but the sheer vivacity of this global city is best experienced by snaking through the many avenues, alleyways and parks, absorbing the sights and sounds of a conurbation that is bustling with life 24 hours a day. Indeed, New York is more than deserving of its 'city that never sleeps' moniker, with throngs of people filling the sidewalks around the clock.
Simply 'being there' is one of the great pleasures of visiting New York. However, it goes without saying that wandering will at some point have to make way for some serious sightseeing and what better place to begin proceedings than at the iconic intersection Times Square.
Times Square is more than a busy New York junction though. It's giant, digital, neon-lit advertisements dominate the streets below and makes for a spectacular sight at night time.
Sometimes referred to as the 'Crossroads of the World', Times Square is also the place to go to collect tickets for any number of Broadway shows, with a dedicated discount ticket retailer offering fantastic bargains on some world-renowned shows.
For something a little more sedate, then it's definitely worth heading south to the harbour and jumping on a ferry to Ellis Island, which was the main point of entry for countless immigrants from the late 19th century up until the mid 20th century.
Today, the island is home to a wonderful museum providing valuable insight into the places and people that migrated there from Europe and beyond, subsequently helping to build New York ' and the US ' into the global powerhouse it is today. Photos, videos and guided tours all help to recreate what it would have been like to have arrived there from foreign lands all those years ago.
Of course, to fully get to grips with this colossal city would take weeks, if not months. It's possible to manage many of the main highlights in a long weekend though and given its deserved reputation as one of the world's greatest cities, it's hardly surprising that New York hotels are always in great demand; so remember to book ahead!
