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We flew direct from Manchester with Aer Lingus, flight was great, lovely aircraft and great service on board, we had an afternoon departure which was ideal as we didn’t have a mega early star and we took advantage of using the lounge at Manchester Airport. We took a cab from JFK airport straight to the hotel, we stayed at the Holiday Inn City Times Square and what a fabulous location! We dumped our luggage and was straight out into Times Square for a wander around, being Saturday night it was buzzing, so much to take in, the bright lights, the nightlife and plenty of cabs beeping their horns! We settled in an Irish Bar (of course) had a nightcap and then an early night ready to hit the ground early the next day. The time difference meant that we were up and at em and ready to explore by 7.30 am the next morning. On todays agenda was an open top bus tour, I always find these are a great way to get your bearings in a new city. We had a great tour and even sat on top deck in the winter sun! It was chilly up there but we were well wrapped up and the views were amazing. We got off the bus near to Battery Park and got tickets to go across to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. *Tip* There are a lot of ticket sellers on the street around here, don’t use these as they are way over priced, use the official ticket booth down by the ferry for the correct pricing. Lady Liberty did not disappoint, shes amazing! The ferry trip over is great and we paid a few dollars more to gain access to the pedestal, 164 steps up and you come out on the pedestal, couldn’t be any closer! We sat and had a coffee in the sun with the Statue of Liberty looking over us it was such a surreal moment, turns out we had a few more of these to come. Next stop Ellis Island and what an amazing piece of history this is, we paid $10 to do a search of people who had arrived here and we all found relatives and even some from Keighley, was emotional to experience such an important part of family history. After a pit stop and little rest we ventured to Wall Street, saw the famous “Bull” and had a good explore. We finished off the day with a cocktail or two and some huge slices of pizza! *Tip* New York can be expensive for food and drinks, we found some great value breakfasts and food by just having a wander around, each deli and bakery has a sitting in area which is ideal for a good value quick breakfast. Day 2 Todays agends started off with a visit to the Rockerfella Centre, we had booked tickets in advance for the “Top of the Rock” experience, we again were so lucky with the weather as we had another beautiful clear sunny day, we got out of the lift and the views were unreal, we saw all the way across Central Park and Beyond. We spent some time in this area after, we saw Good Morning America being filmed, people ice skating and some amazing shops. Then it was time for a real treat! We had booked for afternoon tea at The Plaza, we decided to walk down there as it was such a lovely day and you definitely see more on foot rather than using the Subway. The Plaza was everything you imagine, uber swish, elegant, and well worth a visit. We had a gorgeous afternoon tea with a lovely glass of champagne! After leaving The Plaza we were straight across from Central Park, we opted for a tour in a Tuk Tuk, this was brilliant. We had an amazing driver who was so knowledgeable about the Park, he took us to all the photo spots, showed us all the film sights, took us out of the Park to John Lennons apartment and then back into the Park to the John Lennon Memorial, just in time to see a busker performing “Imagine” with the sun shining down on us, another surreal moment! Our drive then dropped us off at a local bar where we had a good relax and sit down with really good value local beers, we had a great time there, if you ever get to New York check it out, Its called Rudies and the beers are $3 a pint with a free hot dog! Bargain. Next stop tonight was a roof top bar, 230 Fifth is a fab rooftop bar, amazing view of The Empire State Building and we sat in heated Igloos and had drinks and nachos. There is no fee to book theses just a minimum spend required of $100 between the three of us. What an amazing packed day, an early night was needed! Day 3 This morning we were up and early off again and Shevaun had one thing she wanted to do, see Carrie Bradshaws apartment! (Sex and the City). Again another beautiful sunny day so we decided to walk down to the West Village, and this place is beautiful, very different from other parts of the City, think Notting Hill vibes. Using google maps we found the apartment and had some photos taken, Shevaun loved this and was so happy she skipped down the street! We had a lovely brunch in a local bistro, really local style and great value. We hit the streets again and made our way down to China Town and had a shop, then on to Little Italy where we shopped some more. We then found a lovely little Italian restaurant called Sofias and sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a Carafe (or two) of lush red wine and sampled some Brushetta. Then it was time for another amazing spectacle, The Brooklyn Bridge, we timed this perfect and walked over it at Sunset, it was simply stunning, another surreal experience. Once in Brooklyn we got an uber and headed to a restaurant Shevaun had found and booked, St Anselm, what a little gem, the best steak we have ever had, filled with locals and a buzzing atmosphere it was a great evening. An uber back to the hotel after another hectic day. Day 4 As we were flying back later tonight we decided to fit in some shopping and visit the 9/11 memorial. Shopping is amazing in New York, we didn’t do the Macys and big department stores, we just did the local shops and bought hoodies, Christmas baubles and key rings oh and lots of American sweets and chocolate! We walked down to the 9/11 Memorial, and what an experience, this place is so beautiful, it is very moving, the fountains are stunning and a place for reflection. There is the museum there and also the church that wasn’t harmed in the attack which is amazing in itself. There is also a Westgate shopping centre nearby which is full of all the usual designers etc. We just had to have once last visit to Rudies before starting the journey home, we loved that place. Back to the hotel for out luggage and the Hotel had arranged a car for us to the airport which was actually cheaper than a cab and a lovely car and driver and definitely less horn beeping! JFK airport is great, so easy to navigate and well organised, we were soon on our flight homeward bound! New York is simply amazing, something for everyone and somewhere you can have a different experience each time you visit, I can not wait to go back!

DAY 1 • I arrived at Manchester airport and was able to head straight to security due to having hand luggage only and had checked myself in before arrival, this made my airport experience easier with it being my first time flying on my own. I found it straight forward to get around the airport because of the signs which are everywhere, this made it easy to find the gate I needed to be at. • The flight was very short being just under 2 hours landing in Milan Malpensa airport, the transfer down to Cernobbio was around an hour with stunning views over the mountains and the lake. • After arriving at the hotel we was taken by a coach to Como town where we got on the Sunset Boat Cruise, we was on the boat for around 90 minutes and saw the stunning houses and hotels along the Lake. We got off the boat at the gorgeous Villa Erba Hotel this was built in the 19th Century we were told all about its history and culture by the owners, this hotel also makes makes a perfect wedding destination. We tried lots of different Italian foods here. Day 2 • The hotel breakfast was American buffet style with so much to choose from • After breakfast I met up with my small group and we hopped on a water taxi down to Como town which took around 30 minutes. We had a coffee in a local café while waiting to collect the bikes we had hired then rode for 15 miles crossing the border into Switzerland on E bikes, this took just under 2 hours. Once we had returned our bikes the tour guide recommended a local pizza restaurant for us to visit just around the corner where we had freshly cooked pizzas for lunch. We got the water taxi back to the hotel where we were welcomed to their rooftop terrace for drinks and snacks overlooking the beautiful lake while chatting to suppliers. • From here we split off into smaller groups again and was taken to separate restaurants for a 4-course meal of all local cuisine including fish from the lake. • The morning after we had breakfast in the hotel and got on the transfer back to Milan airport ready for the journey home. I absolutely loved my first trip travelling on my own it was so easy and I got to see a gorgeous part of Italy, meet some suppliers and agents and I cant wait to tell our clients all about this amazing place.