| In this issue |
| • New York City • EU City Breaks • BA World Sale |
| |
| |
The Scoop: New York |
| Loud, glitzy, sprawling and relentlessly busy, New York is the ultimate megalopolis…the city of cities that never sleeps! Spring is the perfect time to make a trip across the pond, so why not get planning now and make 2018 the year you hit NYC. |
| |
|
| |
With so much to see and do in New York you’d be hard-pushed not to be wowed.
If you’re dreaming of a white post-Christmas, then NYC could be perfect. A sprinkling of the white stuff can seem extra magical here, with New Yorkers adept at carrying on and making the most of it. I experienced a full day of joyously heavy snowfalls during March which turned Central Park into a true winter wonderland.
Make the most of your visit by witnessing the breath-taking views from up high. No other city seems quite as awe-inspiring sprawled out beneath you as NYC. There are so many famous landmarks to spot, and you really get a sense of the enormous scale and relentless busyness of the City. The Empire State Building is iconic and many people’s must-do, but there is also the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) which offers spectacular views, day or night. A dusk visit on a clear day to either of these offers jaw-dropping urban beauty.
There are plenty of inexpensive things to do in the city. The Staten Island Ferry doesn’t cost visitors a thing and journeys 8.4km (5.2 miles) between Manhattan and Staten Island, 24/7, in at least half hour intervals, with fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the deck. The view of the New York skyline as the Ferry departs is also superb.
A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is a great way to see the city skyline and get a real sense of New York. Architecturally magnificent, deemed a technological marvel when it was constructed, it’s one of the oldest roadway bridges in the US. Adding in a return trip over the Manhattan Bridge was really satisfying for me, and especially taking in the stunning graffiti artwork, synonymous with the city.
And then there's Broadway. A great experience and not altogether different to seeing a West End show in London, except for the nice added touch of complimentary ‘playbills’. Shows are advertised everywhere and seem somehow more exciting in NYC. The cheapest tickets can be purchased from the TKTS booth in Duffy Square, although you can buy them online in advance from Attraction Tickets Direct, and some other websites. |
| |
| |
|
United States New York - The New Yorker, A Wyndham Hotel 4* from £466pp inc. flights| Flights included · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
New York & Miami 4* -- From £905pp Including all Flights, taxes and resort fee's| Flights included · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
January to March is “off-season” so flights to New York City are cheap and plentiful. In the current Virgin Atlantic sale you can pick up a return ticket for £371. BA is also on sale at £368 return. Long haul budget carriers can be a very cheap way to travel, particularly if you can limit yourself to hand baggage. Norwegian have just released sale fares to NYC from £254 return.
If a deal isn't on, London Heathrow direct to Newark with Air India comes in at £418 return. From Manchester, Thomas Cook come out cheapest for a direct flight to JFK at £420 return. And from Glasgow direct to Newark, Lufthansa’s £493 return is the cheapest option. If you are happy for an hour and a half stopover in Dublin, Aer Lingus work out as the cheapest deal from Glasgow to JFK, at £378 return. |
| |
|
| |
| |
New York City |
| Check out these NYC hotel offers. Find something you like, we've got a great selection of trans-Atlantic flights for you to choose from in the Virgin Atlantic sale, including New York from £371 return |
| |
|
| Dream Downtown, Chelsea, New York - save 37% - from £157 per night |
| |
|
| Grand Hyatt New York, Midtown, New York - save 44% - from £103 per night |
| |
|
| Hudson New York, Midtown, New York - save 46% - from £60 per night |
| |
|
| WestHouse Hotel, Midtown Manhattan, New York - save 27% - from £110 per night |
| |
|
| MADE Hotel, Midtown, New York - save 39% - from £92 per night |
| |
|
| IBEROSTAR 70 Park Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York City - save 72% - from £71 per night |
| |
| |
EU City Breaks |
| Not looking to head across the pond? How about a European city break, it's a little closer to home. |
| |
| |
|
France Paris - Louison Hotel 3* from £91pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Italy Venice - Palace Bonvecchiati 4* from £133pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Ireland Killarney - Muckross Park Hotel & Spa 5* from £197pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Germany Berlin - The Mandala Hotel 5* from £132pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Italy Venice - Rhapsody of the Seas from £1,029pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Hungary Budapest - Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center 4* from £77pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Spain Valencia - Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar 5* from £113pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Germany Berlin - Scandic Berlin Kurfuerstendamm 4* from £45pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
France Paris - Mercure Paris Porte de Pantin 4* from £35pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Czech Republic Prague - Sheraton Prague Charles Square 5* from £83pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Poland Krakow - Metropolis Design Hotel 4* from £57pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Portugal Porto - Crowne Plaza Porto 5* from £111pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Ireland Dublin - Autotour Wild Atlantic Way from £252pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Belgium Brussels - Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie 4* from £44pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
|
Netherlands Amsterdam - Park Hotel Amsterdam 4* from £124pp| Flights option available · via Voyage Prive |
|
| |
| |
| |
This week's top travel hacks |
| BA World Sale - The BA sale is back with some strong discounts on 2018 routes. Particular bargains can be found in business class - Club Europe particularly, which are the lowest fares we've ever seen from BA. Book by 30 January 2018 Check full availability here |
| |
| Important note: I've tested these hacks, but can't be sure they'll work every time. Send your own hot hacks to [email protected] |
| |
