US Holiday

[peejay]

Thanks peejay (and the others who replied)

Will keep looking on airbnb , will be in NYC in June next year so looking forward to another stay in that incredible city .

Would love a loft in soho or the village . Not interested in mid town this time . been there done that .

That is the way to go

Put these areas in your search and i am sure you will find something - West Village, Greenwich Village, SOHO, meatpacking district. Tribecca.

 

[nicky]

That is the way to go

Put these areas in your search and i am sure you will find something - West Village, Greenwich Village, SOHO, meatpacking district. Tribecca.

To be completely honest with you I rated williamsburg brooklyn higher than those areas.

 

[peejay]

To be completely honest with you I rated williamsburg brooklyn higher than those areas.

I hear what you are saying Nicky, ( i meant get out of midtown).

I just prefer being on Manhatten.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

One of my wife's clients told her over the weekend that she is looking to buy in NYC, somewhere around SoHo. She is American, lives over here, owns a few properties here, goes home every year to see her parents.

Anyway, she says she will buy in the next year or so, and that we can stay there for free when we go back.

Not going to hold my breath as a lot has to happen but a month's free rent in NYC next time we go, would be unbelievable.

 

[peejay]

One of my wife's clients told her over the weekend that she is looking to buy in NYC, somewhere around SoHo. She is American, lives over here, owns a few properties here, goes home every year to see her parents.

Anyway, she says she will buy in the next year or so, and that we can stay there for free when we go back.

Not going to hold my breath as a lot has to happen but a month's free rent in NYC next time we go, would be unbelievable.

It's not enough that you follow Carlton.

Its not enough that you moderate their board.

Now this !!!!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Well yeah and we don't have to be hosted. We get the place to ourselves. That's a dream. My wife better keep looking after her as a special client!

The only thing is that she would have to rent it out while she is back here so unless she intends to do short term tourist stays, it would be hard to find the place empty. Not sure if she has thought it through.

 

[nicky]

I hear what you are saying Nicky, ( i meant get out of midtown).

I just prefer being on Manhatten.

Yeah sorry. I agree midtown is horrible.

 

[dales.girl38]

We just booked our accommodation for New York, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton - Times Square. Looks really good, but it seems that most affordable places only come with one king bed and one sofa bed.

We also booked our Visitor Passes for the 9/11 Memorial.

 

[Shell]

We also booked our Visitor Passes for the 9/11 Memorial.

When are you going?

FYI for everyone, got in contact with the Memorial direct. They said dates dont become available till six months before when you want to book. So in Feb, I shall be booking my spot for July.

 

[Flawed Genius]

Holy shit stay in the Aria hotel if you go to Vegas

Jesus holy christ

 

[dales.girl38]

When are you going?

FYI for everyone, got in contact with the Memorial direct. They said dates dont become available till six months before when you want to book. So in Feb, I shall be booking my spot for July.

29th of Feb.

 

[Flawed Genius]

29th of Feb.

Going next week. A friend in NYC booked our tickets on Sept 11 and could only get them for 9 days later or something ridiculous. Apparently it's sold out through Feb next year

 

[Leslie_Chow]

Holy shit stay in the Aria hotel if you go to Vegas

Jesus holy christ

Was looking at there for mid December

But decided on the Vdara Penthouse Suite for the same price as a deluxe room. We are there 6 nights so thought we would stay in a hotel without all the casinos etc.

Cannot wait

 

[Flawed Genius]

Was looking at there for mid December

But decided on the Vdara Penthouse Suite for the same price as a deluxe room. We are there 6 nights so thought we would stay in a hotel without all the casinos etc.

Cannot wait

Can see the Vdara from my window. Looks nice.

If it's anything like the Aria then you're in for an awesome time.

 

[Stone in sock]

Holy shit stay in the Aria hotel if you go to Vegas

Jesus holy christ

Really , why so good ?

Got my heart set on Bellagio for next year's trip

 

[Falchoon]

Its too scary to drive on the wrong side of the road

Try doing it New York, or the Los Angeles freeways

It's actually easier than you think (the hardest thing is remembering which side of the car to get into) particularly on freeways, you've just got to be aware coming out of petrol stations etc where there are no visual clues that this is any different to home.



I must admit though, driving east over this one was a bit hairy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_17

SR 17's combination of narrow shoulders, dense traffic, sharp turns, blind curves, wandering fauna such as deer and mountain lions, and sudden changes in traffic speeds have led to driving conditions that result in a number of accidents and fatalities, leading to the reputation of SR 17 as one of the most dangerous highways in the state. In the winter months, because SR 17 crosses a high precipitation area in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the roadway can become slippery from rain, snow or ice, especially at the summit itself.

Some sections of SR 17 are so dangerous that they have been nicknamed. The first long sweeping turn North of Summit Road with its sharp angle and steep entering downhill slope is called "The Valley Surprise" for the fact that so many strike the median shortly after having entered the Santa Clara Valley. The most infamous is called "Big Moody Curve". This curve is named after Big Moody Creek below, slightly greater than a 180 degree turn, and bracketed by additional 90 degree turns. The inside surfaces of the median barriers in both of these turns are normally chipped up and black with tire rubber.

 

[Espe]

Just out of interest, how does Trek America fare compared to Contiki? Is it the same sort of deal with regards to a young group, partying etc? I read some of the reviews on their website and saw a couple say they had as little as 10 people in their group. Wow, that's pretty small!

I'm planning on going on two of their tours next year (Best of the east and westerner 2) and I'm also wondering about this.

Shell has been on a few so hopefully she can answer this!

 

[Flawed Genius]

Really , why so good ?

Got my heart set on Bellagio for next year's trip

I, and TennisPlayerAndy will echo me, reckon the only word to describe it is "obscene".

It's just decadent.

 

[standingroomonly]

I, and TennisPlayerAndy will echo me, reckon the only word to describe it is "obscene".

It's just decadent.

I had a very, very loose night in Haze @ The Aria. The rooms are pretty amazing as well.

 

[Shell]

I'm planning on going on two of their tours next year (Best of the east and westerner 2) and I'm also wondering about this.

Shell has been on a few so hopefully she can answer this!

I've only ever been on one TA, back in 2003- going from NYC down the eastern area of the states down to Miami. And yeah there are small groups- iirc no more than 15 were on ours, and that was in a peak time of August.

As for comparing with Contiki, I dont really know. I chose to do Trek America next year for the States (will be on my own, and I figured I can hack 28 days of camping), and a Contiki with my bf in Europe (42 day tour- i figured i could NOT hack camping for this time, so I'm doing a concept tour which is a mixture of hostels and hotels).

Iirc, the variety of tours contiki offered for America was not as much as what Trek America offers, but I could be wrong. I basically chose TA from the start and picked a tour..

 

[Shell]

I'm planning on going on two of their tours next year (Best of the east and westerner 2) and I'm also wondering about this.

:

Just checked out your tours- dont know much about the westerner (never been to the western parts of the states, cept thru an airport, lol), but the best of the east looks cool. You HAVE to do White water rafting. I went WWR in tennessee, it was ****ing amazing. DC is great too all the monuments and museums. Ohio- Cedar Point, lol thats on my tour too!!!! Cant wait, they have some scary ass rollercoasters there, I looked up their website!

There you go, check them out: http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/coasters/index.cfm

And Chicago is the best city ever.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Just out of interest, how does Trek America fare compared to Contiki? Is it the same sort of deal with regards to a young group, partying etc? I read some of the reviews on their website and saw a couple say they had as little as 10 people in their group. Wow, that's pretty small!

They are kind of similar. Yes they both are young groups and when you have young people travelling you are bound to go out and party. The generally visit the same places too.

Trek America is more cheaper than Contiki but reasons are the generally the Contiki hotels are better than the Trek America ones and they are also usually in a better location.

For example when travelling to Las Vegas if you on a Contiki tour you stay at Harrahs which is right on the middle of the strip and is 4 star hotel. With Trek America, the hotel is about 2-3 star rating and is located several blocks from the strip.

The other difference is as you mentioned the group sizes. Contiki usually have 4 different tours running using the same bus which means that you're going to have around 50 people in the tour.

For example the Contiki Wild Western tour starts in LA, visits San Diego, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Fran and finishes back in LA. On the same 'bus loop' their is another tour that allows you to finish in San Fran or Las Vegas and a 4th tour option allows you to start in Las Vegas.

Trek America max size is 30 and if they don't sell well then you could get a smaller number like 10 that you mentioned.

Finally Contiki is dominated by Aussies - guaranteed that the ratio will be about 90% With Trek America the ratio will be way less if you want to meet other people from around the world.

 

[Espe]

Trek America max size is 30 and if they don't sell well then you could get a smaller number like 10 that you mentioned.

Finally Contiki is dominated by Aussies - guaranteed that the ratio will be about 90% With Trek America the ratio will be way less if you want to meet other people from around the world.

Actually Trek's max size is 13. To the person who was tossing up between Trek and Contiki, if you don't mind camping in between cities then in my opinion Trek is a far better tour and provide a huge amount of options compared to Contiki (again, my opinion, havnt been on any but I have read quite a lot of information and differeing opinions)

There's something about the social aspect of travelling with 50 Aussie strangers that really put me off Contiki. I could imagine it will be almost like high school again with all the groups that would form, and I really don't want that at all as I want this to a holiday/adventure, compared to a dozen people on the Trek tours. I want the American experience, and I think Trek really does provide this as they get off the beaten track with a great cultural mix of people on their tours, and a lot more flexibility and freedom compared to Contiki.

 

[Flawed Genius]

Okay, after today I have a few tips.

With those who are planning to go to the memorial, you can't get there as early as you like. If your time is booked for 5:30 and you get there at 3, they won't let you line up. Turn up 30 minutes before your allotted time and you should be fine. Lines are huge, but move quickly. You go through security & metal detectors before you make it to the memorial, which itself is extremely beautiful and serene. There are clearly a few people that have relatives attached to the tragedy that go to the gardens to reflect. We saw a few today who were very emotional, probably being there for the first time. The pools are quite big and the name of every life lost is etched into the edge of the pools.

The Occupy Wall Street blokes & ladies are a pack of idiots. I can see why their neighbors are sick of them. After seeing them today, it would appear that they are attempting to get a parliamentary representative elected to president. Awesome.

Finally, a restaurant that is relatively new but one that you absolutely HAVE to go to if you're going to NYC is Colicchio & Sons, at 85 W 15th St, just below the Highline & opposite Chelsea Markets. Reserve a table in the Tap Room and enjoy their fixed lunch menu (it's got a lot of choices) for $25. The food is amazing and the service is excellent. Highly recommend it.

 

[peejay]

Finally, a restaurant that is relatively new but one that you absolutely HAVE to go to if you're going to NYC is Colicchio & Sons, at 85 W 15th St, just below the Highline & opposite Chelsea Markets. Reserve a table in the Tap Room and enjoy their fixed lunch menu (it's got a lot of choices) for $25. The food is amazing and the service is excellent. Highly recommend it.

Hallejuiah - this place gets a big tick, went there a couple of times in my stint there - this was my nabe so got to know all the places around here.

If you are staying in the area try automatic slims http://nymag.com/listings/bar/automatic-slims/ for drinks and a good night out or Wilfie and nell http://wilfieandnell.com/

The best burgers in NYC are at Corner bistro. http://cornerbistrony.com/

These are all in the same area.