Tag Archives: york city

Destinations, Food, North America, Street Food Guide

The Food Lover’s Ultimate NYC Adventure

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A vacation in the greatest city on Earth would be a dream come true for many. As the holiday season approaches, a chance to visit New York City becomes a treasure trove of possibilities. The sheer abundance of events, activities and sights is too overwhelming to cover in a single go, but at least, you can stimulate your taste buds with some of the most delicious and varied meals in the world. If you want to save some time and go straight for the hippest and most satisfying gourmet experiences, here’s the food lover’s ultimate NYC adventure.

Of course, the restaurants

food

Let us start off with the biggest bite of all – the choice of restaurants. The food map of New York City is a colorful palette of cuisines and cultures. If you are craving for a healthy and solid Mediterranean meal, Fig & Olive offers a whole array of dishes from Italy, Spain and France.

If you want to feel as if you are shacked up in the middle of the Alps, Baita by Birreria is a place for you. The place looks like a cozy canteen for visitors who like to pop in for a wine, warm up with salty pork and veal sausages.

A variety of exquisite meals can be a blast, but if you end up craving good ol’ sandwich bites, LaGuardia Place has brought the art of sandwich to a whole new level.

If you are in the mood for a tasty trip to Asia, Raku on East 6th Street is a place that has the most delicious udon in town, and ramen at Mr. Taka is conveniently filling on a cold December evening. Finally, if you want a solid meal that will keep you full for the most part of the day, stop by Insa on 328 Douglas Street for a delicious, juicy Korean barbecue (and a karaoke sing-off maybe).

Let’s talk about catering

Of course, New York City is nothing without the options to tweak the dining experience to your own idea of comfort. If you are renting a fabulous apartment and you feel particularly lazy that night, why not bring all the wine and dine glamour to your four walls?

With the endless number of top-notch NYC catering options that will leave you spoiled, the professional caterer will do all the work and it is up to you to deal with the rest. There are no boring queues and lengthy lines to ruin your appetite.

Most of these catering options come with modifiable course lineups that can be staggeringly rich – from cold chops and cocktail picks to warm bites, and wholesome family meals. It goes without saying you can limit yourself to fish, vegetarian or vegan banquets if you want.

The marketplace adventures

If you are spending a short time in New York City, why not feel like a true New Yorker? First of all, you need to stroll down the streets in search for the food market. Thankfully, New York has numerous food markets that are perfectly equipped with every delicious fruit and vegetable under the sun.

Most of them are in Manhattan, where you can literally stumble onto an amazing organic market after five or ten minutes of strolling about. However, you can find a few stray markets in Queens – New World Mall Food Court and Queens Crossing – as well as in Brooklyn – renowned Gotham Market at The Ashland, Berg’n and Industry City near the Upper Bay.

With all the necessary groceries in the bags, you can finally go to your temporary home and whip out pots and spatulas to begin your own private cooking session.

Take a chance on a food truck

Life in New York City can be quite hectic. So, it is probably safe to guess that your short stay will be just as speedy and filled with various activities. People tend to start taking it all in only after they have returned home. If you are a type of person who likes to move around and save time on all activities except sightseeing, taking a chance on one of New York’s iconic food trucks is a must.

Even if you are a person who enjoys low brow cuisine, you have to eat out at least once – otherwise, it is as if you haven’t been in New York. Eddie’s Pizza Truck will satisfy you enough and leave room for a thirst-quenching jug of beer or a cocktail. Tacos Morelos will offer you amazing midnight snacks, and a nice pita wrapped around juicy meat from Souvlaki GR will keep you buzzed throughout the evening.

Of course, these suggestions are not doing justice to all of the amazing restaurants and chow spots in New York City. If you are in the mood for an adventure, you can go out with your friends or family on an unpredictable gourmet journey throughout the night. You are bound to come across interesting places to eat around every corner. What’s life without some culinary risk?

Travel Planning, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

Getaway Ideas for Parents Who Are Usually Too Busy

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When you become a parent, you accept that you won’t have many of the kind of footloose and fancy-free vacations that you used to have. It’s just part of the territory. Trips away now generally include the kids, rather than being romantic breaks for two.

But you can, and indeed should, still have an occasional vacation with just the two of you. The daily grind of parenting can be relentless. There’s always something to do, someone who needs you. Faces to wipe, homework to help with, dinner to cook, bottles to wash. It’s good for you, your relationship and your family to get away without the kids once in awhile. Ask the grandparents for a weekend babysitting favor, and jet off somewhere amazing for a couple of days. You’ll return relaxed, refreshed and ready to go again. 

Here are our ideas for the best weekend getaway locations for parents:

New York City

New York City is a classic weekend break destination. The city that never sleeps is packed with things to do all day and all night long. It is the world’s busiest and most exciting city, with endless bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and museums to explore. Whatever you want to do, you’ll find it in New York. 
The best thing about New York is the way it mixes a big city feel with distinctive neighborhoods. This makes it easy to plan a short break because you can choose what you want to do and pick the neighborhood to hang out in. Even if you’ve been to the Big Apple many times before, you’ll find somewhere else to go that is new to you. 
If you’re a New York virgin (or even if you’re not) start with a trip up the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center to check out the views and get your bearings. Then take a wander down to 5th Avenue for some indulgent shopping, and head out to East Village for lunch in one of the latest hip restaurants. Spend time strolling through Battery Park to work up an appetite for dinner, which you could follow up with a Broadway show or a night out dancing. 
New York is definitely best enjoyed child-free.

Vancouver

Vancouver offers the perfect combination of city break and outdoor life. One of the world’s most beautiful cities, it is backed by snow-capped mountains and fringed with sandy ocean beaches, but still has a trendy, urban feel with plenty of nightlife and café culture. 
Head to the cobbled streets of Gastown, Vancouver’s old quarter, and take a wander. You’ll find lots of cozy cafes and hipster bars, some great independent stores and a vibrant restaurant scene. Nearby Chinatown was built around the same time and hosts everything from edgy bars to traditional Chinese grocery stores. 
When you’ve had enough of city exploration, you won’t have to go far to get some fresh air. Head to Stanley Park, the city’s green lungs. An 8km trail takes you around the seawall, through forest trees. Walk it, or hire a bike. After that, head to the beach to chill out, or travel up to the mountains. Time your visit right and you could ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you’re desperate to slow down and stroll, Charleston could be just perfect. It’s warm, beautiful and relaxed, and offers a completely different pace of life to almost anywhere else. Take a wander through its cobbled streets, which are lit with gas-lamps at night time, and enjoy its beautiful antique buildings. 
Amongst all the history, you’ll find some fabulous modern restaurants, with plenty of innovative cuisine on offer. Take some time to browse through Charleston City Market, for a real taste of the Old South. And if you want a day at the beach, it’s just down the road at Sullivan’s Island. The weather is good too, with a November average of 76 degrees. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is another great choice if you want a bit of beach and a bit of culture. It’s a hassle-free choice if you want to spend a weekend in the Caribbean, as you won’t need a passport.  San Juan is a vibrant Spanish colonial city, complete with pastel colored plazas and fortified walls. You can spend hours wandering the streets, taking in the architecture, soaking up the vibes and visiting art galleries. 
When you’ve worked up a sweat from all that walking, it’s time to hit the beach. San Juan boasts an impressive strip of palm-fringed sand, lined with beach bars and restaurants. If you want to check out a family vacation in the Caribbean or something more luxurious just for the two of you, those are options as well. 

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you’re feeling like being a little naughty, Sin City is your place. It’s big and brash, but a couple of days in Vegas is sure to make you forget all about your everyday life of kids and work. 
Treat it as a wonderful opportunity to escape, and embrace that brashness. Go for a wander down the strip, take a gondola ride at the Venetian hotel, spend some time in the casinos and see one of the famous Vegas shows. It’s a place to really indulge and go as wild as you like. 
Cultural and Historical Heritage, Destinations, North America, Travel Tips

Popular New York Neighbourhoods for the Young and Energetic

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Popular New York Neighbourhoods for the Young and Energetic

Mecca for the young, single and energetic, New York City offers a lot packed into one space. The opportunities to learn and explore are unlimited in New York City. The New York neighbourhoods in the boroughs are transforming into spaces that are more suitable for young families than party goers.

As a matter of fact, Upper Manhattan has eradicated most of the potential places for fun. The bars here have become brunch spots and clubs have become yoga studios.

Murray Hill

New York Neighbourhoods

A relatively lesser known neighbourhood in Manhattan, Murray Hill is a safe and secure place. A lot of single men and women live here. The area is also popular for its nightlife. There are numerous cafes and countless places to party in this neighbourhood. There are charming small parks with lush greens to chill. Murray Hill definitely has plenty to explore despite of its small size.

East Village

New York Neighbourhoods

A neighbourhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, East Village is surrounded by Gramercy Park, Stuyvesant Town, the Lower East Side and east by the East River. East Village clings to the traditional worn out the charm. New developments spring up here every other day and there are still and old buildings. Young guys appreciate these.

There are many art galleries as well as museums to preserve the history of East Village. The area is admired by youngsters. The neighbourhood is an ideal place for nightlife and cheap eats.

Tribeca

New York Neighbourhoods

Tribeca is a neighbourhood in the lower Manhattan. Some thirty years ago, Tribeca was the alternative to SoHo. When people started moving to this part of the town, warehouses became lofts and empty storefronts got filled with boutiques and cafes. Tribeca became more popular than SoHo in some time.

The neighbourhood hosts some acclaimed cultural events including its annual film festival. Also, there are several restaurants and shopping opportunities thereby making it a famous neighbourhood amongst youth.

Dumbo

New York Neighbourhoods

The neighbourhood Dumbo has fallen victim to the ever-increasing prices of the city but this neighbourhood stays exciting and attractive. Dumbo (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). The neighbourhood is bounded by Brooklyn Bridge Park to the north, the Brooklyn Bridge to the west, Brooklyn Heights to the south and Vinegar Hill to the east.

Dumbo is the place where startups hungry for commercial space are setting up their headquarters in the neighbourhood and offering job opportunities for the young and energetic.

These New York neighbourhoods are also home to numerous New York serviced apartments designed as per the specific requirements of the youngsters.