Surviving New York City (NYC)

From the moment you enter the island of Manhattan, New York City, your blood pressure is certain to sky rocket. Whether you arrive via the Lincoln Tunnel or the Brooklyn Bridge the energy that succumbs you can be overwhelming. From the endless skyscrapers to the bright lights of Broadway – New York has it all.

From my experiences, visiting NYC can be like entering a wind tunnel. There are so many things to do and if you are short on time it can be a hectic experience. The key is to decide on a few sites and than let the rest play itself out.

To start off the day I’d recommend getting a bit of culture and visiting some of numerous world famous museums New York has at her disposal. The MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) has dozens of exhibits throughout the year including Picasso's Demoiselles d'Avignon at 100 until August 27, 2007 and 50 Years of Helvetica until March 31, 2008. If you looking for an architectural masterpiece - cruise up 5th avenue to the mind-blowing Guggenheim Museum Guggenheim Museum. Inside you will find a truly surreal structure that spirally guides you upward thru the exhibits. Check out the eccentric The Shapes of Space until September 5, 2007.

Now it’s time to get some air. From the Guggenheim you have great access to some of Central Park’s best perks. Visit the apes at the city zoo or have a picnic on one of the numerous park fields.

After that, get in the trenches and ride the notorious subway downtown to Times Square – the ‘crossroads of the world’. You can always spot the tourists because they are walking around staring up at the towering buildings! From there continue down to the hip Greenwich Village and Soho for some shopping. Grab a coffee and relax by the fountains in Washington Square Park – where you see every kind of street performer imaginable.

By now you are suffering from serious sensory overload and its time to go back to your hotel or apartment, clean up and prepare for a Big Apple night out. Call ahead for a reservation at any of the spectacular restaurants that dot Union Square. But don’t get too comfortable because NYC never sleeps and its time for some drinks. If you’re looking for a bit off the beaten track - go over to Alphabet City where you find loads of bars and jazz joints. Or cruise across the bridge into Brooklyn – the new Village of New York where you’ll discover where many of the most up-and-coming artists and musicians frequent.

From there it depends on how much time you have left. Don’t forget Radio City Music Hall or Rockefeller Center. Landmarks like Empire State Building or Grand Central Station are a must as well. There is so much do to that you may feel you’ll never see it all. But no need to fret - every experience in NYC is unforgettable - just remember to take a deep breath once and while and enjoy!

If you are planning to visit NYC soon, you may be looking for a NYC luxury apartment for short-term rental or perhaps a Bed and Breakfast in New York City. Either way, you are advised to book early to guarentee that you have somewhere fairly central and affordable.
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There's more than just mountains in Chamonix?

I'm not sure what made me decide to climb up climb up Mont Blanc. Maybe that second glass of wine gave me the bravado or just a fool hardy notion that I was just as fit as I was 10 years ago. I was in for a rude awakening as we arrived in Chamonix feeling ill-prepared for 2 days of training and one day of climbing the highest mountain in Europe.

Excursions and trips such as this happen all over this beautiful region and for 3 days, you can be tested and prepared by some of the best guides in Europe. We had a fantastic trip of walking glacers, climbing through blizzards in late June and sharing a few drinks with many bearded people that I can't recomend this town enough. Whether or not I managed to stand on the top of Europe is for another blog but for now, the purpose is to illustrate that Chamonix, one of the best ski resorts of Europe, isn't just about it's mountains.

Chamonix is a picturesque Alpine town just on the border between France and Italy. It's back-drop is dominated by Mont Blanc whose peak it eternally covered in ice and snow. The town has a sleepy feel to it but maybe because of the summer, things tend to get a little quieter. In the summer months, the town is packed with climbers, canoeists, walkers, adrenaline junkys and those who want to get away from the beach in the summer and look at an alternative holiday instead. There's so much to do here that 2 weeks is certainly not enough to experience everything but you can have a good try.

There are many companies that can offer you any kind of adventure holiday here but the beauty of this area is that even if you aren't experienced, so long as you have the right gear you can take advantage of some of the many sports on offer here. Of course if you're going off the beaten track, fighting rapids or climbing a mountain at 3am, then you should be looking at getting professional help. From the novice to the expert there's something for everyone.

The entertainment doesn't just stop on the hills and mountains. The restaurants are also of a good quality with anything from french, italian, chinese, japanese and any other cuisine you care to mention. I ate one of the best fondues I've ever had in a great restaurant overlooking the river that cuts the town in two. There numerous are cafes, bars and nightclubs to ensure that the evenings are just as fun as the day.

Accommodation in Chamonix is also cheaper during this period and there are some excellent chalets and apartments that are empty and crying to be occupied. Choosing a ski resort for a summer holiday destination has always been last on my mind but but I'll certainly think twice the next time I decide to go away.

Looking for a hotel in Chamonix? Need an apartment to rent in Chamonix or perhaps a chalet or apartment on the mountainside of Chamonix?
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