From Broadway to Broadway. The city that never sleeps wear many crowns, now with direct access from your front door.

Words by Grant Bevin, Managing Diretor ATPI.

We’re spreading the news, the world’s other vibrant destination, New York is now a step closer to Newmarket, with the introduction of non-stop flights from Auckland to New York. Following closely on Air New Zealand’s commencement of the non-stop 16 hour 30min flight three times per week will be Qantas, stopping in Auckland enroute between Sydney and New York, the two respected airlines providing an almost daily service. No matter on what airline our Travel Advisors here in Newmarket book you, a week in New York will break the malaise of our Covid hibernation with a tonic, a boost and a realisation that there is an exciting world out there!

For a city that claims to never sleep, there are over 500 places to do exactly that. From historic landmark hotels such as The Mark, Plaza, Carlyle and the Waldorf Astoria which play starring roles in New York’s cityscape, through to the swanky contemporary rivals such as The Edition, Andaz and the new Aman, New York has a place to stay that will suit all tastes. Character filled hotels such as Robert De Niro’s delightful The Greenwich Hotel (pictured) in the trendy Tribeca neighbourhood is one of our favourites. No two of its 88 rooms and suites are alike. The design pays homage to fine craftsmanship, and much of the woodwork is reclaimed.

The intimate, lantern-lit swimming pool, for instance, is housed in a 250-year-old pine farmhouse transported from Kyoto. Locanda Verde, the airy, open-kitchen restaurant, offers a whimsical take on traditional Italian. The hotel scene in New York is ever changing and aside from our own regular visits, our team keep in close contact with our New York based colleagues who scope out the best hotels, including branching out well beyond the usual cliched Times Square addresses, venturing downtown or uptown to alternative character filled neighbourhoods. First timers to the Big Apple will be travelling all over Manhattan, so the location where you stay is less important, but the quality in its category and value of the hotel is paramount for us.

New York is as great a grown-up’s holiday destination as much as it is a destination for families. Marijana and I took our three teenage sons there and so on our regular visits we’ve seen the city through the eyes of our children experiencing fun places such as the 150 year old Natural History Museum, NBA stores, Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Central Park with its zoo and carousel, which contrasted with our adults-only visits we’ve had for both business or pleasure where we experienced the innumerable wonderful restaurants (we book these well in advance for clients), galleries and theatres. There is plenty to fill in your week in the City of Dreams.

Take yourself on a museum crawl, starting at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the northeastern edge of Central Park, followed by several blocks north to the Guggenheim Museum (we can get you in before opening) and eventually to the Museum of the City of New York, where you’ll learn about the Big Apple's history. Chinatown has dim sum and Little Italy has cannoli. The jazz clubs in Harlem will round out a day of shopping along Fifth Avenue, rooftop vistas from the Empire State or New York’s newest outdoor viewing platform, The Edge, which towers 100 floors above the Manhattan sidewalks and is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Yoga fans can even join a Sky High Yoga class up there. The September 11 Memorial is an essential visit. Sports fans will love seeing iconic venues such as Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden or Flushing Meadows. Our private touring options get you to experience the real New York – uncovering the secrets of Uptown, Harlem, Brooklyn and Bronx neighbourhoods.

You and your guide will enjoy must-see icons like the Apollo Theater, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Columbia University, Central Park, Lincoln Center, and the countless museums along Museum Mile.

Booking at ATPI Travel we bring our clients the benefits of our Virtuoso Membership, meaning that when travelling to New York a number of hotels will provide breakfast for two, a US$100 restaurant, bar or spa voucher, room upgrade and more. The Virtuoso benefits extend to private sightseeing where we access many value-added advantages for you.

Call the experienced team at ATPI Travel to book your New York holiday or business trip.

Words by Grant Bevin, Managing Diretor ATPI.

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