Trip report 20-23 December

After 11 months of planning our trip (5 nights in New York then 5 in Las vegas) we arrived in Gatwick Airport and even the fact the plane was delayed for two hours couldn%26#39;t spoil our excitement. Dont think I%26#39;d fly with continental again this has happened with every flight I%26#39;ve taken with them.

Arrived into Newark quickly through immigration and then onto the airtrain and then the train directly to Penn Station.

As we were arriving of the first day of the strike I was very glad we were staying in the Affinia Manhattan which was directly across the road from Penn.

Checked into the hotel (lovely we had a one bedroom suite which is bigger than my flat at home-loads of space to spread my shopping bags) and immediatly headed out to go to Soho. I had written myself an itinery and was determined to do everything on it regardless of the strike. We did some shopping and then headed to Bubbys which was delicious we had intended to go to the one in Brooklyn then walk back over the bridge but after the delayed flight and jet lag kicking in it was too much. Got our one and only cab of the whole trip back to hotel which costed us 20 dollars.

Woke up wednesday morning at 5 this was supposed to be our shopping day anyway and I turned on the news and saw Macys had a one day sale and opened at 7. After excitedly waking up husband dragged him to Tick-tock Diner for breakfast (gorgeous selection of pancakes) and then on to Macys for about 5 hours of shopping) going back to hotel at points as it was so close to drop off bags.

We then had a light lunch and headed up 5th avenue, visited Bloomingdales and FAO schwartz then Tiffanys where he bought me a gorgeous gold ring and I couldn%26#39;t believe it when he told the sales lady we%26#39;ll take the earrings as well.

We then walked all the way back to the hotel got changed, and walked to Blue Smoke for dinner which was amazing then downstairs for a performance at the Jazz Standard,

After a busy day fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Thursday morning woke up bright at 5 again (can anyone tell me how to sleep later I am always too excited) watched Tv for a couple of hours while waiting for the other half to wake up and then we headed to Cheyenne Diner for breakfast. We wanted to go because its on the tropicana ads but it wasn%26#39;t anything special.Then to B@H across the road then a long walk to the UN building.

We only had to wait about 10 minutes to take a tour which was extremely informative and really touching at the same time. Felt quite emotional to think about all the good that is attemted to achieve here.

On to Grand central Station now and Juniors for lunch. I have to say though and this will probably cause backlash here but i didn%26#39;t think it was too special I%26#39;d rather have the Carnegie deli cheesecake.

Back to Bloomingdales now as I had to get some Ugg boots then back to radio city for the christmas Spectacular. Hubby was getting quite whingy now as we had walked everywhere today and it was very cold. The show was fantastic I couldn%26#39;t believe they had live camel and a horse and carriage on stage (kind of puts our british panto horses to shame) and the rockettes were fantastic.

We then spent a while looking at the ice rink and christmas tree and the to the top of the rock.

I%26#39;ve been to the Empire State buildingtwice now and this beat it hands down. Ther was no queue, the service was amazing and the views were wonderful (especially of ESB) there are also three different viewing platforms.

We then walked down to Virgils (we had passed by and booked a table earlier in day which I was relieved about because it was packed) we had a lovely dinner, spent some time in Times Square then back to the hotel to pack.

Friday and woke up to get the 920 flight to las vegas. Took the train back to Newark with about double the luggage we had coming out.

This was my 3rd time to new york and I love it more each time. We were both exhausted when we left in hindsight we probably did too much the strike being on for the whole time we were there did slightly cause us problems because I still was determined to fit everything in.

I%26#39;d like to thank all regulars to this forum who give so much more tips than any guide book can.

Now I can get on with planning my May trip and I hope my report can help someone.Any questions feel free to ask.

Trip report 20-23 December

Wonderful report leee. You certainly packed a lot in despite the strike. Glad you posted about your feelings on the cheesecake. Different strokes for different folks. ;) Happy New Year and wear your jewelry in the best of health. Where did you buy your Uggs???

Trip report 20-23 December

NY whiz got my uggs in Bloomingdales I had planned to got to David Z but would be too much walking to go downtown again and also meant I got the 11% off.Just the most comfortable footwear ever

Wow...what an amazing shopping adventure! I give your hushand a lot of credit for all of the time spent shopping. You are the second person who has mentioned recently about the cheesecake at Juniors not being that spectacular. I think the cheesecake at Roxie%26#39;s in Times Square is awesome but that never gets mentioned here. I guess we all have different tastes. I%26#39;m glad you had such a great vacation!

Yaaaay...Another Carnegie Deli cheesecake fan! While I%26#39;ve never met a slice of cheesecake that I didn%26#39;t like, I think the Carnegie%26#39;s is the best.

Just think, if you hadn%26#39;t been jetlagged you might%26#39;ve missed the 7:00 a.m. opening at Macy%26#39;s for their famous one-day sale! Congratulations.

Yeah, Tiffany%26#39;s, lucky you.

Sounds great.

Loved your report.I have the same problem when i visit NY i always wake up around 5am. Envy you being there on Macys one day sale %26amp; 7am opening..wow. Also you went to Las Vegas my 2nd favourite place after NYC.

Leee

off topic slightly - how did you do your NY to LV leg and at what cost?

Hi Leee, great report, you did really well to only get a whingy husband that late on in the trip, especially with all that shoping!! And what a sweetie rings and earrings!

CathyC (wife of a whingy non-shopper!!) - that%26#39;s why next trip to NYC will be a girlie shopping experience.

Thanks for your report Leee. It was great that you didn%26#39;t allow the strike to hamper your enthusiasm (mind you Tiffany jewellery would counter just about any problems)!

Is there anyone else out there who doesn%26#39;t like cheesecake? Sorry folks but give me good old chocolate cake anytime. lol

Solobay,

what we did was take the multi destination from opodo (think you can do it on any search though). It gave us the price of 650 but also meant we could pick and choose the times of day we could have flights.

Virgin also do a new york las vegas package but it turned out a lot cheaper and more convenient to book everything ourselves.