Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 114)
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A Road Trip with the Family
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring and the old man is snoring. If the lyrics to this nursery rhyme sound like a typical car journey with your family, you have my complete empathy. In fact, the thought of my extended family squeezed into the car for an extended period of time often sends me into a cold sweat. If it were not for the reward of spending quality time with my family in a new location there is a good chance I would live the life of a hermit!
A traditional English getaway with camping equipment, sports equipment, and a wide range of board games for when the weather decides to be uncooperative has always been a personal delight. I always come back thoroughly refreshed. The only hang-up that remains is getting there comfortably; but don’t worry, I have a bit of advice for you.
Whilst you can’t control the weather or your husband’s urge to take a power nap through the entire duration of the five hour journey, there are ways to make the experience of getting to your holiday destination more enjoyable. A trick that a friend of mine taught me was to ensure all the passengers have enough space. Historically, I used to cram every foot well with waterproof clothing and activities and treated the passengers as optional extras. However, fairly recently, I bought a trailer from Indespension which has saved countless arguments over who was allowed to sit in the front passenger seat.
The Trailer I decided to buy was the Daxara 127. This was the same trailer my friend had decided to get and they helpfully pointed out a few of its advantages. Firstly, the trailer is very light which keeps fuel costs down. It also is nice and compact: a perfect match for our holiday needs. I had worried that I would struggle to manoeuvre the car with a trailer attached but it is very simple.
If you are anything like me, you will always want to go away with your family on a UK break but are scared of the logistics of getting things from A to B. This trailer has solved that problem for me. I would wholeheartedly recommend the people at Indespension. They were incredibly helpful when I was dealing with them and gave me sensible advice throughout.
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A-list LA on a Z-list budget
Los Angeles is famous for its A-list residents, but you don’t need to have a budget to match theirs in order to enjoy the destination to the fullest. In fact, thanks to the abundance of free attractions, I think it’s easy to discover the delights of LA without spending over the odds. Of course, whether your budget is ample or relatively restricted, it is always good to know what the free local attractions are; so, no matter how much you intend to spend on your holiday, read my guide to find out all about some of the top things to do.
1) Take a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway
The first thing on my list is taking a drive along the utterly breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway, which is one of the most of iconic highways in Los Angeles. Driving down this road – in a convertible, if possible – is a fantastic experience, thanks to the combination of sunshine and the stunning coastal scenery. Presuming you won’t want to drive it in its entirety (it spans several hundred miles), there are a number of shorter sections you can tackle instead.
For example, the route from Santa Monica to Zuma Beach in Malibu, which is just 20 miles long, is known for being particularly impressive. Plus, there are several fantastic places to stop along the way. For instance, if you go to Surfrider Beach, you can watch the local surfers in action. By the way, if trips like this pique your interest, it is worth finding out more about fly drive holidays through companies like Bon Voyage.
2) Absorb art in the Getty Center
Personally, I always enjoy visiting a gallery or two when I’m on holiday, so for me a visit to the Getty Center is an absolute must. Come here and you can see both American and European art dating all the way from the Middle Ages to the present day. It spans a range of disciplines too, including sculpture, paintings, drawings and photography.
Alongside the permanent collection there are temporary exhibitions, so it is always a good idea to check exactly what will be on during your visit. I’d also recommend taking a stroll around the gardens, which are absolutely beautiful. As a quick note, there is one snag worth bearing in mind – while admission to the centre is free, the cost of parking is fairly steep at $15 (which is around the £10 mark).
3) Experience a slice of glamour at TCL Chinese Theatre
In my opinion, no visit to Los Angeles would be truly complete without experiencing a slice of movie-based glamour. There is no better place to do so than the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre, where you can see hand and footprints from a host of celebrities. Plus, this won’t cost you a penny.
Seeing these prints is one of the most popular tourist pastimes, which is no surprise, really, when you consider that those of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and Judy Garland are just a few that can be found here. So, don’t forget to bring your camera!
4) Reach for the stars at Griffith Observatory
The last activity on my list is visiting the wonderful Griffith Observatory. Thanks to recent renovations, it’s bigger and better than ever, and I love the fact that there are just so many great exhibitions, displays and special events you can see here without paying a penny. That said, you should bear in mind there’s a nominal charge for watching shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
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Falling in love with Ubud
I went to Ubud to rest. I’d already visited a few places in Bali, including trashy Kuta and boring Sanur beach. I didn’t like either place and had disregarded Bali as somewhere that was too touristy and not that great – I’d seen better beaches in Gili Trangawan and parts of Thailand.
There was one place in Bali I really wanted to visit, but I was really on the fence about it. I’d heard of people falling in love with the food, the earthy vibe, the beautiful rice paddy fields and spend days at a time doing yoga.
After I was stabbed in Indonesia, I was pretty jaded. I spent a few days being cautious any time two men on a motorbike came too close to me – I felt like it was all going to happen again. I needed to go somewhere calm, somewhere peaceful and somewhere that was western enough that I didn’t feel too far out of my comfort zone – Ubud was the perfect place for that.
I spent a lot of time, too much time, Skyping friends and family back home. I couldn’t do too much as my hand was bandaged up and I was emotionally drained. I made friends with kitchen hands that worked at a restaurant I shamelessly stole WIFI from. I spent too long eating organic raw meals and eating fresh cocoa beans. I wandered around rice paddie fields and hung out with monkeys in the forest. I browsed boutique shops and spent an afternoon chatting with a local artist who had exhibitions throughout South East Asia. I admired the delicate way in which the local women make offerings to their God, like clockwork. In the end, I fell hopelessly in love with Ubud and it stands as one of my favourite places in the world.
It’s the place where I fell in love with travel again.
Being mugged was one of the most intense, stressful and terrifying experiences in my life. I could have easily returned home, given up on my love of travel and written off Indonesia. Instead I went to Ubud, healed and finally found my groove again. I fell in love with the simple things: the contrast of the local decorations against the bright blue sky, how green and layered the rice paddy fields are and the generosity and curiosity of the locals who welcomed me into their homes and showed me a snippet of their world.
Of all places I’ve ever been, Ubud is one I want to revisit most. Fortunately it’s one of the cheapest places in Asia to fly to from New Zealand or Australia, making it a perfect option for a sneaky getaway this year. You can easily find a range of cheap flights to Bali on a number of flight comparison sites such as cheapflights.com.au. Once you’re there, costs are relatively low making it the perfect holiday destination.
Ubud was definitely my favourite place in Bali – have you visited Bali? Where was your favourite place?
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Tips for Moving Countries
Moving countries can be one of the most challenging things to do! I’ve moved to the Czech Republic for six months and to Spain for the summer. Once visas are all sorted out, there are a handful of things you need to get set up so you can be really comfortable.
Finding a Job Overseas
Depending on your line of work, it might be easier to find a job before you go overseas to alleviate some of the stress. Some international companies will offer you the opportunity to transfer to one of the overseas branches so you can gain international experience while progressing in your career. Many people who choose to move overseas will be starting afresh, meaning that they have to start from the beginning. If you’re considering moving to a country for a short period of time, teaching your native language can be a great way to make money. You can get in touch with locals through websites such as Couchsurfing to ask what the local job hunting sites are, so you can get started finding work as soon as possible.
Setting up an International Bank Account
Depending on where you live you can set up an international bank account before you even leave your home country. This means you can easily transfer money across so that you are ready to get started as soon as you arrive. Moving countries can be extremely stressful, so taking some time to get set up before you go can reduce a lot of the pressure. This means that you will already have some money in your new currency when you arrive, so that you can start paying for things without getting large penalties.
Finding Somewhere to live
Some people prefer to have organize already set up before they go overseas and this can be made easier if they are going through a recruiting company or are being transferred by their own company. If you teach a language overseas in a number of countries, like South Korea, you will find that accommodation is usually provided for you. If you have to find accommodation yourself, it can be a lot easier to do this once you have arrived in the city because that means you will have an opportunity to view the houses and your potential roommates. It’s also a good idea to wait until you have confirmed work before settling into a house contract as you might wind up really far away from your work.
Making new Friends
Landing in a new city where no one knows you is extremely liberating – you have the option to recreate yourself entirely, but it can also be kind of lonely. Unless you’re lucky enough to move somewhere where you already know people, you’re going to have to spend some serious time creating your new social group. Many people suffer homesickness in their first few weeks of living in a new city, but once they start meeting like minded people this tends to fade away. There are heaps of great ways of meeting new people, such as taking up a new hobby, learning a language or using online sites such as Couchsurfing to find local meets. Once you’ve made a few friends their social group will open up to you and everything will snowball.
Moving overseas is a great experience, but it can be really daunting. Do you have any tips for making the big move overseas?
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Top Things to do in Vegas
Vegas is essentially an adult’s playground and there are ample things to do, ensuring you’re never bored in Sin City. Whether you want to take control of some diggers, get familiar with a battleground, see an incredible show, go skydiving or visit Red Rock National park, there’s something for everything in Vegas. The biggest challenge when visiting Las Vegas is not finding what to do, but narrowing down all your choices! We’ve made a list of the best things to do during Las Vegas Holidays so that you can get started planning your trip of a lifetime.
Dig This
This is a very unique experience and reminds me of being a child in a sandpit. This is the first and only heavy equipment playground where you are completely in control. Here you can operate a real bulldozer, weaving around cones and knocking dirt over. This is a really unusual but fun way to spend your holiday and certainly provides a contrast to all the glitz and glam of Vegas. If you’re traveling with teenage boys, or men who are young at heart, little else will compare to the novelty and excitement of Dig This!
See a Show in Vegas
There are so many famous shoes that are on in Vegas – it can almost be overwhelming trying to narrow down your options. Vegas is home to a number of wonderful shows including Cirque du Soleil, Remembering Red, Armando Vera, Jersey Boys, Purple Rain, Raiding the Rock Vault, and so much more. The great news is there will be certainly something for everyone, regardless of age and tastes so as long as you look far enough in advance you’ll be able to secure tickets to some of the best shows on the planet.
Battlefield Vegas
These Battlefields contain over 350 machine guns from around the world – from those used in the World Wars right through to what is currently being used in Afghanistan. Battlefield Vegas is a hugely educational complex, offering a unique insight into machinery and weaponry. Often regarded as the best gun range in Vegas, Battlefield Vegas is also home to military helicopter, providing a complete experience.
Red Rock Canyon National Park
If you’ve ever driven to Vegas or seen a show on what Vegas is like, then you’d know that it has one of the most striking landscapes in the world; the fiery red desert providing a strong contrast to the shiny city of Vegas. Red Rock Canyon National Park is only a short drive from Vegas city and a world apart. There’s a visitor’s center that is packed with history and information and a number of hiking trails within the area so that you can really make the most of this beautiful National Park. If you’re short on time it’s possible to drive through the park, enjoying some of the highlights from the comfort of your car.
Skydiving in Vegas
While Vegas probably isn’t the first place that pops to mind when you think of skydiving, it does have a lot to offer in terms of scenery. You’ll be able to see sweeping views of the surrounding dessert, Vegas itself all while enjoying the thrill of flying through the air at impressive speeds. This is a great way to add a little excitement and adventure to one of the most exciting cities in the world. If you love adrenalin and thrill seeking, this is the perfect choice for you.
What do you think is essential to a trip to Las Vegas?
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The Most Romantic Escapes
Taking a romantic break requires a lot of planning and thought, plus a little saving to get the most luxurious accommodation. The best places for a romantic are usually the most secluded, are close to the beach, and offer the opportunity for simply getting away from it all. Here are some of the best places for that perfect romantic break.
The Seychelles
This island group off the east coast of Africa offers a perfect haven, with over 100 islands to hide away from the rest of the world. The islands boast rolling white beaches, and has an average year-round temperature of 27C meaning that no matter when you visit you’re sure to be greeted with warm weather. There are plenty of luxury hotels too, including the Kempinski Seychelles hotel which is situated on the south side of Mahe, the main island and offers guests a honeymoon package for the ultimate romantic break.
Greece
Hopping between the Greek islands is often trip that adventurous romantic couples embark on. With a choice of islands like Rhodes, Crete, Corfu and Kos, it’s easy to spend a few weeks getting to grips with the Greek way of life. Santorini is another popular island with honeymooners, and TripAdvisor voted it as the island with the number 1 most romantic hotel in the world. Not only are there so many peaceful spots around, Greece is brimming with history, so there’s plenty to see and lots of photo opportunities.
St Barths
This island has the kind of scenery you expect to see on the front of a travel brochure, so it’s easy to see why couples come here year after year. Expect romantic restaurants with eye-aching views, plus lots of French cuisine and charming locals. The island is quite exclusive too, so couples will feel like celebrities for a few weeks.
Corsica
The forgotten French island that’s actually closer to Italy than France was the birthplace of Napoleon, and one of the highlights of a trip here is a visit to his ancestral home. Apart from the island’s historical importance it is also an island of sheer beauty. The mountainous terrain is a beautiful backdrop, and couples can easily cosy up in one of the harbour restaurants, or take a boat out to sea and observe the cliffs just out of Porto.
Madeira
This Portuguese island reaches its peak of sunshine in the summer months so is a great mid-year break for couples. The island is home to Madeira wine, so couples can stock up and even visit a vineyard or two. In addition to this, the island has white sandy beaches, plus miles of walking routes so active couples can really get out and see every inch of the island.
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My biggest Regret
I try to live a regret-free-life, with the motto that if anything you did was what you wanted to do most at the time, then you can’t really regret it.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it’s also kind of a pain in the ass! You could analyze all the different ways you could have handled a situation for the rest of your life and you’d really gain nothing from it.
I do have one regret that I think about now and then. If I ever have children, I’m going to make sure they don’t make the same mistake I did.
I was 17, fresh out of high school and obsessed with the idea of traveling (no surprises there). I wanted to go to South America. I wanted to visit Machu Picchu, I wanted to volunteer in Peru, I wanted to visit coffee bean plantations, I wanted to swim with turtles in Costa Rica. I wanted to explore.
But everyone told me that if I didn’t go to university now, I never would.
Neither of my parents had been to university, and I really saw university as the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. If traveling meant I would never go to university, then I simply couldn’t travel now.
So, I didn’t. I went straight to study, choosing something I had loved at school but was too young to consider whether it was something I really wanted to do for the rest of my life; I studied Molecular Biology and Genetics.
I enjoyed my degree and I learned a lot, but fast-forward to now and I’ve never used my degree since graduating. I could have hunted for a lab job once I finished studying, but I chose to do what had been playing on my mind since I was 17: I went traveling.
People rant about the “school of life” and many parents are choosing to unschool their children, taking them traveling instead of enrolling them in traditional education. If you haven’t thrown yourself deep out of your comfort zone, then you wont be able to grasp how much you learn about yourself and the world from traveling.
Now I’ve spent some time traveling the world and being a global citizen I know that my career path I want for myself is completely different than when I was bright-eyed and fresh out of school. I want to communicate with others, I want to be surrounded by people, not stuck in a lab, and I want to make the world a better place.
I regret not traveling before studying and I regret not doing an exchange while at university.
If you’re reading this and you’re trying to decide whether to study or to travel: I say TRAVEL loud and clear.
If you’re reading this and you’re mid way through studying, but dreaming of foreign lands: do an exchange year!
Doing an exchange is a great way to see more of the world, without putting your academic studies on hold. You get to experience a different culture, a different university and make a bunch of new friends. You can spend your weekends and holidays exploring your new host country… ah! I feel envious just talking about it.
How to do a University Exchange:
The first thing you need to sort out is which universities in which countries you can do an exchange with. This will depend mostly on your university and what agreements they have in place. Talk to your course advisor a year before you’d like to do the exchange so that you can get all the details ironed out.
The great thing about many universities is they have set up agreements so that international students coming through a partner university only pay their local fees – this means that you wont be paying an extra for your semester or year of study.
Once you’ve decided where you want to go and have enrolled, then you’ll need to sort out some of the finer details like choosing cheap flights, finding the perfect student travel insurance and your new accommodation. Often the university will help you find student accommodation, but you can also look into websites such as Couchsurfing to find new friends or potential roommates.
Because your exchange is through your university or college you’ll get a ton of helpful advice from your course advisor, ensuring that you have enough support to get everything prepared in time. Doing a university exchange could well be the highlight of time your time at college – and is definitely worth doing.
Have you got any big regrets related to travel? Did you do an exchange when you were studying at high school or university? I’d love to hear more about your experiences.
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Finding a Balance
For the past two and a half years I threw everything I had towards travel – money, energy and passion.
It was the greatest gift I could have ever given myself.
I moved to the Czech Republic on a whim because I’d seen Charles’ Bridge in a photograph once and fallen in love. I visited India because I had a month spare and was full of adventure and curiosity. I’ve seen incredible, ancient temples such as Borobudur and Angkor Wat. I’ve stuffed myself full of giant pretzels in Berlin, tasty amok curry in Cambodia and full of experiences everywhere I’ve placed my feet.
I was an independent explorer – nothing could get in the way of my adventures. On a chance visit home, I met someone who changed everything. I extended my time in New Zealand, but eventually set off to au pair in Spain and travel Europe. Travel was such a big part of my life and I thought it was the most important part, too.
Despite my best efforts, I thought about this person while I was in Europe, eventually came home but the timing between us was off, so I set off on another adventure to Asia. I’ve been home in New Zealand for two months now and we’ve been inseparable since.
I miss traveling every day, but things have changed. Is this the end of my adventures? No! This is just some downtime so that I can find a balance between a career, love and travel.
In the mean time I’ve taken it as a personal challenge to see as much of New Zealand as possible. I want to share with you a realistic account of what it costs to travel New Zealand, how cheap you can do it and the best places to see.
I’m starting with a trip to Queenstown and Arrowtown this weekend.
I’m also looking to set myself up so I can live a location independent lifestyle anywhere in the world. This is going to take a bit of work, but I’m already on the right track.
They say that youth is wasted on the young; well I think that retirement is wasted on the old. I’m not interested in working for the next forty years only to have all the time in the world, but a body that can’t keep up.
This year is all about engineering my perfect lifestyle that allows me to travel while building a future. This year I’ll find balance.
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Travel Insurance? Yes.
I have used travel insurance on every trip I’ve been on and it’s been an absolute life saver. I’d consider myself a pretty savy, safe traveler, but on my adventures I’ve needed thousands and thousands of dollars of coverage. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to replace the things I’ve needed to replace without it. I always had the “it wont happen to me” mentality, but so many things I couldn’t have foreseen happened on my trips.
When I was in India, a terrible earthquake destroyed my home city and unfortunately killed one of my nearest and dearest family members – my travel insurance eventually paid for my flights and flew me home. When I was stabbed in Indonesia, my insurance paid for my transport to the doctors, the cost of my camera’s repair, and my medical treatment. When I was in au pair in the Czech Republic my laptop screen randomly shattered and my travel insurance paid for that, too. Just before Coachella festival in Los Angeles, my camera was stolen and travel insurance once again footed the bill.
If this hasn’t convinced you that you need travel insurance, maybe these 25 reasons why you need it will:
1. If you fall ill before you even set off, you may be forced to cancel or postpone your holiday indefinitely. Without trip cancellation coverage, you could lose a huge amount of money.
2. Your flight has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, and your airline forces you to buy a new ticket.
3. Your tour operator goes into administration. Not only do you lose a holiday but the administrators are unable to offer refunds during the liquidation.
4. A parent or relative dies whilst you’re away from home and you’re forced to cut your trip short. The money lost on the trip could only add to your grief.
5. You’re pickpocketed and lose your wallet and passport. Insurance can provide much-needed emergency cash and put you up in a hotel.
6. A major project comes up and your boss tells you his hands are tied: you are required to work during your holiday time. You are forced to reschedule your trip.
7. A hurricane rips through the town you’re intending to visit, and the hotel you planned to stay in is badly damaged – no guests are able to stay there for at least 18 months.
8. You badly injure your leg whilst on a hike in the Himalayas and require immediate medical attention.
9. Due to delayed connecting flights, you find yourself staying overnight in a city you had not planned on staying in – extra costs that insurance can cover.
10. Following a spate of terrorist attacks in the city you plan on staying in, the Home Office advises all British tourists to avoid travel to the region.
11. You arrive at your destination but your luggage does not. You find yourself halfway around the world without any of your possessions. Insurance can provide cash for new clothes and supplies.
12. You fall ill in a remote part of the world. You require immediate medical attention and none is readily available. Medical evacuation is crucial.
13. On a coach journey around Europe, the bus breaks down and the driver says it’s beyond repair. Insurance can provide emergency assistive services to quickly provide alternative transport.
14. You lose a bag which contains essential insulin. Insurance can provide an emergency prescription.
15. You’re involved in a car accident during a road trip and another motorist is involved. A personal liability clause in your travel insurance covers you for legal costs and reimbursements.
16. You’re on your way to your sister’s wedding in America when your flight is cancelled. If you don’t find an alternative flight, you might miss the wedding. Insurance can cover alternative travel to special events.
17. You’re driving a rental car around Australia when you accidentally scratch the side. The rental car company charges a huge amount for the repair – insurance can reimburse this cost.
18. It is incredibly unlikely but it has happened: during a visit to a politically unstable area, you’re kidnapped by terrorists and held hostage. Some insurance can cover ransom demands and assist families.
19. There’s a strike at the airline you’re planning on flying with and all flights are cancelled. The airline refuses to refund you. Insurance will cover this.
20. Some tour operators require insurance. If you’re signing up to a package holiday, it may be in the terms and conditions.
21. You’re stuck in traffic on the way to the airport and miss your flight. Airlines will not reseat you if you’re late; insurance will cover you.
22. You break a leg while travelling around South America – your insurers can help you find an English-speaking doctor in a remote part of the world.
23. It’s simple and cheap. Travel insurance is easy to come by and will cost a lot less than if a mishap arises. Specialist travel insurers like Insure & Away offer plenty of packages – click here for more information, including details of unlimited cover all year round.
24. Any reason. If you have a ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ clause in your insurance, you can claim back a large majority of costs, however small or trivial the reason for cancelling might be.
25. And finally…peace of mind. You would hope that none of the scenarios above would ever happen and, touch wood, they won’t. But you don’t want to spend your trip worrying over what could happen. Travel insurance ensures a stress-free holiday.
Have you ever claimed anything on travel insurance? If so, let me know what in the comments below. I hope I’m not the only useless person!
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Win a Trip to New York!
Of all cities in the United States; New York is the one that has always appealed to me most. The glitz and glamor of such a high-class city, combined with impressive skyline makes it an outstanding destination. I’ve watched a few too many episodes of Gossip Girl and so a small part of me feels like I know New York even though I haven’t been, yet.
If you’re interested in the finer things in life, Harrods are offering an online evening event that provides you with the opportunity to win an amazing luxury trip to New York. The prize pack contains a special pre-screening of Great Gatsby in a private location, an expert cocktail creation class and the opportunity to own a very special Alice by Temperley gown.
For more details about this incredible prize, be sure to visit:
harrods.com/summerofnow on the 1st of May 4pm to 12am.
If you’re lucky enough to win the trip to New York, here are the highlights of New York that you can entertain yourself with.
The New York Skyline
There’s nothing quite like the New York skyline – I’d love to visit one day and sip a cocktail from the top of a rooftop bar while watching the buzz of a days business turn into the night. A girl can dream, right?! If you manage to win the prize to New York this is one of the places that you’ll need to head first.
A Musical in New York
Is there anything better than watching a musical in New York? I’m not sure there is. There are so many high quality musicals in New York that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Whether you’re more a fan of Cats, Wicked, The Lion King or Jersey Boys, New York is the one place in the world to shell out a decent amount of money for a musical.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
When I think of Art I think of Berlin, or New York. I’d love to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to be surrounded by some of the finest art in one of the cities best known for producing art and culture. The building itself is absolutely stunning and a must-see on any visit to New York.
Central Park
I love parks; my home city is known as the Garden City and I’m proud that we have such a great ratio of parks to buildings. Central Park looks huge and I love how it changes with every season, offering a special retreat from the chaos that comes with being such a large city. I’d love to go ice skating in Central Park and to visit it when everything’s in blossom – whatever time of year, Central Park is a key part of New York’s signature.
Have you been to New York? What are you favourite things to do there?
Don’t forget to enter to win the special trip to New York! You’ll find more details at Harrods.com/Summerofnow
