• Artists of the City

    Meet passionate designers at their studio in downtown New York City. Get a glimpse of what they are working on and enjoy their paintings, photography and designs.

    Friday - Sunday from 10am - 8pm

  • Great things to do

    Visit our city and check out all the attractions. Go on your favorite trip and enjoy sightseeing, shopping, museums, sports and concerts. There is something for everyone.

    Make sure to get tickets in advance.

  • Take a tour

    There are plenty of places to go to! You can use the subway, rail, bus or ferry to get to your destination. Visit the MTA website and use the Trip Planner to check the schedules.

    The Trip Planner is now available for your mobile.

10 cheapest cities in Europe

Posted by Progress in ,

According to the U.S.News TRAVEL, these are the 10 cheapest cities in Europe:

1. Prague: It is still possible to find affordable lodging in this city. Although most attractions charge small entrance fees, and good eats and cheap drinks are never hard to find.


2. Lisbon: Hang your hat at a top-notch hotel and enjoy mouth-watering meals.


3. Istanbul: Nightlife is a top attraction, but it will cost you extra, as alcohol here can be quite expensive.


4. Krakow: Krakow is home to towering gothic churches and ornate royal palaces.

 

5. Budapest: A mix of neoclassical, baroque and Art Nouveau architecture makes Budapest to one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe.


6. Barcelona: Spain's most hip and cosmopolitan city offers a wide array of cultural attractions as well as a rowdy nightlife scene.




7. Valencia: This vibrant Spanish city boasts museums, golden beaches and quirky festivals. But the real perk is that prices are much lower than in other European coastal cities.



8. Berlin: Attractions showcase Germany's capital influence on modern science, technology and the arts, but some travelers are more inspired by the city's cuisine and nightlife.


9. Crete: The island's breathtaking beaches and scenery don't cost a penny to enjoy.


10. Bucharest: Also known as "Little Paris," Bucharest possesses some of the beloved charms of its western model... but the prices are still low.

The 10 best treks in the world

Posted by Progress in ,

These 10 classic treks are for serious walkers. All of them require a sturdy pair of lungs, fit legs and a good amount of preparation. However, if you choose to go on any of these trails then you will be rewarded with experiences that last a lifetime. In no particular order:

1. GR20, France


This demanding 15- day (168km, 104mi) slog through Corsica is legendary for the diversity of landscapes it traverses. There are forests, granite moonscapes, windswept craters, glacial lakes, torrents, peat bogs, maquis, snow-capped peaks, plains and névés (stretches of ice formed from snow). But it doesn’t come easy: the path is rocky and sometimes steep, and includes rickety bridges and slippery rock faces – all part of the fun. Created in 1972, the GR20 links Calenzana, in the Balagne, with Conca, north of Porto Vecchio.

2. Inca Trail, Peru


This 33km (20mi) ancient trail was laid by the Incas and is currently traversed by thousands each year. The trail leads from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu winding its way up and down and around the mountains, taking three high passes en route. Views of white-tipped mountains and high cloud forest combine with the magic of walking from one cliff-hugging ruin to the next – understandably making this South America’s most famous trail.

3. Pays Dogon, Mali


‘The land of the Dogon people’ is one of Africa’s most breathtaking regions. A trek here can last anywhere between two and 10 days, and takes in the soaring cliffs of the Bandiagara escarpment inlaid with old abandoned cliff dwellings. Dogon villages dot the cliffs and are an extraordinary highlight of the journey. The Dogon are known for their masked stilt dancers, intricately carved doors and pueblo-like dwellings built into the side of the escarpment.

4. Everest Base Camp, Nepal


Reaching a height of 5,545m (18,193ft) at Kala Pattar, this three-week trek is extremely popular with those who want to be able to say, ‘I’ve been to the base of the world’s highest mountain’. The difficult trek passes undeniably spectacular scenery and is trafficked by Sherpa people of the Solu Khumbu. The heights reached during this trek are literally dizzying until you acclimatise to the altitude, and the continuous cutting across valleys certainly has its ups and downs.

5. Indian Himalayas, India


Fewer folk trek on the Indian side of the world’s greatest mountain range. So, if isolation’s your thing try trekking in Himachal Pradesh. Hardcore hikers can try teetering along the mountain tops for 24 days from Spiti to Ladakh. This extremely remote and challenging walk follows ancient trade routes. The bleak high-altitude desert terrain inspired Rudyard Kipling to exclaim, ‘Surely the gods live here; this is no place for men’.

6. Overland Track, Australia

Tasmania’s prehistoric-looking wilderness is most accessible on the 80km (50mi, five- to six-day) Overland Track. Snaking its way between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair (Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake), the well-defined path (boardwalked in parts) passes craggy mountains, beautiful lakes and tarns, extensive forests and moorlands. Those who want more can take numerous side walks leading to waterfalls, valleys and still more summits including Mt Ossa (1,617m, 5,305ft) – Tassie’s highest.

7. Routeburn Track, New Zealand


See the stunning subalpine scenery of New Zealand’s South Island surrounding this medium three-day (32km, 20mi) track. At the base of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the track passes through two national parks: Fiordland and Mt Aspiring. Highlights include the views from Harris Saddle and atop Conical Hill – from where you can see waves breaking on the distant beach. The main challenge for this popular hike is actually securing a place among the limited numbers who are allowed on the track at any time.

8. The Narrows, USA


A 26km (16mi) journey through dramatic canyons carved over centuries by the Virgin River, the Narrows in Zion National Park is a hike like no other. The route is the river, with over half of the hike spent wading and sometimes swimming. The hike can be traversed in a day, though some choose to take the hanging gardens and natural springs at a more leisurely pace – spending a night at one of the park’s 12 camp grounds.

9. The Haute Route, France-Switzerland


Leading from Chamonix in France through the southern Valais to Zermatt in Switzerland, the Haute Route traverses some of the highest and most scenic country accessible to walkers anywhere in the Alps. The summer Haute Route walk (which takes a different course than the more famous winter skitouring route) takes around two weeks to complete. It mainly involves ‘pass hopping’ and demands a high level of fitness, with every section containing a high huff factor.

10. Baltoro Glacier & K2, Pakistan


This corridor of ice leads to the colossal peak of K2 (8,611m, 28,251ft), the world’s second-highest peak. This incomparable trek traverses some of the most humbling scenery on the planet. What begins following icy rivers boldly goes to the guts of the glacier before leading to the granite pyramidal mountains including Paiju (6,610m, 21,686ft), Uli Biaho (6,417m, 21,053ft), Great Trango Tower (6,286m, 20,623ft) and ultimately K2. If the 15 days doesn’t floor you, take side trips to more moraine-covered glaciers.


10 highly unusual Place Names worldwide

Posted by Progress in , ,


Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Truth or Consequences is a spa city and the county seat of Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name to Truth or Consequences, the title of a popular NBC radio program. In 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. 

Hell, Michigan, US
Hell, or Hiland Lake is an unincorporated community in Putnam Township of Livingston County in the U.S. here are two theories for the origin of Hell's name. The first is that a pair of German travelers stepped out of a stagecoach one sunny afternoon in the 1830s, and one said to the other, "So schön hell!" (translated as, "So beautifully bright!") Their comments were overheard by some locals and the name stuck. The second theory is tied to the "hell-like" conditions encountered by early explorers including mosquitos, thick forest cover, and extensive wetlands.

Boring, Oregon, US
Boring is an unincorporated community located in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, on Oregon Route 212. The community was named after William H. Boring, an early resident of the area.

Uncertain, Texas
Uncertain is a city in Harrison County, Texas, in the United States.Uncertain is located on the shore of Caddo Lake and derives its name from surveyors who were attempting to delineate the border between Texas and Louisiana and discovered that they were "uncertain" as to which side of the line they were on as they began surveying that particular part of Caddo Lake.

Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina, US
The Great Dismal Swamp is a marshy area in the Coastal Plain Region of southeastern Virginia . Scientists believe the Great Dismal Swamp was created upon the last major shift of the continental shelf. The origin of Lake Drummond, one of only two natural lakes in Virginia, is not entirely clear; Native American legends tell of a giant firebird that made a nest of fire in the swamp that later filled with rain.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a buffalo jump located where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains begin to rise from the prairie18 km northwest of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on highway 785. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of a museum ofBlackfoot culture.The buffalo jump was used for 5,500 years by the indigenous peoples of the plains to kill buffalo by driving them off the 11 metre (36 foot) high cliff.

Penguin, Tasmania
Penguin is a town on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. The area's dense bushland and easy access to the sea led to Penguin becoming a significant port town, with large quantities of timber shipped across Bass Strait toVictoria, where the 1850s gold rushes were taking place. The town was named by the botanist Ronald Campbell Gunn for the Little Penguin rookeries that are common along the less populated areas of the coast. 

Batman, Turkey
Batman is a city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey and the capital of Batman Province. It lies on a plateau, 540 meters above sea level, near the confluence of the Batman River and the Tigris. The Batı Raman oil field, which is the largest oil field in Turkey, is located just outside the city.

Humpty Doo
Humpty Doo is a small town in Australia's Northern Territory. In 1910, the name "Umpity Doo" first appeared to describe buildings and improvements on a survey plan of Agricultural Lease No. 28. This lease was held by Oscar Herbert. Herbert died in 1974 at nearby Koolpinyah.

Fort Whoop-Up, Alberta, Canada
Fort Whoop-Up was the nickname (that was eventually adopted as the official name) given to a whisky trading post, originallyFort Hamilton, near what is now Lethbridge, Alberta. During the late 19th century, the post served as a centre for various illegal activities. 


Telephone scam hits Marriot London Gatwick hotel

Posted by Progress in



Several hotels located next to Gatwick and Heathrow airports have been hit by a telephone scam 'virus' which is threatening guests' financial privacy. What is basically happening is that some people are calling visitors' suites , pretending to be hotel receptionists or representing Marriot HQ and demand visa card information through the telephone , claiming that the system has broken down or that databases are being improved.

Marriot Associates and, specifically, Marriot London Gatwick Hotel have clarified that requesting financial information over the phone is a policy they have and would never adopt. What their guests are being asked is to personally provide their card details at the reception if required. The policy adopted by the hotel consists of confirming the guest's name before handing over any calls to a suite. The Marriot HQ are not calling guests instantly.

Therefore, guests have been prevented to be attentive of any distrustful calls. In case these occur guests are advised to stop by the reception or call '0' from their bedroom phone

Holiday Ideas for Christmas 2013 (Part 2)

Posted by Progress in , , ,


End of the year, awaiting for the Christmas miracle to come? Perpetual Traveller Overseas adds a dash of adventure to your Christmas vacation planning. There are many impressive places all over the world, where you can fill your batteries with energy and experience the magic of Christmas at the destination of your preference. Traditionally, London, New York, Sydney, Berlin are the most popular cities to experience exceptional moments. Including these, our blog introduces to you some more.
London
The city is at its best during the season. Londoners take preparations seriously! Holiday decorating supplies, sweets and gifts appearing on shelves at stores across London by the end of September. Cosmopolitan Oxford street is more crowded than ever, with thousands of locals and tourists flocking to shops and grab their favorites. Down the Westminster, a Christmas fairy tale is unfolding each year better with holiday attractions popping around the city and passengers gluttony gazing at each of them. Sight viewing becomes more imaginary when London Eye makes the round of the glittery city!
Sydney
Santa Claus is coming to beach but before that, he gives the reindeer a rest and uses kangaroo! A completely different experience than the rest in the world. Sunny weather, beautiful beaches for surfing, nice Christmas decorations and delicious food. Live this experience not only from TV but alive. See the fabulous fireworks light up the Sydney night sky at Harbourside and celebrate with locals.
Lapland
Sense the warmth of Christmas and family in the heart of harsh north winter in Finland, the house of Santa! Lapland is the ideal destination for Christmas especially for children. The exhilarating delight of winter play in the snowing hills, a visit to Santa Claus house and a cold platter of Salmon with fish eggs and salad on side as a Christmas lunch would make your Christmas unforgettable. Wish to locals Merry Christmas by saying Hyvaa Joulua and visit Saunas on the Christmas Eve before celebrations begin, it is a tradition. Few lines are not enough to list the Christmas activities in the country of Santa.
Stockholm 
“God Jul” or Merry Christmas! If you are celebrating Christmas in Sweden, celebration begins with the annual Saint Lucia Day on December 13. Christmas trees are set up and decorated in seasonal spirit with festive lights and houses with gingerbreads and seasonal flowers in red and white colors. Cold is sharp, so if you decide to stay at home try the traditional Christmas dinner, buffet with ham and a variety of sweets. Christmas is considered the most important celebration around the year because the family reunites. Aunts, uncles, cousins .... start the holy day with a breakfast consisting of rice pudding and milk. Take a Husky tour in the wilderness of Lapland or experience the arctic romance in an iced hotel.
Paris
When daylight fades, the city of Lights, Paris excites travel imagination romantically. Bright lights, big trees and spectacular celebrations are at the root of the Christmas joy with Christmas markets popping around offering fresh sweet delicacies and wine. Paris is a reputable city for its culinary variety, so flock to a restaurant and try on Christmas traditional plates. If going for shopping, Champs Elysees stores are overflowing with patient shoppers while the Eiffel Tower is giving fantastic light shows. Ice skating and a visit to Disney Land are great ideas if you plan to make Christmas in France with your family. By the way Disney Land has a new Christmas tree this year!
Cape Town
What about Christmas in Safari? It is not the Christmas to stay at home. What you need is energy and passion to experience the enormous wildlife on safari, dine with sharks, relax on the finest beaches and do the most unusual things for Christmas .Enjoy a gourmet meal in Cape Town and at the end of the day don’t forget to make a charity for the poor communities. Christmas is not a commercial celebration as is in the rest of the world and not enough money is spent on gift due to the poverty but if you are blessed by the Christmas spirit, the most valuable gifts for Africans are school books, soaps, clothing and some food.

Of course there are many more good destinations to celebrate Christmas and remember the day forever. However, if holidays are not affordable for this year, save money for the next year. And remember a good wine with family and great friends make the Christmas unforgettable! Merry Christmas everyone!

Top 5 Destinations in the World!

Posted by Progress in , ,

It is a given that the world is full of surprises; you never know what you will discover from one day to the next. If you're looking to take a vacation in one of the most unique locations in the world, the following list comprises the top 5 places recommended by Perpetual Traveller Overseas. Your eyes will not believe some of these sights!

1) Zhangye Danxia Landform, China

2) Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

3) Chittorgarh Fort, India

4) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

5) Tianzi Mountains, China
 


Europe's 10 cheapest cities to visit

Posted by Progress in ,

As we live in a age of austerity with the continental countries of Europe facing unprecedented EU challenges, such as escalating inflation rates, higher VAT and with the general impact of the credit crunch and import costs, future tourists are starting to look carefully which destination offers the best value for summer 2013 or a winter break.

Here below is the updated list of Europe's 10 cheapest major cities to visit.

The greatest surprise on the list is London, which due to the fact it is outside the EU prices are relatively falling enabling it to reach Europe's bargain hotspot top 10 for the first time in 5 years. This is good news for Olympic Games visitors, however we must balance this information with the recent increase in exchange between the euro and the Pound Sterling, making it more expensive to buy GB Pounds now than in the last 5 years or so.

It's interesting to see that London is sixth on the list and the Norwegian capital Oslo last. 

10 Cheapest European Cities:
  1. Warsaw, Poland.
  2. Prague, Czech Republic.
  3. Budapest, Hungary.
  4. Vilnius, Lithuania.
  5. Brussels, Belgium.
  6. London, England.
  7. Berlin, Germany.
  8. Lisbon, Portugal.
  9. Dublin, Ireland.
  10. Madrid, Spain.

The Top Rude Passenger Behaviors you Want to Avoid

Posted by Progress in


Passengers participating in this interesting and noteworthy survey were asked which type of passenger to sit next to on the plane they consider the most disliked one.

The answers they gave were extremely familiar to quite every traveller!

These are the 6 types of passengers we all look to avoid when travelling:
  • Poor Hygiene
  • Cougher-Sneezer
  • Large
  • Chatty
  • Child
  • Snorer
When asked about all the passenger behaviors they see as the rudest, the 1532 surveyed passengers were given the opportunity to choose 2 of them. So, let's have a quick look!
  • 919 passengers consider seat kicking very disrespectful
  • 827 of them think that loud talking is the most inappropriate thing to do on plane
  • 460 travellers find seat reclining terribly rude
  • 276 of the surveyed passengers consider arm rest hogging uncivil
  • 245 of them believe that stinky food eating is very rude and
  • 107 passengers find that unwelcomed conversing  is unusually wrong
Are you a passenger to stay away from?
We would be very glad if you shared with us your story or personal travel experience!

Original source: www.travelocity.com

The worlds best Flight Search Engine to seek cheap tickets and convenient routes

Posted by Progress in

The Internet is awash with Flights Search and Flight Comparison websites. In the grand scheme of things they are all a much of a muchness. This is however one undisputed leader of the pack "SkyScanner" 

Skyscanner in essence is the worlds leading Flight Search site for Independent Travellers, which provides instant online comparisons for literally millions of flights on over a 1000 airlines inlcuing Low cost and Scheduled, in addition to Car Rental and Hotels (all be it second place).

The key difference is that Skyscanner's flexible Search options make it possible to browse prices across a whole month, or even a year ahead. This Travellers to secure the best deals in advance. Moreover, SkyScanner does not get involved in the Booking, so after the right Search has been done it links to book direct with the Airline or Travel Wholesaler, to ensure the lowest price, with no extra fees added.

SkyScanner has been in travel business for over 10 years and employs more than 30 different nationalities from their offices in Edinburgh and Singapore. The Website boasts over 25 million visitors every month who use SkyScanner to seek flights in more than 25 different languages. 


Standard home 300x250

World's Best Hotels 2013

Posted by Progress in

For some travellers its not about "where", but "with who". For those who care about where, today we will present to them the best hotels in the world for 2013.

Thanks to the research conducted by travel and leisure, we have the list with the best hotels worldwide! 

1. Mombo Camp and Little Mombo Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

2. Castello di Casole—A Timbers Resort, Casole d'Elsa, Italy

3. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

4.Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

5.Four Seasons Resort Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

6.The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay, New Zealand

7. Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

8.Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

9. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

10. Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa