Fun and Vacations

Featured Destination New York....

New York Travel Guide

The city of dreams, New York is the fantasy destination of millions of people worldwide who want to live there and make it big, or just spend a week or two experiencing the magic. It's said that everyone should visit New York at least once, and it's easy to see why: the city is teeming with fascinating sights and attractions, from its towering skyscrapers to the humble hot dog carts on the sidewalk. Supposedly there's nothing you can't find in New York. The 'Big Apple' is known for setting the world's standard in food, nightlife and shopping, and is home to some of the most famous attractions on earth: must-see highlights include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park. New York is also home to world-class museums like the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and famous performance venues like Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, and of course the multitude of theatres that light up Broadway each night.
But New York is made up of more than just its famous city. The north and western parts of the state are as peaceful and remote as NYC is frantic and crowded, and visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of the Adirondacks and the Catskills at resorts like Lake Placid, Lake George, and Hudson Valley.
Whatever type of holiday you're after, New York has something for everyone to enjoy; a holiday in the Big Apple is sure to make at least one dream come true!

Best time to visit New York
New York's climate varies widely from season to season; with hot, humid summers and cold winters. The best time to visit New York is in the autumn (September and October) or spring (April and May), when temperatures are moderate. Read more on New York's Climate and Weather.

What to see in New York
-Take in a Broadway musical.
-Visit the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.
-See the lights of Times Square.
-Walk along the promenade at the Coney Island Funfair.
Read more on New York Attractions.
What to do in New York
-Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
-Go ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza.
-Take a carriage ride around Central Park.
-Hike in the Adirondack Mountains.
-Get a great view of the city from the Staten Island Ferry.
What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes, and stylish clothing for the evening.

What's on in New York
-Giant floats and balloons fill the streets at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
-Times Square hosts the biggest party in the US every New Year's Eve.
-New York Fashion Week is the highlight of every fashion calendar.
Did you know?
-New York City has an estimated 4,000 street food vendors.
-More than 250 feature films are shot on location in New York City each year.
-The musicians who perform in the NYC Subway system go through a competitive audition process; some have also played at Carnegie Hall!

Poland Travel Guide
Ever since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has been undergoing a true tourism renaissance as more and more visitors are seeking out the rich history and undeniable character of this troubled but resilient nation. There is much to see and do in modern-day Poland: Most visitors will start in the capital Warsaw, where the beautiful Old Town district has been rebuilt brick by brick in a telling show of Polish moxie. From Warsaw, many travellers make the four-hour train journey to Krakow, by far and away Poland's most popular tourist destination.
Poland's cultural capital, Krakow, is an exciting, cosmopolitan city, boasting a remarkably well-preserved medieval centre and several key cultural sites, such as the famous Wawel Hill, where the Royal Palace and the Gothic Wawel Cathedral can be found. The historic port-city of Gdansk - where L**h Walesa and his Solidarity trade union first rose to oppose Poland's Communist government in 1980 - is also a popular destination, featuring a sympathetically restored Old Quarter and several fashionable restaurants and cafes.
Most visitors to Poland do not venture too far into the countryside - which is a shame, because the country is home to some excellent scenery and walking and hiking trails. The southern Bieszczady Mountains are particularly beautiful, featuring tall forests and rural houses that seem to have been lifted straight from Grimm's Fairy Tales; while the Bialowieza National Park is a UNESCO-protected area that guards the last remnants of the primeval forest that used to cover most of Europe. Poland is also a great (and surprising) choice for an affordable European beach holiday, with the charming seaside town of Sopot offering cut-price fun in the sun on the Baltic Coast.
Best time to visit Poland
Poland's climate is moderate, with continental influences from the east and maritime influences from the west. The weather in Poland is highly changeable, with great inconsistency from year to year (and even from day to day in some seasons). There are, however, four distinct seasons, and spring and summer are usually lovely in Poland. The best time to visit Poland is during these warmer months, from May to October, with the peak tourist season in July and August. Be warned that many Poles take their annual leave at this time, and so tourist hotspots like Krakow and Sopot can be overcrowded in the height of summer. Read more on Poland's Climate and Weather.
What to see in Poland
-Warsaw's Old Town (Starego Miasta) area has been lovingly and painstakingly rebuilt after the destruction of WWII.
-The port city of Gdansk features some of the loveliest cityscapes in all of central Europe.
-Warsaw's Polish Poster Gallery (Galeria Grafiki i Plakatu) houses an excellent collection of graphic art and posters displaying 20th-century Polish culture.
-A trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must for visitors to Poland.
What to do in Poland
-Head to the cosmopolitan city of Krakow, and take in a show at the famous Piwnica pod Baranami underground cabaret house.
-Tour the Holocaust memorial sites of Auschwitz and Birkenau, and get a renewed appreciation of the tragedy of this dark period of European history.
-Visit the Bialowieza National Park and check out the (protected) collection of European bison, huge beasts that once roamed freely across the continent.
-Take a trip to the Baltic Coast, and get some world-class spa treatments at the lovely seaside resort town of Sopot.
What to pack
When packing for Poland, bear in mind that the weather is highly changeable. Take a selection of warm and cooler clothing, and make sure you have a good coat for cold snaps and a lightweight rain slicker to carry around for unexpected showers.
Did you know?
-Of all the EU member countries, Poles, on average, marry at the youngest age.
-Poland can boast 17 Nobel Prize winners, including four Peace Prizes and five prizes for literature.
-There is a dedicated Pope Channel on Polish TV.
A final word
After years of struggle and hardship, Poland is re-emerging as a fantastic holiday destination, offering uniquely interesting historical sites and beautiful natural scenery.