California, wait for me...

Does anyone want to go to California as much as I want?

Picture of the week

Central Park- New York

Picture of the week

One in each corner- New York (USA)

Places to visit: The Simpsons' theme park

Probably so far you know that Orlando has the most theme parks per square mile in the world. I think I have never told you that I am really keen on theme parks, not too obsessed with them, but I like them. Whenever a have spare time, I always tend to visit them.

One day I will in Florida for sure, but now I have one more reason: visiting The Simpson's Springfield! Although I think they deserve a theme park on their own, Universal has decided better adding it to Universal Studios. 

Springfield according to Universal

As  you can see, the city does not look much like the Simpsons one, but at least you the a Krusty Burger, Moe's and even the famous Duff beer.

And where is the family's home ? It is not there, isn't it a pity? Don't they really think the famous yellow family deserves a whole them park for themselves? 

The bikes take New York

Ever wonder why New York does not have renting bikes in every corner like in London, Lille or Barcelona? Don't need to wonder anymore, City Bike has arrived.

From now on you can rent one of the over 6000 (so far) bicycles that are available for the public in over 300 stations over Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Although the bikes are for rent from yesterday for members, it is only from 2nd June that the tourists can get them for short journeys. The price is quite ok, 9.95$ plus taxes for 24 hours (although in London the price is 2£) and you have to dock the bike at the station every 30 minutes to avoid paying a surcharge. 

New York has more than 400kms of bike lanes and over 300 green routes. These made it the perfect city to explore on two wheels. But please, take care when driving! 

Go! Airlines routes

It looks like Go! Airlines has more routes and destinations, so probably we will decide to go for it. I will keep searching ;)

Planning the trip to Hawaii

Ok, so there it is, in around one month I will get married :) And a few weeks later, I will be travelling to Las Vegas, Hawaii and Los Angeles. I can't deny I am really excited.

Hawaii, there we go!

And the truth is that I still haven't planned the whole trip, as usual. But everything will go fine!

I have created a folder in Google Docs, where I am keeping all the information. I always save all the info I am finding and doing a to do list and in destinations like this, things I wan to do. One of them is swimming with turtles. The good thing about using Google Docs is that I can add information from work, the tube, while on a walk or from home. That is like a personal mini-guide.

Niʻihau: The Forbidden Isle

Niihau is one of the 7 main islands in Hawaii with 184 square kilometres. It is inhabited, but funny enough, it is privately owned and that is the reason why it is called The Forbidden Isle. Up to not long ago, it was only allowed to visit by relatives or guests of its 160 residents.

Nowadays you can access the island if you want to pay for an helicopter tour at 385$. It is also allowed for all those who want to go hunting. But, are we going to visit a tiny island to kill a few sheeps that pace quietly? I hope you do not do it!

Niihau

Panoramas from the air

A few days ago I discovered this wonderful website that allows you to see some parts of the world like if you were right there.

In this occasion I went to New York (like if I was visiting) and I started clicking in all the arrows and move up and down, right to left... until I got sick with so much movement.

Is it not cool being able to see New York like this? Central Park, Manhattan, Fifth Avenue... I leave you exploring a bit, I am enjoying myself.

Please press Read more to see the interactive video. It is not in the main page because there is audio and it's really annoying, For me too! You can silence it once you are on it. Do not miss it, because it is worth it.

Central Park- New York (USA)

You don't need to spend a lot of time on the park to realise why Newyorkers love their park. In a city full of skyscrapers, neons, long avenues, cars, taxis, noise, concrete and more concrete, having the luck of a green cosy and quiet area like Central Park, is a luxury.

When I say quiet I don't mean it's empty or boring. It's just the opposite. There are so many possible activities for kids, grown ups or pets... you won't get bored.

Unfortunately, I could not see the whole part, only a tenth part as I was travelling with people that have already been there and our agenda was quite strict. To be honest, I thought I would have time to go the following day again, but it was not possible. 48 hours are not enough. What a pity, I will have to come to New York again :)!

The park was finalished in 1873, following the idea of the big European parks like Hyde Park in London or Bois de Boulogne in Paris, to provide Newyorkers with an open air and natural space, away from the noise and the concrete. Although this is not the biggest park in the States (843 acres), is the most visited, 25 million people each year, above The Grand Canyon.

Viva Las Vegas!

Planning to visit Vegas? What a stupid question, who isn't? Most of the people would say they don't find it appealing, but just because they do not want to admit that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

So if you are one of this people that does not mind admitting that would L-O-V-E to go (or even if you do not want to admit it: no one is looking at you) this is your website.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has launched LasVegas.com, the first website that allows you book from flights to shows and hotels to tours. They have a 24 customer service to meet the request of the over 38 million people that visit the city every year.

And if you are a travel agent or meeting planner, they also have a special section for you.

Central Park (New York) maps

Top of The Rock- New York (USA)

Up there is Top of the Rock!

There are many places in New York from where you can see the skyscrapers from above. You can have a cocktail in one of the hundreds of roof bars in the coolest buildings, see them from your hotel or from one of the classic and massive steel giants. Top of the Rock at the  Rockefeller Center is one of them. Someone told me this, and not the Empire State, is the best place to see the city from the heights. But in my quick 48 hours visit there was no time for everything, so I will have to come back to be able to tell you.

Anyway, Rockefeller won't let you down. This is one of the busiest places in the city. Night and day. In fact, I could see for myself the extreme security, at the corner of the building where the Top of the Rock is, there was a policeman with the biggest gun I have ever seen. Bigger than in the movies, I mean. I tried to take a picture, but he was not keen of showing off and at the end I decided to give up as a picture is not as priceless.

As I was saying, all the area is quite busy. There are loads of people at the complex at night, enjoying the summer terraces, walking around or queueing to go to the top.

The entrance is where it says Observation Deck, 50th Street, next to Radio City Music Hall, other interesting place you might want to visit. 

Win a VIP trip!

Travel Channel is giving away 6 VIP trips if you live in the States. They look amazing, so why not trying your luck?

Virgin's direct destinations

As of today these are the direct destinations Virgin has.

** please check in their website for more up to date information.

The Sound of New York

My colleagues said they could not hear it, but New York is really noisy. 24/7! Can you hear the sound of the city?