New York, New York

Think of America and, at some point, your mind will invariably conjure up images of New York. From the ubiquitous yellow cab, or the Statue of Liberty, to the neon lights of Times Square or the towering Empire State Building, much of what we think of as America is in fact, New York. And if you are looking for a city break, there is no better city.

From shopping to sightseeing, musicals to martinis, delis to discotheques, New York caters to all tastes. But when you are walking in one of the biggest cities in the world, where do you start?

Times Square, a sight to behold in its own right, is a good place to start. A short walk from Times Square is the relatively crime-free and safe area of Central Park. Consisting of 843 acres of parkland amid the hustle and bustle of middle Manhattan, Central Park is New York's garden. On the southern edge of the park is the famous Plaza Hotel, which somewhat embarrassingly, I couldn't help but see and immediately think of the kid's film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - for those who haven't seen the film Macaulay Culkin stays at The Plaza on his parent's credit card while 'lost'.

But everywhere you go in New York you feel as if you are walking on a film set.

A short walk from the Plaza is Trump Towers, one of New York's tallest buildings, built by Billionaire entrepreneur Donald Trump. Trump Towers is on world renowned Fifth Avenue, where the serious shopping begins. Famous labels such as Hugo Boss and Chanel, as well as stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue can all be found here, and thanks to the strong pound, it's all cheaper than what you'd expect to pay in the UK.

Many of New York's many museums are also in this area. I visited the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA as it is referred. The museum holds a fantastic collection of modern art; Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, Rothko, Picasso and a legion more. What's more, if you are visiting New York on the weekend, after 4pm on Fridays admission is free!

Wander a few blocks from MoMa and the Empire State Building, deceptively elusive despite its size, is suddenly upon you. For $15 you can ride to the top and experience some awe inspiring views of the city.

If you continue south along Fifth Avenue after a number of blocks you reach Madison Square Park. The park would not be worth visiting, but for the fact that to the south it is flanked by the architectural wonder that is the Flatiron Building. A triangular building built to utilise the plot of land on which it stands, when it was completed in 1902 it was the tallest structure in the world and one of the first to be built using a steel-frame.

Continue walking south to the very end of Fifth Avenue and you enter one of New York's most romanticised and popular districts - Greenwich Village. 'The Village,' as New Yorkers refer to it, unlike much of lower Manhattan, has no high rise properties and has a feel all of its own. Made famous during the 1950s and 1960s as the hang out of novelists, actors and music stars, the Village was the heart of the revolutionary counter-culture.

Today, Greenwich Village still retains its bohemian feel, but you are more likely to find a French market taking place, rather than any political protest. The area has done well out of gentrification. Restaurants and bars abound in Greenwich, with Dylan Thomas' last drinking haunt, the White Horse on Hudson street, a popular choice. For mouth-watering burgers American style, the Corner Bistro on West Fourth Street has what you are looking for.

From Washington Square Park, at the bottom of Fifth Avenue, the twin delights of Little Italy and China Town are within easy reach. Both areas maintain their unique character and are, obviously, the best places in the city to sample Italian and Chinese cuisine respectively.

From China Town the Financial District in Lower Manhattan is a short walk away. No visit would be complete without visiting the World Trade Centre site, to see the huge area where the Twin Towers once stood and to reflect on the events of 9/11.

To the south you can see the Statue of Liberty, by taking the Staten Island Ferry, which is free if you're on foot. You can also enjoy great views on a boat trip from historic Battery Park to Ellis Island. As the gateway to the USA for over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954, the island's museum has many interesting stories to tell. Boats pass the stock exchange hub Wall Street too, and the three 'BMW' bridges - Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburgh.

Back on dry land, cross Brooklyn Bridge for wonderful views of Manhattan Island and Brooklyn - the perfect place to digest a day spent exploring the 'Big Apple'.

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