A First-Timer's Guide to New York City - Intro

New York City - Gotham - the Big Apple - the City that Never Sleeps - whatever you might want to call it - is now the most visited destination in the United States.

In 2008, over 47 million visitors traveled to the City to enjoy its many famous attractions, entertainment venues, department stores, restaurants, sports teams, museums and neighborhoods. They came for pleasure, they came for business, they came for culture, for romance, for excitement ... for 47 million reasons!

New York City has so much to see and do. It's arguably the Greatest City in the World - it's the safest major city in the US - it's a great vacation destination - and yes, believe it or not, it's even friendly. Why, they even wrote songs about it ... so Start Spreadin' the News ... New York's got it all!

New York is home to some of the biggest, the best, the liveliest, the newest, the oldest, the tastiest, the matchless, the greatest and the utmost. The coolest thing, though, is that New York City is a perfect vacation destination for adults, kids, families, seniors, grandparents, honeymooners, groups and singles. Did I leave anybody out?

But with so much to see and do - and never enough time to see and do it all - it's so important to enlist the aid of a New York City expert to help you. I'd suggest you contact your travel agent or New York City Vacation Packages (www.nyctrip.com or 877-NYC-TRiP). An even better idea is to visit your travel agent and have him/her contact New York City Vacation Packages.

Your travel agent or New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) can help you make the most of your vacation time and show you how to take advantage of special prices that will save you money on accommodations, sightseeing, entertainment and meals.

In future blogs I'll let you in on some of the secrets of the City-

• how to plan the perfect itinerary
• how to dine without spending a fortune
• how to get tickets to "sold out" concerts, theater and sporting events
• how to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in comfort
• how to avoid lines at popular attractions

What else would you like to know? Send an email to jocovp@comcast.net and your topic may be a future blog on Joco's New York!

NYCVP’s Cohen Says New York City Positive for 2009

“New York City will be a major destination for American travelers in 2009,” claims Joel Cohen, Vice President of New York City Vacation Packages. “Although vacation travel in general will be affected by the economic situation worldwide, many signs point to New York City as being very attractive as an alternative to other leisure travel markets.”

Cohen is convinced that Americans will continue to travel. “People will not give up vacation travel. They may not go as far, stay as long or spend as much, but they certainly will not give up their vacation. I believe that people will want to go to a destination where they can pack a lot into a little less time.” New York, Cohen maintains, fits that description perfectly.

He cites the many historical, cultural, educational and entertainment venues in the City that families, couples, seniors, honeymooners and groups would find attractive. “When I think about what a vacationer can do in New York City in 4 or 5 days, I know it will result in a vacation full of memories - much more so than lying on a beach ,” Cohen continued. “75 museums, 50 sightseeing tours, 2 skyscraper observation decks, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway performances, the world’s largest store, harbor cruises, comedy clubs, TV and movie sites, 9 professional major sports teams, horse-drawn carriage rides, famous restaurants – New York City really can be a perfect destination.”

New York City may have had a reputation for being expensive, but Cohen says that’s not the case any longer. He says that with the advice of a good travel agent, potential travelers can find a real value. Here is how a travel agent could advise a would-be New York City vacationer:

• Take advantage of seasonal pricing. Hotel rooms are often more than 50% discounted during “low” seasons, typically January, February, July, August, Christmas week and certain holidays like Easter weekend, Memorial Day and Labor Day.


• Plan a New York City trip well in advance. Hotel rates have dropped considerably due to the decrease in European visitors, but that might only be temporary. Take advantage now of low rates by locking them in now.


• Look for “smart pricing” opportunities, such as weekend versus midweek rates and tour packages that include free meaningful features and dine-around plans.


• Understand the importance of air and rail service. When other leisure destinations are experiencing severe cutbacks in air service, New York City is not. Rates to New York City will remain competitive and available.

Cohen further urges travel agents to align themselves with a good New York City tour operator. “New York City can be a complicated destination to sell because of the many varied options available. However it also is a very profitable destination for the same reason. You can put a virtual New York City expert in your office by relying on a specialized tour company like New York City Vacation Packages. We can provide customized vacation plans for you and your clients, and everything will be commissionable.”

Contact New York City Vacation Packages at 877 NYC-TRiP or visit nyctrip.com.

It ain't home

I was recently in Los Angeles on a brief business trip.

I didn't mind the long flight. I didn't mind avocado and sprouts with every meal. I didn't even mind the long drives on the freeways just to get from Point A to Point A(1).

What I did mind was the Neil Diamond song going through my head from the moment I arrived until the moment I left.

I'm not a big Neil Diamond fan. I know he's sold a lot of records, made some movies and entertained millions. Just not me (although truth be told, it's hard not to react in some dopey way to Sweet Caroline).

But when a song reverberates in my brain for days it's pure hell. It wasn't even the whole song either, just a few lines. Over and over again, like a tremendously awful version of Groundhog Day.

L.A.'s fine, but it ain't home —

New York's home but it ain't mine no more

They were the words. It pains me to think that my writing includes two instances of "ain't" and a double negative to boot. Too bad there's no ending preposition (my mother-in-law says that's something up with which she will not put).

What was it about Los Angeles that forced those lyrics into me? Why couldn't it have been Gladys Knight instead of Neil Diamond?

L.A. proved too much for the man,

So he's leavin' the life he's come to know,

He said he's goin' back to find

Ooh, what's left of his world,

The world he left behind

Not so long ago.

He's leaving,

On that midnight train to Georgia,

And he's goin' back

To a simpler place and time.

Strong, meaningful words sung so soulfully. And those Pips. Who doesn't love those Pips? Woo Woo.

But I regress.

I do know why those words pervaded my soul. L.A. is fine, but it could never be my home. L.A.'s not New York. Never will be. Probably doesn't want to be. L.A.'s got its good features. Weather. Lots of highways. Weather.

But what it doesn't have is character. Real character. "You talkin' to me?" character. Fuggedaboudit.

New York is pastrami, pizza and bagels. L.A. is quiche (and "pizza" created by an Austrian named Puck).

New York is Broadway, De Niro and Sinatra. L.A. is TV.

New York is a crazy taxi ride. L.A. is a stretch Hummer.

L.A. has Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Santa Monica. New York has Hell's Kitchen.

L.A. has Catalina Island. New York has Coney Island.

New York has the Statue of Liberty. L.A. has a statue of George Tirebiter (true!).

L.A. has the Oscars presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. New York has Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest. OK, I'll give that one to L.A.

New York is style. L.A. is stylized.

I sat in a tony (definitely an L.A. word) al fresco wine bar where I couldn't order a glass of wine unless I also ordered food. The signs on every lamppost cautioned neer-do-wells "Skateboarding, rollerblades, bicycles and smoking prohibited." Outside, on the street, skateboarding, rollerblades, bicycles and smoking were prohibited. Try and get away with that in New York.

6am on a Saturday morning I hiked the one block from my hotel to Starbucks. People on all 4 corners waiting for the light to change so they could cross the street. Not a car in sight, I did what anyone in New York would do. I got such looks, and even a comment from someone. It ain't home.

Yes, I know. L.A. is the TV and movie capital. So all those great TV shows are taped in L.A. You know - Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, Law & Order, 30 Rock, The King of Queens, Hill Street Blues, Cosby, Taxi, NYPD Blue, Will & Grace. Try and imagine any of those shows without the character of New York.

I do have friends and colleagues who live in L.A. and love L.A. Even some who once lived in New York and prefer to stay in California. It's just not for me. But at least that song's gone from my head now.