Visiting New York in June is a must for those who like a taste of everything. The weather isn’t too warm and although the city is bustling, it’s not yet unpleasantly full with the summer rush of tourists.

Average highs and lows of 79?F (26?C) and 64?F (18?C) still means the occasional sweater and umbrella use is necessary, but with outdoor season starting in New York, the colder days are few and far between.

The numerous outdoor music and film festivals which include the Bryant Park Film Festival, Jazz Festival and Shakespeare in the Park should give travellers a great taste of New York’s cultural scene. Most of these festivals are also free. It is advisable to pack a picnic basket and a blanket to make the festivals just that much more comfortable.

June also welcomes the Restaurant Week back, where New York’s top eateries offer 5 star meals at discount prices. There is also the Annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Week, Puerto Rican Day Parade and Mermaid Parade to look out for - entertainment in true cosmopolitan New York style. June in New York is definitely a time for the outdoors and cultural experiences.

On the 6^th of February 1921, the Yankees sent out a press release stating the intended purchase of 10 acres of land in the Bronx. Just one year later, the Yankees bought Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox. This set a precedent which would make the New York Yankees one of the most successful and influential sports teams in the world.

Initially sharing a stadium with the Giants, the Yankees broke away to build their own stadium which have the capacity to host 70,000 fans. On opening day, the stadium was crammed with spectators, with thousands more cramming outside the gates. The inaugural game took place against the Red Sox, with Babe Ruth hitting a three-run homer to smash the Sox 4-1. The new stadium and new fame was a thorn in the side of the Giants who were not used to playing second fiddle to the Yankees. This rivalry was compounded when the Yankees hosted the first of their 33 World Series over their former landlords, the Giants. The total currently stands at 26. Because of Babe Ruth’s enigmatic pulling power, the stadium became known as ??The House That Ruth Built??.

Over the years the stadium has undergone certain aesthetic and comfort changes, but the true character and appeal of the Yankee Stadium is still very much a part of a history which can still be felt today.

If you enjoy reading about history, New York Journey features an interesting section on the history of New York City.

Fleet Week, taking place from May 23 to 30, 2007, is one event that should not be missed. Any person with a remote interest in the sea - and even those without any - will revel in the splendour of what Fleet Week has to offer. Thousands of sailors, marines, coast guardsmen and naval officers from around the world will participate in this year’s event. Having taken place almost every year since 1984, Fleet Week is New York’s way of thanking its servicemen as well as making the armed forces more accessible to the wider community.

This is also an opportunity for the US to show off its latest toys, with visitors to Fleet Week able to board certain vessels and watch the exhibitors demonstrate some of the newest naval technology on offer. Furthermore, there will also be international ships participating in Fleet Week and therefore an opportunity to see what other countries’ naval forces have to offer. Visitors to Fleet Week are also able to personally meet the personnel who man the vessels. In 2006, almost 100,000 people visited this event and this year the number is expected to grow.

Head to New York Journey for hotel reviews and interesting tourist attractions while visiting the Big Apple.

Vacations should be a time of escaping everyday life. Getting away from it all. However, vacationing in New York means that there is always something on the go and in the case of the AIDS Walk it is something extremely worthwhile. The AIDS Walk this year will be taking place on May 20th with the main focus being on completing the first 25 years in the fight against AIDS. Although a lot more is understood about AIDS than two decades ago, unfortunately the war is far from over as a cure is yet to be found.

The Walk calls on all citizens of New York City - big corporations and individuals alike - to step up to the plate and help with the scourge called the AIDS pandemic. AIDS affects millions of people around the world and stands as the biggest threat to human existence. Only through awareness can AIDS be reined in. Both corporate and private teams can enter the Walk, with all proceeds going towards AIDS research and clinics. It is also possible to sponsor a team or an individual.

One way to feel a part of New York City’s unique culture is to become involved in the AIDS walk in some capacity. This can be done through a small donation, as a spectator or as a participant.

Have a look at our full directory of New York City hotels before you make your accommodation decision.

Dance Parade, that takes place in New York City on the 19^th of May 2007, is one of the world’s largest parades of its kind. A festival that celebrates music and dance from around the world, this parade is one that will get the most conservative introvert’s foot tapping.

The parade follows the route from 32^nd Street, down Broadway to Union Square and then on to 5^th Avenue, ending up at Washington Square’s Memorial Arch. The parade is made up of hundreds of dancers and floats, along with live music and will be lined with thousands of people cheering on. Once in the park, visitors will be treated to an array of international dance sequences - from Breakdance and Hip Hop to Irish Step and Salsa. All forms of dance are embraced at the festival and even dance experts should learn a thing or two. Visitors are also encouraged to participate in the dancing on one of the four huge stages that will be erected around the park. Live bands, DJs and musicians will provide the music.

The Dance Parade is backed by a non-profit organization which works to promote dance as an art, a form of exercise and a way of life with which people can freely express themselves. There is no better setting for such a grand event than the cosmopolitan New York City. Click for more details on the 2007 New York Dance Parade.

At New York Journey we have developed an informative, up-to-date directory of New York attractions and fantastic New York hotels.

Ellis Island is situated at the upper bay near the New Jersey Coast. This island symbolizes one of the most talked about periods in America’s history. Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island as a screening area, with the hope of gaining entry onto the US mainland. Millions of Americans can today trace their lineage through one or more ancestors who passed through Ellis Island.

But Ellis Island’s history goes back even further. The native Indian tribes referred to Ellis Island as Gull Island. It was also known as Oyster Island due to the masses of oysters found on the island. When Samuel Ellis purchased the island in the 1770s it was renamed Ellis Island as it is still known today. The island has been a refuge for pirates, a munitions depot, a lookout post, an immigration station and most lately one of New York’s main tourist attractions.

Ellis Island’s most important period in history, however, was its role in the American War of Independence. The American high command realized that British Naval ships could sail towards New York completely uncontested and Ellis Island was therefore fortified with guns as a deterrent. This made a huge impact on the amount of troops the British forces could drop in one of America’s most important cities at the time.

The darkest period in Ellis Island’s history occurred in 1897 when a fire on the island destroyed the immigration office, along with records dating back to 1855. This took a whole chapter of America’s history along with it.

Today, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Just six years ago, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, opened the American Family Immigration History Center^?. This is open to all visitors and is equipped with the latest computer and multimedia tools. It also functions as a research center for those wishing to research their family history.

The tours on offer are led by history buffs with a vast knowledge of America’s immigration past. There are also self-guided exhibits available for those who do not wish to be tied to structured tours. This includes artefacts, photos, videos and a history of the island.

The main attractions include the American Family Immigration Center, Ellis Island Living Theater and American Immigrant Wall of Honour.

A trip to New York is not complete without a visit to Ellis Island.

Please let us know your stories about Ellis Island.

Hell’s Kitchen is one of Manhattan’s anomalies. Nobody is completely sure where the name originated. Although there are several interesting versions of the story. There is one thing they all have in common: Hell’s Kitchen was not so named for its timid nature. Also known as Clinton and Midtown West, Hell’s Kitchen is steeped in infamy and intrigue. Covering the area between 34^th Street and 57^th Street from 8^th Avenue to the Hudson River, this neighborhood of Manhattan has featured throughout New York City’s underworld history and was even the inspiration for the Broadway hit, West Side Story which features the feud between two Irish and Puerto Rican gangs.

Due to its somewhat shady reputation, the real estate prices were much lower than the rest of Manhattan. Previously inhabited mainly by the poor and working-class Irish-Americans, the area has undergone massive reconstruction and is today home to many famous actors and entertainers due to its interesting history and proximity to all the major theaters.

Hell’s Kitchen is in close proximity to some of New York’s major attractions which include Central Park, Madison Square Gardens, Broadway and Times Square. The borders have always been a contentious issue, much like the area’s history, but one thing is for certain: Hell’s Kitchen is a must-see during any visit to New York City.

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There is no better way to thank one’s mother than making an effort to do something different and personal for Mother’s Day. Brunch or dinner aboard World Yacht checks all these boxes. This is a one day opportunity only and is scheduled for May 13, 2007. The brunch cruise boards at 11h30 and departs at 12h30, returning at 14h30. The dinner cruise boards at 18h00, leaves at 19h00 and is back in the dock by 22h00. All cruises depart from World Yacht Marina, Pier 81, West 41st Street at the Hudson River.

All the meals are prepared by some of New York City’s top chefs and mothers receive a glass of fine champagne, as well as a rose with dessert. The DJ and amazing panoramic views of harbor and New York skyline set the mood for an unforgettable Mother’s Day booking should take place at least 48 hours before, as space is limited. The brunch prices are $85 per person and $105.23 per person for the dinner cruise. This includes all taxes and gratuity. Drinks, however are not included in the price.

Men are required to wear jackets for the dinner cruise and jeans, shorts or sneakers are not permitted at any stage in order to complement the ornate surroundings of all the yachts in the fleet.

May is one of the best times of the year to visit New York. The days are warm and the night pleasantly cool with an average temperature highs and lows of 79?F (26?C) and 64?F (18?C). Being a multi-faceted city, the occasional rain does still occur, so packing an umbrella and a couple of sweaters would be advisable. Also, due to the sheer size of New York, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Although the public transport system is among the best in the world, the sights of the city are numerous, so walking it shall be. May offers a multitude of walking tours and due to the fact that the hoards of summer vacationers have not yet arrived. This is a great time of year to get the most out of the tour guides.

Things to look out for include the AIDS walk and Cinco de Mayo. For those with a discerning palate, May is also the host month of the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival as well as the ??Toast of the Town?? Wine Tasting.

To get a feel of what it’s like to be a New Yorker, May is also baseball season and New York is home to the world-famous Yankee Stadium. No holiday is complete without experiencing a solemn day alongside the locals.

The last Monday in May is May Day which commemorates the fallen soldiers in America’s defence. There is more than ample to do in New York on every sensory level.

There is a vast range of information on NYC attractions and hotel accommodation offerings at New York Journey.

The Ritz Carlton Central Park Hotel is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan. It is a new luxury hotel that has paid very close attention to every last detail and is a great destination for anyone visiting New York for business or for pleasure. The hotel’s exquisite views of Central Park are an important feature.

The hotel is centrally located near the best of Fifth Avenue shops, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. The hotel offers its guest a taste of luxury by providing complimentary Limousine service during the day and a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz at night.

After a day of touring and shopping, guests can pamper themselves at the hotel’s day spa, offering a wide range of treatments. The Ritz Carlton Central Park also boasts a fitness center with personal trainers and top-of-the-range equipment.

Guests who have chosen the hotel for business purposes will find fully-equipped business center with private office booths and 24/7 support staff on call to solve any computer or technical problems.

The hotel has a selection of 277 guest rooms spread over 33 floors, including 40 suites and 11 luxury suites for extended visits. The rooms are generously sized with the best decoration and many surprise amenities. Guests will also be able to treat their palates at Atelier which is the hotel’s signature restaurant.

Enjoy your visit to New York by staying at this luxurious and centrally located hotel.