It comes as no surprise that in a city that brings us some of the top culinary offerings in the world, will also be home to the best chocolate shops on earth. Chocolate loving visitors to New York City should take some time to explore these magnificent locations and sample their delights.

Jacques Torre, Frenchman and chocolate master extraordinaire, has opened two shops in New York City, one in Brooklyn, known as D.U.M.B.O, and the other on Hudson Street. D.U.M.B.O, in pure European style, offers handmade delicacies by Torre himself, and allows visitors to view the entire chocolate-making process from huge windows within the store. Café-style tables welcome visitors to rest while they taste these delightful creations. In the Hudson Street store, Torre makes chocolates out of beans using authentic vintage equipment and, again, allows visitors a peek into the marvelous process.  

The MarieBelle flagship store on Broome Street in New York City, named for its founder and designer, Maribel Lieberman, is true heaven for chocolate lovers. This is where gifted confectioners let their imaginations run wild with the finest chocolate ingredients, eclectic ingredients and innovative ideas to create true works of art, wrapped up as beautifully as the aesthetic surroundings in the store. Visitors can mingle among antique furniture and glass cabinets as they select whatever their hearts’ desire. 

Finally, visitors won’t want to miss a chocolatier with a difference. Kee Lee Tong Kee’s Chocolates, founded in 2002, has taken the city by storm and has earned itself a global reputation among top connoisseurs. Situated in the fashionable SoHo suburb, Kee Chocolates uses the finest ingredients – some seasonal and some available all year round - to create delicious hand-made offerings at reasonable prices.

New York City features some great chocolate walking tours.

Despite the summer heat that is prevalent in New York City during July, there is plenty to do and see, making this the perfect location for a trip. Taking advantage of the warm nights and sunny days, organizers have plenty on the cards for New York visitors, and all one needs to do is choose!

What could be more American than celebrating the Fourth of July in a city that knows how to party?! Festivities for this great day range from hot dog eating competitions, cruises and concerts to the much-loved Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display that begins at around 9 pm. A patriotic flyover by the U.S Air force precedes the magnificent fireworks that have become a symbol of New York. There are also displays dotted around the city, including East River in Midtown and South Street Seaport. 

Culinary fans will delight in July’s Restaurant Week, where some of the city’s top eateries present the public with an opportunity to sample their best dishes in the form of three-course lunches for a fraction of the price.  

Summer in New York means outdoor festivals and concerts in the many parks around the city – the majority of them for free. The Met Opera in the Parks offers performances of two different operas for visitors to enjoy and the opportunity to meet under the stars, socialize and listen to some of the best music ever written. 

Shakespeare in the Park is also an excellent chance for culture-vultures to enjoy the Bard against a New York skyline. This enormously popular event, which attracts 1500 people to each performance, has played to over 4 million since it first began in the 1950s. 

Other cultural events include the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park, as well as productions at Central Park’s Summerstage and the HBO/Bryant Park Film Festival.

Museum Mile is an annual one-day festival that has been described as “New York’s biggest block party”. This is the day that New Yorkers and visitors alike converge on Fifth Avenue from 82^nd to 105^th Street and gain free entry into nine of the city’s top museums and cultural centers. The traffic-free area also hosts street shows, live bands and activities for kids, making it one of the most exciting happenings in New York’s calendar. 

This year’s 30^th Museum Mile Festival take place on Tuesday June 3^rd at Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, with an opening ceremony at 5.45 pm. Visitors are then free to spend the rest of the evening visiting the other eight museums, that comprise: El Musio del Barrio, that celebrates the diversity of Caribbean and Latin American art and culture; the Museum of the City of New York, that explores the past, present and future of the Big Apple; the Jewish Museum, devoted to the scope and diversity of 4000 years of Jewish art and culture; the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, that promotes the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibition; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, that houses one of the worlds finest collection of modern art; the Neue Galerie New York, a center devoted to German and Austrian art; the Goethe Institut/German Cultural Center, which supports cultural events that present German culture and, finally; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrating 5000 years of art. 

The Museum Mile Festival runs from 6pm until 9pm on the day, and will take place irrespective of the weather. Visitors should expect waiting lines – over 50,000 people attend the festival each year – however, these move fast and there is enough space for everyone to see the cultural wonders of New York during the festival.

Click for the official site of the Museum Mile Festival.

One of the highlights of the City of New York’s entertainment calendar is undoubtedly the Tribeca Film Festival. This year’s festival is slated for April 23 to May 4 and it promises to be a week and a half of fun, excitement and pure movie magic. The festival was first created to celebrate New York’s contribution to the world of film and it has become one of the hottest events in the industry. This year the TFF will celebrate its 7th anniversary.

The TFF traditionally screens films from all around the world and viewers can enjoy a great number of premiers, since many films are first screened at this festival. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the directors and stars of the movies and rub shoulders with some of the industry’s true greats. There will be over 200 movies to see during the event, offering a wide variety of film types for festival-goers to choose from. There are also interesting panel discussions planned with top directors, screenwriters and actors, that viewers can attend and participate in.

The festival’s name, however, should not be interpreted to suggest that the event is limited to film lovers only. A wonderful Family Festival Street Fair takes place this year on Saturday, May 3rd from 10am to 6pm and offers crafts and games for all ages in the vicinity of Greenwich between Hubert and Duane. There are also a number of free events, including several film screenings and a hugely popular drive-in, traditionally held at the World Financial Center Plaza for families and movie-lovers of all ages.

Tickets and passes for the Tribeca Film Festival can be purchased through a number of venues, including ticket offices and online. Information about the festival’s program can be found through online guides or the local media nearer to the time of the event.

 Tickets go on sale:
Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Single Tickets on sale for American Express Cardmembers (Walk-up, Web, & Phone).
Friday, April 18, 2008 - Single Tickets on sale to downtown residents (Walk-up Box Office Only, proof of zip code below Canal Street).
Saturday April 19, 2008 - Single Tickets on sale to general public (Walk-up, Web, & Phone).

Click for the official site of the Tribeca Film Festival. NewYorkJourney.com features a list of hotels in the Tribeca area.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a historical event that has been taking place in New York since 1762 and has been marching for 256 consecutive years. The original St. Patrick’s Day marchers would gather at their local churches or their organizations’ headquarters and proudly march to the Old St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Archbishop would greet the groups, followed by speeches by politicians and other notables. Once the official ceremony was over, the marchers would disperse and possibly continue their celebrations at a pub.

The parade is traditionally honored by a Grand Marshal and this year the title goes to Tommy M Smyth. The parade will be reviewed by His Eminence Cardinal Edward Eagan, Archbishop of New York from the steps of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral as well as from the Official Reviewing Stand located on 64th Street and 5th Avenue.

This year, the parade takes place Monday 17th March and begins at 11am. The 150,000 strong crowd will march up 5th Avenue, starting at 44th Street and proceeding to 86th Street. The marchers gather in groups of clans, and clad in green, they proceed down 5th Avenue.

Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day Parade does not allow any floats, cars or any other commercial aspects to taint the festivities. Those who have the privilege of looking on will be entertained by bagpipes, bands and orchestras, as well as an opportunity to see many strange items of green attire.

The best spots to catch a glimpse are towards the north end of the parade route, removed from the throng of shoppers and workers that crowd the sidewalks below 59th Street. The best position is sitting on the upper steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art where one can grab a great view and even a close up of the marchers when they turn east on 86th Street.

A couple of hotels near the St. Patrick’s Day Parade include the Algonquin Hotel and the Roosevelt Hotel.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an icon of the diversity of New York’s culture and is one day in the year that everyone in the city becomes Irish!

Chinatown is one of Manhattan’s oldest neighborhoods, having been established as early as the 1870’s when the first Chinese immigrants landed in New York to seek a better life for themselves and their families. Over the years, Chinatown has become one of the city’s most frequented locations, offering visitors a chance to explore the history and heritage of this great and mystical Asian country.

Starting on the popular Canal Street, Chinatown occupies a small area in lower Manhattan and provides visitors with the smells, sights and sounds of a neighborhood known for its rich cultural personality. Chinatown is a shopper’s delight and visitors are sure to find some great bargains, from the standard watches and purses, to the more authentic Chinese tea services and chopsticks.

Over 300 restaurants call Chinatown their home and many people visit this area of town for the wonderfully authentic cuisine set in a true Chinese atmosphere. All the traditional favorites can be found in Chinatown, from fast food to five star culinary establishments.

February is a great month to visit Chinatown because this is the time of year when the Chinese New Year is ushered in amongst great pomp and celebration. Visitors will delight in a large number of activities that are celebrated to symbolize the beginning of the Year of the Rat. Although the Lunar Year 4705-06 officially begins on February 7^th, 2008, celebrations kick off with the annual Flower Market at Columbus Park on the 2^nd and 3^rd, in a heated tent in the heart of Chinatown. Here visitors get to enjoy and purchase a wide range of plants and home decorations to honor the New Year.

The Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade - Lion and Dragon Performance is being held on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 1 pm beginning at Mott and Hester Streets.

Other regular celebrations include the Lunar Parade and Festival, which winds through Chinatown in later February and features elaborate floats, musicians, artists and dancers. Throughout the month of February, Chinatown is a hive of activity and visitors should watch the local media for final dates and times, as well as weather conditions.

For a list of hotels in Chinatown, head to NewYorkJourney.com.

While January and February are considered the coldest months in New York City, this is not to say that visitors cannot enjoy a host of entertaining attractions. What better place to gain a real perspective of the size and glory of the City that Never Sleeps than the Empire State Building. Two observatory decks – one the 86^th and the other on the 102^nd floor – enable visitors to view the magnificent metropolis of New York from incredible heights. The 86^th floor is 320 meters off the ground and is accessed through high-speed elevators that take visitors to a heated, glass enclosed area. Open promenades with binocular-hiring services, as well as souvenir shops are also available on this floor. For those seeking a slightly higher view, the relatively newer 102^nd floor observatory will provide just that.

One of the most popular attractions in New York – especially during the winter months – is the New York Skyride, situated on the 2^nd floor of the Empire State Building. Here visitors get to enjoy a virtual tour simulator that takes them on an aerial ride of New York City. The experience includes motions seats, state of the art technology and extra high screens.

Two must-do museum visits in the winter months include the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art. The former is one of the world’s leading science institutions and offers visitors the chance to view breathtaking collections and exhibitions that highlight the history of the earth – from the time of evolution to the present day.

The Museum of Modern Art, located in Midtown Manhattan, is one of the world’s foremost museums of this type of art. Over 2.5 million people pass through this institution’s doors each year to view its unparalleled collections and exhibitions dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

The winter months are definitely a good time to enjoy some of the best that New York City has to offer!

Since it opened up in 1930, the Carlyle Hotel has welcomed guests through its luxurious doors to find a graceful and tasteful location that has been compared to a private pied-a-terre in the heart of the city. The Carlyle boasts an exclusive ambience, one that has been enjoyed by political, business and industry leaders for over 70 years. Luxury accommodation, tasteful in-house shops, celebrated dining and top quality amenities add to this hotel’s legendary status in New York City.

The Carlyle Hotel is Perfectly Situated
The Carlyle Hotel could not have been situated in a more perfect place when it comes to location in New York City. Standing proudly on Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s
Upper East Side neighborhood, known as the Gold Coast, the hotel is just a heartbeat away from all the spots that the city is so famous for. Guests can enjoy the proximity of upmarket shopping, art galleries, top museums and Central Park.

Pampering in True New York Style
No details are overlooked when it comes to luxury and pampering throughout the 181 rooms and suites that make up the Carlyle Hotel. Tasteful interior decoration prevails through the rooms, thanks to the work of top designers in the field – both past and present. Guests can enjoy pampering in the form of his and her toiletry sets, monogrammed bathrobes, TV’s and DVD players, up to three telephones in each room and many more. The hotel also offers a twice-daily in-room maid service and other extras such as babysitting services and a pet-friendly policy.

Dining in the Carlyle
To dine in the famous Carlyle dining room is an experience in itself. The restaurant is regularly frequented by visitors and locals alike, including the who’s-who of New York society, who come to enjoy the exclusive yet intimate atmosphere of this landmark location. Diners can choose from two dining rooms, and try the exquisite food of Chef Jimmy Sakatos in dishes ranging from authentic Greek to classic American. All in all, the Carlyle remains a timeless classic oasis in the heart of the New York City for the ultimate in luxury accommodation.

Click for NewYorkJourney.com’s review of The Carlyle Hotel or for more hotels in the Upper East Side.

One of the greatest cities to visit in the world in December is undoubtedly New York. This is the place where visitors and locals alike can truly experience the magic of the holiday season, as the whole city gets dressed up for the occasion. From the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, to the angelic Christmas carol singers on every street corner, to the wonderful department store window displays along Fifth Avenue, New York in December is a treat for all the senses. There are countless holiday concerts and shows to take in, as well as the ultimate ‘Christmas in New York’ experience – ice-skating in one of the parks or at Rockefeller Center under the tree. New Year’s Eve in New York is one huge party, with street events, restaurants and bars participating until the early hours of the morning. Visitors can choose the classic New Year’s Eve experience by watching the ‘ball drop’ in Times Square at the stroke of midnight.    

Temperatures are quite cold during December in New York. Average highs are around 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), while average lows can hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or a chilling zero degrees Celsius. This is no reason, however, to avoid the great things happening in the city over this time period. By packing appropriate clothing – long, wind and waterproof jackets, warm trousers, comfortable, waterproof walking shoes, gloves, hats and scarves – visitors will still be able to enjoy all that New York has to offer in December and more! 

New York is also a great time to get down to some serious Christmas shopping. With so much abundance and variety, it would be difficult not to find that right something for everyone! New York department stores simply vie with each other to get shoppers through their doors, with great products, enticing bargains and the most beautiful decorations ever seen.  Happy Holidays!

Situated in Midtown Manhattan, The Alex Hotel is synonymous with understated luxury and minimalist décor. Nothing goes unnoticed in this hotel and every whim of every guest is catered for through impeccable service. Guest rooms are bright and modern, with state-of-the-art technological equipment to give visitors comfortable amenities combined with contemporary features. The Alex Hotel boasts one of New York City’s top dining locations, Riingo, run by the award-winning chef, Marcus Samuelsson (previously of Aquavit), which provides diners with superb Japanese and American cuisine in a buzzing resto-bar atmosphere.

The Alex Hotel in Prime Location
Positioned within easy driving distance of all major New York airports and within comfortable walking distance of many of the city’s attractions, no other hotel beats The Alex Hotel when it comes to location. Visitors can enjoy an easy stroll to Grand Central Station, or they can enjoy some of the many attractions in midtown Manhattan such as the Theater District, Times Square and Wall Street. Although public transportation is situated right near the hotel, private transportation can also be provided upon request.

Guests Enjoy Top Amenities
The Alex Hotel offers luxury amenities down to the finest details to all its guests. All bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms boast flat television panels and guests enjoy high-speed internet access, and DVD players for ultimate entertainment indulgence. Every suite in The Alex Hotel is fitted with top-of-the-range kitchen equipment and bathroom amenities are of the Frederic Fekkai signature range. The hotel also offers a full concierge service, 24-hour room service off the Riingo menu, Dean and Deluca snack trays, a fitness center and designer bed linen. For working guests, The Alex Hotel also provides ample meeting facilities, either in the restaurant or the hotel’s penthouse for private meetings or dining receptions. With its immaculate service, décor and location, The Alex is everything that guests are looking for in a hotel when visiting New York City.

Click to make an online reservation or go to NewYorkJourney.com for more information on the The Alex Hotel.