Everything & Anything New York City

ColinBowers

Hey everyone,
I'm going to New York for a week in about a months time. One of the things we'd like to do while there is take a wine tasting trip into New England. Did something similar in Seattle a few years back and really enjoyed it.

I've seen there are a few (v. expensive) companies that will charter you a whole bus to go round if you are organising trips for a big group, but we are only going to be a group of 4.

Has anyone any ideas of companies that have public trips from NYC that will go round a few different wineries and bring us back to NYC at the end of the day?

Ideally looking for something a bit cheap n cheerful - not too posh or full of wine buffs - and not looking to do a trip that includes several hours in a shopping mall ( a bad idea after :beer::beer::beer::beer:!!!)

All help gratefully received!

*pinkie*

Ladyshopper wrote: »

Has anyone here been on their own on a trip to New York? I've asked a couple of friends, but no-one can come, so looks like I'll be going on my own.

Is it just too sad to even contemplate, or do you think I'd still get a lot out of it?

I went last year on my own and jetting off solo again in 2 weeks time. I ve been with family and a good friend before, so thought i may miss the company and chitchat. However i loved it! I enjoyed it as you can get away from everything back home and totally soak up the experience for yourself without having to consider what your friends/family want to do during the day. I found i was up and about by 8am each day, so i could get as much out of the experience as possible.

Eating out in the evening was the only thing that i thought may bother me, however the hotel i stayed in had a 24hr diner attached so i found it ok to eat there as it was in a less formal setting.

Travel around on the subways and you shouldn't get too lost! I ve always felt safe in New York as there are cops almost everywhere, but some of the small subway stations away from the more touisty areas can seem pretty deserted.

Go for it you ll have a great trip!

northwest1965

Quick question.

Am I right in saying the correct locks to use on my case should be TSA approved or doesnt it really matter. Do most high street stores sell them?

guineapig

I think I have read all of the NY stuff on here and have not come across certain info which I hope you guys can help me with?

(Apologies if I missed it............)

What sort of tip should we give to the mini bus driver when we get to our hotel? ( included in our package)

How much do people tip the room maid each day?

In the rough guide it says to avoid "public toilets", well please don't laugh, and be kind to an old lady:) so do you guys not use the loo in say central station, but would use them in a store?

In the guide books it says you can use the loo in any hotel/public building, just to ask the doorman for the key?
Not sure I have the cojones for this!, but if you DID, would you then feel obliged/be expected to "tip"?
How do other people cope when they are not "due a meal/drink" and are just around and about and need the loo?

After arrival at JFK how long does it take to get through immigration and given that we are staying in UWS do you think we would be dropped off sooner than those staying downtown?

I am hoping to bring back some specialist Vegan sweets & stuff, will that be a problem, me bringing it through OUR customs?

What about taking some English choccie and biscuits INTO USA?
( gifts)

If we ordered "Take out" to our hotel room, does the dilivery guy get waved up to our room and we pay them direct OR does the hotel pay the delivery person & then we pay them?
Yes, we will be eating out most of the time, but we are middle aged and not as fit as some of you guys so might do this once or twice after a busy day;)

If we get through our itinery, can anyone suggest a nice day out of the city on a train to somewhere nice that is about 1-2 hours(max) by train that is worth going to? ( DH is a big on photo opportunities! ~ but not Washington!)

Thank you in advance for taking time to reply

Philippa36

Generally, I use McDonalds bathrooms
You can take chocolate and gifts into the US and bring the same back here.
You would pay any delivery guy yourself.

I'm not sure I understand why you would want to leave NYC - there are so many areas and different things to see, that I can't imagine wanting to spend any of my precious holiday travelling elsewhere!

I generally leave a few $'s for the maid when we leave at the end of the week. Hopefully someone else can give you advice on tipping the driver - I only use a taxi from the airport - the rest of the time, I get around on the subway.

phatbear

Philippa36 wrote: »

I generally leave a few $'s for the maid when we leave at the end of the week.

And what if you have the same maid for everyday apart from your last day and then a new maid gets all your money!

If you want to tip, remember its not the law, then I would suggest you leave a dollar or two on the bedside cabinet each day.

I cant help either with the mini bus driver as we use either a cab or subway/skytrain.

regarding the loo situs you will occasionaly find some coffee shops etc have their loo's locked so you would need to buy something however go in a larger store and you wont have a problem, however one issue I have with NY is their loo's thats a different subject

Savvy_Sue

northwest1965 wrote: »

Quick question.

Am I right in saying the correct locks to use on my case should be TSA approved or doesnt it really matter. Do most high street stores sell them?

If you're going to lock your cases, and you don't want them cut off if they decide to search your case, then TSA locks are the way to go.

Many high street stores sell them, you can also get them online.

There is a whole thread about locks on this board, if not more ...

phatbear

northwest1965 wrote: »

Quick question.

Am I right in saying the correct locks to use on my case should be TSA approved or doesnt it really matter. Do most high street stores sell them?

Well it kinda matters, the tsa locks have a number on them which the US customs officers will have a master key for soif they want to go in your bag they can and then resecure your bag for you.

I you dont have a TSA lock then they will cut your locks off and then your bags wont be secured and as soon as your bags are unsecured you may find your baggage is no longer covered by your insurance because they are no longer secured. Aso remember if your bags are then unlocked your average thief is an opportunist and if they see an unlocked bag they are far more likely to have a rifle through your bag.

As a rule I can get in any bag and resecure in seconds but a locked bag will often put a casual thief off.

Philippa36

Ok, Phatbear - point taken! I'll leave a $ a day instead

Philippa36

Regarding bathroom stops, we stopped at a very posh place on the upper west side when we were last in NYC. We were absolutely desperate so popped in, had a look round and then used the facilities (which were very nice!) No- one said anything but I'm sure its not the done thing!!