I’m going to New York for my friend’s 30th birthday during October. The three of us girls will be going for the day, taking a round trip on the discount bus service Megabus. The tickets have been purchased. It takes about four hours to get there from our hometown. We’re so excited! They haven’t been and after starting to research it, I can’t wait to go back!
I suggested that since the birthday girl has a husband and three sons, perhaps she would like a very girly trip and she just loved the idea! So hopefully it’ll be very ladies who lunch, complete with champagne, chocolate for dessert, manis and pedis, shopping and sight-seeing until we drop! I love running away with a theme, what else can we do that is decidedly feminine?
I always love to eat the local food of a destination, so maybe a bagel for breakfast and slices of New York-style pizza for lunch! Gelato or a perfect pastry from Eataly. Or a slice of birthday cake from a bakery. I would love a European-style cappuccino and croissant myself!
In planning, I have been going through reviews on yelp which is great because you can enter a street or search a neighborhood and once you find something you like, you can see what’s around it! (I can’t wait until I move to a city and get to describe a great establishment on my block!)
I have also been looking up recommendations from back posts of my favorite blogs. Some of my favorite bloggers are in New York right now for Fashion Week, which is fantastic for inspiration. I found that a blogger I regularly follow likes the Chelsea Market, so maybe I could get my croissant there. It has been likened to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and to the markets in Boston, which I love.
My friends seem to want to stick to one area and not spend time just trying to get from place to place. I tend to agree. Manhattan is a really really big place and I want the trip to be enjoyable rather than exhausting. It will be exhausting, but hopefully delightfully so! The Megabus stop seems to be in Chelsea. So, I was thinking that we could explore that and the surrounding neighborhoods: Meatpacking District, Flatiron, Union Square, maybe alittle further: West Village and Midtown West. I have been concentrating my search on those areas so far. I would love to have a few points of interest in mind from all three of us. Then, we can walk from place from place, stopping when we stumble upon something of interest. I really need to speak with them in person! I also have another girlfriend in New England who could meet us! I have about five more weeks to delight in my trip planning.
I would love recommendations! Please and thank you! Per favore e grazie!
I love Italia, too. I used to pretend I lived in a little Italian village and had to walk in for my groceries. And I did walk in to a little area near my home. But it was a little heavy with a family of four!
I eventually met a man from a village like I imagined not too far from Rome. He tells me stories of their life there. It was very rustic.
One of my daughters and my dear little brother spent lots of time in NYC. I think you are in for a great trip.
I try to incorporate as much Italy in my life as possible, starting with my cup of espresso every morning!
I think so too. I can't wait! I hope to make it fabulous for the birthday girl!
If you end up having dinner around the Chelsea area I highly recommend the West Village's Extra Virgin (http://extravirginrestaurant.com/#/home). That area is my favorite part of Manhattan! Have fun!
Thank you so much! Grazie mille! I had checked this out in my research so far, probably because of the TV show of the same name; I love Debi and Gabriele on the Cooking Channel. Maybe for lunch and an early dinner since it's a day trip for us.
Hi Michelle, I just found your lovely blog via one of my favorite blogs, Hostess of the Humble Bungalow. I love Italy too and had the delightful opportunity to visit a few years ago. How exciting for you and your friends to be visiting New York! You may want to check out Kate's post at Centsational Girl – she wrote about a recent trip to New York with all sorts of fun and interesting tips. I tried to include the link however my iPad refuses to cooperate.
Benvenuto, Ginger! What cities did you visit in Italy?
Thank you so much for the resource. I appreciate it. I loved her post and will share it with my friends. It's so great that she recently spent an entire day in the specific area that we might be visiting for the day!
We toured Roma, Firenze e Venezia for 3 wonderful weeks and loved them all! Do you have a favorite place to visit in Italy?
So glad you enjoyed Kate's post!
3 weeks! That is wonderful!
I am frequently asked this question and I wish I had an answer! I usually reply that I have a top five. Sometimes these five picks vary based upon my mood! Right now, I will say I like Venezia, Verona, Bologna, Firenze and Roma.
Thank you for sharing your top 5 Michelle! You've inspired me learn more about Bologna and Verona for future visits.
I just ordered a book which you may enjoy also: Living La Dolce Vita: Bring the Passion, Laughter and Serenity of Italy into Your Daily Life by Raeleen D'Agostino Mautner. All about rejuvenating one's life with "zesty" Italian principles!
I look forward to reading about your New York trip in the future!
I love Piazza delle Erbe in Verona.
I own that book. Another reader also has brought it up before. I hope you enjoy it!