1st day: Athens - New York
Meeting at the airport, final instructions and flight to New York with the leading airlines our agency works with. Flight to the dream, the legendary "New York - New York", the city with a thousand faces that we all know from the movies in the cinema, the city that combined its name with "the dream" and the imagination of modern man. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel located in the heart of Manhattan. Time to settle in. Shortly afterwards, depending on arrival time, we will embark on a walking tour with our guide for a first introduction to the most exciting city on the planet.
2nd day: New York - North Manhattan tour - Central Park
We start the day with a guided tour of the sights of North Manhattan for which the city is famous. We will begin our tour at the statue of the most important explorer, Christopher Columbus with his caravels, which today is the measuring point for all distances from New York City. We will then pass by Lincoln Center, home to the Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, an ideal venue for classical music lovers. A short stop at Central Park, one of the world's most popular parks, a place where New Yorkers relax and spend their leisure time. A park full of picturesque lakes, magnificent fountains, the Whispering Bench, Shakespeare's Garden and the small but lively zoo. Continue on to the General Grant Memorial and Columbia University, New York's premier theoretical science university, whose entrance makes mention of ancient Greek philosophers. Next is the Harlem neighbourhood, formerly known as the African-American Mecca of New York City, home to the Apollo theatre, which has hosted all the jazz demigods and Michael Jackson. The tour concludes with 5th Avenue with its famous fashion houses and Rockefeller Center, one of the largest private complexes in the world owned by the eponymous family, a city landmark and home to the "Top of the Rock" observatory. We will end up in Times Square, the world's busiest and most photographed square, where millions of visitors are dazzled by the illuminated skyscrapers with colorful "neon" signs that truly make the night a day. Nearby is the wondrous Broadway, an entertainment industry hub where one can enjoy the world's most spectacular shows.
For the evening, we recommend catching one of the famous musicals at the Broadway theatres, the best way to end your day in New York. Don't forget to purchase your tickets from our office in Greece, in order to take advantage of the special low prices and save considerable time in queues!
3rd day: New York City - South Manhattan tour, United Nations, Chelsea Market and the eccentric new Hudson Yards district, cruise to the Statue of Liberty - Grand Central station
Gather in the hotel lobby for the second part of the city tour in which we will head along the East River past the East Manhattan piers with views of the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge. Our first stop will be at the United Nations House, the headquarters of the organization whose purpose is to preserve world peace, study international economic trends, human rights issues, natural resources, etc. Then we will visit the Grand Central Station, gateway and symbol of the city, where at least 750,000 people pass through the magnificent main hall every day.
We then head to the Flatiron Building, a pioneering skyscraper of great architectural significance. We move on to Greenwich Village which was loved by artists and writers, the landmark being Washington Square and New York University (N.Y.U).
Next is Soho, filled with famous fashion houses, Little Italy and Chinatown, two of the city's most vibrant districts where New York's multicultural identity can be felt. We head to Wall Street, the centre of the world's economy with a stop at the Charging Bull bronze sculpture, where we can also see Battery Park. Next we come across Ground Zero, where a memorial has been created to remind everyone of 9/11, and next to it is the new Financial Center called the One Word Trade Center. In the same area, the new much-discussed station, built by Kalatrava, known as Oculus, a special architectural building dominated by white, which impresses both inside and outside and is even considered to be the most expensive station in the world, at a cost of 4 billion dollars. Afterwards, we will enter the famous Chelsea Market, home of famous New York gourmet restaurants, where there will be free time to buy local produce and taste famous delicacies. At this point there is also the Highline, a wonderful park on the old railway line, where one can walk over the city taking spectacular photos, filled with images of Manhattan neighborhoods.
Our tour continues with a cruise around Manhattan Island, where we can see historic Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty that dominates the entrance to the city, Staten Island and the great Verenzano Bridge. Of course we will pass under the various small and larger old and newer bridges and over the many tunnels that connect Manhattan to the surrounding area and the adjacent State of New Jersey. This will now give us a great opportunity to photograph the impressive Manhattan skyscrapers from afar.
After the cruise we will visit Hudson Yards, the newly built neighborhood of Manhattan, which is straight out of a science fiction movie! Spread over 14 acres it includes dozens of shops, gardens, groves, upscale stores, celebrity chef restaurants and the impressive climbing project The Vessel which resembles a giant beehive. We will then return to our hotel and have time to get ready for our evening out. We have almost unlimited options in the not coincidentally named "the city that never sleeps": at a special cocktail bar or restaurant in the Meatpacking District, at a building-top bar enjoying the illuminated Manhattan or in nearby Soho, Little Italy, Tribecca, West & East Village, all areas with a rich nightlife. Among New Yorkers relaxing with a drink or food after a long day, New York is ready to show you its nightlife face! If we're still lucky and there's a basketball game on, we suggest you experience the spectacular and magical world of the NBA in Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center with tickets secured by us! Of course, those of you who want to get specific and tested suggestions from our guide, feel free to consult him at any time!
4th day: New York City - Visit to the Metropolitan Museum - Public Library - walk in the neighborhoods "Sex & the city'', "Friends'' - tour of the Brooklyn Bridge - Brooklyn Dumbo area - Timeout Market
Today, we begin our tour of the public library, a beautiful building both inside and out, dominated by marble, frescoes, woodwork, quiet spaces for reading and study. Remarkably, the public library is one of the most important research libraries in the United States. We continue in the footsteps of the main protagonists of the famous Sex and the City series, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. In addition to 5th Avenue where the four friends spent most of their time shopping, we will visit in particular the Magnolia Bakery where the famous group used to enjoy their famous cupcakes, and Carrie's house where the filming of the famous series took place. At the same time we will continue our walk in the West Village, where we will pass by the building where the shooting of the series that was a huge success in Greece, "The Friends", thus completing our special walk !
Then, we visit one of the richest museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art where priceless works from every culture are collected. It is the third most visited museum in the world, after the Louvre and the British Museum.
Its permanent collections include works of art from classical antiquity, ancient Egypt, Byzantine and Islamic art, paintings and sculptures by leading artists, as well as an extensive collection of American, African, Asian and contemporary art and much more. Surely a single day is not enough to explore it in its entirety. This is a museum with a rich and inexhaustible collection that art lovers will love. Next, we will experience Brooklyn's Dumbo district, an area located in the southeastern end of Brooklyn. This area, whose name comes from the initials Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is one of the most historic and photographed areas with unsurpassed views for the best photos of your trip. So, as a souvenir, don't forget to take a picture of the corner of Washington Street yourself. There we'll walk through neighborhoods reminiscent of another era. The famous brownstone houses of the 19th century are a landmark, the immaculate buildings and manicured trees of Brooklyn Heights lend an air of stateliness to the neighborhood. While the area caters to classic tastes, one need not be an expert to enjoy the neighborhood's rustic architecture. In Brooklyn's most impressive neighborhood is the Timeout Market a multi-faceted market with top chef restaurants featuring specialties from around the world. We will stroll along the river with views of the Manhattan skyscrapers and enjoy food and drink in a unique setting among the majestic bridges of Brooklyn and Manhattan. From there we will have the opportunity to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with a final destination of Manhattan! The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States (1883) and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by crossing over the East River. Since its opening it has been a symbol of New York City and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972.
Then we return to the hotel. We recommend spending the evening at one of Manhattan's most authentic Jazz Bars, with live music, food and drinks. Due to the fact that the venue is often full, you have the option of booking and purchasing a ticket from us. For the burger and chocolate lovers, our guide will recommend the best spots in town!
5th day: New York - Woodbury Commons Outlets (optional)
Free day. For those of you whose very cheap shopping is one of the reasons for visiting New York, a visit to the largest, richest and most impressive, shopping centre, the famous Woodbury Commons, is a must. It's worth noting that the shops are spread out in a huge open space reminiscent of a small village, which makes your shopping even safer. Just an hour or so away from Manhattan, there are all the brand-name items at incredibly low prices. Two hundred and twenty plus fashion names will be at your disposal. It is no coincidence that the largest percentage of Americans, choose this place for their shopping. With stores like Michael Kors, Gucci, Guess, Dolce&Gabbana, Ugg, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Timberland, Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger and many more in an incredible variety and at prices up to four times cheaper than in Greece. It will also help you save time, as you won't have to spend extra time shopping in Manhattan. Our guide will give you the necessary advice to see as many shops as possible, making appropriate use of your time according to your shopping interest. Along with your membership, you get a $10 VIP Coupons Book for extra perks and discounts and a map to mark the top stores that interest you. Again, if shopping is not your forte, we suggest a stroll through Soho, Chelsea with its local market and East village, which was home to high society until 1900, then populated by immigrants and from the 1950s onwards the area became a mecca for the Beatles, hippies and punk generation. The East village became a laboratory for experimentation and new trends.
6th day: New York - Philadelphia - Baltimore - Washington DC (350 km)
On today's day, we will take a trip full of powerful images and memories, through a route with all the elements of the American Scenic Province. A lush green route, full of trees, idyllic landscapes and charming towns awaits us to discover. Here is the other side of the United States, far from the big cities and tall buildings. First stop is Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and the first capital of the United States. This is a city with a significant history which we will get to know panoramically with our guide. In stark contrast to the typical Philadelphia atmosphere is the Amish community, which we will visit at our next stop. With their unusual lifestyle, traditional costumes and markets and handmade goods, it is a special stop on our tour. Two of the most important local markets in this area are Kettle Kitchen Village and the famous Farmer's Market. Kettle Kitchen Village is an open market with alleys full of shops, where we will explore local produce. Here we can sit down to have a coffee in local cafes or shop in the stores. The Farmer's Market is an indoor market, with vendors offering traditional foods and sweets, as well as Amish items. If we're lucky, we'll see girls in traditional costumes. Depending on the weather and available time, we will visit one or both markets. In the area we will encounter endless fields, where we will likely see Amish farmers plowing them with traditional tools traditional wagons carrying locals and travelers. We then head for a short visit to beautiful Baltimore, the once industrial area that played a very important role in the American Revolution. A short stop and then we immediately head to the US Capital, Washington DC. Arrival and check-in at our hotel. For the evening we suggest a walk, in Georgetown, one of the most iconic areas of the city. Georgetown is a vibrant neighborhood, filled with colorful houses with cobblestone streets and storefronts. Cafes, bistros, bakeries and restaurants flood the sidewalks. Countless nightlife options are also available, with bars, pubs, jazz bars and restaurants with live music.
7th day: Washington DC (Tour)
Departure from the hotel and tour of the Federal Capital and residence of the President of the United States, the representative centre of the history, traditions and prestige of the American people. We will see the monuments of the American presidents, Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, a monument where the Greek element is strong as the Parthenon was used as a model. We will meet the reflection pool with the famous Obelisk, Lafayette Square, the White House, considered the most famous residence of the entire planet. Here the strong police force is evident everywhere and the images particularly familiar from Hollywood movies. We will also see the Capitol, the seat of the US federal government which at 88 meters high is the tallest building in the city and is the center of the city. Then we will meet the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress (main building Thomas and two neighboring) which is the largest and richest in the world with several influences from Greek culture, the National Gallery, the National Archives Building (in a special display case the original of the American Constitution and the Declaration of Independence), the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world and the Kennedy Tombs, the Arlington Military Cemetery on the Virginia side of the state where the graves of many famous and prominent Americans such as George Kennedy are located. We have seen most of them in some of the classic American movies, along with the military ritual that accompanies the burial of a military man. Finally, we will visit the National Aeronautics and Space Museum, where you will admire 23 large rooms with modern exhibits of history-making spacecraft. We will also pass by the most important Ministries, Museums, Banks, headquarters of international organizations, as well as hotels, theaters, the FBI headquarters and the bustling train station, Union Station, whose interior is stunning, with many shops and restaurants to choose from. Make the most of the rest of the day by visiting museums nearby (e.g. Space Air - Natural History). For the afternoon, we recommend visiting Washington Harbour, an area that offers year-round fun and activities. With stunning river views, you can bike around the area or enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants. Theaters, galleries and performance venues are always just steps away. Finally, Kennedy Center hosts over 2,000 events a year, hosting theaters, concert halls and operas. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a multicultural, multidisciplinary hub where something new and exciting is always happening.
8th day: Washington - Niagara Falls (636 km)
Departure by coach, which will take us through a beautiful route to the famous Niagara Falls. This route allows us to discover the beauty of all of America and Canada. We put special emphasis on the routes, with frequent stops at the most beautiful spots, as your experienced guide explains and tells you about each area individually. Through this beautiful tour, we learn about everything from world-renowned campuses, to America's ranching and primary production facilities, to the mecca of money and modern life. All this travelogue, journeying through lush landscapes. This is a region that captivates travelers, full of wildlife refuges, sparkling lakes, waterfalls and world-renowned wineries. We deliberately avoid air travel, as we would miss the opportunity to experience and admire all of the above. We focus on the natural beauty rather than the airport experience. As for time, we factor in the travel time to and from the airports, the flight time, the 2-3 hour pre-flight wait in the airport lounges, the extra baggage cost, and all those things that ultimately not only save us about 2 hours, but take away from the real meaning of the trip. After settling into the hotel, located on the Canadian side, we will take a walk with our guide to the nearby waterfalls, which are illuminated each night, a sight that will leave one of the most powerful and vivid images you have ever seen in your life. We recommend the Seneca Casino, which can give a different aspect to the end of your day.
9th day: Niagara Falls - Guided tour, cruise - Niagara on the Lake
The tour today begins with the waterfalls formed by the Niagara River. Here we can have a panoramic view of the "horseshoe" of the falls. This wonder of nature operates within the first park created in the United States. For the past 200 years, they have been fascinating and captivating visitors with their unique scenery, evoking awe and wonder at the majesty of nature. It is a symbol of dream vacations, with honeymooners from all over the world arriving to enjoy their honeymoon. The film 'Niagara Falls', starring Marilyn Monroe, was shot here. Immediately after the tour we will live one of the most "powerful" experiences of our trip, the Cruise through the Falls. We will feel the incredible energy of the water as drops from the falls caress our faces and take stunning, postcard-like photos. Then, we depart for Canada's first capital city, beautiful British Niagara on the Lake. We'll pass by breathtaking scenery and historic forts on a riverside drive. The area is full of vineyards, after all, it is famous for its wine. The quaint little town of Niagara on the Lake sits on the shores of Lake Ontario and looks like it hasn't been touched by time since the mid-19ου century. A romantic, colourful, quaint and utterly captivating town, it is the perfect place to enjoy our walk. Horses pull carriages alongside low houses out of the British countryside. Colourful flowers adorn gardens and balconies, while tourists and locals alike gather in parks under the shade of trees for picnics. Quirky cafes and small shops adorn the city's sidewalks, while the Prince of Wales Hotel, the hotel where then Prince Charles and his wife Diana stayed on their honeymoon, sits on the main street. In the late afternoon we return to the hotel, where we will have another unique experience. Each evening, fireworks make the night a day, while colorful lights caress the waterfalls. Then, the options for nightly entertainment are endless. Climb the Minolta or Skylon towers to see the illuminated waterfalls from above. Head to Clifton Hill, an area full of tourists and themed attractions. Kids will love the Fun House, with its hall of mirrors, and you'll find plenty of shops with souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Here you'll find the Movieland Wax Museum, the Niagara Speedway and many restaurants and bars. If you're feeling lucky, don't miss a visit to one of the many casinos in the area.
10th day: Toronto - Miami
Departure for Toronto, the "New York of Canada", as it is often called. The last tour of our excursion begins at the CN Tower, the city's most iconic building. At its base is the Roger Center, a stadium-hotel complex. The tour continues to the Old and New City Hall, the famous Eaton Center shopping mall, the harbor and the large Greek Quarter of Danforth (Greek Town). After the tour we transfer to the Toronto airport for our flight to Miami. A city where it offers everything to every visitor. Countless hours of sunbathing, walks past art deco buildings, shopping, fine dining, 24-hour entertainment and a taste of wildlife. These are enough not only to drive you but also to keep you forever in the brightest part of Florida. Of course, from your first trip to Miami you have a permanent déjà vu that somehow, somewhere, sometime you've seen this before. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel located downtown where for your convenience, our office has arranged for porters to carry your luggage to your rooms. Time to settle in. The guide will give us information for a first introduction to the city.
11th day: Miami - Tour
A tour of today's cosmopolitan resort of Miami, which was originally a small fishing village on the edge of a wilderness. Until the train started bringing tourists in 1896, when the city took on a completely different form, cosmopolitan and highly charming. Today on the tour you will discover the main attractions of the two districts: Miami Beach with its beaches and Miami with its picturesque neighborhoods. First we head to Little Havana an area inhabited mainly by Cuban immigrants. The colorful, ethnic neighborhood is the only place in the US where cigars are made and is the cultural - but also highly politically active - part of Miami. The District which is more of a neighborhood with an authentic atmosphere than a tourist attraction. We will continue to Coral Gables where we will pass by the iconic Biltmore Hotel, which opened in 1926 and is Miami's most iconic building, with a grand Mediterranean style and a 92m tower at the top, which many call the "wedding cake". In its heyday it was home to big celebrities such as Bing Crosby and others, and today, after its recent renovation, crowds of people visit it to admire it in person. We will pass by the marina in Coconut Grove, we will see a 19ου century mansion, Villa Vizcaya. Then we will head downtown through the Brickel district, where the Art and Science museums are located, the impressive Miami Heat NBA stadium. We will see the Freedom Tower, the Cultural Centre of the Grand Concert Hall and the Lyric Stage. In Miami Beach we will see the luxury hotels that stretch along the waterfront as well as the row of millionaires' homes. On the south side, Art Deco architecture is evident on the building facades with hundreds of tourists wandering the streets and enjoying the beaches. In the afternoon we recommend a stroll to the beautiful Bayside Marina where you can enjoy dinner at the restaurants on the pier and in the evening have fun sipping a cool cocktail. The area is touristy with numerous shops where you have the opportunity to buy beautiful souvenirs. For the evening we recommend a dinner cruise with dinner on the city canals or entertainment in the Art Deco area on Ocean drive.
12th day: Miami (optional tours)
For this day we suggest one of our 2 optional excursions that will really offer a different experience on your trip.
EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR AND CRUISE TO BISCAYNE BAY
By choosing this activity you will have 2 unforgettable experiences, a visit to the Everglades National Park and a cruise on Biscayne Bay! The airboat ride (a flat boat with a huge propeller, like a fan, on the back) is worth it. Cruise through the unique Evergladew ecosystem filled with images of exotic and wild beauty, where you'll encounter alligators in their natural habitat. You will also have the opportunity for a hike through the jungle. At the end there are facilities with restaurants and shops for a relaxing break. You will then finish your day by cruising the tropical waters of Biscayne Bay. During the cruise, you come across Fishers Island, Miami Beach, see skyscrapers and homes of celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal, Madonna, Versace and many more.
DAY TRIP TO KEY WEST AND CRUISE
An excursion that you will never forget! From Miami, you'll be transported to the famous island known for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and historic sites. Upon arrival, you'll have time to explore Key West on your own, visit Hemingway's house, kayak, or watch the dolphins while cruising. A glass-bottomed boat will take you over a colorful coral reef, the third largest in the world and home to the largest variety of underwater life.
Otherwise, we suggest you visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, named after the American botanist David Fairchild, which is one of the largest botanic gardens in the USA. Covering an area of approximately 34,000 square metres, more than 2,500 species of tropical plants and trees and 12 artificial ponds form a true oasis for residents and visitors alike. Another suggestion is a trip to Ford Lauderdale, which is about a 50-minute drive from Miami. There you will have the opportunity to experience one of the most popular tourist destinations, which features restaurants, golf courses, shopping malls and 100 marinas that are home to 45,000 yachts! Definitely don't miss one or many strolls along the famous "Ocean Drive", the famous boulevard along the Atlantic where the heart of South Beach beats and, of course, the traffic never stops! By day, tourists and locals alike wander or dine in the cafes, while young skaters provide plenty of entertainment. At night, again, you'll find some of the city's hottest bars and clubs here.
13th day: Miami - New Orleans
Departure and flight to New Orleans. Arrival and check-in at our hotel. First acquaintance with the European city, so different from other American cities, which is full of vitality and seems to live in the past. New Orleans, founded by the French, is famous for its unique music, considered the home of jazz, for its Creole cuisine and for its annual carnival, known as "Mardi Gras". For the evening we suggest you walk along the world famous Bourbon Street, the historic heart of the city known to all as the "French Quarter". This street is the liveliest street in the city, the street of entertainment where Louis Armstrong took his first steps. Here you can enjoy a drink in one of the many bars with live jazz and blues music recommended by your guide.
14th day: New Orleans - Tour
Tour atmospheric New Orleans, the cradle of jazz music, where dozens of musicians were nurtured on its streets. New Orleans, the Big Easy, the "big carefree" as it is nicknamed, is a liberal and open city. The various races and cultures that make it up give it vibrancy. Today's tour will begin with the French Quarter, where we'll see the colonial-style mansions with their lacy ornate wrought-iron balcony railings, wooden shutters and pastel-colored walls. The slow tram feature in the centre of Old Town challenges us for a ride, which includes Jackson Square, which is filled with street vendors where they set their own pace in the city, the old City Hall, the old Bishop's Building and the historic St. Louis Church. We continue to General Lee Square and the upscale downtown Garden District, created by newcomer Americans after the French purchased Louisiana, whose streets bear names from Greek mythology. In this district, you will see many mansions with beautiful gardens, the magnificent Superdom and more. Completing your tour of the city, we suggest you board a riverboat and enjoy a cruise on the Mississippi. The best option is the Natchez, the ship where she is arguably the champion of the Mississippi as she had never lost a race. The cruise is about 2 hours long and comes with live jazz music and food if you choose. Otherwise, you can visit City Park, the city park, which will impress you both for its size and its similarity, even in shape, to New York's Central Park. For the evening we suggest a visit to the World Trade Center "Plimsoll Club" to see the illuminated city and the Mississippi from above, or else you can visit Frenchmen Street, where mostly the locals party and enjoy your drink there to the sounds of course of jazz music.
15th day: New Orleans (optional excursions)
PLANTATION TOUR
We suggest a full day excursion, where we are transported back to the old South and see the high life lived by slave owners and the hard life of slaves on the historic old sugar plantation. As we wander around the immaculately manicured estate with its impressive trees and enter the elegant big house, we get a sense of how privileged their lives were. In contrast to the life of the owners, we will realize the cruelty suffered by the other inhabitants of the plantation, the slaves. There we will discover the human stories behind the structures. The most famous of all is Oak Alley Plantation, which will impress you.
GHOSTS AND SPIRIT TOUR
Another suggestion is to take a tour of the history of black magic in the city referred to as "the most haunted city in America", as these stories are an integral part of it. The stories and urban legends behind some of the amazing buildings in the area will leave you "spooked". On this tour we will have the opportunity to visit several haunted buildings where we will learn the story behind them, many of which have been featured on The History Channel and The Discovery Channel. The tour does not guarantee that you will definitely see ghosts - but it will certainly bring you close to them!
16th -17th day: New Orleans - Athens
Departure for the airport and flight to Athens. Arrival at the airport with a great load of beautiful memories. A trip that will surely stay with you for a lifetime, having experienced as much the metropolis of the world as the sublime Miami and the rhythmic New Orleans.
