Making a trip to NYC

[misterbulgarin]

I'd love to go to NYC (Especially to see the cigar shops), I had a dream recently that I had my own apartment in NYC and I was going around lookin at all the cigar shops (and asking new yorkers where they were at the same time), I've never felt so dissappointed after waking up

I've never travelled abroad alone so that would be interesting, would probably bring a friend, is it pretty easy to find accomodation and such and to and throw from the airport (JFK i'll assume)?

Might do this in the not too distant future hopefully!

[Gary]

Mr B. if I can give you a piece of advice, it would be to GO!!!! Go to NY as soon as you get the chance, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. From a personal point of view, it's the most amazing place in the world, with some fantastic places to smoke cigars.

Personally I'd sort accommodation out before you go, just to save spending half your time walking about looking for somewhere to stay when you could be using that time exploring the city.

I'm planning on doing a little report on my trip when I come back (xmas eve but report will probably be after xmas) with hopefully a few pictures of different cigar stores which might interest you?

If in the mean time you can't wait until then, then check out the following excellent reports on NYC by Nino from his Flying Cigar website -

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cigars/2008_04_new_york_benedikt_pepin_und_james.php

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cigars/2007_12_new_york_corona_fruhstuck_bei_de_la_concha.php

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cigars/2007_10_new_york_corona_lunch_bei_de_la_concha.php

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cigars/2006_10_manhattan_go_around.php

[misterbulgarin]

Silly question maybe, but do you need a visa just for a visit/holiday? Never been to USA with the family, or on my own so don't really know the rigors of it all.

Yep that would be great btw, the main reason i'd like to go is to see the cigar shops and chat with the yankies about NC's

[Gary]

Mr B. it used to be when going to Amercia they gave you security forms to fill in on the plane, things like name, were your staying, how long you'll be in the country etc etc.

But now in addition to that, before you go (and my advice is to do this as far in advance as possible) is you have to fill in an online ESTA form, it's another line of defence / security for the American's so they can check who's coming to their country.

Basically you have to goto the website of the Department of Homeland Security and there's directions / instructions on how to fill in the form. Forms have to be filled in for every person that's coming to the country, and they want to know things like name, were your staying, which airline your arriving with etc etc etc.

On their site they say you can fill the form out up to 72 hours before you department, but personally I wouldn't risk that because if you fail the ESTA check for whatever reason, you then have to go and apply for a VISA which may take a while.

It's actually quite nerve wrecking waiting for the screen to tell you you've been accepted sort of thing. Also remember to print out the acceptance and bring it with you, but apart from that it's well worth that little bit of hassle.

[Lee Nub]

Yes and make sure you print out your esta, even though they say u don't need to, I know plenty of people who have had problems. Your esta is valid for 2 years, but you still need to fill in the green visa form on plane

[Gary]

A couple of other important points, even though your ESTA form is valid for 2 years, if you visit the USA more than once within those 2 years, you'll need to update your ESTA form for the next time you visit in terms of the airline your traveling with, where your staying etc.

Also, there's plenty of websites on the internet that offer the ESTA form to people visiting the USA but then say you have to pay something like $50. If you simply visit the website of the Department of Homeland Security then they let you fill it out / apply for free, well at the minute they do.

[misterbulgarin]

Interesting stuff gents,

Just looking on expedia and I can get there for 4-5 nights for under ?500 which is pretty nice. Altho expedia doesn't have the hostel I like bundled into their deals so I guess I'd have to do all that separate.

[Lee Nub]

Try lastminute.com. I send my wife and her friend every year for january sales, 4 nights in a hotel across from madison square garden, 398 quid each this time

[Boss Hog]

Definatley recommend it. I absolutly love the place, I go over a couple of times a year as I have family there.
This is also great as I get to see what its like to live there rather than the touristy / hotel stuff.

[Simon-JG-hr]

From Cigar Aficianado - a guide to some good smoking spots in NYC.

Always wanted to visit New York, but still haven't got around to it. I travel a lot on my own, including to the States and Canada, so wouldn't say it's horrific. Of course, it's always better if you've got a mate along too (not so much pressure to meet nice ladies in the hotel bar... ).

[Simon-JG-hr]

How embarassing, just saw that someone else posted that video whilst I was away for the weekend...