New York Habitat Blog

Columbus Circle marks the southwest corner of Central Park and includes a monument to Christopher Columbus, shopping, museums and a gateway to Central Park. Today, we are going to explore some of the top activates and sites around Columbus Circle.

Traveling to Columbus Circle is easy; it is served by the 1, A, B, C and D subways. When rising out of the subway tunnels the 1st thing that you will notice is the statue in the center of the traffic circle. The monument, which was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to the Americas, was designed and created by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo. Atop the monument stands Christopher Columbus. In addition to being a sight to be seen, Columbus Circle marks the point where all distances are measured to in New York City.

2 Columbus Circle: Museum of Arts and Design

Columbus Circle has plenty of other activates too:

• 1st you’ll want to check out the Time Warner center which is along the western side of the circle. The towers were completed in 2003 and are 55 stories tall. The Time Warner Center has three floors of shops on the lower levels including Borders Books, Whole Foods Market and many specialty retailers. In addition the 4th floor has some of Manhattan’s top rated restaurants (be prepared to spend a pretty penny to visit them).
• To the north is the one of Donald Trump’s famous New York City Skyscrapers
• If you are ready for some New York City realization head to the northeast where you will find the Merchant’s Gate entrance to Central Park. Take a stroll through the park to reenergize before your next stop on your New York tour.
• Lastly to the south you will find 2 Columbus Circle known as the lollipop building, which has been through a rocky history. The building, which for many years was considered as an architectural eyesore by some and an architectural gem by others, has been transformed into the Museum of Arts & Design with a new design that is often criticized as much as the old design. The museum has more than 54,000 square feet of exhibition space for its extensive collection. 

If you are interesting in checking out Columbus Circle it’s a great idea to choose a nearby vacation rental. Some gems in the neighborhood include:

A 1 bedroom Upper West Side apartment (ny-14209) located just 4 blocks north of Columbus Circle on the 42nd story of a high-rise building.

A 1 bedroom vacation rental apartment in Midtown West (ny-11454) just 3 blocks south of Columbus Circle in a doorman building.

Let us know your favorite activities,  shops and cafes around Columbus Circle in the comments section below.

We here at New York Habitat are very keen on cultural traditions—and what can be more traditional than Cockney cuisine in England? Haven’t tried it? Haven’t even heard of it? Well, it’s time to get yourself to London and have a go. Stay in a local New York Habitat rental flat then head out to the pie and mash shop and order some jellied eels for us.

There are a ton of historical sights in London—but there is only one oldest pie and mash shop still in business: M. Manze’s. The original, at 87 Tower Bridge Road, opened in 1902, survived the Second World War, and is still family-owned. It is a Blue Plaque site as voted by the people of London.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom in City Islington (LN-845)

The menu today is much the same as it has always been and is one of the best values in the city. The food choices, though limited, are handmade daily on the premises following century-old recipes. Take your pick of pies: minced beef or vegetarian varieties packed into pastry and baked fresh in traditional stone ovens. You have a choice of gravy or liquor (not an alcohol at all, but a type of parsley sauce; apparently, M. Manze’s has a special, secret ingredient that makes their liquor unmatched in all of London). The mash, from high-quality potatoes, is made as you order.

Oh, yes…and then there are the eels. Choose from jellied eels—a Cockney favorite—or the succulent stewed variety. Wash it all down with hot or cold sarsaparilla or, of course, a cup of tea.

Best of all, after a filling lunch for less than five pounds, you’re a short walk from the Thames River, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, the Tower of London and your own New York Habitat vacation accommodation, such as:

• A gorgeous, spacious and contemporary 1-bedroom rental flat in City-Islington (LN-837) with a queen sized bed, laundry/dryer, housecleaning services, a health club guest membership and a day membership at the private London Capital Club. 
• A charming 1-bedroom vacation accommodation in City-Islington (LN-834) on the third floor of a period walk-up. This flat, located between two quiet pedestrian alleyways and opposite a Wren church, comes with a double bed, hardwood floors, laundry and central heating. A scene from a Harry Potter film was shot at this location.
• A lovely split-level 1-bedroom rental in City-Islington (LN-845) on Trinity Square. With accommodations to sleep up to five (a queen bed, double mattress, and single sofa bed), this flat also features an interior spiral staircase, chrome kitchen appliances and free calls to the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most of Europe.   

Enjoy the many traditions of London—and start your own tradition with a stay in a local New York Habitat vacation flat.

Leave a comment below to let us know if you have ever enjoyed Cockney cuisine in London.

Thanks to a wealth of world-class museums and galleries, Paris is one of the premier cities for cultural learning through the arts. To the credit of curators city-wide, the art offerings not only cross genres but go far beyond the work created by artists within l’Hexagone. Visitors to Paris have the opportunity to engage with artists and artwork from all corners of the globe. The collections found in this city go far beyond the European masterpieces (although these are not in short supply here). This fall, the musée du quai Branly will present an exhibition entiled 165 Years of Iranian Photography, continuing the Parisian tradtion of importing great art as a means to greater understanding and appreciation.

musée du quai Branly: Iranian Photography

Iran is a country that is often spoken about and debated in the West. But for all of the politcal discussion that surrounds the Middle-Eastern  nation little is mentioned about the county’s proud artistic tradition beyond a word or two on Persian rug making. This most recent exhibition sheds light on both the artistic and politcal evolution of modern Iran. The photography in this exhibition is unique in that it documents the turmoil and changes in the country while also standing alone on its artistic merits. Photography in Iran began during the reign of the Shah in the Qajar era with portraits of the traditional aristocracy, and today is asserting itself with the work of photojournalists. In the wake of the recent attention paid to the work, and repression of, these street photographers and journalists the exhibition provides an enlightening look at the history and work of artists within the Islamic Republic.

Fall is a great time to visit Paris, and not just for the hundreds of exhibitions going on throughout the city. New York Habitat still has plenty of accommodations available, here are a few to get your search started:

• This one-of-a-kind studio apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-1059) is situated on a cobbled, pedestrian street overlooking the church of St. Gervais and its gardens. The apartment itself is bathed in direct sunlight and is an ideal choice for couples. 
• This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-2001) features a spacious balcony outfitted with a small table and rooftop views. The 800+ square foot apartment can comfortably accommodate 4 guests.
• This 3-bedroom accommodation in Bastille, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3530) is an absolute must-see. The apartment features pitched, wood-planked ceilings, hardwood floors, large eat-in kitchen, rooftop views and a unique mezzanine level.

The Titanic was en route to New York when it met its tragic fate almost a century ago. Today, the “Unsinkable” ship has made it to its final port of call. The Discovery Times Square Exposition, one of New York’s newest museum spaces, is now featuring the fascinating “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition”.

The sprawling exhibit recreates the entire Titanic experience, from the ship’s construction to life onboard, and ultimately to the iceberg that sunk it. More than 350 artifacts from the shipwreck – 40 of them never before seen — are on display, including jewelry, china, clothing and personal letters. Visitors can walk through reconstructed first- and third-class cabins as well as see a replica of the Grand Staircase.

The exhibit succeeds in making the experience interactive and engaging. Visitors are given a “boarding pass” upon entry that includes factual information about one of the Titanic’s 2,228 passengers. At the end, it is revealed whether “your” passenger made it onto one of the lifeboats.

Titanic

The Discovery Times Square Exposition is a whopping 60,000 square-feet, so winding your way through the exhibit can take upwards of two hours. And of course, there is a gift shop to hit afterwards. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Discovery Times Square’s website.

Want to stay near the hustle and bustle of Times Square? New York Habitat has dozens of conveniently located apartments within walking distance of the Titanic exhibit, including:

- This affordable Studio Vacation Rental in Midtown West - Chelsea - New York (NY-11802), located in the heart of the Theater District and only blocks from Times Square. The apartment has two beds. A great deal!

- This luxe 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Midtown West - Chelsea - New York (NY-12496), featuring a gym, rooftop access and unlimited Starbucks’ coffee. The apartment is in a high-rise building with full-time doorman and a 24-hour attended front desk.

Have you ever been to the “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition”? Are you a Titanic buff? Please share your comments with us!

So, you’re in Paris for vacation but have a hankering for the art and museums of Amsterdam. Normally, you would have to catch a costly flight or train ride to get a glimpse of an extensive Dutch collection. But this winter the Pinacothèque de Paris teams up with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to present a large collection of one of art history’s most interesting periods: the Dutch 17th Century. Visitors to Paris this winter will have the pleasure of bragging to their friends about all of the great masterpieces they saw in the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou and the Rijksmuseum, without even stepping foot on Dutch soil.

Paris Accommodation: 2bedroom apartment in Saint Germain de pres PA-3758

The exhibition, entitled The Dutch Golden Age, will feature over 130 pieces of which about 60 will be paintings and about 30 drawings and water-colors. The exhibit focuses largely on the role and influence of the work of both Rembrandt and Vermeer, two names that hold iconic notoriety far beyond art-history circles. Certainly, these two men have become symbols of the Dutch Golden Age and their influential reach goes far beyond their contemporaries. Other artists included in the exhibit may be less-recognizable but nonetheless represent an era that went far beyond the work of two artists. The Dutch Golden Age exhibit is a rare offering of one country’s national treasures to the people and visitors of a neighboring city. Art lovers may be tired after hoofing it around the Louvre for a few days, but a visit to this temporary exhibit is worth it.

Winters in Paris are relatively mild, especially in comparison to the frigid months many Americans endure, making that December break a wonderful time to cross the Atlantic. New York Habitat does still have many apartments available for the winter season, below are a few select accommodations to help get your search off the ground:

• This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Ile Saint Louis, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3015) mixes modern stylings with old-world architecture.
• This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Republique, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3719) is located a short walk from the delightful Canal Saint Martin.
• This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Saint Germain des Pres, St Michel-St Germain-Notre Dame (PA-3758) is as classic as they come. The apartment has that stately feel that one would expect from a flat in central Paris.

Some people love them. Some people almost can’t stand to look at them. Either way, we at New York Habitat think you should at least try them. We’re talking about the full English breakfast, also known as a “fry up”—and with good reason. Stay at a New York Habitat vacation rental in London and we’ll help you find a full English almost right outside your door. Whether or not you clean your plate is entirely up to you.

A full English Breakfast

A full English breakfast is itself an institution—as are many of the places that serve them. Heartier than an afternoon tea, it is said to be the perfect cure for a hangover, is often served all day in cafés throughout the city, and is perhaps one of the best culinary bargains to be found in London. In fact, you may barely need to eat for the rest of the day.

The typical ingredients of a traditional full English breakfast are fried bacon, fried eggs, fried tomatoes, fried bread or toast with butter, fried sausages and baked beans (see? some things aren’t fried!). It’s usually served with a mug of not so strong tea that many places will refill for free. And you can get all that for about £3.75.

There are also vegetarian variations, which cut out the bacon and sausages and sometimes replace them with fried mushrooms. Or you can opt for the “full” full English, which can include black pudding (not a dessert at all—actually, more sausage) and fried mashed potatoes or hash browns.

Benjy’s in Earl’s Court offers a satisfying fry up in traditional “caff” surroundings, plus it has great business cards with a photo of the food that can be used as a souvenir bookmark. Since you’ll want to walk off your breakfast, it’s about twenty minutes on foot from the museums on Cromwell Road. The Ideal Café on Ebury Bridge Road is also a favorite with locals, and isn’t a far stroll from Buckingham Palace. Poppie’s Diner in Wapping serves a traditional English breakfast among American kitsch and is a nice walk to Tower Bridge.

London Accommodation in West Brompton (LN-607)

To burn off your breakfast, we recommend staying in a centrally located New York Habitat vacation accommodation, such as:      

• A lovely 1-bedroom rental flat in Bermondsey, Southwark (LN-811) just off Tower Bridge Road on the third floor of a converted wharf building with elevator. This accommodation on a quiet street comes with two double beds, a laundry/dryer, a balcony and free calls to landlines in the U.S. and U.K.
• A spacious 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Kensingston-Chelsea, West Brompton (LN-607) on the ground floor of a private gated development. This flat comes complete with one queen and one double bed, two baths, a laundry/dryer and a parking space.
• A light-filled 1-bedroom vacation accommodation in South Kensington, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-62) on the first floor of a period building overlooking a quiet communal garden. This flat features a queen bed, laundry/dryer, high ceiling, bay windows, parquet floors and balconettes.
   

Enjoy a full English breakfast and a fully furnished New York Habitat rental flat! Let us know some of your favorite traditional foods in London with a comment below.

Few things are cozier than ducking into a fondue restaurant in Paris on a cold, blustery night. Although the hearty dish originated in Switzerland, it has become a culinary classic in France. Fondue restaurants abound in the nation’s capital, bringing together friends and families for the communal dining experience.

Fondue

Eating fondue can feel quite decadent but the rich dish’s origins are decidedly humble. Swiss villagers, without access to fresh food during the long winters in the mountains, discovered that melting old cheese, and then dipping hardened bread into it, made their stale ingredients far more edible. In fact, the word fondue is derived from the French verbs fondre (to melt) and fondu (melted).

The Swiss cooking method was adopted in the French Alps, particularly in the Savoy region, where fondue savoyarde was born. The French take on the dish contains three cheeses, Comté, Emmental and Beaufort, as well as local white wine.

For a delicious fondue savoyarde meal in Paris, and a spirited dining experience, there’s nothing like Le Refuge des Fondus in Montmartre. The tiny restaurant features only two items on the menu: Fondue Savoyarde and Fondue Bourguignonne, a meat fondue. Wine is served in baby bottles, waiters tell jokes, and guests are encouraged to write on the walls. The charming little fondue joint has been such a hit in Paris that an American version, La Cave des Fondus, recently opened in New York.

While Le Refuge des Fondus is one of a kind, it is certainly not the only place for exceptional fondue in Paris. Other noteworthy spots include Saveurs de Savoie on Rue Mouffetard, which serves classic French food, and Les Montagnards, a rustic chalet located on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment in Montmartre (PA-1395)

If you can’t wait to warm up with some cheese and wine this winter, consider one of these great New York Habitat apartments in Paris:

- A classic 1-Bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-1395), located near Le Refuge des Fondus and the famous Rue Lepic. The apartment is on a quiet, strictly residential street.

- An elegant 1-Bedroom duplex vacation rental in Saint Germain des Pres - St Michel - Notre Dame (PA-2509), located near the Luxembourg Gardens. The well-decorated apartment overlooks a lovely courtyard garden.

Do you have a favorite fondue recipe or restaurant? Share your comments with us!