New York V York

Who needs the hassle, expense, worry and of crossing the Atlantic for a short break in the Big Apple when your very own Chocolate Orange is just two hours away by train and just as much fun?

The two cities – New York, New York, and the ‘new’ York of North Yorkshire – historic home of Terry’s Chocolate Orange – have obvious connections of course. New York was named after James, Duke of York in the 17th century. And each city owes much of its prosperity to a man named Hudson, although not the same man. It was Henry Hudson, a British explorer sailing under a Dutch flag, who first navigated what is now known as the Hudson River, on Manhattan’s west side. It was one George Hudson who brought the railways to York, England, and became known as the Railway King. It is after him that George Hudson Street, in the centre of the city, is named.

The New York-York-Dutch connection continues. The celebrated contemporary Dutch Garden Designer Piet Oudolf recently designed the Peace Garden in Battery Park, in memory of the 9/11 victims. From there he came to a garden just east of York to create what is expected to be one of Britain’s contemporary garden sensations of 2004, in the Walled Garden at Scampston Hall.

So, you’ve got some time off work and enough money to treat yourself to a break. Will it be York or New York?

Getting There

New York

Flying to New York can be a lengthy proposition these days, by the time you’ve gone through all the rigorous security checks in place at every airport these days. And then there’s the time difference to deal with. Add on the travelling time to and from airports and you’ve lost a day of your holiday before you’ve even started.

York

Take the train from central London and you can be in the heart of York city centre in just two hours. You don’t need a passport either!

Getting About

York

York’s major attractions are almost all located inside the city walls, within walking distance of each other. The historic heart of York is largely pedestrianised, so walking is a safer, quieter, healthier and altogether more enjoyable occupation. But if you need a little more speed, York is known as one of Britain’s best bike-friendly cities. You can even pick up a bike as you arrive at the railway station. And if you just want to rest your feet, there are hop-on hop-off tour buses, which circulate around the city all day long.

New York?

The average speed of a car travelling through traffic-clogged Manhattan is 7mph. Need we say more?

Landmarks

You don’t need to go all the way to New York to get a few famous landmarks in the background of your holiday snaps. Instead of the Empire State Building, how about York Minster – Europe’s largest gothic cathedral with beautiful views from the tower; instead of arriving at Grand Central Station, how about York Station – when opened in 1877 it was the largest in Europe, and it is regarded as one of the finest examples of civil engineering to be built during the Victorian era; instead of the Statue of Liberty, how about the magnificent Statue of Constantine the Great – Roman Emperor in 306AD, when the Great Hall of the Roman Headquarters stood where the Minster now stands; instead of Brooklyn Bridge, how about York’s city walls – the longest medieval walls in England.

New York City Pass gives reduced admission and queue-jumping privileges at six attractions. The York Pass does the same at no fewer than 30.

The New York for Romantics

WH Auden, one of the most quoted 20th century poets in the world on the subject of love, may have lived most of his life in New York, but he was actually born in York, in 1907.

A moonlit cruise down the Ouse is every bit as romantic as the Staten Island Ferry; York’s Museum Gardens, with the beautiful ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, are as perfect as New York’s Central Park for a spot of wooing; and you don’t have to be in New York to travel by horse and cart (Sex in the City-style) through the city. Horse-drawn carriage tours depart from in front of the Minster, leaving you free to gaze adoringly into each other’s eyes.

The New York For Families

Given the choice between a big apple and a chocolate orange, which would your children choose? Throw in Viking warriors, spooky ghosts, highwaymen, Guy Fawkes, steam trains and a chocolate factory or two, and you should have them eating out of your hand. York is full of fun for children, and the traffic-free city centre gives you one less thing to worry about.

At Jorvik, jump aboard a time machine and fly back in time to AD975, when York was the trading hub of the Viking world. The children love all the little details of daily Viking life – particularly those cesspits…

The National Railway Museum is a haven for railway-loving children: Thomas the Tank Engine has his own extravaganza here in the school holidays, and there are lots of trains to investigate inside and out, a huge play area.

You can even promise them plague, pestilence, torture and, if they’re really good, the Pit of Despair, at York Dungeon. What more could they ask for!

The city offers a range of budget accommodation where family rooms are available and there is even a city centre YHA, ideal for families.

The New York for Culture Vultures

If museums, art galleries and music are essential ingredients in your short break, while York’s cultural scene may differ from that of New York, it is no less fulfilling. While it doesn’t boast an Opera House on the scale of New York’s Met, there are few more sublime musical experiences than listening to a choral performance in York Minster. The National Centre for Early Music is a venue not only for early music but also for folk, jazz, 20th century and world music, in the historical setting of medieval St Margaret’s Church. The City Art Gallery spans seven centuries of European art, with an excellent collection of William Etty nudes (Etty was born and died in York), and the city enjoys a lively contemporary art scene, with any number of small, contemporary galleries tucked away down York’s medieval streets, such as the Adze Gallery and Sculpture Garden. The Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum hold superb collections relating to York’s long history, as far back as the Roman Occupation. And when it comes to historical architecture, there is simply no comparison.

The New York for Foodies

New York may be famous for its delis, oyster bars and Italian restaurants, but York has some real surprises up its sleeve these days. For a civilised but relaxed lunch, try the bohemian Café Concerto on High Petergate, or the cultured atmosphere of St William’s Restaurant on College Street, overlooked by the great East window of the Minster in York’s prettiest corner. For romantic dinners a deux, go to the Blue Bicycle, once a brothel, these days an outstanding restaurant which still flaunts its history, Rish – stylish, contemporary and expensive, or Melton’s, sophisticated and unpretentious. And at the wonderful Betty’s Tea Rooms, these days you may even get Pastrami on Rye!

The New York for Big Spenders

While New York has Bloomingdales, York has Brown’s – the fashion departments of the city’s famous department store include Alexon, Jacques Vert, Aquascutum and more. And instead of Fifth Avenue, a browse down Petergate will soon have your credit card flexing its muscle, as you browse around Paul Smith, Sarah Coggles, Bleu Marine and more. Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, D&G are all to be found in Van Mildert.

But shopping in York is not all about clothes. Contemporary jewellery designers, interior design shops, antique and book dealers are all particularly well represented in York.

And finally…if you’ve got half a day to spare, and want to get out of the city, where can you get to from Manhattan? The city’s outer suburbs – the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn? From York, within an hour you can be walking in the Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors National Parks, along Yorkshire’s Heritage Coastline, or you can visit historic houses and gardens such as Castle Howard, Harewood House, Newby Hall or Beningborough Hall.

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org