Hi, I am heading off on the Grand Northern on July 27th. Anyone else heading on this trip & happening to be in NY before hand or want to head off to Disney Land right after the tour?? Amy

Hi Amy !

yes im also doing this trip the 27 july.
Im gonna be in NYC the 26july and then after the
trip im staying at santa monica....

it´s gonna be awesome !!!

G'day Amy,

Can't wait for the tour. I will arrive in NYC on the evening of the 23rd. There's some must do's i've got and would be happy to meet up if you have any of the same things to do.

Garry.

Hi

I havent got any plans for NY I am just going to figure it all out when I'm there, so yeah we might have to catch up. At this stage I am travelling by myself so it would be cool to check the city out with someone else.

Hi Monica,

let me know if you wanna catch up, I had another guy Garry who wanted to as well. I have no set plans I am going to do whatever as I am travelling alone. so if you need a travel buddy give me a hoy. amy

Hello again....

I´m also traveling alone and
it would be great to catch up with you and
see new york with cool new tripfriends

I´m in if you wanna catch up in the Big apple.

// David

hi david, sorry i called u monica in the last message, i wasnt thinking....
we will have to catch up. will organise something ealier to trip....
amy

G'day July Grand Northerners,

Sounds like a plan, David.I've been planning a little and it appears that most things can be done at short notice.So I'm happy to take a leaf from Amy's book and wing it when I get there.

Have only booked the Hotel Beacon for the night prior to the tour and have shortlisted a few hostels and B&B's in Manhattan for the other 3 nights.

My email is bear@comcen.com.au if anyone wants to get in touch outside of the messageboard.

Garry.

I am staying at the hotel where the tour departs from, so it is probably that hotel you are staying at???

Find any good backpackers? I havent booked any accom yet, but in the process of looking. Let me know if you find anything good & I will do the same.

I found out that we end the tour a few blocks from Disney Land. So I am definately going there straight after the tour. Seems more convenient. I did find one backpackers in a similar area called AAE Anaheim Hacienda Inn, which is close to Disney Land too. Still looking for other options, but it looks like this might be one of the closest.

it´s ok amy.... just don´t call me monica at
our trip ok

i´m staying at Paramount so it would be cool
if came there and get me so we can explore what new york has to offer.

I arrive around 1 a clock at my hotel.

see u / david

I've been looking on Hostelbookers.com and found a few that look ok. I'm leaning towards The Chelsea Star Hotel at the moment for it's location. I'm going to have a bit more of a look around before I book anything so I'll let you know if I come up with anything. You can check out the Chelsea with the below address.

http://www.hostelbookers.com/booking/index.cfm?hostel=5...action=hosteldetails

I've booked the hotel we finish at in Anaheim on the final night through Contiki.

Garry,

Are you staying just the 1 night in Anaheim?? I was planning on staying 2 so I could have 2 days at disney land. my friend who just went said she had 2 days but could have stayed another day. I'm not going to stay at the Ramanda though like u, too expensive I am going on a budget so I am going to find a hostel. But thats cool I am sure others will be doing the same.

That hostel you found in New York looks alright, but I going to keep looking if I find anything else. Will let you know if I spot anything good!

Amy

Garry, check these couple out.....

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Loftstello...msburg-NewYork-18730


this one includes breccie & pizza on wed night, but is up the top of central park, not down near manhattan

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/TheWanderersInnWest-NewYork-4835

What do you think? I think it would be cool to book the same place so we & anyone else from the tour can hang out.... (that goes for anyone who reads this!!!!) Cant be bothered looking at anymore so let me know where u plan on staying.
Amy

G'day Amy,

I'm doing Europe after the USA and at this stage I am flying out on the 21st. I'll be in LA 3 & 1/2 weeks prior to our tour but are yet to work out the details for time there and sites to see. Disneyland might be an option for me after the tour. I'm hoping I can get my itinary set in the next few weeks.

In NYC I'm still thinking the Chelsea Star. I'm still looking into the recommended sites to see but it looks to be the most central I can find without breaking the bank. It also has some great reviews and scores highly. I've been using Google map to work on some point A to point B distances. It's pretty helpful in trying to get a feel for the layout of the city.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New+York,+NY

take care.

Well who needs to do any research when we have you!! If you end up booking Chelsea let me kno. I thought that place looked pretty cool too, and I will do the same.

Which Europe tour are you doing? A Contiki one? I did one a couple of years ago & it was absolutely awesome! So beautiful & everything is so old! If you are looking for a goos backpackers try the generator. Grace place, really central and it is just around the corner to where the Contiki tour starts/ends. Make sure you go to Venice & Paris, in my opinion those 2 cities were the best!!! And when in Venice might pay to pack a little towel in your bag, hopefully you will understand when you get there! PS I saw Heath Ledger in Venice he was filming Casanova!