The travel Perth-Dubai-JFK, though taking 24 hours, was better than a Heathrow stop-over. The return Paris-Dubai-Perth flights were also problem free.
Upon arrival at JFK, I travelled by Sky train to Jamaica Station and caught the subway to Penn Station, which is located opposite the hotel. The Pennsylvania Hotel, that you booked, was ideal in central New York being one subway station from Times Square and the theatre district (Broadway). I was on 16th floor with view of Macy’s corner on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. Coming back from a Broadway show I nearly always got pizza at Sbarro – quite an institution, even where ordering is complicated.
In New York, I went to many shows getting a seat usually the day before. I later learnt that most theatres kept several tickets to one side in case someone special comes along. (Me). At most theatres I was sold one of these excellent tickets.
One morning, I met a musician with a unique double neck guitar by one of the Subway exits.
France – the French TGV high speed train from Paris towards the Loire Valley was good. I caught a connecting TER (local) train to nearby Amboise.
The accommodation at Amboise, you booked, was about 200 metres from the town centre and I believe the best place to stay. The room looked over the tree lined Loire River. To get around town I rented a bicycle. I also travelled by train to the nearby towns of Tours, Anger and Boise. The village of Amboise was chosen by Leonardo da Vinci centuries ago.
The Nimes Novotel is just outside the ancient city and as such was perfectly located. I did not rent a bicycle in Nimes.
Opposite the Novotel hotel, within an open park, is a very helpful tourist centre. Using the tourist centre’s advice I travelled by bus to Pont du Gare a historic aqueduct. I also travelled by bus to Arles, where Vincent van Gogh painted many of his famous paintings, I returned to Nimes via the TER train. Over several days I also travelled by train to Avignon, Marseilles and Montpellier returning each afternoon to Nimes.
Thank you for all the trouble I cause but those hotels you found, as well as the flights direct to JFK, were perfect and thank you for arranging my flights, train travel and accommodation, all worked out very good.
- Bill Hill