It may sound a cliché, but New York really is one of the most fantastically exciting cities on the planet, and one of those places which everyone should try and visit at least once during their lifetime.

You may well be pleasantly surprised to discover what a lot you can pack in to even a short visit to this town, and how easy it is to get around, whether you ride the subway, stroll the streets with their user-friendly grid layout, or take one of New York’s iconic yellow cabs.

Of course, there are some sights you just have to take in, from the neon-lit jungle of Times Square to getting a bird’s eye view from one of the Empire State Building’s observation decks. Find time to ride the free Staten Island Ferry for a truly breathtaking urban panorama of dazzling skyscrapers. The best view of the Statue of Liberty is from the water, too –reached by a ferry which also takes you to Ellis Island, where you can learn all about immigration to the US.