Let’s be honest, everyone’s bucket-list is different.

But ask around and you’ll find there are a few experiences that pop up more than others.

Sunrise at Machu Picchu. Sunset at the Taj Mahal. Exploring Petra, Angkor Wat or the Galapagos Islands. You, a bottle of something nice, a slow Summer sunset and someone special, gazing over Paris from the steps of the Sacré-Cœur—the highest point of the city. Dinner at Mar-a-Lago…well, maybe not that.

There are some places that are so ‘bucket-listy’ that, even with multiple visits under your belt, you’ll never tick every quintessential local experience off. Paris is like that. London, too. And of course, New York.

The Big Apple’s profile in popular culture is massive. Close your eyes and think dreamily about New York. What do you see in your mind’s eye? I bet it’s a reel of movie and TV moments. You’re ice-skating outdoors at the Rockefeller Centre, taking in a Broadway show or clip-clopping through Central Park in a horse-and-buggy as you’re warmed by a thermos of hot chocolate and a divine blanket even as snow silently falls.

Am I right?

Maybe you’re at a private party in Times Square with Rachel and Phoebe, Carrie and Samantha (don’t look now) and—unexpected besties—Elaine and Holly who insists she has breakfast plans at Tiffany’s. Even though you remind her it’s not really a thing, she waves your concerns away and says she’s going. You just know this is one diva that will not go lightly. Not in her state, anyway. She slips away as your attention is caught by a rowdy count-down of the seconds to midnight as the famous sparkling ball inches its way down to ring in the new year.

You on the other hand might have bucket-list breakfast plans at Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street, or Katz’s Deli—whether you have what Sally had is entirely up to you. A walk along the city’s brilliant High Line brings you to the delights of Chelsea Market and the imaginatively-named Meat Packing District. That list is getting longer, isn’t it? And you’re not even at Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse, Columbus Circle Fountain, The Whitney, The Met, The Frick, or the flagship Manolo store on West 54th Street.

This bucket-list is giving me tingles. How about you?

This may be the city that never sleeps, but you will need somewhere gorgeous to lay your gorgeous head. New York is home to a roll-call of some of the world’s most famous hotels. Legendary dens of luxury like The Plaza, The Algonquin, The Roosevelt, The Carlyle, The St. Regis make up a pretty fair bucket-list of their own. Even if you’re more a hot and edgy hotels kind of a gal, New York has you covered there, too. Things get seriously hot at Times Square EDITION, Freehand New York, The Hoxton, The Standard, The Whitby or the fabulous Refinery Hotel with a famous rooftop bar frequented by the local fashion set—an absolute Diva haven.

What’s on your New York bucket-list? I’d love to know. Be sure to leave me a comment below.

Oh, and by the way, should you feel like taking action on that list and taking your rightful place among New York’s gorgeous people when the big ball drops this New Year’s Eve, then you’d best join me in The Big Apple on 27 December.

All you have to do is dive into the detailed itinerary New York New Year, select your optional activities like private shopping tours, horse-and-buggy rides (blankets and hot chocolate supplied), theatre tickets—tick, tick, tick—and I’ll do the rest.

Heavens, I’ll even arrange the perfect NYC-NYE blow-dry so you look extra gorgeous.

I know just the place.

Trust me, no-one does New York like a Travelling Diva.

Happy travels…

Andrea xxx