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Off the Beaten Path Travel Treats -
Lynne Christen

Name a major city and there’s a must-see list of attractions. New York City is synonymous with Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Broadway. Jaded travelers that we are, we thought we had seen it all. We’ve been there, done those. Then, surfing the Internet for something new on a weekend trip, we found Foods of New York Excursions and one of the most delightful, delectable discoveries in our travel experiences.

Foods of New York Excursions conduct walking tours through several neighborhoods of Manhattan. We chose the Greenwich Village tour and stepped back in time learning about the Village’s history, culture, and architecture combined with present day food and fun. Our guide quickly dispelled the myth that the Village is a haven for hippies. Today’s Greenwich Village is a beautiful neighborhood of tree-lined streets, mom-and- pop stores, small boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and friendly residents.

Itineraries in hand, our small tour group set off at 10 a.m. for a three-hour trek. We saw the oldest house and the narrowest house in the Village. We learned the architectural differences between brownstones and walk-ups. Our guide pointed out hidden courtyards and the best restaurants, giving us sneak previews of their menus.

We had a drink in a speakeasy dating back to the roaring 20’s with secret passages behind bookcases. We feasted on savory homemade cheeses, pungent olives, Italian sausage bread, and authentic New York pizza. (Ask me the secret of why New York bagels and pizza are the best!) Other tasty treats included Middle Eastern donor kabobs and falafel, rice balls, and decadent truffles from one of the oldest chocolate shops in New York City. Time flew by. By the end of our walk, we were totally stuffed and thoroughly enamored with Greenwich Village.

I saved the best for last. This incredible experience is a bargain at $36.50 per person. The tour operates Tuesday through Sunday, rain or shine. Check out www.foodsofny.com or call 212-239-1124 for reservations. Make reservations in advance. Tours are often filled weeks in advance. Next trip we’ll take the Chelsea Gourmet Food Market and “New” Meat Packing District tour. It looks equally “filling” and fascinating.

Another idea while you are in a walking mood, take a hike across the Brooklyn Bridge. When it was completed in 1883, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. It is a monument rich in history. Connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the bridge offers an incredible view of the city. Don’t forget your camera!

Views are best walking from Brooklyn toward Manhattan. To get to Brooklyn, take the A or C subway to High Street ( Federal Court Building) and follow the signs for the footpath to the bridge. Not up to the subway? Grab one of thousands of yellow cabs.

The walkway across the bridge is above automobile traffic lanes. It is divided down the center with one side for bikers and skateboards and one side for walkers. (Avoid straying into the biker’s lane; they stream over the bridge with little patience for roadblocks.)

You can easily walk the entire span in about 30-40 minutes, but slow down. Don’t miss the plaques along the way detailing the history of the bridge. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will be to your left. Plaques also give their history and identify the buildings as you look toward Manhattan. Plan your walk at sunset and watch the sun paint the river and the sky as it drops behind the buildings. Hang around a little while and watch the city lights come alive.

Now, come back next week for an off-the-beaten path adventure in San Francisco.

This Top Ten Travel column is an excerpt from Travel Wisdom – Tips, Tools, and Tactics for All Travelers written by local travel experts, Lynne and Hank Christen. Contact the Christens at travelwisdom@cox.net. You may purchase Travel Wisdom at www.travel-wisdom.com or by calling 850-244-2523. We welcome your suggestions for future travel columns.

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