United States

The cost of living in New York is particularly high, much more expensive than other parts of the country. However, we were lucky enough to be given an apartment through a very friendly person and save a very significant cost on accommodation.

It was a family trip, together with our 4-month-old daughter, for whom it was also her first transatlantic trip. Little A did great with the flights. Before we left, we had several reservations about whether such a demanding city was suitable for traveling with an infant. In practice, however, it turned out to be much easier than we expected. With proper planning, frequent stops and without pushing the schedule, we managed to enjoy everything we had planned. This may be the strongest memory of New York – A’s first big trip to a city that moves non-stop, but it gave us the opportunity to get to know it at our own pace.

Eight days in New York were enough to get to know many of the different aspects of the city, but certainly not enough to discover it in its entirety. It is a destination that changes from neighborhood to neighborhood and from street to street. Within a few minutes you can find yourself from the skyscrapers and the noise of a boulevard, in a quiet park or in a district that seems to belong to another country.

The area where we stayed was Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, having the good fortune of being practically in the center and within walking distance of all the points of interest. In the evening the streets are filled with people sitting in Italian restaurants, while within a few minutes you can find yourself in bustling Chinatown. A little further up is SoHo, perhaps the most pleasant area to walk. The buildings with their distinctive metal fire escapes, galleries, boutiques and cafes create a more relaxed side of New York, away from the intense pace of Midtown.

The first image most people form of New York is Times Square, and indeed it is a landmark of the city. We visited it both during the day and at night, but its true image is revealed when the sun goes down. The huge bright screens make the night seem like day, while thousands of people move nonstop in every direction. It is touristy, noisy and often chaotic, but it is an experience that is difficult to capture in photos.

A short distance away is Grand Central Terminal, a place that is not just a large train station. The central hall, with its impressive ceiling and the characteristic clock in the center, has a special atmosphere and despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of people pass through it every day, one can stand and observe the rhythm of the city.

Central Park is a piece of nature in the heart of the city. Seeing it on a map you cannot perceive its true size, but once you enter the park, you almost forget that you are in the center of one of the largest metropolises in the world. People are jogging, walking their dogs, reading on a bench or having a picnic on the grass. It is a place that is actually used by the residents and not a tourist attraction.

Next to the park is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a museum that is difficult to see in its entirety in one visit. The variety of collections is enormous, from ancient Egypt to modern art. Even if someone is not a particular fan of museums, the Metropolitan is worth their time, taking the viewer on a journey through the history of different cultures.

A visit to the Statue of Liberty was one of those experiences that no one should miss. It is not only the most recognizable symbol of the United States, but it is directly linked to the history of immigration and the creation of modern America.

The departure is from Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan. Access is very easy by subway, getting off at the South Ferry (line 1) or Bowling Green (lines 4 and 5) stations and walking a few minutes to the entrance of the harbor. From there, the official boats depart that transport visitors first to Liberty Island and then to Ellis Island.

The boarding process is reminiscent of an airport, as everyone goes through security. The lines can be long, so it is a good idea to book a ticket in advance, with a morning departure.

The Statue of Liberty itself is impressive when you approach it by boat. Although we have seen it countless times in photos and movies, up close it takes on a different dimension. It is worth walking around the island, as from different angles you have wonderful views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.

Ellis Island was very interesting, however. While many people see it as a short stop before returning to Manhattan, I think it is just as important as the statue itself. The museum presents the history of millions of immigrants who passed through here in search of a better life. Seeing the registration rooms, luggage and personal stories of people, you better understand how the multicultural society of the USA was created.

The trip over the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most enjoyable moments in the city. We crossed it on foot with the baby and returned by boat in the evening. As you get closer to Brooklyn, the view of Manhattan becomes more and more impressive. On the opposite side, the DUMBO area combines old industrial buildings, small cafes and one of the most famous images of the city, with the bridge framing the street and the Empire State Building visible in the distance.

The 9/11 Memorial also left a special impression on me. Despite being located in one of the busiest parts of the city, there is a silence that you don’t find anywhere else in New York. The two large tanks at the sites of the Twin Towers create a space for contemplation and remembrance. The two large black “lakes” with waterfalls that disappear into the void are located right at the foundations of the towers, while the sound of the water covers the noise of the city and creates a strange silence, even though you are in the most economically active part of Manhattan.

A little further up, there is One World Observatory. A new city has been created around the memorial, a mixture of monument, business buildings and public space with modern architecture.

Next to the memorial is the Oculus, the World Trade Center station.

Its architecture consists of white arches that resemble a skeleton, but also like wings that open upwards. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and symbolizes, according to him, a bird being released.

Inside it is the subway station, a huge bright space, almost white, with natural light entering from above and changing throughout the day.

The Vessel is a sculptural staircase monument about 45 meters high. It consists of a complex network of stairs and platforms that visitors can climb and explore. It is made of steel with a copper coating.

The so-called “Shiny Bean” is a shiny bean-shaped sculpture, the work of artist Anish Kapoor. Located in the Tribeca neighborhood, it is made of stainless steel with a highly polished surface, so that it acts almost like a mirror that reflects the sky, buildings and people around it, creating constantly distorted and fluid images of the city. It is considered a more “condensed” version of the famous Cloud Gate in Chicago, by the same artist.

One of the most enjoyable walks was the one on the High Line, an old elevated railway network that was converted into a park. Walking among plants, artworks and viewpoints, you see New York from a different perspective. At the end of the route is Chelsea Market, a place full of small shops and food options from all over the world. Even if you don’t plan to eat, it’s worth stopping by for the atmosphere. A little further on, Hudson Yards presents a completely different image of the city, with modern buildings, luxury stores and impressive architecture.

Fifth Avenue is exactly what you’d expect, full of luxury, famous fashion houses and constant traffic. From there, Rockefeller Center is a landmark, while visiting the New York Stock Exchange area gives me the feeling that you’re in the financial center of the world.

A few minutes further south is a famous bronze sculpture, the Charging Bull.

It is one of the most photographed spots in New York. The sculpture symbolizes the power and “aggressive” rise of the economy.

It is not large in size, but the people around it are constantly dense, waiting for a photo next to it or in front of it.

A special one was a dinner with a view of the illuminated Empire State Building, one of the most emblematic buildings of the city dominating the night skyline. The restaurant even had very reasonable prices for the city’s standards

Another special experience was the Sunday gospel service in Harlem. It is not a theatrical performance (although the space resembles a theater), but a Christian service, where visitors discreetly become part of a religious community. The music, the participation of the people and the atmosphere were something very different from the classic attractions of the city.

Finally, we dedicated a day to visiting New Jersey and the big malls, traveling by bus from Manhattan. The process was not easy at all, the lines for the buses were long and the waiting area was unsuitable for an infant.

The large outlets offer significantly better prices than in New York, which explains why they are visited daily by both tourists and residents. Personally, I am not a fan of shopping and I did not find anything that I do not have in my country.

Η καρδιά της πόλης είναι το Las Vegas Strip, μια λεωφόρος όπου βρίσκονται τα πιο διάσημα καζίνο και ξενοδοχεία του κόσμου. Το καθένα από αυτά είναι μια μικρογραφία φανταστικών πόλεων και θεμάτων. Το Bellagio με τα περίφημα σιντριβάνια, το Caesars Palace που παραπέμπει στην αρχαία Ρώμη, το MGM Grand με την τεράστια κλίμακα και την αίσθηση ενός ολόκληρου συγκροτήματος ψυχαγωγίας, και το Wynn Las Vegas που εκπροσωπεί μια πιο σύγχρονη και πολυτελή εκδοχή του τζόγου και της φιλοξενίας. το Luxor Hotel & Casino είναι χτισμένο σε μορφή τεράστιας μαύρης πυραμίδας, εμπνευσμένης από την αρχαία Αίγυπτο. Από τη στιγμή που μπαίνεις μέσα, δεν βρίσκεσαι απλώς σε ξενοδοχείο, αλλά σε μια σκηνογραφημένη “Αίγυπτο”, με εσωτερικούς χώρους που προσπαθούν να θυμίσουν ναούς, αγάλματα και μυστικιστική ατμόσφαιρα, ενώ το ίδιο το κτίριο εκπέμπει ένα έντονο φως από την κορυφή του τη νύχτα.

Λίγο πιο πέρα, το Excalibur Hotel & Casino μεταφέρει την εμπειρία σε έναν μεσαιωνικό κόσμο τύπου κάστρου. Με πύργους, επάλξεις και πολύχρωμη “παραμυθένια” αισθητική, προσπαθεί να θυμίσει κάτι ανάμεσα σε κάστρο και φανταστική μεσαιωνική πόλη. Το θέμα εδώ δεν είναι η ιστορική ακρίβεια, αλλά η αίσθηση ότι μπαίνεις σε ένα παιχνίδι ή σε ένα παραμύθι, κάτι που ταιριάζει απόλυτα στη λογική του Vegas.

Άλλα ξενοδοχεία συνεχίζουν αυτή τη λογική σε ακόμα πιο ακραίο επίπεδο. Το Paris Las Vegas έχει έναν Πύργο του Άιφελ μικρότερης κλίμακας και αναπαράσταση του Παρισιού, ενώ το The Venetian Resort Las Vegas αναπαράγει τη Βενετία με κανάλια και γόνδολες. Μέσα σε λίγα λεπτά μπορείς να “ταξιδέψεις” σε μια kitsch εκδοχή, από την Αίγυπτο στη Γαλλία και μετά στην Ιταλία.

Μέσα σε αυτά τα καζίνο, τα φώτα  δεν σβήνουν ποτέ, ήχοι από κουλοχέρηδες δημιουργούν ένα  ρυθμικό υπόβαθρο, τεράστιες αίθουσες χωρίς ρολόγια και χωρίς παράθυρα, ώστε να χάνεται η αίσθηση του χρόνου. Το καζίνο στο Λας Βέγκας είναι μια σκηνοθετημένη πραγματικότητα όπου όλα έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να σε κρατούν μέσα όσο το δυνατόν περισσότερο.

Πέρα από τα καζίνο, η πόλη έχει εξελιχθεί σε ένα παγκόσμιο κέντρο ψυχαγωγίας με shows, συναυλίες και immersive εμπειρίες. Σε αυτή τη νέα εποχή ανήκει και το Sphere Las Vegas, που ανεβάζει την έννοια της παράστασης σε άλλο επίπεδο, μετατρέποντας την εικόνα και τον ήχο σε περιβάλλον που σε περικλείει ολοκληρωτικά. Πρόκειται για μια από τις πιο σύγχρονες αρχιτεκτονικές κατασκευές στον κόσμο, ένας τεράστιος φωτεινός θόλος που αλλάζει πρόσωπο ανάλογα με το περιεχόμενο που προβάλλεται. Η επίσκεψή μας εκεί για την προβολή του Wizard of Oz έδωσε μια σχεδόν σουρεαλιστική διάσταση στην εμπειρία, καθώς η κλασική ταινία μετατράπηκε σε ένα καθηλωτικό οπτικοακουστικό θέαμα που δεν περιοριζόταν σε οθόνη, αλλά σε ολόκληρο τον χώρο γύρω σου. Η αίσθηση ήταν ότι δεν παρακολουθείς απλώς την ιστορία, αλλά ότι βρίσκεσαι μέσα της, σε ένα περιβάλλον όπου η τεχνολογία και η κινηματογραφική φαντασία συγχωνεύονται πλήρως. Η μικρή Α δε μας συνόδευσε στην παράσταση, την αφήσαμε στα χέρια κουβερνάντας που βρήκαμε από έμπιστη πλατφόρμα.

Το Βέγκας είναι μια πόλη αμφιβόλου αισθητικής, όμως προσωπικά μου άρεσε και με εντυπωσίασε, κυρίως γιατί έχει ζωή όλο το 24ωρο και πλήθη νέων ανθρώπων διασκεδάζουν με τις αμέτρητες επιλογές παραστάσεων.

We took the northern route from Las Vegas to Page, which goes several miles through the state of Utah before ending up in Arizona. In the western United States it is very common to cross different states and even change time zones in a single day’s drive. Leaving Nevada we crossed into the Utah area, where the clocks are one hour ahead, and a little later, entering Arizona, things get even more confusing. Arizona, with the exception of most of the Navajo Nation, does not observe daylight saving time, so depending on the time of year and route, the clocks change again. As the traveler does not know when he is in Navajo territory confusion can easily arise.

Just before reaching Page, we made a stop at Glen Canyon Dam, one of the largest dams in the United States. It was built in the 1960s on the Colorado River and created Lake Powell, one of the largest artificial lakes in the country. The dam is approximately 216 meters high and, in addition to producing hydroelectric power, plays an important role in managing the waters of the Colorado River for several states in the American West. The view from the Glen Canyon Bridge, just past the dam, is spectacular, revealing the deep Colorado Canyon and the crimson rocks that characterize the area.

After about four to five hours of driving, including the necessary stops and a meal at a classic American diner, we arrive in Page, a small town but in a key location for exploring the natural attractions of the area. We spend the night in a typical American motel, without many amenities but clean and comfortable, ideal for travelers on a road trip. In the evening we choose a Tex-Mex restaurant, tasting typical flavors of the American Southwest, such as tacos, burritos and fajitas, before setting off the next day for Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is divided into different sections, but the most visited are mainly three:

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous and photographed. The route is flat and easy, without stairs, which is why it is preferred by most organized tours. It is also the point where, at certain times of the year, the famous vertical beams of light appear

Lower Antelope Canyon contains a more demanding route, with metal stairs, narrow passages and constant changes in altitude, but many photographers consider it equally or even more impressive due to the intense wavy rock formations.

Antelope Canyon X is less known and receives significantly fewer visitors. It offers similar geological features, perhaps less impressive but a more peaceful experience.

I decided to visit Lower Antelope Canyon and had made sure to book tickets a few weeks in advance, as the traffic is very high and the available seats sell out quickly. I found tickets for the afternoon, hoping that the sun’s rays would penetrate deep enough into the canyon to highlight the characteristic orange and red colors of the rocks.

Lower Antelope Canyon is less popular than Upper Antelope Canyon, but it has a significant advantage for families, as it allows infants, which is not the case for Upper. However, the visit requires a good level of fitness, as strollers are not allowed and the route, which lasts about an hour, includes several steep metal stairs, narrow passages and places where visitors scrape through the rocks.

I admit that before the visit I was quite anxious about how we would manage with little A. In the end, wearing her in a baby carrier, the experience turned out to be much more comfortable than I expected. The stairs and narrow passages did not pose any particular problem and the little one remained calm throughout the entire journey. The only small… adventure was that from time to time a few pebbles fell from above, resulting in them landing on our heads, without of course creating any real danger.

The tour is conducted exclusively by members of the Navajo Nation, as the canyon is located within their land. The guides are not limited to just accompanying the visitors, but share information about the geology, history and culture of the Navajo, while also indicating the best spots for photography, showing how the rock formations can resemble faces, animals or other shapes.

Horseshoe Bend

Λίγο πιο πέρα βρίσκεται το Horseshoe Bend, ένα από τα πιο χαρακτηριστικά σημεία του Grand Canyon και του ποταμού Colorado, όπου το νερό σχηματίζει ένα τέλιο πέταλο γύρω από έναν τεράστιο βραχώδη σχηματισμό. Η εικόνα από το χείλος του γκρεμού είναι εντυπωσιακή όχι μόνο λόγω του τοπίου, αλλά και λόγω της αίσθησης κλίμακας, με το βάθος του φαραγγιού σε κάνει να αντιλαμβάνεσαι πόσο τεράστιες είναι οι φυσικές δυνάμεις που διαμόρφωσαν την περιοχή. Η προεσέγγιση απαιτεί πεζοπορία 20′ περίπου, σε μονοπάτι με χαλίκια σχετικά βατό για το παιδικό καρότσι.

Χωρίς συγκακριμένο πλάνο δοανυκτέρευσης και με το 4 μηνών βρέφος μαζί μας, έχουμε αποφασίσει να εξερευνήσουμε την έρημο της Arizona, μέχρι το σημείο που επιτρέπουν οι αντοχές οι δικές μας και του παιδιού. Η διαδρομή προς το Monument Valley εξελίσσεται μέσα από ένα τοπίο που γίνεται σταδιακά όλο και πιο άδειο και επιβλητικό, με τον δρόμο να απλώνεται ανάμεσα σε τεράστιες εκτάσεις ερήμου και τον ορίζοντα να ανοίγει ανεμπόδιστος. 

Στη διαδρομή κάνουμε στάση στην Kayenta, μια πολύ μικρή πόλη με ξύλινα μακρόστενα σπίτια που λειτουργεί ως βασικός κόμβος της περιοχής και βρίσκεται μέσα στη γη του Έθνους των Navajo. Εκεί προετοιμάζεται μια τοπική γιορτή των Navajo, την οποία θα παρακολουθήσουμε επιστρέφοντας και η οποία θα δώσει μια ανθρώπινη διάσταση στο ταξίδι, πέρα από τα φυσικά τοπία. Η εκδήλωση έχει πολιτισμικό χαρακτήρα, και η Κωνσταντίνα θα συμμετέχει σε παιχνίδι με μουσικές καρέκλες και θα το κερδίσει!

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is perhaps the most “cinematic” landscape in America, with its characteristic red rock formations rising in the desert like natural towers. It is no coincidence that it has been used in countless films, since the image looks like an artificial setting, even though it is completely natural. The area is located in Navajo land and after the viewing point and paying the ticket, one can enter the area of ​​the “towers” ​​via a dirt road. On this route we tested the baby’s endurance, but also our own and the vehicle’s luck, as mud puddles had formed at some points on the road. We decide not to continue east, since there are no nearby overnight stops. However, the route back is also quite time-consuming with the various stops. The ambitious plan to reach Flagstaff is considered unfeasible. Fortunately, we look for accommodation before leaving the city of Tuba and while the baby has exceeded his limits and is crying with sobs. We only find one hotel and the room rate is quite high. Luckily for us, the employee leaves her post and goes out to catch us before we leave and shows us a nearby motel. It is the worst accommodation of the trip, but it is satisfactory for a few hours of rest for the three of us.

Route 66

Leaving Tuba City, the southern road to Las Vegas passes through extensive areas of coniferous forests, creating a completely different image from the red, arid desert landscapes that dominated the previous days. The feeling is that the landscape “softens” as the desert gradually gives way to greener and quieter areas of northern Arizona.

I am looking for the route of Route 66, knowing that this historic road crosses the state, but in practice much of it has now been replaced by modern highways. So we decide to leave the main route for a while and follow a side road, aiming to discover an authentic part of the legendary and much-sung route.

This choice actually leads us to a section of this road that has survived intact and we accidentally discover the small town of Seligman, one of the most characteristic places that have preserved the spirit of the old Route 66. There we find traditional small souvenir shops, neon signs and restaurants that recall the time when this road was the main axis of travel in America. We stop for lunch at one of the local diners, enjoying a hearty meal in an environment that seems to have remained almost untouched by time, keeping alive the image of the classic American road trip culture. The patrons, with cowboy hats and long beards, look like protagonists of a movie.

Hoover Dam

Before returning to Las Vegas, we stop at the famous Hoover Dam, one of the most impressive engineering works in the United States and one of the most impressive examples of engineering of the 20th century. It was built in the 1930s under extremely difficult conditions and is still a key hub for the water supply and electricity supply to much of the American Southwest. Shortly before the parking lot at Hoover Dam, all vehicles go through a standard security check, where a brief inspection is made by the authorities. At that moment, the baby was restless and Konstantina had taken him in her arms to calm him down, having temporarily removed him from the baby seat. The situation caused a momentary tension at the check and we were asked to move to the side for further clarification. We reacted immediately, explaining the situation and quickly restoring the normal flow of the process, so we continued without delay.

After a short journey, we reach the footbridge of the dam, which abuts the highway that we had crossed a moment ago. What is impressive is not only its size, but its location in the wild canyon of the Colorado River. Walking on the bridge, you realize the enormous importance of the project for the entire development of the region. Without it, cities like Las Vegas would not have been able to develop into the form they have today. It is a point where human technology and nature meet in an imposing way. It is a last image before we return to the urban world of Vegas.