January in the US can only mean one thing - Bargains Galore! With post-Christmas sales just around the corner and exchange rates still favouring Europeans, there's no better time to make a break for Boston, take a bite out of the Big Apple or check out the razzle-dazzle of Chicago.
Probably the world's top shopping destination - New York is a city that needs no introduction. Forget Christmas box sets of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl and live the Manhattan dream for real, on a cut-price budget albeit!
They say nobody pays retail in New York and with Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Soho and China Town all vying for your attention, it's definitely a case of so many sales...so little time. Remember to take along an empty suitcase to fill up on all those bargains - you're going to need it!
New York
Get your skates on (ice-skates, that is) and make your debut at the Rockefeller Ice Rink. Ice-skating at the Rockefeller is a must-do New York winter experience, but can get crowded over the busy Christmas period. You'll find fewer skaters on the ice early in the morning and on weekdays before 4pm.
Coming in at a close second to New York is the stellar shopping experience offered by the city of Boston. Look out for the trendy/kooky shops of Faneuil Hall Market Place. Beantown has an equally impressive range of shops and boutiques. Copley Place is a good spot for finding designer goods on sale. Meanwhile, greatly reduced antique treasures are yours for the taking on Beacon Hill's Charles Street.
Boston
Wrap up warm and discover Boston's Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile walking tour begins at Boston Common and winds its way around the city's most important historical sites. Historians dressed in traditional colonial uniforms are on hand to educate you about famous sites such as Paul Revere House, the statue of Benjamin Franklin and the location of the Boston Massacre.
