15 things you may not know about New York City

 New York is a fascinating city but how much do you really know about it? Gray Line has put together, in question and answer form, some facts that may surprise you. Here goes. 
1. Only one of the five  boroughs that make up New York City is attached to the mainland of the United States. Which one? (answer: The Bronx)
2.  If all the New York Subway system tracks were laid out end to end they would stretch for how many miles? (722)
3. The geographical area of the Bronx is comparable to what major European city? (Paris)
4. The longest running musical in Broadway Theater history is? (Phantom of the Opera)
5.  How many times have the New York Yankees won the World Series? (27 -- Everyone from Boston can now say, "Booooo!")
6.  How long did the Empire State Building hold the title "World's Tallest Building"? (42 years)

 

The World's tallest building -- from 1931-1973

7. From the lower level to the top floor, how many stories are there in the Empire State Building? (102)
8. From the lobby to the 86th floor observation deck there are how
any stairs? (1550) 
9.  The world's largest Gothic Cathedral is located in New York City. What is it called? (Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
10.  What is the largest auditorium in New York City? (ans Radio City
Musical Hall) 
11.  Six U.S. presidents were from New York state. But who was the only one from New York City? (Theodore Roosevelt)
12. From south to north, the three toll-free bridges spanning the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn spell out a luxury car brand. What are they? (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg -- BMW)
13. What is the most frequently visited museum in New York City? (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
14. The oldest house of worship on the island of Manhattan is?  (St. Paul's Chapel)
15. What is the name of the largest park in all of New York City? (Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx -- 2,700 acres)

Trivial question
If you haven't had enough trivia after that New York entry, here's another question. Which countries/states border Italy? (Hint: There are six.)

Spring deals at Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge

As the ski season ends and the weather finally begins to warm up, Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vt., entices guests with  marble soaking tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, dual mountain views, a spa, heated indoor access outdoor pool and  farm-to-table restaurants. Another enticement is lowered prices, with these deals among those being offered. They are: Spring Stowecation, with 20% off a 2 night stay and 30% off stays of three nights or more. Rates start at $160/night and are good through June 30. Dinner & Theater Package, with discounted accommodations, prix-fixe dinner for two and two show tickets. Email stowereservations@destinationhotels.com or call 802-760-4755. Spa & Stay Package, for two nights with two 50-minute massages and discounted accommodations.  Rates start at $299 a night and are good from April 1-June 1.  Use booking code SPASTAY.  For more packages, click here or call 888-652-0658.

Worth quoting

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -- Henry Miller

Win a trip to London during the Royal Wedding

Today through March 31,Travelocity and Virgin Atlantic Airways are offering a chance to win a regal London  getaway for two, including round-trip flights from one of the Virgin Atlantic US gateways to London, in its Upper Class cabin, plus a four-night hotel stay at The Kensington Hotel. Travel dates are April 27 – May 2, giving you a chance to capture the excitement of the wedding of Will and Kate. (Don't expect the prize to include an invite, though.) To enter, log onto http://tvly.com/royalwedding.  

Fascinating fact

New Zealand lays claim to being the first country to give women the vote in modern times. The date was Sept. 19, 1893.

Arctic wonders await Hurtiguten cruisegoers  

Polar bears and Svalbard reindeer roaming icy tundra, the Moffen Island’s walrus colony, and Hornsund Fjord, with its vertical cliffs and glaciers, are among the rare Arctic wonders travelers can experience on  Hurtigruten’s nine-day “Kingdom of the Polar Bear”  cruise. The MV Polar Star, specifically designed to explore areas inaccessible to most other ships, travels round trip from Longyearbyen to the farthest corners of Spitsbergen and explores a  landscape of Arctic tundra,  fjords, national parks and scenic islands. Prices for the voyage, which has 11 departures between June 9 and Aug. 18, range from $6,419 to $10,080 per person, double. Visit www.hurtigruten.us; or call 877-301-3117.

Search Amazon.com for Arctic travel

Trivial answer

Italy is bordered by Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland and Vatican City. (Tough one, eh?)