Luckily for me, and visitors this year, the Big Apple's thriving hospitality, entertainment and culinary institutions have come together to make one big new year's resolution - to welcome people to New York City and to remind them just how fantastic it is.

The New York City Freedom Package (in effect until the end of March 2002) is included in the Red, White and Blue promotion founded on a simple premise, "Come to New York and Paint the Town Red, White and Blue." The three-level packages range from budget (Red) to luxury (White) to absolute indulgence (Blue) over four nights and five days.

The "Blue" four-night alternative starts at US$582 and visitors can take advantage of some of the most famous hotels on the island. The Essex House, RIGHA Royal, The Regency, The Ritz Carlton Battery Park and the Waldorf=Astoria are among the

The Red, White and Blue promotion provides visitors with the New York Freedom Pass, a discount booklet to many of the popular tourist attractions in New York including museums and galleries.

Once you're in the "Big Apple" the excitement begins. Head straight for the top of the Empire State Building for the view of a life time, descend back to street level and head east to Fifth Avenue and over to the Museum of Modern Art. A favorite of mine was the entire room dedicated to Monet's Water Lilly

From the museum, walk one street east to Madison Avenue and comb the street with the fine eye of the most experienced shopper…if you can afford it! Check out Barney's for celebrities as well as at all the other famous shops on Madison. Retire for the evening and try Sparks Steak House for a steak you will never forget. Enjoy a "power breakfast" as New Yorkers call it at The Regency the next morning - famous for whom it attracts during their morning and lunch meals!

Enjoy the rest of the morning in Central Park and then after lunch, take a walking tour of SoHo to experience its intimate shops and cafes. After dinner head for Broadway and the production of your choice courtesy of the Red, White and Blue promotion. Start the next morning exploring midtown Manhattan - Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and then walk down Park Avenue to Grand Central Station, a beautiful architectural landmark. Take the easy to use (and clean) subway to Wall Street, and visit the economic center of the world including the New York Stock Exchange. A short distance from Wall Street is the ruins of the World Trade Towers. If you want to visit Ground Zero, a walk along Broadway will lead to a shrine-like display of messages, notes, pictures and flags.

Head back for dinner and try the Bluenote, a New York jazz institution, revered by Jazz enthusiasts that plays host to the finest names in Jazz music. The last day is for you, so take to the streets and discover New York by foot and don't forget to wear comfortable shoes!

The Red, White and Blue promotion and others like it were devised for the sole purpose of reminding visitors how much fun New York is. Since September we have all felt like New Yorkers and according to former Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, the Freedom Package is New York's way of, "thanking you for your thoughts and generosity." So come to New York and rediscover her sights and sounds as I did.

Stroll through Central Park stopping at the Alice in Wonderland sculpture and smile. Cruise Madison Avenue in search of celebrities and couture second to none. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the new Times Square and gawk at the lights of Broadway at night. Gaze from the top of the Empire State Building at the skyline of downtown and midtown Manhattan. Visitors can also take free guided walking tours given by Masters students at local universities, ride the Staten Island ferry for spectacular views of downtown Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty or simply enjoy the energy of the city for what it really is…magic!