Obviously, there is nowhere else like New York City. Attempting a summation of its wonders is no easy exercise. It’s too much and too big; a surfeit of everything wonderful. Getting a handle on it in one quick visit is daunting to say the least.

For a novice visitor trying to make sense of this gigantic metropolis, a gentle introduction is recommended. Five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, comprise greater New York City. It’s one of the most complex cities on the globe. Surprisingly, most New Yorkers agree that Manhattan is the city’s focus and fortunately for the visitor, Manhattan is relatively easy to explore. The subway and bus system covers the island from top to bottom. Taxis are abundant. Best of all, it’s a pedestrian’s paradise. For shoppers, diners and thrill seekers, it’s simply Paradise on Earth.

New York’s Fashion Shows take place yearly in September (Spring fashion) and February (Autumn fashion). This is when the world’s top designers are in town on buying and selling sprees. Securing catwalk parade access to the shows is nearly impossible unless you’re a fashion magazine editor or a celebrity but all of the city’s major department stores and boutiques participate in the extravaganzas as they laud their own favoured designers. Promotions are free by the way. Visit Bonwit-Teller, Nieman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel department stores for ideas and a plan of attack for your shopping assault. You may pick up a bargain. Doubtless you’ll certainly be enthused by the abundance of goods on offer.

For an insider’s look at the latest styles, head straight to the top end stores as they prepare to display the latest outfits right off the catwalks. Mid-town Madison Avenue is a good place to begin. Barney’s, (660 Madison Ave.) has the best of men’s and women’s fashions. Its downstairs fragrance floor is a revelation. Head directly to Frederic Malle’s counter for its amazing bespoke perfumes to sample the latest in scents-sations. Bergdorf-Goodman Men’s (745 5th Ave nr. 58th) has the latest men’s fashions from the shows as well the best array of American and European designers. The international boutiques: Chanel, Dior, Armani, Vuitton, Versace, Bulgari, Burberry, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany, etc. all line Madison, Lexington and 5th Avenues in Mid-town. Most are open Sunday afternoons. Seven-days-per-week shopping is a reality in the city that doesn’t sleep to get an idea of the latest looks in preparation for more involved shopping at the countless boutiques spread throughout town.

Fashionistas hunting down the latest trends in women’s clothes are recommended to check out these Greenwich Village/Nolita locations: Opening Ceremony (35 Howard St) and Kirna Zabete (96 Greene St). To add quality lustre to the latest in fashion, Tokio7 has one of the city’s best vintage collections at 74 E. 7th St. More of what’s new in vintage selection, Zachary’s Smile (9 Greenwich St.) is a top-notch destination. Trendy neighbourhood Nolita’s, Lyell, for quality over quantity (173 Elizabeth St) and Mayle, for Paris influenced Boho designer outfits (242 Elizabeth St) are well worth the sideways trip from the Village. Otte, (121 Greenwich St) has the latest in designer outfits from weekend warrior to impression setting wedding guest. Dernier Cri (869 Washington St) has the newest of New York fashion in the up and coming Meat Packing district at the edge of the Village.

Men’s clothing at its superlative cutting edge best is awaiting discovery in the Village at: Marc Jacobs (403 Bleecker St), Odin (328 E. 11th), Paul Smith (121 Greene St) and John Varvatos (122 Spring St). In nearby Nolita, try: Seize Sur Vingt (243 Elizabeth St), Lord Willy’s (223 Mott St) and BBlessing (181 Orchard St) for more of what the leading-edged men on the planet are wearing.

For bargain hunters on the lookout for the latest sales, or when the credit cards have taken a beating and need a cooling off period: Macy’s (131 W. 34th St.), New York’s most famously grandiose department store near Madison Square Garden is an attraction in itself. The Cellar at Macy’s (Herald Square) has some of the city’s best kitchen supplies and the latest in appliances for the budding professional home cook. If a shopping break is needed, try Macy’s café for an inexpensive lunch amid the sales. Filene’s Basement has three Manhattan locations for the best prices in name brand shopping (2222 Broadway nr. 86th St uptown West Side, or at 620 Ave. of the Americas and 40 E. 14th St, both downtown).

The latest kids’ fashions are well catered at: Cantaloup Destination Denim (1359 Second Ave between. 71st and 72nd Sts.), J. Crew (Village location: 99 Prince St.) and Roam (488 Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th Sts. West Side). The actress Phoebe Cates owns a very successful store with the parenting in-crowd, Blue Tree, for difficult to please kids at 1283 Madison Ave between 91st and 92nd Sts. Well worth checking out for its Salvor Kiosk animal pillows and pinhole camera sets amongst other must-have kid’s accessories and clothing.

Food fanatics and gourmets will find a treasure trove in Manhattan. There is not a cuisine in the world that fails to be served on a plate somewhere in New York. Indigenous food proliferates uptown in Harlem, no longer the tourist no-go zone it used to be. Inexpensive Mexican joints abound in uptown South Harlem from the 90th to 110th Sts. The huge variety in Central and Latin American food is best located by wandering these streets. The cheaper retail shopping has its attractions too. Soul food at its American down-home best reaches its apogee in Harlem. Follow the crowds for Sunday brunch after a rousing Baptist church service to find authentic American southern cooking. Try Manna’s Soul Food at 2331 Eighth Ave. for an insight into heavenly American cooking.

Real espresso coffee continues however to be elusive in New York. Follow your nose and explore the Little Italy district near Greenwich Village for tiny coffee bars similar to those found in Milan or Rome. Cafes are so numerous that a listing is impossible but a good nose for a superlative Arabica grind will help. The Grand Italian Food Center is reliable if prosaically named (186 Grand St.). Baristas will happily pull whatever coffee feeds your fix if you use patience and charm. If Little Italy’s allure of fresh pasta, sugo Napoletana and the occasional Mafioso roughneck hanging about don’t weave their magic spells, move a few blocks to Chinatown and try the local hangouts. It’s a safe bet to follow the crowds. Expect as authentic an experience as what you may find in HongKong or Beijing. Ten Pell Chinese Restaurant’s typically huge menu is as good a place as any to begin (10 Pell St.). It’s famous for its fresh food and huge serves.

For a memorable gourmet must-be-seen-at New York dining experience, head directly to the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant at Grand Central Station (89 E. 42nd St.) for dining with atmosphere. The Docks Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill (2427 Broadway Upper West Side) is also a hot spot for the best celebrity spotting and super fresh seafood.

The latest in-spots for fashionable drinking and dining in New York are as changeable as the wind off the Hudson River. The elite needing to be seen are lately gathering at the Mandarin-Oriental hotel’s Upper Level bar overlooking Central Park at Columbus Circle near Lincoln Center. You’ll need to reserve a table for a drink here. Vintage Pol Roger champagne by the glass is the preferred tipple. Dress up in your latest designer couture frock or suit and you’ll fit right in. Alternatively, supper clubbing and a show at the Café Carlyle is still a New York experience par excellence. The best cabaret performers in the world continue to delight the intimate audiences at this revered room above the clouds gazing down at the Metropolitan Museum in Central Park. Reserve a table well in advance and yes, it does help to name drop.

New York’s top restaurants are many and diverse. Try Pera and its incredibly trendy modern Turkish cuisine at 303 Madison Ave. Pera has been open for only a few months and is already packed every night. For a typically elite New York lunch, Nice Matin at 201 W. 79th near Amsterdam Ave. is where shoppers retreat when they’ve had enough and need a Kir Royale and the best Croque Madame in town.

Finally, I am very happy eating at one of New York’s most consistent and interesting top-end restaurants: Picholine (35 West 64th St. near Lincoln Center). This French pilgrimage dining destination serves the best selection of cheeses in New York. Ask the house Maitre Fromager, choosing from a menu of over 100 to prepare a sampling of the world’s finest artisanal cheeses after your degustation dinner with accompanying wines. This is New York gourmandising at its stunning best. The service is sleek and infinitely knowledgeable, the room elegant and soothing. You may be seated next to a Hollywood star or a captain of industry. No matter, you’re in New York after all. It’s bound to happen. Enjoy it.