If you’re anything like me, the film “Notting Hill” surely left an everlasting impression since the first time you watched it. The iconic romantic comedy that came out in 1999, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, quickly became a sensation to all those who saw it. Taking place in Notting Hill, a vibrant neighborhood in West London, the film has left an indelible mark on the area, turning many of its picturesque streets and quaint shops into must-visit destinations for movie lovers like us. This walking tour will begin at The Ritz, the exact hotel where Julia Roberts’ character was staying in the film. We will then take a lovely stroll through the amazing Hyde Park to learn a bit about London’s history and the important landmarks within the grass, until we pop out the other side in Notting Hill! We will get to see all of the influential sites from the film, along with stories, and new interesting facts. It is so much fun to immerse yourself in your favorite movie, but Notting Hill is a special one indeed. From the iconic blue door to the eclectic markets that show in the opening scene, this tour will take you through the film step by step. I can’t wait to get going, I promise it will be “surreal but nice!”
Alexander Hamilton is one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. A member of the Continental Congress and primary author of the Federalist Papers, he tirelessly championed the Constitution, and served as the United States first Secretary of the Treasury. However, despite his enduring political legacy, his name has become rather obscure in the popular tellings of our American Revolution. Alexander Hamilton was hardly a household name before author and composer, Lin Manuel Miranda, gave his story a new voice through the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton! Whether you’re a long-time history nerd or were recently introduced to the American saga through Miranda’s captivating lyrical cadence, this tour is for you! Miranda certainly did his research to write a Tony and Pulitzer winning play, first gaining inspiration while reading Ron Chernow's 2004 biography about the now famous founder. The play is historical fiction, and Miranda took some notable artistic liberties, but the people, places and events are very real. The backdrop for most of the play, and a lot of the real Hamilton’s real life, was New York City, right here in lower Manhattan. This tour will trace the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton’s remarkable life, in a remarkable city, at a remarkable moment in history. To begin your walking tour of Hamilton's New York, meet me at The Battery. Enter Battery Park from State Street. You can follow our navigation system to the tour's origin, and throughout your guided audio tour. See you soon!