Wander The Streets of York, a City Steeped in History

There's another long day ahead today, so better to set an alarm and check out by 9am. If you're feeling worse for wear after last night, worry not – there's filter coffee and pancakes with your name on it just five minutes away.

From Dakota to New York. At least, that's what it will feel like when you set foot in Moose Cafe, right across the street. The character and menu here pay tribute to the great American breakfast culture and the diners and delis of NYC. Try the 'Liberty Moose' – creamy scrambled eggs mixed with pesto, pine nuts and cured ham – or the 'Cabouse', homemade cheese pancakes, served with bacon and free range eggs. Got a sweet tooth? The buttermilk pancakes, french toast or maple syrup-dripping waffles should do the trick. Served with filter espresso coffee, of course.

And from a transplant of New York... to plain old York. Although 'plain' is an understatement, 'old' most definitely is not. Begin to understand why at the National Railway Museum, after parking in the designated car park.

Whether you take an interest in trains or not, this is one seriously impressive museum that you shouldn't miss when visiting York. The National Railway Museum celebrates the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. It's free to enter, and you can't help but stand in awe at some of the old locomotives on show – many of them examples of engineering feats of their time, from the world’s fastest steam locomotive, Mallard, to super-speed inventions like the Japanese Bullet Train, and even Queen Victoria’s ‘palace on wheels’.
You must book your entry slot in advance on the official website.

That's enough trains for one day. Now back to the car.

Drive from the National Railway Museum to Monk Bar Car Park on the other side of the City Walls. You'll need to pay and display your ticket before you leave your car. When you do, walk across to the main road and take the right turn down Goodramgate.

Your walk along Goodramgate will lead you to Goji Vegetarian Cafe & Deli – one of York's most popular brunch and lunch spots. If you're a meat eater, think of this place as a countermeasure to the Yorkshire Wrap you ate yesterday. And once you take a look at the food coming out of the kitchen, any doubts you had will vanish in an instant. How about a mushroom and halloumi cheese burger topped with almond pesto? Or a large tofu hotdog buried beneath great dollops of ketchup, gherkins, onions and wholegrain mustard? Butternut and cashew toasted rarebit, perhaps? Or a Middle Eastern sharing platter? The list goes on. And we haven't even got to the cakes yet.

Cathedrals are hardly what you'd call 'rare' in England, but ones as old and spectacular as York Minster are few in number. Just looking up at the incredible interior is worth what you'll pay to get inside; however it's the stories you'll hear and read about that really make this a worthwhile visit. From the Roman Emperor who changed the course of Christianity, to the fires which threatened to destroy the cathedral, to the UK's largest collection of medieval stained glass windows which had to be carefully removed not once, but twice, to protect them from possible damage sustained during both world wars. And below the Minster there are even older stories, dating back 2,000 years to the Roman era.
You'll need at least an hour and a half to explore the site, especially if you want to climb the tower. Book your tickets here.

Make your way on foot to Shambles, a narrow street of mostly timber buildings, some dating back to the 13th century, which house a mix of independent shops and cafes. Don't be put off by the crowds; this is the beating heart of York's shopping culture, and you're bound to find a gift or two that will make the perfect souvenir. Wander into sweet shops, jewellery stores and 'The Shop That Must Not Be Named' – a real treat for Harry Potter fanatics and lovers of anything wizard- and witch-related.

You've got time for one more attraction before hitting the road, and if you're a chocoholic then the best really has been saved for last. York's Chocolate Story takes visitors on a journey through 4,000 years of chocolate-making history. Trace the journey of cocoa beans from Central American rainforests to shop windows in Yorkshire. Unwrap the secrets behind York-born chocolate brands such as Terry's and Rowntree's. Watch skilled chocolatiers in action. And, best of all, learn how to taste freshly made chocolates like an expert.
Book your slot well in advance on the official website. Note, entry after 4pm is only possible on Saturdays and Sundays.

Walk (or possibly roll) back to the car park to mark an end to your two-day itinerary in two of Yorkshire's most historic and culturally rich cities.