The World Trade Center in New York is no more. The twin towers were destroyed by terrorists o Tuesday 11th September 2001, with enormous loss of life. The following thoughts from Essential Big Apple's Michael Watkins...

"Millions of words have already been written about the most important aspects of this tragedy: the loss of thousands of innocent people, the incalculable suffering of loved ones and friends and the political and financial effects.

But on that day, the world was also deprived of one of the world's great tourist experiences.

From the ground looking up, from the top looking down and across, from the air, from the water, from any angle the World Trade Centre was the magnet that tourist's eyes were constantly drawn to.

The stunned reaction of tourists seeing the Twin Towers for the first time, was almost as entertaining as the structures themselves. One couple we spoke to on Liberty Island said they had taken the short trip across the water, primarily not to get close to the Statue of Liberty, but simply to look back at the Twin Towers.

Others, who said they were usually not at all keen on heights, said they found the prospect of a ride to the 107th floor actually exciting, not frightening, as if suddenly inspired the prospect of what could be seen from the top, they began trying to conquer their phobia there and then. Well, there's inspiration for you!

New York still has a beautiful and dramatic skyline (the Empire State, Woolworth, Chrysler and other buildings ensure that), but the city has lost two superlative beacons. But they are forever part of New York's history and, we are sure, etched on the minds of those tourists stunned by the sight of the two towers before September 11th and by their dreadful destruction."