Genesse River

Day 1

NEW YORK

Arrive in New York City, America’s premier city and greatest attraction. After settling into your hotel, head out into the streets and join in on the action. An afternoon tour could begin with a visit to Times Square, followed by a stroll past Broadway’s theaters, some people-watching in Central Park, and a return along 5th Avenue’s skyscrapers and storefronts. Still a little tired after your long journey? Check with your hotel concierge for last-minute tickets on a sunset harbor cruise, join a hop-on/hop-off bus tour, or simply settle into a drink and watch the city lights come up at one of New York’s rooftop bars & restaurants.

Day 2

NEW YORK

A full day to explore New York and everything it has to offer. New York’s story begins in downtown Manhattan, originally the colonial Dutch city of New Amsterdam. Follow the immigrant story at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then take a moment at Ground Zero to reflect on our own changing times. Continue north past SoHo’s stylish shops to Greenwich Village’s genteel streets, or wander through Chinatown’s kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells on your way to Little Italy and the Lower East Side

Day 3

NEW YORK » FINGER LAKES » CANANDAIGUA (305 mi / 485 km)

The Native American Iroquois believed the 11 long and slender Finger Lakes of Central NY were the handprint of the Great Spirit, left behind when he blessed the land. Today, the Finger Lakes is a picturesque region of rolling hills and country roads, quaint villages and world-class wineries, bucolic dairy farms and bountiful apple orchards. Depart this morning to reach Seneca Lake in the early afternoon, where you can hike a 2 km winding gorge and admire a series of 19 waterfalls, one of which you can even walk behind. Continue on to Hammondsport for a treat at an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor on the town square, then enjoy the view and a glass of wine at one of the wineries overlooking Keuka Lake. Finally, while taking in the panoramic views high above Canandaigua Lake, you’ll understand why the Iroquois named it Kanandarque, the Chosen Spot.

Day 4

CANANDAIGUA » GANONDAGAN » NIAGARA FALLS (105 mi / 165 km)

Depart this morning for the short drive to Niagara Falls. Along the way, make a stop at Ganondagan State Historic Site, once an important Seneca Indian village, to learn the history and culture of the Senecas and their Iroquois brethren. Then, arrive in Niagara Falls by mid-day. A scenic natural wonder, Niagara Falls’ magnificent cascade attracts visitors the world over to watch the water of four Great Lakes – at a rate of 3 million liters per second – drop 60 meters on its way to Lake Ontario

Day 5

NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Falls can easily be explored on foot – you can walk across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada – and it is especially impressive on a Maid of the Mist boat tour, where at the foot of Horseshoe Falls a spectacular 180° curtain of water surrounds you. In the evening, enjoy dinner from high above the Falls at Skylon Tower, where on a clear day you can see Toronto (40 mi / 65 km away), then enjoy the sunset and the colorful nighttime illumination of the Falls (Dinner / Tower Admission not included). After dinner, try your luck at one of Niagara Falls casinos

Day 6

NIAGARA FALLS » GENESEE COUNTRY VILLAGE » LETCHWORTH STATE PARK » CORNING (175 mi / 280 km)

This morning, make a stop at Genesee Country Village, a collection of 57 original historic homes and buildings brought together to recreate a typical 19th-century New York State village. Guides in period costume are happy to demonstrate how people once lived, worked and played in the young American republic. Continue south to Letchworth State Park, also known as a “Grand Canyon of the East”, where three major waterfalls cut a 200 m path deep into the Genesee River Gorge. End the day in Corning, a picturesque town famous for the world’s premier glass museum, and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and numerous pubs along Market Street, a particularly enjoyable Main Street USA

Day 7	CORNING » NEW YORK (285 mi / 455 km)
This morning, you can return directly to New York City, or stop along the way for some memorable hiking among the area’s romantic waterfalls and river gorges (hikes are easy to moderate). Visit Ithaca, home of Cornell University, for a lakeside picnic at the foot of Cayuga Lake. Once back in New York City, enjoy a last night ‘out on the town’ before your return trip home.

Day 8	NEW YORK
A final day to enjoy the Big Apple. Take the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping for your friends and family back home, or revisit a favorite neighborhood to enjoy a relaxing morning before your flight departs