Discover one of America’s great canal systems on a leisurely cruise of the historic Erie Canal, experience a taste of Hollywood at the It’s A Wonderful Life Museum then go on a shopping spree at the Commons, where nothing is common! Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of Mother Nature at Taughannock Falls and enjoy a wine tasting at a Tuscan style winery. Experience the wine, stunning landscapes, and friendly folks of New York’s Finger Lakes.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Waterloo, NY
Our trip begins to Upstate New York and the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. Along the way we stop in Herkimer, NY for a narrated cruise along the calm waters of the Erie Canal. Travel through a 100 year old lock, where you are raised and lowered twenty feet. After, we continue our journey to Geneva, NY, named after Geneva, Switzerland. We will check into our hotel, the 41 Lakefront Hotel. Once settled, we get together for dinner overlooking Seneca Lake. (D)
Day 2 - Taughannock Falls
After a full breakfast buffet, it is off to explore. Our first stop this morning is at ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Museum, where you will find many personal items and collections from the movie on display. Locals always believed that Seneca Falls was the original inspiration for Bedford Falls. We will make our way into Ithaca, where we stop for lunch, on own, at Ithaca Commons. Located in the heart of downtown Ithaca, The Commons is a unique four block pedestrian area filled with boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries just to name a few. This afternoon we stop in Taughannock Falls, one of the outstanding natural attractions in the Northeast. We will stop for picture taking along the way, to see the water plunging 215 feet past rocky cliffs into the gorge below. As we start our return to our hotel, we stop at Ventosa Vineyards, located on 23 acres overlooking Seneca Lake, and enjoy a tasting and tour of this beautiful Tuscany style winery. Our last stop this evening is for dinner. The remainder of the evening is on our own. (B, D)
Day 3 - Albany, NY
After breakfast, we depart for the Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack to try our luck before departing the Finger Lakes region.