“On the rail with the Rockefellers, Coolidge, and von Trapps”
Ride back in time on one of New England’s scenic and historic railroads. After your 2- day stay in the Big Apple, join your group aboard Amtrak. Experience some of the traverse dense foliage and mountainous vistas from your Business Class seats, Observation Car, or Dining Car. There's a special sort of camaraderie traveling as by train. You' will meet like-minded people and experience new places together. Excursions are designed and led by local experts who will take you around the best sights, sharing local knowledge and making sure you get to see the best New York and Vermont has to offer. Don’t miss out on this exclusive scenic train adventure. You’ll experience the journey of a lifetime that you might not find on the highway!
DETAILS
DEPARTURE DATE:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
TOUR LENGTH:
7 Days / 6 Nights
DAY 1 - Sunday
Welcome to the city that never sleeps. You will be spending the next two nights at a glorious 4-star hotel, chosen for both the luxurious accommodations and the one block proximity to Times Square and Theatre District. After freshening up back at the hotel, enjoy a lavish family style dinner at Carmines, located steps from our hotel. The night is yours to explore.
DAY 2 - Monday
After your breakfast, you will meet your local guide for a walking tour. Your tour guide will be available the entire time to acclimate you to the city and offer suggestions for what to see. Whether you prefer the view from the Empire State Building, or the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, we’ll help you get there. For lunch, we thought we could not pass up the opportunity to introduce the grandeur of Grand Central Station. Lunch is on your own here. Sorry, you will not find a McDonalds or Starbucks here! After the walking tour, if you don't feel like a New Yorker quite yet, join your tour guide for a casual walk-through Rockefeller Center, a stroll through Time Square, and perhaps a refreshment at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Guided or on your own, you will have plenty of time after to find the perfect NYC eatery before heading over to your optional Broadway show.
DAY 3 - Tuesday
Pack up your bags, partner, because today you're off! This morning, now that you are a seasoned New Yorker, take the morning fora stroll to Bryant Park. You may also want to stop in at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to hear the impressive choir and pipe organ. This afternoon, it is time to say farewell to the Big Apple as we board our private train car...destination: Vermont!
White River Junction, located on the Vermont-New Hampshire border, is a bustling downtown rich with history and culture. Stay at one of last 2 remaining authentic railroad hotels and learn of the rich history from Hotel Coolidge’s name sake, to The Center for Cartoon Studies. The Inky Solomon Center in the 1940 Post Office building is home to the Schultz Library gifted by Charles Schultz’s family.
DAY 4 - Wednesday
Considered by many to be one of New England’s most beautiful villages, Woodstock, Vermont has remained virtually unchanged since the 18th and 19th-centuries. Join your Notch Above guide to see opulent homes built by professionals, scholars and craftsmen around the Village Green and along broad streets. The stately Woodstock Inn has presided over the Green since 1793. The Dana House, built in 1807, is home to the Woodstock Historical Society and its collections are displayed in theme and period rooms.
The Billings Farm and Museum showcases Vermont’s rural heritage. The working farm is one of the finest Jersey dairy farms in America, has been a Woodstock landmark since 1871 and offers displays in the 1890 farm house and 19th-century barns. The Marsh-Billings National Historical Park is the former home and estate of Laurance Rockefeller. It is the first National Park to focus on the theme of conservation of history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. Visit the 1885 Queen Anne style mansion, 1895 carriage barn and extensive gardens and beautifully landscaped grounds.
DAY 5 - Thursday
Burlington is located on the shores of Lake Champlain, nestled between the peaks of New York's Adirondacks and the gentle Green Mountains of Vermont. It has a rich and colorful history and offers vital cultural, intellectual, commercial and recreational opportunities for people of all ages. As the largest city in Vermont (40,000 people), Burlington offers the sophistication and conveniences of a larger metropolitan area and the comfort and feel of a small town.
DAY 6 - Friday
From mountain to Main Street, Stowe’s luscious landscape comes alive with vibrant sunsets and endless Green Mountain views. Only in Stowe—recently named one of 11 Best Small Towns in America by Travel + Leisure—you’ll find balance with scenic views, outdoor activities like hiking, and small-town charm. Spend the morning at the Trapp Family Lodge and enjoy what Maria von Trapp called, “A little of Austria... a lot of Vermont”
DAY 7 - Saturday
Depart from Burlington to the New York City Airport via Amtrak, depart from the Burlington Airport, or extend your stay!
Your package includes:
-
Round-trip from New York City
-
4-Star Lodging near Central Park, Woodstock and Burlington, Vermont
-
Amtrak Business Class
-
Full-time tour manager
-
4 Breakfasts
-
3 Lunches
-
4 Dinners
-
Welcome reception
-
NYC guided walking tour
-
Dartmouth College tour
-
Admission to the Hood Arts Center
-
Admission to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
-
Free-time in Woodstock, Vermont
-
History tour at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont
-
Free-time at Burlington, Vermont waterfront
-
Baggage handling
-
Port and tax fees
-
Souvenir gift
-
Accommodations, group meals, admissions and baggage handling for the motor
-
coach driver
-
Taxes and gratuities (Note: Gratuities for the coach driver and local guide are not
-
included and are at your discretion based on service)