Compare The Hudson Valley 2019 by Tauck vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Arrive Montreal

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Le Westin Montreal. A transfer is included from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Le Westin Montreal, set in the heart of Old Montreal, just a short walk from world-class museums and shopping, vibrant nightlife and centuries-old historic sites. Please join us for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel overlooking the city's historic district.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Le Westin Montreal

PORTOFCALL : Montreal, Quebec

Day 2 Montreal, gateway to the Adirondacks

From gleaming skyscrapers to the timeless charm of 17th-century cobblestone lanes, a city tour introduces highlights of this dynamic bilingual city, a medley of European and North American influences. View McGill University's downtown campus, which prides itself on its purposeful blend of university life with the real world, and Mont Royal, the iconic park that stands watch over the city. Take a guided stroll through Old Montreal, between the St. Lawrence River and downtown skyscrapers, with free time to explore Old Port Montreal before lunch. Depart the city on a drive through Québecois farmland to the U.S. border crossing and on through countryside that satiates with mountain views, foothill farms and orchards. A short stop for a walk at Ausable Chasm reveals nature's power in the roar of waterfalls set deep within towering cliffs. Your final destination, the village of Lake Placid, finds you checking into a classic Adirondack resort on the quiet shores of Mirror Lake; enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Lake Placid, New York

Day 3 Lake Placid cruise, an Olympic ski jump & John Brown's farm

The day begins serenely on a private boat cruise on Lake Placid, described as "a clear, cold jewel" in the Adirondack wilderness, and then steps up in pace at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Watch the thrilling hurl-into-flight during a ski-jumping demonstration, and drink in the area's beauty over lunch. Afterward, visit the nearby John Brown Farm, the historic home and burial site of the abolitionist who led the ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859, prior to the start of the Civil War. Return to your hotel for time at leisure; a leisurely walk along Mirror Lake, the views from an Adirondack chair, and the alpine village of Lake Placid are all at your disposal. Have dinner at the hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Lake Placid, New York

Day 4 Blue Mountain Lake, the Adirondack Museum and Lake George

Known as a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Adirondack mountains and forests have also long been home to lakeside villages and quaint towns. A morning drive through the region ends at Blue Mountain Lake, home to the renowned Adirondack Museum, where modern galleries and historic buildings tell the unique story of the area's residents - how they have worked in logging, mining and on the railroads, and played, from hiking to rock climbing, skiing and snowshoeing. After lunch, stunning scenery continues on a drive to your accommodations, a gorgeous Adirondack-style lodge on the shores of a private island at Lake George.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : The Sagamore Resort

PORTOFCALL : Lake George, New York

Day 5 The hip Hudson Valley, Olana & Lake Mohonk

From Lake George, head south through rolling countryside that is home to small farms, wineries and villages, with a stop in the resort town of Saratoga Springs. Continue on to Olana State Historic Site in Greenport, the former riverside home of noted 19th-century Hudson River School landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church and his wife Isabel, for a Tauck Exclusive private visit including lunch in the Wagon House. Much of the estate, a National Historic Landmark, was designed by Church himself - including the eclectic Orientalist central villa, featuring a mix of Persian, Moorish and Victorian styles; and the sprawling, parklike grounds offering remarkable views of the Catskills, the Taconics and the Hudson Valley, as well as a working farm. Preserved much as it was during Church's lifetime, the estate displays many exotic objects collected by the Churches on their world travels, as well as some 40 paintings by the artist and his contemporaries. Your final destination is Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian "castle" set on forested cliffs above Lake Mohonk - a resort once frequented by presidents, celebrities and turn-of-the-century industrialists, where you'll spend the next two nights.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Mohonk Mountain House

PORTOFCALL : Rhinebeck, New York

Day 6 FDR's Hyde Park and old Rhinebeck

Leave your views of Mohonk Lake behind for those of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains on a drive to the Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park on the Hudson, the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. A guided visit to Springwood, the family mansion, offers a window into an American way of life modeled on an English country estate; learn the story of the home and staff and role they once played in the local community. Afterward, a stop in Rhinebeck on the bluffs of the Hudson River, leaves time for exploring on your own and a chance to wander through a town designated as a National Landmark District with an au courant reputation for arts and culture. Return to Mohonk Mountain House late afternoon; have dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Mohonk Mountain House

PORTOFCALL : Hyde Park, New York

Day 7 Boscobel Mansion to West Point and Tarrytown

This morning features an upscale 19th-century view of Hudson Valley life on a visit to critically acclaimed Boscobel Mansion. Completed in 1808, this elegant home was built by a gentleman farmer (and British loyalist) who furnished his home from the most fashionable shops in London. A century later, the house lingered in a state of neglect until local architects and citizens rallied efforts for its rescue in the late 1950s. A tour of the house brings with it a trove of Federal antiques, spectacular Hudson views and the story of its rescue. Next up, get an inside view of the US Military Academy at West Point on a guided tour that tells the story of its historic role in the Revolution, the contemporary experience of its cadets, and of those who have left their mark here - including George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur and Dwight Eisenhower. Your accommodations tonight are in the historic town of Tarrytown, where Washington Irving's Ichabod Crane first encountered the Headless Horseman; the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Knickerbocker Tales did much to enlarge the myths, legends and Dutch history you'll find in this region.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown

PORTOFCALL : Tarrytown, New York

Day 8 Rockefeller's Kykuit to New York City's heart

Named after the Afrikaans word for "lookout," Kykuit was the name given by John D. Rockefeller to his six-story stone home which looks impressively out over the Hudson River and to the New York skyline in the distance. This morning's visit takes you through terraced gardens, where fountains, pavilions and sculptures include sculptures by Alexander Calder and Henry Moore, and through the main rooms of the home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Hear the stories of their lives and their contributions to philanthropy, business and the arts. After time on your own in Main Street Tarrytown, depart for the final leg of your Hudson Valley experience: a two-night stay in the heart of Manhattan, steps from Fifth Avenue.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Parker New York

PORTOFCALL : Tarrytown, New York

Day 9 New York, New York... it's a glamorous town

Feel the energy of Manhattan on this morning's New York City tour, accompanied by a local expert who maps out landmark sights and the stories behind them. Head to Lower Manhattan to view St. Paul's Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial, honoring those who were lost - and expressing hope for the future; in a Tauck Exclusive, meet an NYPD detective who interprets the poignant events of September 11th and the subsequent recovery efforts. See Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, and the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. Next up is an unobstructed view of the city's sensational man-made peaks and valleys, from 70 floors up; a visit to the Top of the Rock atop a Rockefeller Center skyscraper includes the story of its construction, which put thousands of people to work just after the 1929 stock market crash - an initiative credited to John D. Rockefeller. Tonight, please join us for a farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Parker New York

PORTOFCALL : New York, New York

Day 10 Journey Home

Tour ends: New York City. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Le Parker Meridien to La Guardia, JFK or Newark International Airport. Please allow a minimum of two 2 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : New York, New York

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.