Long Islands East End

Departure Points:

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 7:00am
Dick's/Field & Stream, Latham Farms - 7:30am
Walmart, Catskill Commons - 8:15am
Kingston Plaza, Kingston 8:35am

Wed., September 26:

We will board the coach this morning and head toward Riverhead, NY on the East End of Long Island. We will begin at Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than fifty years of the family's residence. Enjoy the grounds and house at your leisure. A boxed lunch is included. After lunch, we will then head to our accommodations for the next two nights at the Hyatt Place Long Island/East End (631-208-0002). Adjacent to the Long Island Aquarium, this hotel also offers an indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool as well as canoe and kayak rentals. Rooms all have hairdryers, coffee/tea maker and mini-fridge. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at a “fin-tastic destination”. The Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences. Themed around the Lost City of Atlantis, Long Island Aquarium blends science and nature with myth to create an informative and entertaining environment for visitors of all ages. Savor a buffet dinner including mixed green salad, chicken francaise, braised beef sirloin tips, penne ala vodka, roasted potatoes, beverages and dessert. You will have exclusive access to many of the indoor exhibits during dinner.

Thurs., September 27

A deluxe continental breakfast is included at the hotel in the morning. we’ll meet our guide and set off on a tour of the Hamptons. We will begin in historic Southampton Village with photo stops at Cooper Beach and Conscience Point, where the English settlers landed in 1640. After touring Sag Harbor’s historic neighborhoods, enjoy lunch on your own in Sag Harbor Village before touring some of America’s most expensive zip codes; Sagaponack, Bridgehampton and East Hampton. In East Hampton, we will also stop at the Ladies Village Improvement Society’s Bargain Box Thrift Shop. Known for its amazing clothes, books and objects d’art, you’ll be sure to take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. We will return to the hotel after the tour for some time on your own to relax and freshen up before dinner. Dinner tonight is included at Jerry & the Mermaid located next door to the hotel. Savor a garden salad and fresh baked rolls, with your choice of 1)Almond Crusted Filet of Grouper, 2)Chicken Francaise, 3)Maryland Crab Cakes or 4)Rigatoni ala Vodka each with sides, beverage and a Homemade Ice Cream-stuffed Crepe with house made Hot Fudge and Whipped Cream for dessert.

Fri., September 28:

A deluxe continental breakfast is included at the hotel. In the morning, we will visit Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard for a visit with the rescue horses housed here since 2007. Horse lovers of all ages will meet former race horses whose lineages trace back to such legends as Secretariat, Man O’ War and War Admiral. All were once marked for destruction and now all lead safe and secure lives. A lunch stop will be made enroute home with an approximate arrival in the Capital District at 4pm. One stop each way.