Newfound treasures
Gardens and Grandeur
Northeastern Ohio April through October Two night tour suggested
A Tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Tour the magnificent city gardens which offer over 40,000 spring crocuses, tulips, narcissus and other bulbs.
A tour of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, featuring ten gardens and six demonstration gardens.
Gourmets in the Garden will focus on one of the biggest trends in cooking today: the use of fresh, local ingredients, of course with delectable samples.
Guided tour of Cleveland — covering 20 miles and over 100 points of interest.
Visit the Rain Forest, at the Cleveland Zoo, with 360 different varieties of flowers, trees and shrubs.
Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show, the largest outdoor flower show in the United States (May 24—May 28, 2007). The show includes 10 acres of gardens, expert lectures and demonstrations, unique merchandise, and a horticulture / flower arranging competition.
Enjoy the evening at Carousel Dinner Theater. Experience the glitter of Las Vegas and Broadway, at the largest professional dinner theater in the country.
Dinner and entertainment with Mary Faktor— Six Ages Of Woman ! The unusual humor of love, marriage, kids and work appeals to men and women alike.
Tour Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens . Built between 1912 and 1915 by F. A. Seiberling, this lavish 68 room home has over 21,000 panes of glass, hand-carved panels of massive wood, and 23 fireplaces. Lunch is included.
Guided tour of the Gardens...Seventy acres of beauty and color. Walk through the meadow, the Japanese garden, the formal west terrace, the Rose garden, the lagoon, the vistas and the ever popular alley of Birch and London trees.
A visit to the Holden Arboretum. Encompassing over 3,000 acres, this is one of the largest arboretums in the nation.
For Curious Mind's
Central Ohio
Ever wondered how certain things were made? You will come away with the answers you are so curious about!
A Chip Off the Old Potato— guests are invited into the factory, it has been turning out its own special version of chips for 70 years, to see how these delicious chips are made with 50,000 pounds of potatoes per day!!
Take a manufacturing tour of the largest contract embroidery company east of the Mississippi. See computer-driven embroidery machines at work with over 700 sewing heads.
Tour a house made of garbage. Learn the construction techniques necessary to buid structures out of tires, cans, bottles and mud.
Extended Safari Tour —Guided behind the scenes look at the innovative facilities and open range animal areas. NEW for 2007–carnivores—including cheetah, African wild dog and hole.
Enjoy an evening meal with Chef in the Vineyard . Enjoy wine tasting and watch as a gourmet chef prepares the meal and flaming dessert! Learn what wines to serve and cooking techniques.
Visit a Sculpture Studio and Gallery . From the Mold Making Room to the Wax Casting Room— learn about the entire sculpture process. Tour the facility where there will be anywhere from 2-12 potters working.
Visit the Longaberger Homestead to learn how the many thousands of baskets are created here yearly. View the entire manufacturing facility and then partake in shopping at the homestead.
Krasco Inc.— home to the original plastic basket sleeve. Tour the plant and watch as plastic material, derived from a patent pending process of recycled and discarded plastic items, is shaped into the form of several household baskets.
Learn how the United States Flag is made, packaged and shipped all over at the World's Largest Flag Company .
Enjoy meal and a demonstration with one of the premiere home designers. Learn how to make a gorgeous flower arrangement while dining at the Captains House circa 1840.
“How's, Why's, What's & Wherefores”
Cincinnati - Dayton Area
Life is full of questions - How? What? When? Where? Which? Who? and Why? Now you can get answers to those questions that you've always wanted to know, or frankly never thought of!
Why did we build a canal system in Ohio? Visit a replica of a lock tender's home and canal locks from the 1820's.
Which is Cincinnati's tallest building? Begun in 1929, this was the nation's largest commercial building project in the country during the Depression. Enjoy the scenic view from the observation deck.
Who were the Mound Builders? Dating back almost 3000 years, trace the history of Ohio's pre-European inhabitants from 10,000 BC to 1800 AD. In many ways their civilization paralleled those of the Egyptians, Mayans and Incas.
Where is there a bit of the Holy Land in the Cincinnati area? View the garden that now includes replicas of the burial tomb of Jesus, Joseph's carpenter shop and a Spanish chapel, as well as large boulders from the River Jordan.
Why do Americans drink more coffee than tea? Learn the history of our coffee obsession at a coffee house, while trying samples. Or if tea's “your bag“, have a morning or afternoon tea at a “typical English style” church, that also serves Shepherd's Pie for lunch.
Which local resident served as a General under McArthur during WW II? Tour his beautiful family home, built in 1901, where every room down stairs is paneled in a different wood. The library has an extensive collection of military history and oriental swords.
How does a hotel operate? Go behind the scenes at a full service hotel, and see how it works. Visit the kitchen, the audiovisual room, tour the administrative offices and behind the front desk, and explore the laundry and the commissary.
Who were the Shakers and what did they invent? Visit one of the best collections of Shaker furniture in the country.
What were the eras of commercial signage in the US? Explore the largest collection of signs in the country, from glass to neon to plastic signs.
What was the first commercially built airplane? See replicas of the world's first mass produced plane , enjoy a fascinating video and other exhibits. Maybe someone in your group can take a flight or ride in the WWI era staff car.
Who were the “Cincinnati Liars“? View this government facility that infuriated Hitler so much during WWII that he derisively referred to it as the Cincinnati Liars. It's now a museum of broadcasting–covering the history of medium and short wave operations.
Other ideas? Which is the oldest stained glass company in the country?…what does the inside of a Moslem Mosque look like?…how do you make chocolate?…where do they keep former Air Force Ones?…what American Cathedral was copied after Notre Dame in Paris?...where do the Hollywood notables buy their “furs”?…how did the Underground Railroad get its name?…what does a 12 th century Indian village look like?…where can you tour a pioneer village, dressed as a pioneer?…who's the country's largest maker of church bells?...
Paws, Claws, Scales & Tails
Cincinnati and vicinity Available March—November
*Various sites have performance venues Overnight at the Newport Aquarium —sleep with the sharks! Oh, the fun and excitement of having the ENTIRE aquarium available just for your group!! Partake in a scavenger hunt, Aquatic Craft project, pizza party, movie and of course a night tour of the aquarium. Enjoy breakfast with the penguins. Scale the Purple People Bridge (age 12 and over) Become a thrill seeker in this adrenaline pumping, one-of-a-kind experience! Climbers will enjoy a guided, safe and unique climb while learning the history of the area and facts about the Ohio River. It's not a strenuous climb—equal to climbing five flights of stairs. Enjoy a Private Breakfast buffet with the animals at the Cincinnati Zoo while the zoo staff introduces some of the zoo's inhabitants—up close and personal. Watch out for the claws and paws…they may want your breakfast! Morgan's Float Trip— Enjoy a guided tour down the Little Miami River on a large, non-capsizable raft. Guides will share the fabulous tales and knowledge of nature in the area. Visit Ft Ancient —Ohio's premier museum of Native American history. The museum traces the history of the pre-European inhabitants from 10,000 BC to 1800 AD. Learn how archaeologists and historians study and interpret the past and an authentic Native American meal. A visit to the Cincinnati Fire Museum , housed in a former Fire Station, you can learn the history of Cincinnati's Fire Department, the first paid department in the country, through a variety of exhibits. Tackle the Beast at the best thrill park in the Midwest, Paramount's Kings Island . Over 350 acres of world class thrills!! Kings Island has more than 80 rides, shows and attractions with something for every member of the family! The Great Wolf Lodge is Ohio's only Indoor Water Park Resort . This indoor water park includes (2) four story, 300-foot tube slides , and two body slides . There's also Fort McKenzie, a million dollar tree house, with four stories of interactive fun, featuring twelve levels of water-based adventure. Rock, Ride & Remember Northern Ohio *Various sites have performance venues Explore the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame — a sensory experience of the decades of music from the roots of the 20s, the creative period of the 50s, the revolution of the 60s, to its role as the dominant force of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Ride it all at Cedar Point! When it comes to roller coasters, it's the world leader with an astonishing array of 14 scream machines. Visit the Great Lakes Science Center, featuring over 350 interactive science, environment and technology exhibits. At Cleveland's Theatre District catch the buzz before the show or take part in a Backstage Master's Class where students work with a Broadway star! Tour the U.S.S. Cod , a World War II submarine. Experience how tight the facilities were and imagine what it would have been like as a crewman. Enjoy Tower City Center . The avenue offers a wide range of unique shopping as well as many favorites and the Hard Rock Cafe full of rock memorabilia. Board Lolly the Trolley for a city tour with narration, history and fun! Enjoy a cruise on Cleveland's Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. Marvel at the changes on the river, so infamous when it caught on fire in the 1970's, and the view of downtown Cleveland's skyline. A visit to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rain Forest —one of the oldest and largest zoos in the U.S. Enjoy an out-of-this-world educational experience at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Historic artifacts and hands-on exhibits highlight the centers contributions to America's Space Program. AKRON / CANTON, OH Tour of the Soap Box Derby site and museum. It's been called "The Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the World". Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame — featuring a five building complex, movie theater, a bustling museum store and twin enshrinement halls. Explore the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Enter the world of inspiring stories of great inventors, hands on exhibits, and interactive programs. Visit the McKinley National Memorial and Museum . Dedicated to William McKinley, the museum has scientific, industrial, and historic exhibits, even featuring an 18th century street of shops, planetarium and train layout. Tour the Hale Farm and Village . Experience the sites, sounds and smells of a bustling Western Reserve
township of the mid 1800s. Dine at the 356th Fighter Group Restaurant . Take a trip back in time with the sights, sensations and sounds of the 40's. Geauga Lake has a history that dates back to 1888, and is one of the oldest amusement parks in North America. Thrill seekers can choose from 50 rides and attractions and Tidal Wave Bay, a new 30,000 square-foot wave pool. Ohio Christian Heritage Tour Northeast Ohio Two Nights and Three Days Suggested Take a Step back into the past that will better prepare you for the future. You will hear stories that time has silenced. The Bible Walk ... (Non Denominational) The life-sized wax museum features over 70 scenes and over 300 wax figures. Enjoy one or all four tours offered. There are live Gospel Reenactments, rare Bible Collection, American Votive Folk Art, Devotional Service, tour the Diamond Hill Cathedral and more. Christian Dinner Theater — Watch and participate in one of the AWARD WINNING dramas while dining on an authentic four-course Hebrew dinner. Guided tour of the City of Churches — view three of the city's landmark churches (seven to choose from). Discover Mansfield as it was originally founded, a Christian community with a church on every corner. Zoar Village (meaning “a sanctuary from evil”). A costumed tour guide will share the Zoar Village history...one of the most notable experiments in communal living in our nation's history. The Zoar gardens are arranged in a Biblically inspired pattern and are famous for their beauty and awe inspiring tranquility. Schoenbrunn (meaning beautiful village). Founded in 1772 as a Moravian Mission for the Delaware Indians now provides a fitting memorial to the short-lived Christian settlement. The village features interpreters in 18th century dress guiding groups through the church, school, trading post, museum, congregational gardens and cemetery. Dinner and Tour at Warther Carvings Enjoy a guided tour of this famous carver and have a fabulous meal in the IVORY ROOM. During dinner enjoy a special reenactment performance with David Zeisberger, founder of Schoenbrunn Village. Kingwood Gardens for beauty and inspiration — 47 Acres of renowned landscaped grounds and formal gardens. Tour the incredible mansion and hear about the former owner and developer of Kingwood Gardens. The Living Word Outdoor Drama - (available June-Aug) Your evening begins as a costumed guide directs your group through more than 400 feet of Biblical styled scenery...America's most authentic reconstruction of Old Jerusalem. This back-stage tour will offer insight into this dramatic and award-winning performance. “Life of Christ Exhibit, Grace Cathedral and TV Production Studios” - the focal point of this awe-inspiring exhibit is 13 colorful, intricately sculpted scenes depicting the early life of Jesus Christ as well as the amphora (an ancient water vessel) found in a 2,000-year-old ship wreckage in the Aegean Sea. See the inner workings of one of Ohio's largest production studios and fill your tummies at the Wonderful Cathedral Buffet. Angels Among Us—Cleveland Church Tour Not available on Sunday or Monday Northeastern Ohio has hundreds of historically and architecturally significant religious sanctuaries. No matter your faith, enjoy an informative and mind-expanding experience. Visit St. Stanislaus Church , in existence since 1873, learn the history and experience the beauty of this church. Trinity Cathedral — located on Millionaires Row, it is the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. Built in 1900 guests will learn the history of this beautiful structure and how they were one million dollars over-budget. First Methodist Church — tour the sanctuary and view the LARGEST fresco of the Last Supper outside of Italy. Enjoy a traditional German/eastern European meal at Sterle's Slovenian Country House . Be captivated by the old-fashioned Slovenian cooking. Other options to include in your tour: Guided tour of Cleveland — covers 20 miles and over 100 points of interest. Tour is fully narrated and guests are sure to have fun! Bring the cameras !! A tour of the incredible Wade Chapel . A treasure in the literal sense of the word, the Chapel's interior was all designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Of course, it also contains a Tiffany stained-glass window. The Temple Museum of Religious Art— Housed in the historic landmark synagogue, the Temple-Tifereth Israel exhibits one of the most prominent and comprehensive collections of religious and Judaic art. The display includes a collection of antique Torah hangings used in European synagogues; silver Torah ornaments; ritual art objects; and a collection of sculptures, paintings and lithographs by famous Jewish artists. Cleveland Botanical Garden's new feature attraction, the Elanor Armspan Smith Glasshouse, immerses visitors in an exotic world of beauty and wonder. It features the flora and fauna of two diverse and contrasting environments: the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica. Visitors can also enjoy 10 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Saints and Sinners Suggested 2 nights/ 3 days Tour of the religious and secular side of St. Louis, MO. Our Lady of the Snows — Nestled in a valley the Shrine offers a place of peace . Guests will tour the Shrine Grounds and Our Lady of the Snows . View the 85' tall Millennium Spire that rises out of a Candelarium. Dinner at Shrine Restaurant. Christmas Light Tour on Shrine grounds — Drive through a scenic fantasy of nearly one million lights that depict the Christmas Story. Visit the Christmas Village, listen to area choirs, and enjoy the designer Christmas Tree Display. (Christmas season only) Mass at Shrine Chapel — worship where guests can gather to celebrate the Lord in an especially serene setting. Botanical Garden Tour —A St. Louis institution since 1859, enjoy the floral displays bursting with color, the world's first geodesic dome which houses a tropical rain forest, and superb gift shop. Tour of Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis —(built in 1907) a unique design that combines architecture of Romanesque style on the exterior with a wondrous Byzantine style interior. This is the largest mosaic collection IN THE WORLD, covering 83,000 square feet. Tour of Anheuser-Busch Brewery —This is the headquarters of the world's largest brewer, a tour offers a look at the restored historic Brew House, the Budweiser Clydesdale stables, where the horses live like royalty among stained glass and brass chandeliers, and the Beachwood aging cellars. A sinful evening of dining and gambling on one of the Mississippi Casinos , after a day of Saintliness. Tour the Shrine of St. Joseph , this 1843-44 Baroque-style church contains the beautiful Altar of Answered Prayers and one of the largest handmade Pfeiffer tracker organs in existence. How Great Thou Art Greater Cincinnati Area Day trip up to a three night tour Exquisite homes, historic houses of Worship and gems exclusive to the area Cambridge, OH Or, take a tour of the Dickinson Cattle Company , a working Texas Longhorn Cattle Ranch. Enjoy a narrated tour where you can see up to a 1000 Longhorns and a herd of African cattle. Take a cruise aboard the Salt Fork Queen and tour the historic Kennedy Stone House. Visit the grand, two-story house constructed from native sandstone. Enjoy a box lunch en route to the dock. Tea time at Colonel Taylor Inn . This beautifully restored mansion features 21 unique rooms and 11 fireplaces. Visit the 38 acre Gardens of Blue Rock Station and tour “Earthship.” Features include a Victorian Cottage garden, straight out of jolly old England. Also tour a unique “home,” constructed out of used tires, cans, bottles and adobe clay. Take a unique shopping experience in a “Old Fashion General Store” at A Taste of Ohio . Learn about the artists, the manufacturers, and even the antique store fixtures. All products are made in Ohio. Take a stop at the soda fountain for an ice-cream sundae. Memories of the Emerys Cincinnati, OH Late October to Late November Visit the Cincinnati Art Museum , the oldest art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Emery's donated a whole wing for their art collection. Meal at the National Exemplar Restaurant . Enjoy dining in Mariemont with its charming English Tudor architecture. Developed by Mary Emery as a model English garden community. Visit the 48 story Carew Tower complex. Built in the late 1920's it was the largest commercial building in the U.S. Travel to the top for a great city view. A tour of Peterloon . This incredible 40 room estate gives the feeling of being in 17th Century Europe. Step into the wealth and life of John and Irene Emery . Enjoy a wine and cheese reception. Driving tour of Cincinnati , with an emphasis on the Emery family . A visit to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens . The Emery and Taft families rescued the zoo, the second oldest in the U.S. from financial ruin. The Chateau in the Poconos 3 nights/4 days This resort tour features The Chateau Resort in Tannersville, PA at the base of Camelback Mountain. A beautiful 150-room resort with both indoor & outdoor pools, a sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness room, game room and gift shop. The first evening's dinner will be in the Mountainview Bar and Grille with the panoramic views of Camelback Mountain. After an included dinner, relax at the Falling Waters Piano Bar. Enjoy a completely narrated Pocono Region Overview — travel to the highest point in the Pocono's . Also, enjoy a magnificent boat ride on Lake Wallenpaupack. Visit Callies Candy Kitchen & Pretzel Factory followed by shopping. The next morning enjoy a ride on the Water Gap Trolley , an authentically styled all weather Trolley. Relax while trained guides take you back thru history as you learn about the Native Americans and the early settlers of the area. Visit Bushkill Falls the “Niagara of Pennsylvania ”, a unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains. Tour the Pocono Indian Museum and visit the American Candle Factory. Enjoy a lunch buffet at the Shawnee Inn Resort and dinner at the Tavern By The Lake. The last morning visit Country Junction ‘The World's Largest General Store' before starting home. Have lunch at "Hen Feathers" Restaurant and Theater, and see North American Wildlife exhibits throughout the store, visit a Free Petting Farm and tour the scenic countryside "inside the store!" Railroads of West Virginia May through October Take a wild ride through the ruggedly beautiful regions of West Virginia. 5 Different Trains! Board the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad , pulled by a restored 1916 steam locomotive. Real rail excitement begins on the passenger streamliner New Tygart Flyer ! A tunnel leads the train into the Cheat River Valley and climbs to the High Falls of the Cheat River. Then, a one-of-a-kind rail-bus, the Cheat Mountain Salamander , leads the group further into the wilderness. Cross the Cheat Bridge and travel to the isolated mountain village of Durbin, WV. All aboard the Durbin Rocket ! Pulling an open air viewing car and two cabooses, the steam locomotive takes a ten-mile trek along the Greenbrier River. Enjoy dinner in the vintage 1902 Durbin Depot and shopping in the Rail & Trail store. Ride the Buckeye Rails Ohio Relive the Heyday of rail travel as you ride the rails and visit other train oriented attractions, throughout Ohio. A trip on the last remaining portion of New York Centrals' Ashtabula to Pittsburgh passenger mainline, Ride the Buckeye Central Railroad , with an old miner and hear his stories of when coal was king in the area. Travel aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad viewing fauna and flora. Ride the Old Road Dinner Train— a Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Ride the Blue Bird train, the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western. Tour Carillon Park , dedicated to the history of transportation-trains, canals, automobiles and planes. Dennison Railroad Depot Museum — over a million G.I's were greeted by the Salvation Army Canteen during WWII…and they called it Dreamsville, USA. Entertainment and dinner from Bob Ford singing tales of the rails. Visit Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum for a hands-on train experience. The Medina Toy and Train Museum features running exhibits of model trains, with more than 500 actual train engines. Dine in the original Broadway Limited Railroad Cars that ran in 1938. Marion Union Station , more than 100 trains pass by daily—the station is located between two diamond cross-overs. A visit to Union Terminal , with its giant half dome structure, the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Tour and optional dinner at Warther's Carvings . See trains carved out of mahogany, ivory and pearl!! Entertainment from Ohio's own and one of Nashville's newest— Logan Wells. The Wolcott House Museum overlooks the Maumee River and includes historic buildings and a railroad depot. A Model Train Mecca with more than 40 trains and two miles of track—the worlds' largest! Many more options available! Choo Choo's of Chattanooga Three nights/four days Pardon me group travelers…is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo??? The next morning visit the hotel's Model Railroad exhibit , one of the world's largest, followed by a ride on the New Orleans Trolley. Then, enjoy the Tennessee Valley Railroad in a comfortable antique coach car with a visit to Chickamauga, GA. Then return to the city and enjoy a great dinner with beautiful scenery onboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. The following day begins with a trip on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway , where trolley cars take you up Lookout Mountain on the steepest passenger railway in America. Inside Lookout Mountain visit Ruby Falls —the world's tallest underground waterfall. Then, take a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local . Enjoy an hour long ride on this historic train. By late afternoon your group will be on the Chattanooga Riverfront . Visit the Tennessee Aquarium or the Hunter Museum of American Art (on own). Dinner will be at 212 Market Street Restaurant offering a great meal overlooking the river . Palm Springs Fling Palm Springs California Available November-May A perfect leisure tour for any group. Whether it's couples, or girls only, this resort vacation will make for a nice outing. The host is Palm Mountain Resort in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, California . Located footsteps away from the Desert Museum , restaurants, unique shops , boutiques and galleries , the new Spa Casino, and incredible shows. Dinner in the hotel restaurant and then enjoy the evening relaxing by the pool or exploring the vibrant downtown. Enjoy a tour featuring stories about the celebrities who have lived in Palm Springs , and ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram . This evening enjoy the incredible "Cirque Dreams" - a unique combination of colorful design and amazing performance artistry. The show features a cast of inventive acrobats, loose limbed contortionists, chiffon draped aerialists and sculpted men of strength. Enjoy a free morning to sleep late or sun bath by the pool. The afternoon features the “ Palm Springs Follies " - a world class vaudeville extravaganza reminiscent of Flo Ziegfelds legendary stage productions. The only difference is that every performer is aged from 57-82 years . It's a celebration of music, dance and comedy from the 30's and 40's with a cast old enough to have lived it. Today begins with a visit to the Living Desert Museum , Zoo and Garden. Enjoy a driving safari with a professional guide and the " Wildlife Wonders Animal Show” . This evening enjoy Village Fest featuring a variety of local artists, musicians, designers, and fresh foods. 5 Days/4 Nights Starting at $599 (per person/double) Fruit of the Vines winding through the Finger Lakes Region Available March - December 2007 Suggested 3 days/2 nights Welcome to the Finger Lakes region! Visit the newly opened New York Wine & Culinary Center where guests will taste everything New York has to offer —from the finest dining to hundreds of first-rate vineyards and wine makers, plus a rich agricultural heritage. Enjoy a special evening of food and wine pairing at your hotel with top chef at Steamboat Landing. Visit Weaver-View Farms an Amish Country Store with history and old fashioned shopping on a 220 acre working dairy farm. Special gift included. Visit the Red Jacket Orchard located in Geneva, N.Y. along the hills of Seneca Lake. Tour the facility for an inside look at the workings of the largest growers of summer fruits on the East Coast. Stop for wine tasting at a Widmer Wine Cellars on the Canandaigua Wine Trail. Sample one of the region's best kept secrets and most talked about desserts— the Grape Pie! Tour the facility and canning process at Arbor Hill Grapery . Many of their products are open and available for tasting. Also, sample the best of New York Cheese and award-winning wines. Enjoy a short presentation and food and wine parings from a top chef at the Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty. Dinner at Belhurst Castle , overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake. Construction began in 1885 and it took four years and 50 people to build the castle. New York Agricultural Experiment Station —T our and learn about the wide variety of programs this organization offers. Their mission is to strengthen the state's fruit and vegetable industries— from 'the farm to the fork'. Depart for home or add on another day of excitement! Culinary Delights and Historic Sites Hudson Valley New York - Available May through October Historic Hudson Valley is a network of historic sites in Sleepy Hollow Country Guided tour of West Point . A tour of the academy and its museum offers insight into the history of American warfare, while the grounds afford fine views. Board the historic ship “The Commander ” , the last operating vessel that served in World War I, for a cruise on the Hudson River with a boxed lunch. Visit Boscobel Restoration , said to be the most beautiful Federal Mansion in the country situated on the Hudson River. A visit to the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt with interactive exhibits about the lives of Franklin and Eleanor. Lunch and tour at one of five award-winning , student staffed restaurants of The Culinary Institute of America. Enjoy a glimpse of the “Gilded Age” at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and formal gardens. Brotherhood Winery . Tour the original underground cellars and learn about Champagne making , barrel aging and more. Also, taste a variety of wines. Kykuit , a Hudson Valley landmark known for architecture, gardens, art, history, and spectacular scenery was home to generations of the Rockefeller's . Lakes, Grapes and Gorges— Fall Foliage Tour Upper State New York Available September - October 2007 At least 3 nights/four days Welcome to the Finger Lakes— Guided tour of the Corning Museum of Glass—galleries, glassblowing shows, interactive science exhibits, and a shopping complex all devoted to glass in its most dazzling and unexpected forms. Factory tour at MacKenzie-Childs, Ltd . maker of hand-made & painted home furnishings overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake. Tour the new visitor's center for an entertaining and informative behind-the-scenes video of the production process . May be followed by an interactive demonstration. Visit Treleaven King Ferry Winery . Taste their award winning wines made from selectively hand picked vinifera grapes. Lunch on board the Scenic Cayuga Lake cruise . Enjoy the delightful experience of dining aboard the historic M.V. Manhattan as it cruises on scenic Cayuga Lake. Visit Taughannock Falls —part of the breathtaking Taughannock State Park on Cayuga Lake, the falls cataract has an incredible drop of 215 feet! Stop at Sheldrake Point Vineyard & Cafe , A great time, wonderful wines and fabulous views! Dinner at Belhurst Castle —Overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake. Construction began in 1885 and it took four years and 50 people to build the castle. History and Lakes… Depart for a ride on the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway ! Lunch at the Sherwood In n in Skaneateles offers award winning fine dining and a breathtaking view of Skaneateles Lake. Enjoy shopping and a stroll around the delightful village of Skaneateles. Guided tour at Willard Chapel — The only known Tiffany Chapel to exist . Louis Comfort Tiffany's work includes: 14 opalescent windows, 1 stained glass memorial window, 9 leaded glass chandeliers, a mosaic memorial tablet and floor. Enjoy a guided tour of Seward House in Auburn, home of William H. Seward, Secretary of State to President Lincoln and Johnson, and the leading figure in the purchasing of Alaska. Dinner at the Springside Inn on Owasco Lake in Auburn. Homeward Bound — Enjoy breakfast and then depart for your trip home. En route stop at Letchworth State Park. Renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," it's one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S . The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places. Biscuits, Bluegrass and Blackhawks Enjoy a private dinner and cooking demonstration at Tennessee's second largest general history museum— Customs House Museum and Cultural Center . It was built in 1898 for the flourishing tobacco trade as a federal post office. Enjoy a delicious schnitzel buffet lunch at the Sportsman's Lodge . Visit the state's largest winery, Beachaven Winery and Vineyard . It is one of a handful of wineries that produce French Method Champagne. Learn about the champagne making process and even taste test in the champagne cellar.
Return to the hotel for " The Great Biscuit Bake Off "—Biscuit Making 101. Prepare a biscuit by a different method or recipe and the next morning we will do a taste test to choose the winner. Continue the patriotic day with a USO Dinner Show by the sounds of the "Andrews Sisters" and the "Glenn Miller
Orchestra." Of course, dancing and participation will be encouraged. Take a driving tour of the Clarksville historic district—one of Tennessee's best collections of period architecture.
The Creation Museum— Explore the 50,000 sq ft museum and why the Bible is the "history book of the universe”. Journey through a visual presentation of the history of the world, based on the "7 C's of History": Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross and Consummation.
The Garden of Hope … view the only replica of the tomb which Jesus arose. In the midst of the garden is a small chapel patterned after a Spanish mission.
Tour the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption , a one third replica of Notre Dame in Paris, featuring gothic design with gargoyles and flying buttresses. With 82 stained glass windows, it houses the largest in the world!
Plum Street Temple , also known as the Isaac M. Wise Temple was built in 1866. The interior is stenciled with Hebrew inscriptions.
Tour of Taft Museum . This beautiful old home is now a 30 room museum for the family's art collection. View Chinese porcelains from Qing and Ming dynasties, French enamels, and paintings by Rembrandt, Duncanson, and Van Dyke.
Guided tour of the world's largest supplier of bells, carillons and clocks , housed in the historic St. Paul's Church (circa 1848).
Peterloon Estate and Gardens, this estate brings a feeling of revisiting 17 th century Europe. Terraces overlook an eight acre lake and hillsides of redbud and dogwood trees. Enjoy a served meal.
Guided tour of Old St. Mary's Church, the oldest church in Cincinnati. Built by German immigrants in Over-the-Rhine.
Driving tour of a world renowned sculpture park . See past, present and future merged together in a truly unique accomplishment.
Tour Beau Verre Studios —learn the history of beveled, etched, stained and art glass windows.
Learn about the early religious groups who settled here. Visit the site of one of the oldest continuous Quaker meeting houses and explore elements of Shaker life.
Visit Swedenborgian Church of the New Jerusalem, based on Old and New Testaments and the Writings of Swedenborg .
Learn the Millerites search for a perfect society and the famous antislavery debates of Presbyterian Lane Seminary.
Dine at the Grand Finale , a staple since 1975, the building is more than 100 years old. Known for their oversized desserts.
Dine at National Exemplar — Known for their superb foods and wonderful atmosphere designed with authentic Tudor architecture of Old England.
Animals, Astronauts, and Aristocrats
Spend some time relaxing in and around Cambridge, Ohio, once a major glass producing area in the foothills of the Appalachians of Eastern Ohio.
Visit the Glenn Historic Site ,the boyhood home of Astronaut and Federal Senator, John Glenn.
Visit the Belmont County Victorian Mansion or one of Ohio 's most picturesque wineries Raven's Glenn Winery.
Spend a day or evening at Schumaker Farms . Tour the century old farm and family cemetery, which has been in the family since 1811. Enjoy a group dinner around the bonfire and take a hay ride to enjoy the beautiful country setting.
In the early 1900s, the estate of Cincinnati's Emery family was said to be America's largest west of New York City. Over the years they've developed numerous real estate projects, and donated millions to local organizations.
A visit to the Museum Center at Union Terminal . Built as Cincinnati's main train station, this giant half dome structure offers the largest tile mosaics in the United States. Included in your visit is a tour of the Cincinnati Historical society, which includes a scale replica of downtown Cincinnati in the 1930s.
The journey begins as you climb into the mountains and stop at the Backbone Mountain Windmill Farm . Relax with a sunset dinner and entertainment by a mountain musician.
The Cass Scenic Railroad offers an authentic Shay Stream Locomotive that leads the way into the high timber of West Virginia. Following the train ride, visit the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory , an engaging facility in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Enjoy the Appalachian foothills on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad.
Jump aboard the Minerva Scenic Railroad gliding past rolling farm country.
Stay at the Chattanooga's Terminal Station. Dinner one evening will be at the Station House where singing waiters entertain with songs from the era.
Guided tour of Locust Grove, an Italianate villa with 150 acres of romantic 19th century landscaped gardens.
Clarksville, Tennessee A Culinary Tour and more
Tour Fort Campbell Military Base , home of the 101st Airborne Division's Screaming Eagles. Guided tour of the post and surprise demonstrations.
Stop with our guide at a Tobacco Farm . Learn about Clarksville type 22 tobacco and the influence it had on this area. Talk with farmers, view the process and learn the importance it had on the economy.
Lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room . Built in 1886 as the home of Clarksville Mayor, MC Northington. Since 1997, the downstairs portion has been a Tea Room.
Travel to the countryside to visit Historic Collinsville . This restored log pioneer settlement dates from 1830 to 1870. Tour the 12 log structures and see demonstrations about life in the 1800's.
Enjoy a private candlelight dinner of southern specialties in an antebellum home, the Smith-Trahern Mansion . Bluegrass favorites, Stringed Legacy, will perform and enjoy a Civil War Ball.
**Each passenger or couple will receive a gift bag that includes a cookbook from several of the meals served on the trip and a bag of White Lily Flour.
