Day 1
NEW YORK – FINGER LAKES – NIAGARA FALLS
In the morning we leave the Big Apple heading north, where we will pass through the beautiful Delaware Gap to go to Watkins Glen State Park, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. We will hike through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful falls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake arriving in the afternoon (In winter we go to Montour Falls instead of Watkins Glen State Park). Tour the US side of the falls, including the American Falls, Goat Island and its sister island. At night we will enjoy Niagara Falls, where we can appreciate the colorful lighting of the water. Lodging in US - Comfort Inn the Pointe. Canada - Ramada by Wyndham
Day 2
NIAGARA FALLS – NEW JERSEY
Leaving the hotel we will hear the thunderous sound of the water of Niagara Falls. We will see the waterfalls from the Horse Shoe Falls and feel their force aboard the “Maid of Mist” (May to October). During the winter, until April, when the Maid of the Mist is closed we take a tour of the Power Vista Hydroelectric Plant, along with a visit to the Cave of the Winds. At noon we will depart south for the state of New York. On the way we will enjoy a shopping excursion in one of the largest Outlets malls, where you can find the best deals in brand name and designer stores. Arrive at our hotel in New Jersey in the evening. Lodging in New Jersey - La Quinta Inn & Suites, Clifton
Day 3
NEW JERSEY – PHILADELPHIA – WASHINGTON DC
We will depart from New Jersey to Pennsylvania until we reach the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. Upon arrival in the historic area of Philadelphia, we will visit the famous Liberty Bell, one of the symbols of freedom in the United States, the Plaza and Constitution Hall, and the Hall of Congress. Elfreth's Alley (the oldest inhabited residential street in the nation). We continue with an interesting scenic drive that includes the Financial District, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia, and more. Leaving Philadelphia we will see the famous "Rocky Steps". We will continue north towards Lancaster County, home of the Amish community. We will start this interesting and fun excursion in an authentic Amish buggy through the farms, to learn how they live without the benefits of modern technology: electricity, running water, telephone or appliances. We learn how the Amish adapted, incorporating technology to create farms that are self-sufficient and make use of renewable energy sources.
After getting to know this very different culture, we will visit the Amish market where they will be able to acquire creative products made by hand by them. In the afternoon we will depart for Washington DC. Lodging: Fairfield Inn & Suites Alexandria.
Day 4
WASHINGTON DC–NEW YORK
We will start our day with a visit to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Basin surrounded by the famous Japanese cherry trees. Visit the historic Arlington National Cemetery, where we can see the changing of the guard and the Kennedy family mausoleum. The next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. We'll continue to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (while the Air and Space Museum is closed for renovations) before visiting the Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials. In the afternoon we will leave for New York and arrive at night.