Photo by nancykennedy/iStock / Getty Images
Photo by nancykennedy/iStock / Getty Images

 GARDENS OF THE HUDSON VALLEY

Grand landscapes, grand estates and grand visions.  They come in many forms in this region.  We’ve tried to include at least a taste of each in this exciting trip developed in partnership with

Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden

June 22nd to June 27th

Accommodations

TARRYTOWN HOUSE ESTATE AND CONFERENCE CENTER

$1750

Double Occupancy/$550 single supplement

Trip includes 4 nights accommodations, double occupancy; all trip-related fees and admissions; ground transportation and three dinners.  Excluded: airfare and airport transfers, meals not specified in the itinerary and alcoholic beverages.  Supplemental fees apply for activities listed as ‘optional’.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22nd

For those arriving in the area by mid-afternoon

please see optional activities listed at the bottom of this itinerary

Our trip officially gets underway with a relaxed—and delicious!—get-acquainted dinner at this topnotch neighborhood spot

DINNER :: MIMA VINOTECA

 THURSDAY JUNE 23rd

Today we stay within the orbit of the great city to the south which has shaped--and been shaped by--this region for 4 centuries.

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS

Considered one of the world’s great botanical gardens  and with a special connection for North Carolinians, this former Lorillard estate is now a National Historic Site that boasts over one million plants spread over 250 acres.  And lucky us, thanks to Ciener's very special connections, we will be getting some VIP treatment of our own!

WAVE HILL

A historic home and garden overlooking the Hudson, Wave Hill is noted for the wide variety to be found in its 28 acres of gardens including an alpine area, an aquatic garden, a conifer slope, elliptical garden and a noted conservatory.

UNTERMEYER GARDENS

Located on a hillside above the Hudson River, Untermeyer Gardens is a fine example of formal early 20th century landscape design and features a rock garden, a 'Persian Paradise' garden, a small Grecian-style amphitheater as well as a classical pavilion, pergola and statuary.

OPEN DINNER

FRIDAY JUNE 24th

 We visit unparalleled sites and end with a dinner at the renowned MacArthur’s at the Thayer Hotel on the campus of West Point

BOSCOBEL HOUSE AND GARDENS

Built in the early 19th century, Boscobel is an estate overlooking the Hudson River. The house and grounds are considered outstanding examples of design during the Federal era.

STONECROP GARDENS

A public garden since 1992, Stonecrop Gardens was originally the home of Frank Cabot, one of the founders of The Garden Conservancy. Covering approximately twelve acres, the gardens contain a diverse collection including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, a cliff rock garden, perennial beds, and an enclosed English-style flower garden.

STORM KING ART CENTER

A garden of a different sort--Storm King spreads over more than 500 acres and is the largest and finest sculpture park in the United States

DINNER ::  MACARTHUR'S RESTAURANT AT THE THAYER HOTEL

Fine dining converges with the American experience here at MacArthur's; located in the historic Thayer Hotel on the campus of West Point

SATURDAY JUNE 25th

KYKUIT

We tour the house and gardens of this 3400-acre Rockefeller Estate.  The oft-repeated quip about Kykuit may say it all-- 'It's what God would have built, if only He had the money'. The grounds include many fine examples of Beaux Arts landscape design including the Morning Garden, the Grand Staircase, the Japanese Garden and Tea House, the Italian Garden and a formal rose garden.

PRIVATE GARDEN VISIT

Private garden visits are always a special treat and we think we have lined up one or two of the area’s finest!

DINNER :: MP TAVERNA

A stylish taverna meets bistro down nestled up next to the Hudson makes this the ideal spot for celebrating our time together

SUNDAY, MAY 26th

Tour ends

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PLEASE NOTE THESE ACTIVITIES, SCHEDULED FOR THE AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd

are optional and a supplemental fee of $75 per person applies.

We think we have a couple of very special optional activities for those of you who arrive in the area by early!

STONE BARNS CENTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Chef Dan Barber’s grand vision for sustainable and delicious agriculture is centered around the Stone Barnes of this former Rockefeller estate.

UNION CHURCH

This intimate chapel boasts stunning stained glass windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall

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STUDIO TRAVELER recommends travel insurance for this and every trip. CLICK HERE to go to 'INSURE MY TRIP', a site that offers a wide variety of options from multiple insurance providers .