2016 - APT USA

84 Enjoy incredible views of Montréal during a city highlights tour 19 Day USA & Canada in Fall 4 Night Land Journey & 14 Night River Cruise with Botanica Washington DC | New York City | Québec City | St Lawrence River | Montréal Day 1. Arrive Washington. Be met at the airport and join your fellow travellers for dinner at 6.30pm. Two Nights: Washington DC, Fairmont Hotel or similar. D Day 2. Washington, Mt. Vernon. See the sights of Washington including the White House. Visit Mt Vernon, the former home of America's first 'gardening President', George Washington, and Hillwood Estate. BD Day 3. Virginia, Wilmington. Travel through southern Pennsylvania and explore an Amish farm house. Visit Chanticleer, one of the great gardens of the region. Two Nights: Wilmington, Du Pont Hotel (or similar). BD Day 4. Brandywine Valley. Spend the morning at Longwood Gardens and explore its 20 outdoor display gardens, as well as lakes, meadows and forest walks. Later, visit Winterthur Garden, home of Henry Du Pont. BD Day 5. New York City. Travel to New York City to board your ship. (15 day BTUS15 travellers join this evening in time for dinner at 6.30pm.) Visit the walkway garden designed by James Corner of Field Operations in conjunction with Piet Oudolf, the Highline. 14 Night Cruise: aboard the comfortable MV Grande Mariner. BD Day 6. New York City, Kykuit. Visit the famed New York Botanical Gardens, boasting one of the world's greatest collections of flora. Its 250 acres include some of the most beautiful natural terrain. It houses the nation's largest Victorian-era glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Next stop is Kykuit, a Hudson Valley landmark and home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Here, you will see the Rockefeller private art collection and magnificent expansive garden terraces, garden ornaments and many fountains, as well as spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. Your day culminates with a cocktail party atop the deck of your ship as you bid farewell to New York City. Take in the unparalleled views of the harbour, the illuminated Statue of Liberty and the iconic city skyline. BLD Day 7. Roosevelt Estate & Gardens, Poughkeepsie. Today, a short cruise takes you from Bear Mountain to West Point, located in the heart of the Hudson River Valley. You can choose to visit either the West Point Military Academy campus, including its gothic revival style chapel; or alternatively visit Boscobel with its colonial architecture or Stonecrop with its magnificent garden. Heading north on the Hudson River you will stop in Poughkeepsie. While here, you have the option to visit either historic Hyde Park, including a visit to Springwood, the estate of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Alternatively, you might like to visit the Vanderbilt Mansion, a National Historic site. This incredible property boasts 211 acres of parkland with centuries old tree-plantings, and incredible views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountain. BLD Day 8. The Mount, Naumkeag Mansion & Gardens. Arrive in Troy, known for its unparalleled Victorian architecture and abundant Tiffany windows as seen in such films as Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence. Here, witness the unique feat of lowering the ship's pilot house as we prepare to travel under the low bridges of the Erie Canal. A visit to The Mount is sure to be a fascinating one of historical significance; especially for those interested in women's history. It is a turn-of-the- century home that Edith Wharton designed and built herself. She was an established author of fiction, architecture and gardens. Later visit Naumkeag Mansion and gardens and experience a quintessential country estate of the Gilded Age. Marvel at this rare Berkshire cottage, its magnificent gardens and the incredible panoramic view. BLD Day 9. Troy, Erie Canal Lock 11, Amsterdam. Today your river ship will pass through Lock 11 of the Erie Canal to Amsterdam. BLD Day 10. Amsterdam, Sylvan Beach. Today you will enjoy a full day on the Erie Canal taking in the unspoiled beauty of the surrounding countryside. During the day, you may choose to visit Cooperstown and meet the ship later in the day at Sylvan Beach. Located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, Cooperstown is best known as the 'Birthplace of Baseball' and is home to the renowned Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Choose to visit Fenimore Art Museum or Farmers Museum. www.aptouring.com.au

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