October 25 - October 31, 2015

Specially arranged during the glorious autumn season, join National Trust Tours on their annual sell-out Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise aboard the American Glory, led by study leader Grace Gary. Fall is a wonderful time for cruising along the Hudson River.

Highlights

• Private visit to Olana, the magnificent home of Hudson River painter Frederic Church
• Explore the most historic United States stone buildings in Kingston
• Visits to the New York State Capitol building, State Museum, and Springwood, home of Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Exclusive visits to beautiful mansions, including Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill, the Rockefeller’s Kykuit mansion, and Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival home
• A special tour to several iconic monuments around New York City
• Cruise on the yacht-like, well-appointed American Glory

American Glory

The 49-passenger American Glory was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD in 2002. All staterooms have interior entrances, a king-size bed or two twin-size beds, a private shower and toilet, and large picture windows that open; some staterooms have private balconies. The spacious and attractive dining salon accommodates all passengers at one seating. Sun decks and glass-enclosed lounges offer comfortable venues for enjoying the passing scenery, and a well-stocked library provides books and videos about the destinations for your educational enrichment.

Educational Content
Informative educational visits presented by local experts to enhance your insight into the region. Personal VOX listening devices allow you to hear every word from your expert, English-speaking guides.

Guest Lecturer Grace Gary, an architectural historian with degrees from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and the University of Virginia, is a veteran leader of more than 30 Trust tours. Most recently she served as the executive director of Nemours Mansion and Gardens in Wilmington, DE, where she oversaw an award-winning, multi-year, $70 million restoration of buildings and gardens. She and fellow National Trust lecturer Dwight Young are the authors of Nemours: A Portrait of Alfred I. DuPont’s House, which was published by Rizzoliin 2011. Grace also is the author of two volumes in the Trust’s “Information” series and has also served as director of the Trust’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Preservation PA, and Longue Vue Houseand Gardens. She was the first director of Colonial Williamsburg’s Tourism Leadership Center.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | New York City/Yonkers, NY
Arrive independently in New York City and board the American Glory. Have lunch aboard as the ship departs for Yonkers, NY. Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along the Hudson River and an introductory lecture by Grace Gary. Each evening, enjoy a lavish reception and multi-choice dinner aboard the ship.

Day 2 | Yonkers, NY/West Point, NY
Begin the day with a private visit at Lyndhurst (1838). Alexander Jackson Davis designed the Gothic Revival mansion on 67-acres overlooking the river. The grandeur of Lyndhurst, with its picturesque lawns and collection of Victorian decorative arts was built for William Paulding, mayor of New York City and subsequently owned by railroad magnate Jay Gould, whose daughter Anna, Duchess of Talleyrand-Perigord, bequeathed the mansion to the National Trust.

After lunch, enjoy a trip to Kykuit (KYE-kut), the palatial estate in Pocantico Hills and National Trust Historic Site that was home to three generations of the Rockefeller family. It was Nelson Rockefeller who bequeathed this 40-room Colonial Revival mansion to the National Trust. See the family’s wonderful collection of antiques and art, and view the lovely inner garden. Next, visit Union Church of Pocantico Hills, one of the first non-denominational churches in the United States. Built in 13th-century English Gothic style, its crowning glory are stained glass windows by Matisse and Chagall. Gather aboard the American Glory for the nightly reception and dinner while sailing to West Point.

Day 3 | West Point, NY/Poughkeepsie, NY
Take a walking tour of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Established in 1802, the Academy has a long, noble history dating back to the Revolutionary War. Visit the scenic overlook of Trophy Point—formerly the site of West Point graduation ceremonies and now the subject of numerous works of art. Guests will also see Cadet Chapel, known for its great pipe organ and stunning gothic revivalarchitecture. Lastly, the Plain is West Point’s official parade groundsand has been used for drills, military maneuvers, and ceremoniesfor hundreds of years.

After West Point, guests enjoy lunch aboard the ship as it cruises to Poughkeepsie, NY. During the afternoon, visit the Roosevelt National Historic Site, which includes the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and his birthplace. This 35-room Roosevelt family estate called Springwood is set on 300-acres overlooking the river, and is a fitting legacy to the only U.S. President to serve a total of four terms. Take a special visit to Val-Kill, a National Historic Site dedicated to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was well-known for her legendary community service and outreach programs.

Day 4 | Albany, NY
Tour Albany, New York’s famous capital city known for its extensive history, culture, architecture, and institutions of higher education. Guests will get the opportunity to explore the New York State Capitol building thatwas originally built in the late 1800’s. The building is a shining example of French Renaissance style and was one of the most lavish structures from 19th century America. A National Historic Landmark, the capitol building remains as one of the last great monumental structures built entirely from masonry.

Additionally, visit the New York State Museum and its huge collection containing a working New York State carousel, the prehistoric Mastodon, and artifacts from the World Trade Center. Exhibits include Harlem in the 1920s, New York State transportation, Coney Island, gems and minerals, and the State’s industry.

Day 5 | Catskill, NY/Kingston, NY
Wake up to a wonderful breakfast and visit Olana, the magnificent Persian style home of one of the most influential Hudson River School painters, Frederic Church. Hailed by many as the queen of the Hudson Valley estates, this massivemansion has gorgeous views, 250-acre grounds, and contains over 800 pieces from Frederic’s art collection.You’ll enjoy lunch during the journey to Kingston, New York’s original capital, where dozens of pre-revolutionary stone houses remain standing and occupied. A large amount of the city is protected as a historic district, including the 1676 Senate House, the oldest public building in America and the place where the first roots of the American Revolution began. Visit the Old Dutch Church, one of the oldest churches still standing since it was built in 1659.

Day 6 | Kingston, NY/New York City, NY
Enjoy the morning aboard the American Glory as it cruises the Hudson River into the Big Apple. From the ship, guests will view iconic New York City sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan’s stunning skyline, and the cliffs of the Palisade Mountains. Once docked, spend a delightful afternoon touring the city. As one of the most populous cities in the United States, each of New York City’s five boroughs is unique in its own special way. Guests will experience the sights, sounds, and history of the city and discover why it has often been referred to as the culture capital of the world. The tour ends at the National September 11th Memorial’s twin reflecting pools to honor the fallen victims of that tragic day.

Day 7 | New York City
The program concludes this morning in Manhattan at Chelsea Piers—West 23rd Street at the Hudson River. Disembarkation is at 8:00 a.m.

Tour Price*

Rates are based on double occupancy, except where indicated. Port charges of $235 are included in tour cost.

Special Offer!
Mention Historic Hotels of America when booking your tour and receive three $100 gift certificates, each good toward a $100 refund when you book through HistoricHotels.org and stay for at least two-nights at a Historic Hotels of America hotel.**

Reservations
To book a tour, please contact our tour VIP desk by calling +1 202 772 8000 or emailing scalhoun@historichotels.org.

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Terms & Conditions

Included in tour cost: Vessel accommodations as shown in the itinerary, Port and Homeland Security charges, all meals, snacks, complimentary cocktail parties, entertainment aboard the ship, a complete program throughout the tour/cruise, including transportation, admission to all points of interest.
Not included in tour cost: Air or land transportation to or from New York, NY; parking facilities; airport transfers; items of a personal nature, laundry (not available onboard the vessel), phone/fax communications; meals not included on the itinerary; insurance of any kind; gratuities to the ship’s crew

**Maximum of one $100 certificate may be claimed for a refund with a minimum two night stay booked through HistoricHotels.org following the return of your tour and completion of your hotel stay. The refund will be issued within 45 days of the completion of your stay upon submitting a Great Experiences & Tours $100 refund application. Refund application must be submitted with a copy of your hotel folio receipt, the original confirmation number from your booking on HistoricHotels.org, and the Certificate number issued to you for booking your tour through Historic Hotels of America. Certificates issued are a promotion only valid toward future reservations made through HistoricHotels.org and do not have any cash value. One certificate may be used per room per two night or longer stay at the same hotel. Eligible rates include rates publicly available at time of booking. Reduced rates, rooms included in another travel or tour package, employee rates, advance purchase rates, and certain last minute sale rates are not eligible for this promotion.