DESTINATION – Hudson Valley Region, New York

Nestled in the vicinity of New York State’s historic Hudson River, the valley region offers an idyllic natural playground bounding with opportunities for active senior adventures. Whether you are hailing from the vast downstate megalopolis surrounding New York City, the upstate political metropolis of Albany, or if you are arriving from further away, seeking an ambience of pure tranquility, serene temperatures and classic natural beauty, Elder Expeditions invites you to the land of Rip Van Winkle, Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman, for a long weekend of memorable experiences, many of which will be new and others, perhaps not so new, but not tried and savored for many years.

Minimum participants: 2 | Maximum participants: 10

Languages: English, Spanish

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
The group will be met by the Elder Expeditions representative at the Poughkeepsie (NY) airport at a time to be determined based on participants’ arrival times. (Participants arriving by other than air transportation should contact Elder Expeditions for instructions.) Transfer to Base Lodging.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.
Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel. Participants arriving early in the day are invited to try out any of the available activities such as river kayaking, the archery range, the BB gun shooting range, tennis, swimming and a host of other activities. Of course, we are always free to relax beside the pool, in a shaded cabana or at the poolside bar.

Day 2: (Horseback riding and Sightseeing)
Morning: After breakfast we will head out go for a few hours on horseback, meandering through the scenic Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains. There will be instruction available for participants who are either new to the joys of horseback riding or whose skills may have rusted a bit over the years. Each rider will be assigned a horse and a riding group commensurate with his / her riding ability and experience.

As there are a number of on-premises activities available, if anyone would prefer to choose an alternative to horseback riding, simply speak to one of the local hosts. Every effort will be made to offer an acceptable alternative for the morning of Day 2.

Noon: We will return to our Base Lodging for lunch.

Afternoon: Visits to (1) the Gomez Mill House (North America’s oldest standing Jewish dwelling), home to Jewish pioneers, Revolutionary War patriots, and social activists for nearly 300 years, and (2) the Union Church of Pocantico Hills, a stone country church with stained glass windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall.

Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 3: (Hiking)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging and then its off to the Minnewaska Preserve for a 5 mile moderately strenuous hike on the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge.

Noon: We will a have a picnic lunch on the hiking trail.

Afternoon: After some leisure time at our Base Lodging for relaxation , a swim or whatever our fancy may be, we will take a hike across the Hudson River on the world’s longest pedestrian bridge.

Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 4: (Kayaking; Hiking; Horseback riding)
Morning: After breakfast at base lodging, we will set off in kayaks for a comfortable paddle around the private lake adjacent to Base Lodging. Our paddling experience will be interspersed with some lake shore hiking

Noon: Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: Horseback riding. After returning from the trails there will be opportunities for some of the many optional activities offered at our Base Lodging facility.

Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 5: (Departure Day)
Morning: After breakfast we will bid our hosts a farewell. Those among us who are traveling by plane (or other public transportation) will be transferred to the Poughkeepsie Airport (or other area public transportation point).

2012 DATES
June 18, 2012 to June 22, 2012
September 3, 2012 to September 7, 2012

The price includes all lodging, food, activities, safety equipment, transport to and from the Poughkeepsie Airport (or other Poughkeepsie area arrival point), parking at Base Lodging if you are driving, and transportation to all facilities in the above day to day itinerary.

The price does NOT include alcoholic beverages or items of a purely personal nature.

LODGING

Base lodging will be at a spacious western style lodge where we will enjoy scenic mountain and lake vistas as well as miles of hiking and equestrian trails. All meals are buffet (all you can eat) style and are prepared under the close scrutiny of an award winning chef who has thirty years fine culinary experience. There are three full service bars available and evening entertainment on site where we can relax after an active day.

LOCAL HOSTS

The local hosts know the area well and are comfortable with all of the activities offered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. As our hosts can accommodate different equestrian abilities, an experienced rider as well as a beginner will be wholly at ease. There is a weight limit of 200 pounds for the equestrian activity.

Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 8 miles (13 kilometers).

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than the United States are advised to check with the American Embassy (or a consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot.