
No matter how many times we travel to the Hudson River Valley of New York State there is always something more to visit and explore. Our first stop is in the historic Village of Warwick. First settled in the 1650's by European trappers and hunters, we will have a chance to eat lunch on our own and stroll the streets and shops.
Our lodging for 2 nights will be at the grand Victorian Mohonk Mountain House resort in New Paltz, New York. Built in 1869 on glacier formed Lake Mohonk, this classic hotel is one of America's oldest family-owned resorts. There are acres of hiking trails, golf, swimming and a newly opened full service spa. Dinner is included both nights in the Main Dining Room where we can order off the menu.
Thursday morning there will be a full buffet breakfast before the group is off to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Thomas Cole was one of America's first great landscape painters and taught his famous student, Frederic Church. The Cole House is where American Art was born and on our guided tour we will see the studio where Thomas Cole created his masterpieces. After our visit to the Cole house we will return for lunch at the Mohonk Mountain House and your afternoon is at your leisure, whether it is the Spa, a greenhouse tour, a swim in the beautiful indoor pool or perhaps just a walk along the many trails around Mohonk.
Friday we are off with our box lunch to Wilderstein, which has been the home of the Suckley family for over three generations. The last member of the Suckley family to live here was Margaret (Daisy) Suckley, whose extraordinary close friendship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt has been the subject of much interest. This elaborate Queen Ann Victorian mansion has an eclectic mix of furnishings and the grounds were designed by Calvert Vaux. After our guided tour we are off once again to Northern Virginia with even more wonderful memories of the Hudson River Valley.

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