The following Day Trips and Multi-Day Tours are presented in cooperation with Group Tours & Travel. We have been working with Group Tours for more than 20 years. If you would like a detailed itinerary for any of the multi-day tours listed below, please call our office at (201) 670-2777. Registration is open late January 2024.
DAY TOURS
Art & Culture in Philadelphia Barnes Foundation & Shofuso
Join us for a day of culture in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia art collector, Albert C. Barnes chartered the Barnes to teach people from all walks of life how to look at art. Over three decades he collected some of the world’s most important impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings including works by Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso. He displayed them alongside African masks, Native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork. Today we see his collection and have time to browse at our leisure, lingering at what speaks to you most. Take a break for an included lunch at the café, then back to more exploration. This afternoon, we step straight into Japanese culture on our visit to Shofuso, designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura in Japan using traditional techniques and materials. This amazing creation was then shipped to New York and is now exhibited along the scenic grounds of Fairmount Park. Our tour will lead us through this lovely home and we’ll take time to enjoy the garden’s waterfall, hill and pond garden. If we’re in luck, we may see the cherry blossoms blooming around the park!
#002 ~ Friday, April 19:
Departs Ridgewood 7:30 am and returns approximately 7:30 pm
Historical NYC Tenement Museum & South Street Seaport
Today we bring history to life! First, we explore the stories of the Rosgarshevskys and the Baldizzis, a Jewish and an Italian family who became neighbors at 97 Orchard Street in what is now the home of the Tenement Museum. In our Under the Roof tour, we’ll wander through the historically preserved spaces of recreated apartments where these families lived and dealt with the conditions of immigration during a critical time in New York City history. This afternoon we step back in time to a place where “New York Begins”, lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport containing over 400 years of history. Walk the cobblestone streets, as if it was the 18th century, past Federalist style buildings leading to what once was an outpost for the Dutch West India Company. Today, the Fulton Fish Market remains and the South Street Seaport Museum preserves art and artifacts that tell the tale of where the city really began. Take your time exploring the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose, wander the historic streets, and browse the museum and market. Don’t miss the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, dedicated to the victims of the ill-fated journey. Wander as you please finding a tasty lunch on your own feeling history beneath each step. $175
#003 ~ Sunday, May 5:
Departs Ridgewood at 9:30 am and returns approximately 5:30 pm
The Wild Life of Wolves Wolf Conservation Center
Today you can be a wolf expert! Join us on a visit to the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY where we will learn the history, ecology, and biology of these amazing creatures and develop a new understanding of wolf recovery programs for rare and extinct species including red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. The Center has played a critical role in preserving and protecting imperiled species through carefully managed breeding and reintroduction. To date the Wolf Conservation Center remains one of the largest holding facilities for rare species and seven wolves from the Center have been given the freedom to resume their rightful place in the wild landscape. While we would all love to see these lovely, rare creatures, human interaction is limited so they can be released back into their natural landscape. We will however meet the center’s two Ambassador wolves, Alawa and Nikai who have inspired guests to embrace their beauty and importance in our world despite past human misconceptions. If there’s one thing you can bring back with you after this visit (since it’s not a wolf), it’s that the world needs wolves! Let’s stay out in nature at the nearby Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where we can enjoy an included picnic lunch and have time to wander the trails and explore the Trailside Museum that is home of the Delaware Indian Research Center. Go butterflying in the meadow, see regional art in the Gallery at the Park, or go on a search for Leatherman’s Cave! $185
#004 ~ Friday June 28:
Departs Ridgewood at 9:00 am and returns approximately 5:00 pm
We’re Mad for Lavender! Mad Lavender Farm
If you love lavender, then this is the day for you! Join us on our trip into serenity at the idyllic and unique Mad Lavender Farm right here in New Jersey for a day of relaxation and fun. While we may have missed the farm’s full lavender bloom, there’s still plenty of lavender in the air. We’ll have a picturesque and serene setting in which to enjoy our included catered lunch among fresh cut flowers and refreshing lavender infused water. We’ll learn all about lavender on our tour of the farm and in the meantime, wander the lovely grounds, take a meditative walk in the Lavender Labyrinth, visit with the friendly goats and chickens, and don’t miss the tiny shop filled with locally made artisanal lavender gifts and goodies. Our day isn’t over until we make our own music on rocks! The only place to do so is at the mysterious eight-acre geological wonder Ringing Rocks Park where a huge boulder field consists of primordial igneous diabase material that resonates when struck. Don’t forget your hammer! If your legs are up for more of an adventure, follow the short but beautiful path to discover Bucks County’s largest waterfall and relax its soothing, cascading sounds. $195
#005 ~ Wednesday, July 31:
Departs Ridgewood at 8:30 am and returns approximately 6:30 pm
Get Your Tiki On! Belmar Beach, New Jersey
A fun, tiki beach cruise awaits outside of Belmar New Jersey, so what are you waiting for? This is the most fun you can have at the Jersey Shore! Hop aboard the Belmar Tiki for a tour of the scenic Shark River on our 2-hour private cruise. We’ll have the whole boat to ourselves, so sit back and relax and take in all the fresh air and scenery. But first, find a tasty lunch among one of the many restaurants along Main Street. Take a stroll and see what catches your eye. If you like, bring your lunch or snacks aboard or pick up your favorite drink (but no glass bottles of any kind!). Before our cruise, let’s start the day by taking a refreshing walk along the Belmar Boardwalk with lovely ocean views, fresh salty air, and plenty of people watching! Take in all the splendid scenery, stretch your legs, and work up an appetite for lunch. $195
#006 ~ Wednesday, August 21:
Departs Ridgewood at 8:30 am and returns approximately 7:00 pm
MULTI-DAY TOURS
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
Ancient Floridian Treasures St. Augustine & Amelia Island
Seven Day Tour ~ March 19-25: #007
Nonstop, Roundtrip Airfare Newark to Jacksonville • Four Relaxing Nights at the Cozy St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine • Two Fabulous Nights at the Addison on Amelia • Villa Zorayda • Castillo de San Marcos • Whetstone Chocolates Tasting • Flagler College Historic Tour • Old Town Trolley Hop On & Off • St. Augustine Lighthouse • Old Senator Oak Tree & Live Oak Canopy • St. Photios Greek Orthodox Chapel • Lincolnville Historic District • Beyond the Grave Walking Tour • Pedestrian Only St. George Street • The Narrowest Treasury Street • Amelia & Cumberland Island Cruise or Cat Boat Ride! • Shark Tooth Adventure • Fort Clinch State Park • Tolomato River Boardwalk • Big Talbot Island State Park’s Black Rock Beach & Boneyard Beach • All Breakfasts • Two Lunches • Two Dinners
There’s still a chill in the air so why not go south to St. Augustine, the “Nation’s Oldest City” where we’ll step into a warmer climate perfect for strolling quaint brick lined streets and exploring the many historical charms. Founded in 1545 by the Spanish and named after a feast day, St. Augustine’s old city is steeped rich with history and home to some of the oldest buildings in the U.S. So much of the history is preserved today right down to the narrow lanes and alleys lined with century old buildings with beautiful Spanish colonial architecture, many dating to when the Spanish first settled. With 450 years of history, there’s a lot to explore! Wander through the oldest of the old from a fort to a store and lots of fun things in between, take a deep breath in as you squeeze down the narrowest street in America, and step foot on the oldest street in the U.S. Wander into the magnificence of the former Ponce de Leon Hotel and a historic Gilded Age masterpiece, then take a walk through a district founded by freed slaves. History doesn’t stop here! Our travels take us to Amelia Island where we’ll step into history in downtown Fernandina and embrace the wonders of nature while exploring the island’s enchanted rivers, marshes and greenways. It’s the perfect getaway to put some spring back in your step!
$3,535 Twin & $4,625 Single ~ $350 deposit per person
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
Beyond Myrtle Beach South Carolina’s Hammock Coast
Six Day Tour ~ April 23-28: #008
Nonstop, Roundtrip Airfare Newark to Myrtle Beach • Five Oceanfront Nights at the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort’s Bridgewater • Atalaya Castle • Huntington Beach State Park Birding & Trails • Sandy Island Gullah Tour • Brookgreen Gardens • Creek Excursion Cruise • Murrels Inlet MarshWalk • Hopsewee Plantation • Wine by the River • Hopsewee Ghost Tour • Sea Shell & Lighthouse Cruise • Historic Georgetown • Hammock Shops Village • All Breakfasts • Two Lunches • $60 Hotel Dinner Credit
Everyone knows the famous Myrtle Beach with its boardwalk oozing with shops and entertainment, but there’s so much more beyond this usual beach resort destination. South Carolina’s Hammock Coast is filled with charm, history, and culture along with beautiful expanses of nature featuring salt marshes and moss draped oaks, so this is where we’ll explore and wander. Step out of the ordinary and into a relaxing adventure of new discoveries. A mystical castle hides within a coastal nature preserve that’s a bird lover’s paradise, an ever changing and simply amazing garden awaits strolling, and Southern history can be found around every river’s bend. Here you’ll find a slower and more laid-back kind of pace, so let’s step into that frame of mind as we discover the treasures along the wide sandy beaches and ancient rivers of South Carolina’s best kept secret, the Hammock Coast.
$3,095 Twin & $3,925 Single ~ $350 deposit per person
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
Refreshin’ At The Roxbury The Catskills, New York
Three Day Tour ~ July 9-11: #009
Two Fantastical Nights at the Unique, Stylish Roxbury at Stratton Falls in a Spectacularly Fun Themed Mansion Room or Tower Cottage! • Included Spa Pass • Historic, Artistic Olana • The Fabulous Rock Star Meadow • Stratton Falls Scenic Trail & Waterfall • Strolling Eclectic Downtown Woodstock • Delectable Brunch at Local Buck Hill Farm Magnificent Mine Kill Falls • A Super Fabulous Amount of Fun! • Two Continental Breakfasts • One Lunch • Two Dinners
Looking for a unique summer getaway? Join us on our Summertime Fun Van Adventure to The Roxbury! The Catskills not only brings fresh mountain breezes, flowing rivers, and every shade of green imaginable for the eyes to see, but also gives us the fabulous, one-of-a-kind Roxbury. You haven’t experienced The Catskills until you’ve spent a night here! The funky, hip vibe surrounding you here is not only FUN but will instantly reconnect you with your sense of wonder. There is no better place to unwind, relax, and refresh than in a Roxbury mansion room or tower cottage that feels like you stepped into a dream. Created and designed by Greg and Joe, expats from Broadway, each mansion room theme is inspired by its rich history and the tower cottages are, well, just over the top with extravagance and pure magic that will transport you into a realm of total immersion into fantasy. Either place you choose brings with it a magical and whimsical experience to our stay in The Catskills. The beauty of the tower cottages is that they are 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a comfy common living area to share and outdoor balconies or patios. So grab some friends to share the space or we can group you together with other new friends. First registrations get first pick of their unique room or tower cottage! At The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, enjoy the outdoor heated pool along with your choice of included spa activity, and for your walking pleasure, an easy, walkable trail system that leads to their beautiful 50-foot waterfall. While here in the heart of the Catskills, let’s explore the area! You’ll step into an unbelievable painting in progress, walk through the artistry of Frederick Church, wander the streets of charming villages, savor delicious local food, and gaze in awe at two cascading beauties! Why not grab a change of clothes along with your sense of fun and fantasy and let’s get going!
Magnificent Mansion Rooms: $1,525 Single & $1,225 Twin
Terrific Tower Cottages: $1,650 Twin & $1,425 Triple & $1,295 Quad
Spectacular Singles – Motel Side: $1,325 Single
$350 deposit per person
*Some prices are based on availability at time of registration*
*Please let us know interest ASAP to reserve your special room or cottage*
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
SOLD OUT - Vistas of Vermont Charming Small Towns & Splendid Scenery Five Day Tour ~ July 15-19: #010
Four Serene Nights at the Charming Blueberry Hill Inn • Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Pass & Trails • Scenic Road to Mount Mansfield’s Beautiful Vistas • Bingham Falls Trail • Barnes Camp Boardwalk • Smugglers’ Cave • Quaint Town of Dorset • Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park’s Secret Japanese Garden • Scenic Middlebury Gap Road • Robert Frost Interpretive Trail • Moss Glen Falls • Charming Towns of Warren & Waitsfield • Warren Falls • Warren General Store • Von Trapp Farmstead Farm Store • Smallest Town in Vermont, Vergennes • Huntington Gorge • Old Round Church • Whistling Man Schooner Wine Cruise • Wonderful Town of Weston • Old Mill Museum • Vermont Country Store • Clarendon Gorge Suspension Bridge • Art & Soul Village of Brandon • All Breakfasts • Three Lunches • Four Dinners
Let’s make our way north to the Green Mountain State of Vermont with its rich history, local artisanal goodies, and perfectly splendid scenery. Vermont is not just a place but a state of mind that delights in outdoor beauty, delicious cuisine, and the preservation of unique small towns. It’s a land of hidden treasures filled with unspoiled scenery. Our travels will take us through the green forests leading to untouched countryside dotted with farms and framed by mountains. We’ll visit classic New England villages just oozing with charm with their picturesque church steeples, village greens, and covered bridges that are perfect for wandering. Even the highways here are unspoiled by billboards, banned by law, and don’t be surprised if we find ourselves on a road where cows still stop traffic en route to their pasture. We’ll spend a lot of time exploring all the nature Vermont has to offer from Japanese Gardens to tall mountain peaks. There’s plenty of time for relaxation as well, from our serene inn among the forest to a gentle sail along Lake Champlain. So why not pack a suitcase and join us as we travel together with a sense of wonder and peacefulness that comes with slowing down while taking in all the surrounding nature of Vermont’s summer scenery.
$1,995 Twin & $2,495 Single ~ $350 deposit per person
Price Coming Soon ~ $350 deposit per person
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
Best Kept Secrets of New England Western Massachusetts
Three Day Tour ~ July 24-26: #011
Two Charming Nights at the Historic Deerfield Inn • Glendale Falls • Artsy Three Sisters Sanctuary • Historic Deerfield House Tours • Flynt Center of Early New England Life • Montague Bookmill • Sunderland Caves Hike • Magnificent Buttonball Tree • Yankee Candle Village • Black Birch Vineyard Tastings • Memorial Hall Museum • Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory • Chesterfield Gorge • Channing Blake Footpath • All Inclusive Meals: Two Breakfasts • Three Lunches • Two Dinners
There are countless hidden gems dotted around the countryside that are just waiting to be explored! Our adventures take us north to discover the best kept secrets of Western Massachusetts, an area with serene, undisturbed beauty that is the perfect picturesque escape. Step back in time into old world charm in historic Deerfield where centuries old, restored houses line up along Old Main Street. Tour as many of the twelve preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850 as your heart desires, explore the museums filled with unique and significant historic collections, wander the Channing Blake Footpath leading to the Deerfield River and visit the Old Burying Ground where beautiful gravestones tell stories from the past. You will find books you don’t need in a place you can’t find, explore mysterious caves hidden in the forest, visit healing gardens where art and nature merge, stroll through a land where butterflies fly free and find more hidden treasures around every corner. So why not hop on our Van Adventure into Massachusetts’ secrets and leave all your worries behind in New Jersey!
$1,695 Twin & $1,995 Single ~ $350 deposit per person
*Van Adventure Small Group Tour, max 9 people*
Washington’s Wondrous Wilderness North Cascades National Park
Nine Day Tour ~ August 3-11: #012
Nonstop, Roundtrip Airfare Newark to Seattle • Two Seaside Nights at the Orcas Hotel, Orcas Island • Four Splendid Nights at the Freestone Inn • Two Serene Nights Camano Island Inn • North Cascades Scenic Byway • Ferry to Orcas Island, San Juan Islands • Orcas Whale Watching Cruise • Thunder Knob Trail • Diablo Lake • Ross Lake & Dam Trail • Blue Lake Trail • Washington Pass Overlook • Mountain Community of Stehekin • Rainbow Falls Mist Trail • Lake Chelhan Ferry • Gorge Creek Falls • Rainy Lake Trail • Ladder Creek Falls Trail • Cedars Nature Walk • Giant Cedars at Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest • Mount Baker’s Artist Point • Picture Lake • Artist Ridge Trail • Nooksack Falls • Old Western Town Winthrop • Lost River Winery • Shafer History Museum • Falls Creek Falls • Sa Teekh Wa Bridge
Let’s travel west where we’ll lose ourselves in the Pacific Northwest wilderness and venture deep into the North American Alps, the lesser-known North Cascades National Park. This hidden gem of a National Park reveals a rugged beauty expressed as jagged peaks, deep forested valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers – more than any other U.S. Park outside of Alaska. We’ll experience all this stunning nature along twisting, winding roads leading through the conifer clad mountains and take to the trails leading to brilliantly clear, glacier fed turquoise lakes, past rushing rivers with waterfall cascades and so much spectacular scenery and views along the way. If Mother Nature allows, we’ll be entranced by a deep dark sky glittering with millions of stars, more than you’ve ever seen. We’ll feel the history as thousands of voices from the past crackle to life in this alpine landscape, from Native Americans to early European and American fur traders and explorers to homesteaders and miners, all of which called this land home. Mountains aren’t the only thing we’ll encounter, we’ll also set our minds to island time as we visit Orcas Island, part of the San Juan Islands serenely set in the heart of the Salish Sea. Horseshoe shaped Orcas Island is not only rural and hilly green paradise but is also home to magnificent orca whales who we’ll try to spot on our cruise around the islands. So grab your sense of adventure along with some comfy clothes and join us on an exploration of Washington’s wondrous wilderness!
Price Coming Soon ~ $500 deposit per person