Arrive into your chosen New York airport, and once you have collected your bags, transfer independently to your Manhattan hotel.

New York City is renowned for its iconic skyline dominated by skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Centre. It is also famous for its cultural landmarks such as Broadway theatres, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the bustling Times Square.

Once you have settled into your hotel you may like to explore the local neighbourhood, and try some classic American food.

The New Yorker Hotel or similar

You might like to start your day in New York City with a visit to Central Park, where you can wander along the picturesque pathways, admire Bethesda Terrace, or take a boat ride on the lake.

From there, head to Times Square to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling hub, known for its bright billboards, theatres, and street performers.

Next, stroll along Fifth Avenue to see iconic landmarks such as the Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. For lunch, why not grab a bite at one of the city’s famous delis, or pick up a hot dog from a food cart?

In the afternoon, visit the Empire State Building for panoramic views of the city skyline from the observation deck. Finish your day with a trip to Ellis Island, where you can learn about the city’s immigrant history while enjoying stunning views of the harbour.

Optional Experience – Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
With stops at 30 key landmarks all around New York City, this sightseeing bus route will enable you to view all the sights and sounds of Manhattan and beyond.

The New Yorker Hotel or similar

This morning, head to Greenwich Village for a stroll through its charming, tree-lined streets. You might fancy a coffee and a pastry at one of the artisan cafés, or join a game of chess in Washington Square Park. Be sure to spot the apartment building from Friends and other famous film locations in the area.

As you make your way south, stop by the moving 9/11 Memorial, before reaching Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan.

From the nearby port, hop on the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride across the harbour. The ferry offers some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island as you sail past.

Once on Staten Island, indulge in some shopping at Empire Outlets or visit the National Lighthouse Museum, just a short walk away. Alternatively, take the bus to Snug Harbor to explore its historic buildings, museums, and botanical gardens. When you’re ready, the ferry departs every 25 minutes for the return trip to Manhattan.

The New Yorker Hotel or similar

This morning we escape the city to explore a bit more of New York State. Make your way to Penn Station to board your AmTrak train to Albany-Rensselaer station. You can sit back and relax by the window over the next two and a half hours as the train leaves Manhattan and rolls up along the Hudson Valley to Albany.

Once you have dropped your bags at your downtown Albany hotel, you will have a chance to explore the New York Capital on foot. The most obvious place to start is the grand 19th century Capitol Building. You can join a guided tour to discover more about the history and architecture of the building, including its ‘Million Dollar Staircase’.

Next to the Capitol Building is the Empire State Plaza, where you can pop into the New York State Museum, before taking a stroll through Washington Park, Albany’s equivalent of Central Park in the middle of the city.

In the evening head to Lark Street, Albany’s lively arts and dining district for some refreshments. Here you can find plenty of bars and restaurants. You may like to try the Albany Pump Station for a craft beer and a meal.

Hilton Albany or similar

Today you begin your luxury Hudson River cruise, boarding your riverboat in Albany.

Once you have settled into your private cabin and the glimpses of Albany’s skyline fade into the distance, you will be welcomed onboard by the ships crew at a welcome reception. Here you will be able to meet your fellow guests for this part of your journey and learn more about the places you will discover along the way.

Welcome Reception

Explore Catskill, where the tranquil flow of the Hudson River carves through the landscape, with the towering Catskill Mountains dominating the horizon. Take a leisurely stroll down Main Street, where historic buildings now host antique shops and cosy cafés, reflecting the town’s rich heritage. Be sure to visit the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, where the home and studio of the Hudson River School’s founder provide a fascinating glimpse into the origins of American landscape painting.

Optional Excursion: Traverse the Hudson River Skywalk, providing panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains, then join a tour to the Kaaterskill Falls to view the highest two-tiered waterfall in New York.

Optional Excursion: Tour the Olana State Historic Site, the former home of landscape artist Frederic Church, then hike the ‘Upper Carriage Road Loop’ to gain panoramic views that stretch as far as Vermont and Massachusetts.

Breakfast & Dinner

Further down the banks of the Hudson River, Kingston, once New York’s first state capital, still showcases architecture that reflects its colonial heritage. The town’s Historic Stockade District transports visitors back in time with its well-preserved 17th-century stone houses and the Senate House, where the state’s first constitution was drafted.

A short drive from Kingston, Hyde Park invites history buffs to explore the grand estate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, America’s longest-serving president. Nearby, the opulent Vanderbilt Mansion offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the Gilded Age.

Optional Excursion: Wander around the exhibits of the Hudson River Maritime Museum, which celebrates the industries and communities that have relied on the Hudson River.

Optional Excursion: Spend the day in Hyde Park, joining expert guided tours of both Vanderbilt Mansion, Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the FDR Library and Museum.

Breakfast & Dinner

Take in the serene landscapes from the comfort of your private balcony, or the rooftop view deck. where you can unwind and soak in the beauty of nature.

Join fellow travellers for a delightful lunch and engage in afternoon enrichment programs led by the onboard experts.

Don’t miss out on the nightly happy hour and settle in for a night of onboard entertainment.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Perched dramatically on high bluffs overlooking the Hudson River, West Point offers not only stunning natural beauty but also a rich tapestry of military history.

Established in 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point is America’s oldest continuously occupied military post, having shaped some of the nation’s most distinguished leaders.

The Academy’s Gothic Revival architecture commands the landscape, with the iconic Cadet Chapel and imposing statues of Thayer and Eisenhower standing watch over the historic grounds.

Optional Excursion: Join a guided tour of the historic grounds of West Point, including the impressive Cadet Chapel and Trophy Point. Along the way you will also be able to enjoy elevated views of the Hudson Valley below.

Breakfast & Dinner

Along the enigmatic Tappan Zee stretch of the Hudson River lies a village straight out of folklore. In Sleepy Hollow, the legend of Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman is more than just a tale—it’s woven into the town’s fabric.

A stroll past the Old Dutch Church and through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Irving himself rests, may send a shiver down your spine.

But it’s not all eerie—Sleepy Hollow’s inviting riverfront parks and charming downtown boutiques provide plenty of lighter, more relaxing attractions.

Optional Excursion: Join a guided tour of the gothic Lyndhurst Mansion, a remarkable example of the Hudson River’s grand and historic estates.

Breakfast & Dinner

Probably the best way to approach New York City and particularly the imposing skyline of Manhattan is by boat along the Hudson River. You can view from your private cabin or from the viewing deck on top of the boat as the skyscrapers loom large.

Once docked in New York you will have the option to explore on your own, or join a guided bus tour of Midtown, including a visit to St. Patrick’s, the Rockefeller Centre, and Grand Central Station, who’s celestial ceiling features a stunning mural of the zodiac.

Return to your boat for one last night onboard.

Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast you will disembark your riverboat and say farewell to New York as you are transferred back to the airport in time for your return flight.

Breakfast