A Hudson Valley wine tour to celebrate a friend's landmark birthday was perfect! Hudson Valley…read moreBucket list did an outstanding job coordinating the day from transport and an itinerary of beautiful wineries to a magazine photo worthy picnic lunch orchestrated by an on-site host. Our group of 12 were treated like special guests everywhere we went and we were wowed by the friendly, welcoming reception at each stop and the delicious wines we were able to taste. HVBL made planning this event easy and the day memorable

Becky was the best and the day couldn't have been planned any better! Best time ever !read more

I've wanted to take this tour ($45) for a while now but finally got around to it recently on a…read morelovely fall Sunday morning. While the tour is timed at 2.5 hours...you spend closer to 1.5 hours on the island itself, factoring in the 30-minute boatride to and from the island. There was lots of parking available as the Metro Station's parking is free on weekends. I opted for the early 9:30am departure. I arrived around 9:05am and there were a few people there waiting. They started checking tickets and allowing people onto the boat at around 9:15am. The boat left on time at 9:30am. Tom was at the wheel and Jen was assisting. (Forgive me if I got the names wrong) Jen gave an overview of the sites, buildings and history of the Newburgh waterfront during the 20-minute boatride to the island. We arrived around 9:50, docked and climbed up some stairs to a waiting/dock area. We were then greeted by ___ who was our tour guide for the visit. She explained the history of the island as we made our way through the tour path...passing the castle, garden and museum. After the tour (about 30-40 minutes), visitors can explore the island on their own. There are a few areas that are accessible but not on the tour path, such as Wee Bay. I suggest exploring those areas as you will be rewarded with some amazing views! The museum is also small, but very informative...lots of little interesting facts about the island in there. Be sure to check it out. While the tour path itself is fairly flat, the other explorable areas are rocky and uneven. Its best to wear comfortable hiking/trail shoes if possible...otherwise, you will feel every sharp/uneven rock particalarly if wearing flat-bottomed shoes. There is a small shop there with snacks and some souvenirs. Bathrooms on the island. None on the boat. The group met up at the dock at around 11:30am to take the boat back to Beacon. A group was arriving at that time...likely the 11:00am tour. Overall I had a great time on the tour...learned a lot and captured some great views. Be sure to leave time afterward (or before) to explore other attractions in Beacon...such as the shop-filled Main Street.

Months after my trip here I'm still unhappy I spent three hours on this experience. I'm writing an…read moreupdate to let people know there is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house on Petre Island, a dozen miles southeast of Bannerman, which is open for tours! The island has been for sale for years and once it's purchased it might not be open to the public anymore.

Highly recommend! We did the Kayaking and walking tour of Bannerman Island . Our guides were very…read morehelpful and knowledgeable!

Such a fun day trip! The whole experience was smooth and well-organized. Our guides, Kyle and…read moreAudrey, were so kind and informative--they really made the day special. The kayak ride to Bannerman Island was enjoyable, with minimal waves and a gentle current thanks to the good weather (though I imagine it could be easier or harder depending on the day!). Bannerman Island itself is a special little place--full of charm, with beautiful flowers, scenic views, and a peaceful atmosphere. We learned they even host movie nights and live plays there, which sounds like such a unique experience. Highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty!

I went on one of Steve Brill's foraging tours as part of a company outing and can't stop telling…read moreeveryone I know they need to go on one too! He really involved and engaged our large group. His jokes, drawings, and knowledge really made the tour entertaining, informative, and memorable! Not only did he share which plants were edible but different ways you could cook with them when you brought them home. I'm already looking to book another tour so I can bring my family!

I booked a tour on a whim, my husband and I had such a great time exploring sunken meadow with…read moreSteve, that we booked another tour for the next weekend. Steve is so funny, and also incredibly knowledgeable. We learned so much about a variety of different locally growing plants and edible vegetables. We were lucky to find a small bunch of wood ear mushrooms after the rain. I will definitely be foraging with Steve again in the near future.

Having attended last night's theatrical production on the island, I can safely say it was one of…read morethe worst outings I've experienced. If you are attending anything on the island, do COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH ON THE BOAT SCHEDULES. Despite absolutely zero published information, the tickets and entry times correlate to when you can leave at the end of the night ... they have horrible customer service (after spending $80 on tickets ... hilariously corrupt) and the audience is essentially a hostage until the second boat returns at 11 PM. There isn't a single informed person in charge with a shred of experience, because this is a logistical and safety nightmare. There are definite liabilities and the island production team needs significant overhaul and/or state supervision. What an embarrassment. What a joke.

I HIGHLY recommend booking a tour with Event Atlas…read more **BACKGROUND** I booked a tour for 6 (me + 5 of my best girlfriends) to visit three wineries. **THE PEOPLE** Francesca, who booked the tour was super organized and on top of answering my questions and keeping me up to date on our tour. Geoff ended up running our tour and was so nice and patient. We are a bit, um, loud sometimes but Geoff made sure to get the best angles with every group picture and even picked up our untimely food order so we wouldn't miss the last tasting. He was also extremely knowledgeable about local wine! **THE EXPERIENCE** It was a gorgeous fall Saturday. I highly recommend taking this trip in October, as the foliage was breathtaking. Milea Vineyard, our first stop, felt like a mansion, and the tasting room was sunlit and gorgeous. Clinton Vineyards was more of a country farmhouse, and our group had a private tasting with the owner, Phyllis, who is a super interesting woman. The last, Milbrook, was a bit busy, but the property has a cute lake and food, and before the tasting, you can check out the vineyard and store. Again HIGHLY recommended! Especially for a bachelorette party, birthday, or girls weekend getaway!

Francesca is really lovely, and my mother and I had a great time taking a tour of three venues in…read morethe Hudson Valley (a winery, a distillery/cooperage, and a brewery). We had poor weather day of our tour, but this actually is a great activity for a rainy day - can't beat drinking wine and being chauffeured around the Hudson Valley!

TEP deserves more than 5 stars for the amazing start to finish service we experienced on our 7 day…read moreadventure to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From the time we signed up, to the time we boarded the plane to return home, TEP took care of every detail. We commented amongst ourselves that we felt like kids on vacation with our parents, as we didn't have to worry about any of the details - just show up and follow Neptali (our guide). From airport pickup in Cusco in luxury Mercedes vans where we were promptly served Coca tea to help with the altitude acclimation, to group dinners at amazing Peruvian restaurants, to historical tours and education on the history of the Inca - everything was covered and taken care of for us. And that was all before the amazing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Of course the trek itself was the highlight of the trip, and although it was extremely challenging for us, TEP's unbelievable attention to detail did not fail us on the trail. With nearly a 2:1 porter to trekker ration, our every need was met on the trail. We dined like kings every meal, and were consistently amazed with the quality (and nutritional appropriateness) of the food our chef and sous chef were able to put out with minimal kitchen conveniences. The thing I felt was most special about TEP's approach to this trip was the focus on gaining a cultural and historical appreciation for what we were experiencing. Every step along the way, we learned about the native people of Peru, the Inca civilization, the many ruins we came across, the vegetation we saw and how it was and is used, and the history of modern Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime, and have the help of The Explorer's Passage made it so much more enjoyable, and so much more memorable. The value of what they provide is amazing for the cost....rather, for the investment. I highly recommend them!

What a fabulous tour! I did the "Washington in NYC" tour in June 2017 and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! So much fascinating historical information that I can't wait to share with all my friends now; such a great group of fellow explorers; and all so perfectly run - well planned, perfectly on time, with a great variety of sights and insights for all types of travelers. I recommend this tour highly - and will be on the lookout for future adventures from The Explorer's Passage! :)

Let us just start by saying ... we didn't want to come home! We are not sure we would even call it…read morea "tour", but rather a TRULY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL VISIT to Tuscany Italy. As we both have Italian grandparents, Italy was a place we have longed to visit. Our grandparents traveled to America by different ships, entering through Ellis Island. Both families ended up changing their names, dropping the final consonant or changing the last name completely to hide their Italian heritage because they thought it would be easier to establish themselves and find jobs. Our families left Italy, their homes, and it's hard for us to comprehend this concept after seeing this beautiful country. But yes, we know ... to pursue a better life in the late 1800s ... to go to America, the land of opportunity. We wanted to return to their homeland and see what they left behind. Get a sense of our heritage. Learn more about our family's country and culture. Although we didn't visit the exact towns and villages where our grandparents once lived, we definitely got a feeling of their country. There were six of us who traveled under the guiding eyes of Russ and Elke. We were long-time good friends and some were family. But by the end of the week, we all became a new family. Every time we opened my eyes, we SAW more and more beauty -- the landscapes, the flowers, the grapevines, the olive trees, the castles, the wineries, the churches and their unbelievable stained glass windows, paintings, frescos, statues and tombs, the small roadside religious shrines, the piazzas and the many statues, the poppies, the sunflowers, the shopping in small boutiques, the cobblestone streets, the doors, the windows, the flower boxes, nonnos and nonnas carrying their groceries, the animals, and so much more of the grandeur of Tuscany, Italy. We TASTED and SAVORED every bite of the many, many delicious meals that were prepared and served to us ... the many varieties of white and red wines that were presented, the espresso and cappuccino, gelato and other desserts, meats and cheese, salads, vegetables, bread, and more. We can close our eyes and SMELL the lavender, the mustiness of the old parts of some of the wineries and wine cellars, the cheeses, meats, the wine, breads, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits, the wood burning at the villa that was used to heat the water, homemade cakes and desserts, gelato, leather, and the aroma of each meal ... and more! We TOUCHED the earth, the vines, the trees, ancient walls, flowers, pottery, the farm animals, alabaster and leather, and felt the coolness of the water in the pool at the villa. We HEARD the voices of the Italian people speak their romantic and beautiful language, the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the church bells, the laughter of children, the cars, the wonderful tour guides we had, trucks and busses zipping by, the birds chirping each morning, the barking of dog (Donna) at the villa, and more! One night at the villa, we were treated to a cooking class led by chefs Kalinka and Simonetta, at which each of us took part in making a four-course dinner for us and the other villa guests--crustina, homemade pasta with bolognaise sauce, ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese, and strawberry tiramisu, served with several bottles of Chianti! Russ and Elke planned and prepared EVERY step of the way and shared their many years of experience with us. We didn't have to worry about ANYTHING ... flight tickets, car rental, road maps, travel, accommodations, meals, and reservations ... EVERYTHING was taken care of in advance. The villa, Le Cetinelle in Greve Chianti and owned Simonetta and Lucca, was more than charming and very accommodating - and it had a spectacular view! If necessary, they adjusted the schedule and added a couple of places (Florence being one) that were not on the original itinerary. They brought us only to places they had experienced before and it wasn't boring for them because they witnessed our enjoyment, which made it fun for them and in turn, fun for us. Although we traveled together, we also had free time to explore and shop on our own, relax by the pool, take a nap, or sit outside and read, write, sketch. And morning start time was somewhat flexible as well. We kept a journal of our trip - SO much to write about. We took over 2200 pictures, each one capturing a new moment. We could go on and on and on talking about our week in Tuscany. It is truly a vacation we will never, ever, ever forget. GRAZIE, GRAZIE, GRAZIE to Russ and Elke for providing us with such an unforgettable experience. They are two amazing people, who shared their love of Italy with us, who took great care and concern to make it extra special and unforgettable in every way, all so expertly planned and executed! This trip was FANTASTIC, filled with so many sites, sounds, smells, and tastes, which will stay with us for as long as we live!

Elke and Russ escorted us on a marvelous tour of Tuscany last May. I like to tell people I had 4 or…read more5 of the best meals in my life and the wines were awesome too. The villa we stayed in was first class. We hated to leave. Our intimate group of seven people made travelling easy. They were extremely professional and organized.... as well as upbeat and spirited, making it fun for everybody! I can't imagine a more perfect combination of things to make our trip unforgettable for years to come. Thanks guys, we look forward to a reunion some day!

What a great little historic spot tucked along the Hudson River. We were trying to kill time before…read morean afternoon wedding and I came across this place while searching online. This historic site was home to pivotal decisions during the Revolutionary War, made by George Washington himself. The museum/buildings themselves have limited hours (which are listed on the parks website) but we were able to walk the grounds freely which was nice. There are gates/fencing surrounding the site, which were locked as we went around - but toward the opposite side of the site (where I believe their designated parking lot is? We weren't sure but it looked like their lot) there is an opening where you can walk a gravel path that will take you through the site. It was really cool being able to see the buildings here. Even though the park is nestled in a neighborhood/town, I felt pretty immersed in the history just walking along the paths. We got to see the buildings that George Washington was present in, plus the various monuments that were erected on site. The state parks put up informational signs around the area so we could easily read up on the history. It was a really nice way to get even just a taste of history while we were here, which was perfect for our constricted time frame. If I'm ever traveling this way again, I'd definitely try to make it for a tour of the interiors.

Very nice park to walk around. There are few historic monuments here. Great views. If you are…read morenearby, definitely worth visiting.