Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Itenirary for Marianne Scruggs Garden Club 2014 Tour


October 19 through October 22, 2014 tour throughout the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.



DAY 1

Sunday, October 19th
 3:00 pm
Arrival into Ithaca Airport - Your motor coach and tour guide will meet the group at
the airport and assist with luggage handling onto the bus.
3:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Cornell Plantations and Gardens: Enjoy a drive-through the Cornell Plantations Arboretum, followed by a visit to their welcome center and botanical gardens.
 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Fabulous Falls Above Cayuga Tour: Our Fabulous Falls Above Cayuga Tour is a one
hour tour that is perfect experience for getting you acquainted with Ithaca and the natural beauty of our area. The group will experience three waterfall stops where we get out and explore the gorges carved out by Fall Creek and Cascadilla Creeks. These creeks border the beautiful Cornell University Campus and provide beautiful sites along its shores. 


We will traverse the famous Cornell Suspension bridge - a pedestrian bridge that is suspended 138 feet above the water, then see the falls surrounding College Town, as well as Cascadilla Falls. 






 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Dinner at Cornell’s Statler Hotel with classical harp accompaniment.
• 9:00 pm
Hotel Check-in
Accommodations – 3 nightsLa Tourelle Inn and Spa – 18 rooms reserved. La Tourelle is a French country inn nestled in the hills overlooking the city of Ithaca. One of the finest inns in Ithaca, it’s a goal to provide its guests country elegance in a warm welcoming setting.




DAY 2

Monday, October 20th
Breakfast: At Hotel Signature farm-to-table breakfast at the hotel
• Bus departs by 8:30 am - We will make our way up the east shore of Cayuga Lake where beautiful vistas if the lake are enhanced with the autumn palate of colors of the surrounding hillsides.
Your guide will share stories about the village of Aurora, the home of Wells college and
MacKenzie-Childs, and one of its famous alumna.
• 9:30 am – 11:45 am
MacKenzie-Childs: Experience the unique Victorian estate of MacKenzie-Childs,
world-renowned maker of beautiful hand-painted ceramics and home furnishings.
Enjoy the gardens, decked out in autumn harvest spendor. Receive a back-of-the-house VIP tour of the studio. Tour the restored Victorian farmhouse showcasing their designs.


• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch at the Aurora Inn: Enjoy a seasonally-inspired lunch and a gorgeous lake view at the Inns of Aurora. Built in 1833, the Aurora Inn has been described as one of the most beautiful spots in the Finger Lakes.
• 1:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Return to MacKenzie-Childs for shopping in their exquisite show room and
explore first hand their beautifully unique products and gifts.
• 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Explore the lakefront and storefronts of Skaneateles:

Skaneateles is considered one of the most picturesque lake-front towns in the Finger Lakes. With the beautiful Skaneateles Lake as the backdrop, historic Main Street is filled with shops and galleries housed in restored buildings dating back to 1796. Browse for unique food, distinctive fashions, original art, home accessories, or a special antique, or simple enjoy the view of the glistening lake from one of the benches in Clift Park.




• 6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Enjoy a private 3-course Murder Mystery Dinner at Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles: A crime has been committed, and you are recruited to solve the murder! Examine evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, and use deductive reasoning to solve the crime. A murderously fun time for all!
• 10:00 pm
Return to Hotel



DAY 3

Tuesday, October 21st
Breakfast: At Hotel
• Bus departs by 8:30 am – As we make our way through the rolling hills, enjoying the fall foliage from Ithaca to Corning, your guide will share stories about the history of the region.
• 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Morning at The Corning Museum of Glass: 
At Corning Museum of Glass -
When the group arrives at the museum, their morning starts with a Make Your Own Glass Workshop where they will have the opportunity to create their own sand-blasted glass souvenir.
Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to explore the museum on their own including:
The Contemporary Glass Gallery, one of the best collections of contemporary glass art;
The Glass Collection Galleries featuring the most comprehensive collection of glass artifacts anywhere; The Hot Glass Show, where they will experience a live, narrated glassblowing demonstration; and the Glass Innovation Center, an interactive, high-tech science and technology experience.
Enjoy lunch on own at Museum of Glass Café as well as shopping time at the museum Glass Shop


• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Shopping in the Downtown Corning Gaffer District:
Step onto the brick sidewalks of Market Street in the heart of Corning’s Gaffer District. Not only is it a fabulous shopping area, but it’s also alive with the pulse of a vibrant history. Just taking a stroll down the street and glancing in all the storefront will reveal treasures of days gone by. You’ll be amazed by what you find when you peruse the one-of-a-kind pieces in the antique shops and glass studios.




• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wine and Chocolate Tasting at Damiani Wine Cellars
Enjoy some of the region’s best wines at Damiani Wine Cellars overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake. Here you will taste among others, Riesling, Gewürztraminer Cabernet, and Merlot paired with regionally-made chocolate designed specifically to go with wines.




5:45 pm
Farm-to-Table Cooking Tasting Demonstration Wine Dinner
Enjoy a classic farm-to-table harvest wine dinner at Silver Queen Farm with Chef Brud Holland. Chef Holland will prepare a 3-course meal for you, based on produce picked right from the farm, as well as other locally-sourced ingredients. Experience the flavors of the Finger Lakes as you learn about preparation and cooking methods, shopping tips, and the magic behind the wonderful regional food of our area. Enjoy your meal with a different Finger Lakes wine paired with each course.
9:00 pm
Return to Hotel

DAY 4

Wednesday, October 22nd
Breakfast: At Hotel
10:30 am – 11:30 am Shuttle to Airport:
Experience! The Finger Lakes will provide vans to shuttle guests to the airport for check in starting at 10:30 am.









Friday, September 27, 2013

Itinerary for MacKenzie Childs 2014 Tour

May 5 through May 9, 2014 tour throughout the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. 

DAY 1
Monday, May 5th
 4:42pm
Arrival into Ithaca Airport - Your motor coach and tour guide will meet the group at
the airport and assist with luggage handling onto the bus.
 5:15pm – 6:30pm
Fabulous Falls Above Cayuga Tour: Our Fabulous Falls Above Cayuga Tour is a one
hour tour that is perfect experience for getting you acquainted with Ithaca and the natural beauty of our area. The group will experience three waterfall stops where we get out and explore the gorges carved out by Fall Creek and Cascadilla Creeks. These creeks border the beautiful Cornell University Campus and provide beautiful sites along its shores. We will traverse the famous Cornell Suspension bridge - a pedestrian bridge that is suspended 138 feet above the water, then see the falls surrounding College Town, as well as Cascadilla Falls. The tour culminates with an up-close-and-personal visit to Ithaca Falls, downtown Ithaca's own 135 foot waterfall. 









The tour is filled with narration about Ithaca and Cornell history in addition to the beautiful natural sites. There is not a lot of walking on this tour, although the last waterfall stop requires around a 200 ft walk on an uneven path to get to the base of the falls.

 6:30pm 
Dinner at Cornell’s Statler Hotel
• 9:00pm
Hotel Check-in
Accommodations – 4 nights: Courtyard Marriott– 15 rooms reserved.


DAY 2
DAY EVENT
Breakfast: At Hotel
• Bus departs by 9:00 am
• 10:00am – 11:45am
MacKenzie-Childs: Experience the unique Victorian estate of MacKenzie-Childs,
world-renowned maker of beautiful hand-painted ceramics and home furnishings.
Tour the restored Victorian farmhouse showcasing their designs.



• 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch at the Aurora Inn : Enjoy waterfront dining and the flavor of the Finger
Lakes with a lunch featuring fresh regional products and ingredients.
• 1:15pm – 3:15pm
Return to MacKenzie-Childs for shopping in their exquisite show room and
explore first hand their beautifully unique products and gifts.
• 3:15pm – 4:00pm
Enjoy a garden tour of the MacKenzie-Childs Victorian farm with estate manager
Mariann. The 65-acre farm includes the Production studio, a restored Victorian
farmhouse, a duck pond, the gothic revival Chicken Palace aviary, and a meadow
where a herd of Scottish Highland cattle graze.


• 4:45pm – 5:45pm
Explore the lakefront and storefronts of Skaneateles.
• 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Enjoy a private 3-course dinner at Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles
• 9:00pm
Return to Hotel

DAY 3
Breakfast: At Hotel
• Bus departs by 9:00 am
• 10:00am – 1:00pm
Morning at The Corning Museum of Glass:
At Corning Museum of Glass -
Two-hour guided tour with Museum tour guide. During this tour, your group will be
guided through: The Contemporary Glass Gallery, one of the best collections of
contemporary glass art; The Glass Collection Galleries featuring the most
comprehensive collection of glass artifacts anywhere; The Hot Glass Show, where they
will experience a live, narrated glassblowing demonstration; and the Glass Innovation
Center, an interactive, high-tech science and technology experience.
Afterwards, the group will participate in a Make Your Own Glass Workshop where they
will have the opportunity to create their own sand-blasted glass souvenir

• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Enjoy the museum Glass Shop followed by lunch on your own at Museum of Glass Café
• 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Wine and Local Cheese Tasting at Standing Stone Vineyards.
Enjoy a wine tasting featuring local New York State cheeses paired with fabulous
Standing Stone Vineyards wines, including their highly rated ice wines.


• 5:30pm
Vineyard Wine Dinner at the Red Newt Bistro
Enjoy a classic farm-to-table wine dinner at Red Newt Bistro. With a focus on regional
cuisine, This winery restaurant crafts regionally expressive menus with ingredients
sourced directly from local farms. Enjoy your meal paired with Red Newt’s awardwinning wines.
• 8:30pm
Return to Hotel

DAY 4
Breakfast: At Hotel,
• Bus departs by 9:00 am
• 10:30 – 1:00pm
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion:
Enjoy a guided walking tour of the whimsies and wonders of the beautiful Sonnenberg
Mansion and Gardens. The mansion is a 40-room Queen Anne building perched atop a
sun-bathed hill and surrounded by nine formal gardens styled after European and Asian
designs.



• 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Seasonal Chef Demo and Wine Pairing-Lunch and Learn at the New York State
Wine and Culinary Center
Watch as a NYWCC chef creates a delicious recipe from seasonal NYS ingredients. You will be served a lunch-sized portion of the creation and explore how it pairs with two
NYS wines. The wine tasting instruction will be provided by one of the center’s certified
Wine Instructors. Incredibly educational, entertaining, and fun!



• 3:00pm – 4:00
Explore the Wine and Culinary Center:
After lunch at the Culinary Center on your own. Enjoy a flight of New York State wines or
beers in the Tasting Room, where you can taste and bring home one or more of the 225pm wineries, craft distilleries and microbreweries represented throughout the year. Browse and splurge in the Culinary Boutique where you will find NY State specialty foods, wine accessories, culinary tools, locally-made art, books and more.
• 7:00pm
Lakefront Dinner at the Boatyard Grill
Celebrate your final night in the Finger Lakes at Ithaca’s popular lake front restaurant.

DAY 5
Friday, May 9th
• Breakfast: At Hotel
• 10:30am – 11:30am
Shuttle to Airport:
Experience! The Finger Lakes will provide two vans to shuttle guests to the airport for

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Valentines Day!

It is almost that time to shop for that special someone! We have romantic place settings for your Valentine dinner! Come see what's at Suzanne Roberts Gifts...


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Holiday Hours

We have new convenient store hours for the Holidays. Stop in to find the perfect gift for that special someone!