Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach to "New York's Gold Coast," Long Island, New York. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, our first destination is Old Westbury Gardens & Phipps Estate in Westbury, New York. Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Charles II-style mansion furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts, and its formal gardens. We continue onto Riverhead, New York, located on the tip of Long Island's famed North Fork and situated along the picturesque Peconic River. After checking into the Hyatt Place, our waterfront property, for the next three nights, we are treated to a delicious dinner at Jerry & The Mermaid, located adjacent to the Hyatt Place.

Day 2

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a day of Long Island sightseeing. We begin with a tour of Sag Harbor. Our guide will bring to life the rich history of the area by sharing stories about this important maritime and whaling village established in 1683. Next, we will tour the Old Whaler's Church where the wives of sea captains went to pray for their safe return. Following lunch on your own in the Village of Sag Harbor, we will travel from Long Island's South Fork to the North Fork by way of 2 short ferry rides. Upon our arrival, enjoy a riding tour of Long Island's North Fork. View the rural scenery on our drive through the agricultural region, where vineyards and farm stands flourish. Next, we are treated to a wine tasting at Osprey's Dominion Winery before we re-board the ferry and cruise back to the mainland. After returning to the mainland and our hotel, enjoy dinner on your own at one of over ten restaurants, all conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel. Choose from fast food restaurants to sit down fine dining establishments.

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a tour of the neighborhoods and villages on Long Island's South Fork, including the Hamptons' Gold Coast, known as the summer playground of the rich and famous. Famous residents include Jerry Seinfeld, Madonna, Calvin Klein, the Hiltons, Steven Spielberg, Kelly Ripa, Paul McCartney and more! Enjoy your "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" tour as you view the homes, (from a distance), neighborhoods and towns where the rich and famous come to play and relax! Included is a photo-stop at Coopers Beach, listed as one of the top ten beaches in the United States and some free time to explore the shops and restaurants in the Village of Southampton. The oldest English settlement in the state of New York, the Village of Southampton was named after the British Earl of Southampton. With the extension of the Long Island Rail Road through Southampton to Sag Harbor in 1872, wealthy New Yorkers seeking escape from the ever-growing city sought the serenity and recreational opportunities of the countryside and the pristine beaches found on Long Island. The summer vacation phenomenon led to a building boom during the early part of the 20th-century when large estates were designed and built here, transforming the Village of Southampton into the resort community it is today. Lunch is on your own. Next, we make the drive out to the Montauk Point State Park, an 862-acre state park located at the eastern tip of Long Island. We will visit the Montauk Lighthouse, for a self-guided tour. Commissioned by President George Washington in 1792, the Montauk Lighthouse was the first lighthouse to be built in New York, and today is the fourth-oldest working lighthouse in the nation. Feeling adventurous? Climb the 137 steps to the top of the tower and explore the exhibits in the "keeper's house" museum. After a day of sightseeing on Long Island, we return to our hotel where you will have time to relax and freshen up before going out for tonight's dinner at a restaurant that serves up great local flavors.

Day 4

After breakfast we depart for Centerport, New York, and the summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II. Called "Eagle's Nest" the estate and spectacular 24-room Spanish-Revival mansion, which was built in stages from 1910 to 1936, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy a stroll around the grounds, visit the museum, and Vanderbilt's mansion - a time capsule of the privileged life from the Jazz Age through the Second World War. Willie K., as he was known, was the great-grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who amassed one of America's largest fortunes with railroads and shipping enterprises. Following our tour, we depart for home with a new appreciation of Long Island, and many rich memories of our Gold Coast vacation!

B=Breakfast, D =Dinner