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TRAVEL FOR THE 50+ WOMAN ... |
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Travel By-The-Book : Senior Women's Travel : Favorite Cities : Theatre Tours |
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Saratoga Springs, NY
Two trips…3 nights, 4 days
Getting to Saratoga Springs
Tour 1: Saratoga Springs Sojourn (July 11-14, 2008)Day 1 (Friday, July 11) Arrive early or mid-day. According to your arrival, we will plan sightseeing activity. Afternoon: Visit National Museum of Dance…costumes, photography, videos. Only dance museum in the U.S. with most exhibits based on ballet.
Lincoln Baths was built in the era when Saratoga with its mineral waters was striving to be like a European spa city. Today you can still visit this imposing spa and experience Saratoga Springs water. Treatment includes being submerged in a deep soothing tub of warm naturally carbonated water. Chill out as you are wrapped in warm sheets and left to relax. Follow with an optional massage for a feeling of total revitalization. Dinner at Hatties, a famous Saratoga Springs institution. Their specialty, fried chicken. Other entrees available. Day 2 (Saturday, July 12) Victorian Homes…some of the most imposing Victorian mansions are in Saratoga. Tour by private minivan with guide. Another lecture, after homes, is focused on the great families who made Saratoga Springs their second home.
Yadoo Rose Garden…Yadoo is a facility only open to writers and artists. Such famous names as Aaron Copeland, Truman Capote, Philip Roth have been artists in residence here. The public is not allowed to visit the house, however, the famous Yadoo Rose Garden is open for visitors. Lunch…Perhaps a picnic lunch on the grounds of the Performing Arts Center. Matinee at Performing Arts Center to see the NY City Ballet in their summer residency. All Balanchine program. Dinner at one of Saratoga’s most prized restaurants. Day 3 (Sunday, July 13) Breakfast pastries at a renowned bakery. It’s so good Culture & Travel magazine just did a 10-page article. Do they make a better croissant than what you would find in Paris? I am on the fence on that one, however, I am sure I have never had a better almond croissant. Poorly named, this sublime creation has nothing to do with the wimpy almond croissants you find everywhere. Secret Gardens Tour…Entry to some of Saratoga’s best private gardens.
We’ll take the 15-mile drive to Glen Falls to visit the Hyde Collection. A superb collection of paintings and sculptures including Rubens, El Greco, Boticelli, Rembrandt, American artists Eakins and Homer. Hyde House also has outstanding Italian Renaissance and 18th century French furniture. 5:30 p.m. polo matches. Dinner at Chez Sophie or similar
Day 4 (Monday, July14) Free to shop and drop in at art galleries until your departure. Tour 2: The Best of Saratoga Springs and Its Legendary Racetrack (July 29 -August 1, 2008)Day 1 (Tuesday, July 29)
Arrive early or mid-day. According to your arrival, we will plan sightseeing activity. Afternoon: Visit National Museum of Dance…costumes, photography, videos. Only dance museum in the U.S. with most exhibits based on ballet. Lincoln Baths was built in the era when Saratoga with its mineral waters was striving to be like a European spa city. Today you can still visit this imposing spa and experience Saratoga Springs water. Treatment includes being submerged in a deep soothing tub of warm naturally carbonated water. Chill out as you are wrapped in warm sheets and left to relax. Follow with an optional massage for a feeling of total revitalization. Dinner at Hatties, a famous Saratoga Springs institution. Their specialty, fried chicken. Other entrees available. Day 2 (Wednesday, July 30)
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast at the legendary Saratoga Springs racetrack. Enjoy a buffet breakfast in the Clubhouse as you watch the horses work out. 8:30 to 10 a.m.: Behind the scenes at Oklahoma Training Track, where the horses are bathed, exercised and groomed. Visit the National Museum of Racing. Back to hotel briefly and/or shopping adjacent to all hotels. 12:30 p.m.: Leave for racetrack and first race at 1 p.m. Grandstand or clubhouse seats (depends on availability). For a hefty price tag ($80 each), horse owners box seats are sometimes available for sale. Day 3 (Thursday, July 31) We’ll take the 15-mile drive to Glen Falls to visit the Hyde Collection. A superb collection of paintings and sculptures including Rubens, El Greco, Boticelli, Rembrandt, American artists Eakins and Homer. Hyde House also has outstanding Italian Renaissance and 18th century French furniture.
We visit the Congress Park in Saratoga and its museum in the former gambling Casino. The museum focuses on the history of Saratoga Springs, John Belter’s Victorian furnishings, and the restored high-stakes gaming rooms. Day 4 (Friday, August 1) Free to shop and drop in at art galleries until your departure.
Cost Price does not include hotel for 3 nights, transportation to and from Albany airport, 2 lunches, alcoholic beverages or wine. Hotels are not included in the tour price because of wide variance in prices. Our top recommendations are all on Broadway (the main street) and are a mile from the Saratoga Race Course and the Performing Arts Center:
Keep in mind, these were best rates during first week in April, 2008. Rates are always subject to change. Book early. We will call for your reservations, then let you confirm with your credit card. There are many other motels and B&Bs. The three hotels above have the convenience of being close to each other and being on the main street of Saratoga Springs. |
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