Arrival in Ithaca: Monday 2:00 P.M.
Check in to hotel

3:00PM- Bus to Downtown Ithaca Commons-a historic pedestrian shopping mall, featuring unique shops and boutiques offering everything from local handcrafts, to European porcelain.

5:30PM- Walk to dinner at Simeon's on The Commons (dependent upon # of people). Or The Station Restaurant-located at the Southern end of Cayuga Lake in an old Train Station.

7:00PM- Musical at Hangar Theatre, Cornell or Ithaca College or Kitchen Theatre.

Tuesday:
8:00-10:00AM-Continental Breakfast at Hotel

10:30AM-Bus to Downtown Ithaca Farmers Market at Dewitt Park.

11:30AM-Tour of Historic State Theatre in Downtown Ithaca.

2:00PM- Lunch & shopping on own on Downtown Ithaca Commons.

4:00PM-Bus to Hotel

6:30PM- Dinner at Taughannock Farms Inn-an elegant Inn overlooking Taughannock Falls State Park and Cayuga Lake. (Formal, Higher end) Or Dinner at The Glenwood Pines Restaurant-offers everything from steak and seafood, to their infamous "Pine's Burger."

Wednesday
8:00-10:00AM-Continental Breakfast at Hotel

10:30AM-Step on Guide Service meets Motorcoach at Hotel.

10:30AM-Depart for driving tour of Cornell University Campus.(Stop at Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art-offering an impressive collection that spans forty centuries and six continents. Also offering a magnificent view of Ithaca, and Cayuga Lake . Admission is free)

11:30AM-Scenic Fall Foliage drive North up Rt. 89 along the West Side of Cayuga Lake. -Stop at Taughannock Falls State Park overlook to view the 215-foot high falls which are taller than Niagara Falls.

12:15PM- Continue North along Rt. 89

12:45PM-Tour and Tasting at Sheldrake Point Vineyard (Beginning of October they host a Harvest Celebration offering a BBQ, live music, wine specials and hay rides. (If not arriving on Harvest Celebration weekend, enjoy lunch in Sheldrake Point's casual café-Or at Knapp Vineyard's Restaurant a little farther North on Rt. 89.)

**Lighter fare available with a prepackaged bag lunch-picnic facilities are available at any winery.

2:45PM-Drive back to Hotel

6:00-9:00PM-Dinner cruise aboard the M.V. Manhattan, departing from Steamboat Landing in Ithaca.

Thursday
8:00-10:00AM-Continental Breakfast at Hotel

10:30AM-Hotel check-out

11:45AM-Stop at Iron Kettle Farm-Halloween and pumpkins displays, concession stands, hayrides, produce, and plants/ or heading North-Stop at the Amish Market on Rt. 89.

1:00PM-Continue to Niagara Falls (2.5 hrs.)-or Rochester (1-1.5 hrs).

Wednesday
2:00pm-Arrival in Ithaca-Check in to Hotel-Welcome reception upon Arrival.

3:30pm-Bus to Downtown Ithaca Commons-Find that perfect gift in the many boutiques and unique shops on the Ithaca Commons, or just window shop while enjoying roasted chestnuts from an area restaurant. Enjoy the Holiday Lights throughout downtown, listen for carolers, and watch for a glimpse of Santa.

5:00pm---Dinner at a local restaurant.

6:30pm-Bus back to hotel.

Thursday
8:00-10:00am-Continental Breakfast at Hotel.

10:00am-Bus depart for MacKenzie Childs

11:30am-Tour of Gift shop and facility at Mackenzie Childs Studio.

1:00pm---Lunch at Restaurant at MacKenzie Childs

2:30pm-Bus to Herbert F. Johnson Museum at Cornell University Campus-Tour of Museum, and spectacular view of Ithaca and the entire southern end of Cayuga Lake from the 5th floor.

4:30pm-Bus back to hotel
6:00pm - Dinner at local restaurant.

Friday
8:00-10:00am-Continental Breakfast at hotel

10:00am-Continental Breakfast at hotel

10:00am-Depart for a drive through Cornell University's Campus, and a Scenic drive up the west side of Cayuga Lake.

11:00am-stop for a quick picture and view of Taughannock Falls. At 215 feet tall, this is a taller waterfall than Niagara Falls.

11:15am-Winter Wine tasting at Lucas Vineyards-Cayuga Lake's oldest winery.

12:00pm-Continue North to Sheldrake Point Vineyard and Café. Tasting and tour at winery, and Lunch at their lakeside Café.

2:00pm-Continue North for one more stop at a Cayuga Lake winery-Goose Watch Winery. Enjoy one of the most spectacular views on the lake, sample wines, and take home some chestnuts grown directly on the property to roast on the fire.

2:45pm-bus back to hotel

5:30pm-Bus to Trumansburg, New York to enjoy the Festival of Lights. Wander through main street in "small town America" while enjoying winter scenes and lights, the lighting of the town Christmas Tree, gingerbread displays, choral groups, quartets and bands, and homemade desserts, chili, and other goodies.

8:00pm-Bus back to hotel (time depending upon weather).

Saturday
8:00-10:00am-Continental Breakfast at Hotel.

10:30am-Bus departs for Skaneateles. Enjoy "A Dickens Christmas" Every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, noon-4p.m., Father Christmas, Scrooge and a cast of Dickens characters will take you back in time to enjoy Christmas the old fashioned way.

11:30-2:30pm-Enjoy watching the characters, and lunch on own in the village of Skaneateles.

2:30pm-Depart for Ithaca/hotel.

4:00-5:30pm-(optional)---Free time on the Downtown Ithaca Commons.

6:00pm-Dinner at local restaurant.

8:00pm-Performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Historic State Theatre in Downtown Ithaca. Performed in the heart of Downtown, this is one of Ithaca's most beloved holiday treats.

Sunday,
8:00-10:00am - Continental Breakfast at Hotel

10:00am-Depart for ...

Arrival 11:30pm - Bus to upper Robert H. Treman State Park- Picture opportunities at waterfalls without taking the full trail hike.

12:00pm-Bus to Ithaca Beer-Beer tasting and Brewery Tour

1:00pm-Drive to overlook at Taughannock Falls State Park for view of falls

1:30pm-Lunch as a group at The Glenwood Pines.-the "Pines" serves anything from sandwiches to steaks and seafood-known for their "Pinesburger!"

2:30pm -Bus to Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art---for the beautiful collections-known for the Asian Art Collection-as well as the eye capturing view of the entire southern tip of Cayuga Lake from the 5th floor observatory.

3:45pm-Bus to the Downtown Ithaca Commons-Visitors will be dropped at end of Commons (Bus parking in Visitor Center Parking lot! ) The Downtown Ithaca Commons is Ithaca Pedestrian Shopping Mall, filled with boutique shopping, cafes, bistros, and live music during certain seasons.

6:30pm-Dinner at either: the Moosewood, Just A Taste Wine & Tapas Bar, Madeline's, or Simeon's on the Commons.

Madeline's
215 the Commons, Corner of N. Aurora & E. State Street, Ithaca. 607-277-2253.
Madeline's is located on the east side of the commons, a beautiful place to window shop or catch a movie or play before or after dinner. We serve Euro-Asian Cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere, patio seating is available weather permitting. We have a full bar, extensive wine list, and we specialize in dessert with over 20 varieties to choose from all baked fresh daily in house. Dress code can be casual or formal as we cater to any occasion and service is always friendly and professional. Madeline's has been serving Ithaca for almost 4 years and has won several of Ithaca's reader's choice awards. We have also been published in Getaways for Gourmets. Reservations are recommended but not required. Attached is a copy of our current summer menu to give you an idea of the cuisine that we serve, however, the menu does change every couple of months and there will certainly be a new menu in the fall. ( at least 4 or 5 entrees will change).

Just A Taste Wine & Tapas Bar
116 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca. 607-277-9463.
Just a Taste is a 42-seat restaurant and wine bar. We offer over 50 wines by the taste, glass or flight. Our dinner menu changes nightly and consists mainly of Tapas, appetizer size plates of food that are traditionally shared among everyone at the table. We are open nightly from 5:30-10 or 11 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Moosewood Restaurant
Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca. 607-273-9610
With its emphasis on healthful, natural foods cuisine, Moosewood's constantly changing menu draws inspiration from many sources, from regional American cooking to a wide variety of international and ethnic cuisines that are adapted to their own unique style of cooking. They also serve fresh fish and seafood, and offer natural sodas, juices, coffees, beers, and a good selection of wines from New York State. Simeon's on the Commons 224 E. State St., Corner of Aurora St. and the Commons, Ithaca. 607-272-2212 An upscale bistro that offers delectable entrees, generous salads and imaginative sandwiches with a history, all of which are accompanied by the incredible variety of beverages ranging in wines from around the world to premium beers and a vast array of spirits. Simeon's is said to be one of the finest examples of Italianate style commercial architecture in Ithaca. The building was erected after a disastrous fire in 1871 had consumed most of the wooden buildings in a three-block area, and has gone through many transformations to become the casual upscale establishment it is today.

*** Many other dining options available!!

Nightlife:

The Common Ground -1230 Danby Rd.Ithaca. www.ithacacommonground.com
Open Tues.-Sun 4pm-1am. Food, Dancing, Friday live Jazz, Garden Patio, friendly clientele, FUN!

Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar - 635 W. State Street Ithaca. www.maxies.com
New Orleas style Seaffod and Southern Comfort Cooking. Free Live music every Sunday Night.

Simeon's on the Commons - 224 East State Street, Ithaca. www.simeonsithaca.com
Late night bar and café, Sophisticated bar menu.

Stella's Martini Bar-403 College Ave, Ithaca. Live music 2 nights a week-21 and over-great food!

Arrival in Ithaca 12:00P.M.- Check in to Ithaca Holiday Inn-Downtown Ithaca, New York

12:30 PM- Travel to Cornell Plantations: Guided tour of The Plantations, an outdoor, living museum of plants, wandering amongst the Botanical Gardens, the Arboretum, and The Forest Home. (Tour last 1hr. 15min.)

1:45 PM- Guest have time to walk the gardens on their own and get a closer view of the plants and herbs. Visitors are also welcome to visit the gift shop.

2:30 PM- Guests board the Motorcoach, and are bused to Rogue's Harbor Steak and Ale House, for lunch, choosing from a variety of steaks, salads, homemade soups, and seafood.

4:00 PM- Bus continues on to Bakers Acres in North Lansing for a tour of one of the largest herb and perennial businesses in New York State-offering over 750 varieties of perennials and ground covers. Bob Baker is also the creator of the world-renowned Cornell Barbecue Sauce.

5:00 PM- Guests can then relax in the Lodge at Bakers' Acres Tea Room with a cup of tea, and browse the Antique and gift shop.

5:45 PM- The bus heads back to The Holiday Inn, where guests can freshen up before heading out to the Downtown Ithaca Commons which is just one block from the hotel. They can window shop at the unique boutiques, before deciding upon one of the many restaurants available directly on The Commons. (Dinner on Own)

Next Day: 8:30 AM- Continental Breakfast Available at hotel from 8:30-9:30 AM.

9:30am-Tour of Cornell Campus and the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

11:30pm-Lunch at the Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing on the waterfront. (Lunch on own, many local vendors are set up selling ethnic foods, wineries have wine tastings available, and art, crafts, jewelry etc.. is sold.)

12:30pm-Continue North up the West side of Cayuga lake on Rt.89.

1:00pm-Stop at the overlook at Taughannock Falls State Park to view the 215ft. high waterfalls.

1:20pm-Continue North on Rt. 89 to Lucas Vineyards for a wine tasting. 2:45pm-Continue on to Sheldrake Point Vineyard and Café for a wine tasting and lunch.

4:30pm-Back to hotel

5:30pm - Dinner at the local restaurant

8:30pm - theatre optional-Kitchen Theatre Downtown, CU or IC theatre performances, Hangar Theatre-summer performances.

Next Day: - Continental Breakfast at Hotel
Departure