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! :)

I highly recommend a visit to the John Jay Homestead. Many of the farm buildings are the original…read moreones built for Jay. In one of the barns you are educated on how much work it took to maintain the homestead. You are able to get a glimpse of what school would be like in the 19th century through the preserved one roomed school house located on top of the barn. The homestead is 62 acres with a pond, three gardens, and trails for walking around the perimeter. In the summer and fall they host a farmers market. In the winter they allow you to bring cross country skis and snow shoes to explore the property. All year round you may walk on one of the many trails on and around the property, or sit down for a picnic. They have many programs available at the homestead, including a Barn Dance in the fall, History Camps in the summer, as well as school programs. In front of each building there are plaques with historic pictures, quotes, and maps. I would recommend showing up early or buying your tickets for the tour in advance. The tours sell out quickly because the tour groups are small. There are many ways to explore the historic site due to the many activities the site has to offer. They also offer many activities for kids. Everyone in the family has something to do. Even if you are not a history person the homestead is a great place to go to enjoy the outdoors, the house, the gardens, and the scenery of the 62 acre property. I would recommend taking the time to visit. Review by: Jeremiah H.

I had heard of pedal taverns but never a pedal cruise. What a fun concept. Although most of us were…read moretoo lazy to pedal, we still had a wonderful time. They have 10 seats set up at a bar top style long table where you can pedal away and reach into the coolers in front of you to grab your drinks, which are BYOB. We brought lots of snacks and sandwiches also. Although there are only 10 seats, there are plenty of extra seating areas on the cozy boat. We had 19 guests with us. Captain Dave and first Mate Michelle were great hosts. We hooked up our phone to their Bluetooth speaker to play all our favorite songs. We went on the Sunday afternoon Cruise, which took us out along the shoreline out to the Island area and back. It was a lot of fun, laughs, and an overall enjoyable afternoon.

Bring ear plugs to save your hearing. Bring motion sickness pills to save your stomach. Don't sit…read morein front, cause you will get wet. Really an annoying boat right.

My boyfriend and I went for a mini vacation in Norwalk, CT and I booked the Sunset Harbor…read moreLighthouse Tour which we went on this past Sunday evening from 6:30-8:30, on 8/10/25. This tour was definitely a highlight of our trip! Captain John and Charlie were great and all the passengers aboard had a great time! We passed three lighthouses-Peck Ledge LH, Sheffield Island LH and Green's Ledge LH. Charlie, co-captain of Captain John, had just toured the inside of Green's Ledge LH the day before which is listed on Airbnb for $6,000! He went around the ship showing everyone the floor plan. It especially exciting to be on the Long Island Sound and to see the red and white towers from Northport, since I live on Long Island!! We were able to see several different viewpoints of the sunset and osprey nests as well. Definitely recommend to residents of Norwalk AND tourists alike!

Like a lot of other dork type middle age dudes I'm a sucker for a good lighthouse. Actually I've…read morebeen to a few clinkers which says that I'm apparently I'm also a sucker for a bad lighthouse as well but there's no need to worry about that at Sheffield because it's all good here. So if you want to come you've got two legal options. 1. Show up via kayak (or I suppose boat then taking a short swim) during hours when they are running tours and you will be met on the shore by a volunteer who will ask you to pay a few dollars for the privilege of taking the lighthouse tour/hanging out on the island. 2. Or, you come via the regularly scheduled boat that runs from the dock on North Water Street in Norwalk from late May until the end of September. There are various public & private decks for parking all around the area so it shouldn't be too hard to find a close space. I don't remember what the price is for option #1 but for option #2 the below currently apply: Adults: $22.00 - Children 12 & Under: $12.00 Senior / NSA Member $20.00 Active Military with ID $10.00 Children 3 & Under: $5.00 Family 4 Pack (2 Adults, 2 Children) $55.00 A few random facts: Boats depart weekends only every year over Memorial Day weekend and eventually go daily from July until Labor Day and then back to weekends only until the end of September. Check seaport.org for the current schedule and for special events such as their clambakes. Once you get to the island you get to take a brief tour of the lighthouse which was built in 1868 (downstairs only for now as the upstairs tower portion is being worked on and hopefully tours will be allowed there in the not to distant future once they get the stairs in better shape along with figuring out a way to dissipate the heat which we were told was well over 100 degrees the day we were there in August) and you can also walk through the nature trail via the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge. If you are going to walk on the nature trail or along the beach that fronts Sheffield Island Harbor just know that things are "wild" and that you will get eaten alive by flies, mosquitoes and I wouldn't be shocked if the trees had lots of ticks. The lighthouse was relit in 2011 for the first time in 91 years. Why Sheffield Island? The island was named after Revolutionary War veteran Captain Robert Sheffield who bought the island in 1804. He married Temperance Doty, a Mayflower descendant and such started the current lineage of the island's name. The 47 acre island is private property that is primarily owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the Norwalk Seaport Association depending upon the website owning only three or four of those acres. You will be reminded a few times of where you can and cannot walk. Speaking of an area you can't walk by it would be the dilapidated house on the right near the dock. That house is still owned by the Stabell family who sold the island to the Norwalk Seaport Association in 1986 for 700K. I forget the exact story we were told but it's something along the lines of the "home" (more of a dilapidated shack) cannot be renovated because of Fish and Wildlife Service rules and if they raze the structure they lose the land so the shack stands as is. The island itself is around a mile and half from the dock in Norwalk and the boat is kept at a country club pace in both directions which equals about 40 minutes to make the trip in each direction. This is fine as one of the crew did a fairly good job or telling everyone about some of the various islands & lighthouses & birds in the area and about the local shellfish industry. Past that it's just sit back and relax on some of their picnic benches and have a picnic or don't do a damn thing except the enjoy the beautiful view. Either way it's awesome.

We recently had our son's college graduation party at Aquila's. The views are stunning, the service…read morewas on point and the wonderful selection of wine were perfection. The owner even stopped by to see how it was going and took a group photo for us. She was amazing!! We can't wait to go back for a girls night out!!

Aquila's Nest is absolutely worth a visit. We sat in one of their cozy geodesic dome igloos which…read moremakes it such a fun and relaxed experience. The wine flight did not disappoint -- we tried the red, white & a combination, all solid pours. The cheese box is necessary if you're trying the flight ( or you can bring your own food). Highly recommend booking an igloo and making a night of it!

My office and I went on a tour with Long Island Bike Tours for our annual summer outing August…read more2013. Not only was the tour a value (it included bikes, helmets, wine tastings, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks) but also Tom, the owner, and his team were very accommodating to our strict schedule (we had come in from the City). He worked with us every step of the way and was very responsive. The tour was lovely and even paced. The wine was good (I got two bottles). We got personal attention and even a car to accompany us throughout the tour. We all really enjoyed the experience. Good wine, a nice relaxing bike ride, and great customer service. You can't go wrong.

Gifted my daughter with a North Fork Bike Tour...it was the perfect gift and we both enjoyed it…read moretremendously. Everything is provided to make this tour go smoothly - even rain ponchos! Our guide was professional, considerate and sensitive, mindful that Mom (me) had not biked in ten years. The roads traveled were absolutely beautiful, off the beaten path, so we got to enjoy scenery and neighborhoods that we otherwise would never get to see. The wineries were fun, the catered lunch was delicious, and the experience was awesome! Another bike tour is certainly in our future...

Was insanely disappointed. Our driver was great, but it…read moreseemed like there were multiple groups with very little staff. For the amount we paid, could have rented our own bus and taken ourselves and made our own reservations at each place. There's a reason you can't leave google reviews. Also there is a "host" that was supposed to be at each winery. This one person was with multiple groups, very nice but we had to keep asking what the plan was. We had no one go over the wines, maybe briefly at the second winery. At the cider place had the guy that worked there go over it in under 60 seconds. Its not the people working, its the organizer. This was a family trip celebrating and it was just embaressing. Poor execution, DO NOT RECOMMEND. The pictures of happy groups/people are absolutely cherry picked to make the experience seem more than it actually is.

Tania and her crew do an exceptional job, from first contact till the hug goodbye. Already planning…read moreour next tasting for the fall.