7/9/24 Visit: We were greeted at the dock by Joseph…read moreMassaro's daughter Donna. She transported us and four others by private boat to tour their private island home. Mr. Joseph Massaro had purchased Petra Island for $700,000 in 1996. Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house that Joseph Massaro built. There's a guest house (The Chahroudi Cottage) and the Main house (The Massaro House). The Massaro House is built around a 12-foot-high, 60-foot-long boulder that forms the exterior of the entry and an interior wall. A smaller rock is also used as a wall in the kitchen and bathroom. During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Massaro the wife of the owner. The Frank Lloyd Wright design (The Massaro House) is a special day outing. It's $150 pp. but definitely worth it. Hope you enjoy the photos from my visit. A restroom is available on the Island, after the boat tour. On the dock, there's a designated parking area for Petra Island Tours.

This was not an easy haul from the city by train, but it was quite the adventure!…read more It was such a trek I almost didn't go, but am so glad I did! I took the 80 minute train ride from Grand Central to Croton Falls, a tiny little hamlet that basically looks like a one horse town once you get off at the station (a deli, a cafe, a general store, a wine shoppe, a post office, and that's about it). Then I had to figure out how to get a Lyft to the dock, about five miles away in Mahopec (which was no easy feat, but not impossible). The dock is easy to find by the address they give. The owner is nice and makes a ton of "dad jokes" and the daughter, who is a local chef, helps out. She is also very kind and is the one who keeps things organized and keeps her dad in line ha! They furnish the relaxing, brief boat ride over and back. This house is definitely one of a kind. Situated on an 11 acre island, this is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed/inspired home (there is a story behind designed/inspired that you'll learn about on the tour). Honestly, this would be my dream home/getaway/zombie apocalypse home! Anyone who knows anything about Wright will see him everywhere in this structure. The architecture is absolutely breath-taking. I found myself fantasizing what it must be like to relax on any of the numerous terraces overlooking the water, or how it must feel to enjoy the breeze blowing through the many large pivoting doors. Anyone would be able to enjoy the beauty of this house, not just Wright fans (though they would be the most blown away). The story of the house is pretty interesting, though at times it gets a little heavy into the owner's work and finances. They make the argument that this home is more interesting and beautiful than falling waters, and given the stats (for example, 26--I think--skylights vs. zero) I am inclined to agree. The tour cost 150. For me, it was worth it. They are letting us into their personal residence. They furnish the boat ride. And I can't imagine the property taxes and maintenance. My friend who actually found this tour and suggested it tapped out after she found out the price. But to each their own--I felt it was totally worth it. Again, the owner/owning family is super nice and welcoming. The owner's daughter even offered me a ride back to the train station (I had already called a Lyft), which I felt was above and beyond. This is a small lake-side community with small shoppes and restaurants. Almost feels like Maine or Connecticut in New York, but I wouldn't want to insult the people of Mahopec if that's not an appropriate comparison! Again, the owner's daughter is a chef, and has a local breakfast and lunch spot. You could come out for the day, enjoy the scenery, local people, have some great food, and make a day of it (though this is probably best done by car rather than train!)

I HAD to go back to this because it's such an amazing experience. I'm sure they do more than "Fall…read moreFoliage" trips but that's when I visited in the past. Despite my best efforts in the past to do Fall train rides, which turned out to be disappointing only because there was never any good colors on trees, this by far is the very best fall foliage experience I've ever had in my life. You get great views of the tree color transitions and just great photo opportunities. It does get cold on the water so bring a jacket. Experience is as excellent as last time with beverages and snacks for purchase. If you enjoy fall colors, great scenery and boats then you have to do this at least once.

A peaceful Hudson River cruise from Peekskill to Bear Mountain. Beautiful views and a truly…read morerelaxing experience! Such a wonderful way to spend the day. Very pleased with this cruise!

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! :)

Let us just start by saying ... we didn't want to come home! We are not sure we would even call it…read morea "tour", but rather a TRULY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL VISIT to Tuscany Italy. As we both have Italian grandparents, Italy was a place we have longed to visit. Our grandparents traveled to America by different ships, entering through Ellis Island. Both families ended up changing their names, dropping the final consonant or changing the last name completely to hide their Italian heritage because they thought it would be easier to establish themselves and find jobs. Our families left Italy, their homes, and it's hard for us to comprehend this concept after seeing this beautiful country. But yes, we know ... to pursue a better life in the late 1800s ... to go to America, the land of opportunity. We wanted to return to their homeland and see what they left behind. Get a sense of our heritage. Learn more about our family's country and culture. Although we didn't visit the exact towns and villages where our grandparents once lived, we definitely got a feeling of their country. There were six of us who traveled under the guiding eyes of Russ and Elke. We were long-time good friends and some were family. But by the end of the week, we all became a new family. Every time we opened my eyes, we SAW more and more beauty -- the landscapes, the flowers, the grapevines, the olive trees, the castles, the wineries, the churches and their unbelievable stained glass windows, paintings, frescos, statues and tombs, the small roadside religious shrines, the piazzas and the many statues, the poppies, the sunflowers, the shopping in small boutiques, the cobblestone streets, the doors, the windows, the flower boxes, nonnos and nonnas carrying their groceries, the animals, and so much more of the grandeur of Tuscany, Italy. We TASTED and SAVORED every bite of the many, many delicious meals that were prepared and served to us ... the many varieties of white and red wines that were presented, the espresso and cappuccino, gelato and other desserts, meats and cheese, salads, vegetables, bread, and more. We can close our eyes and SMELL the lavender, the mustiness of the old parts of some of the wineries and wine cellars, the cheeses, meats, the wine, breads, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits, the wood burning at the villa that was used to heat the water, homemade cakes and desserts, gelato, leather, and the aroma of each meal ... and more! We TOUCHED the earth, the vines, the trees, ancient walls, flowers, pottery, the farm animals, alabaster and leather, and felt the coolness of the water in the pool at the villa. We HEARD the voices of the Italian people speak their romantic and beautiful language, the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the church bells, the laughter of children, the cars, the wonderful tour guides we had, trucks and busses zipping by, the birds chirping each morning, the barking of dog (Donna) at the villa, and more! One night at the villa, we were treated to a cooking class led by chefs Kalinka and Simonetta, at which each of us took part in making a four-course dinner for us and the other villa guests--crustina, homemade pasta with bolognaise sauce, ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese, and strawberry tiramisu, served with several bottles of Chianti! Russ and Elke planned and prepared EVERY step of the way and shared their many years of experience with us. We didn't have to worry about ANYTHING ... flight tickets, car rental, road maps, travel, accommodations, meals, and reservations ... EVERYTHING was taken care of in advance. The villa, Le Cetinelle in Greve Chianti and owned Simonetta and Lucca, was more than charming and very accommodating - and it had a spectacular view! If necessary, they adjusted the schedule and added a couple of places (Florence being one) that were not on the original itinerary. They brought us only to places they had experienced before and it wasn't boring for them because they witnessed our enjoyment, which made it fun for them and in turn, fun for us. Although we traveled together, we also had free time to explore and shop on our own, relax by the pool, take a nap, or sit outside and read, write, sketch. And morning start time was somewhat flexible as well. We kept a journal of our trip - SO much to write about. We took over 2200 pictures, each one capturing a new moment. We could go on and on and on talking about our week in Tuscany. It is truly a vacation we will never, ever, ever forget. GRAZIE, GRAZIE, GRAZIE to Russ and Elke for providing us with such an unforgettable experience. They are two amazing people, who shared their love of Italy with us, who took great care and concern to make it extra special and unforgettable in every way, all so expertly planned and executed! This trip was FANTASTIC, filled with so many sites, sounds, smells, and tastes, which will stay with us for as long as we live!

Elke and Russ escorted us on a marvelous tour of Tuscany last May. I like to tell people I had 4 or…read more5 of the best meals in my life and the wines were awesome too. The villa we stayed in was first class. We hated to leave. Our intimate group of seven people made travelling easy. They were extremely professional and organized.... as well as upbeat and spirited, making it fun for everybody! I can't imagine a more perfect combination of things to make our trip unforgettable for years to come. Thanks guys, we look forward to a reunion some day!

This place is GREAT! Super friendly and assisting staff, beautiful grounds and MANY options as to…read morehow you want to do their place. Per my last sentence, be sure you go online and KNOW what you want to do and what you want to spend! You can 'easily' spend a lot of money here - on the other hand, if you know what you're doing you can have a nice afternoon/evening here at a reasonable cost. Again, go on the website beforehand. I can't stress this enough! Their wine is expensive as are 'some' seating options so be advised. We were actually there 3x's this spring/summer. Went to a big party under one of their large structured tents, then we had a small party under an umbrella table, and then went up again this past weekend and just sat in chairs and caught a sunset and amazing dinner from Greek Cave food truck. The food trucks (always 2) vary, but they list whose there on the website along with any entertainment (extra cost). Very annoying is the fact you can't call there! You have to text or email and their response(s) are NOT always timely! Unprofessional that you can't call and speak to someone.

This place is such a vibe! Definitely a lovely experience and great place to go with friends or…read morefamily. I was interested in coming here for the wine flights, especially the frozen wines. They were delicious! I would so come back here just for those and the views. They also have a plethora of events throughout the week and seasons that are fun, such as craft nights and live music. I definitely recommend for a day/night out! Just to note: their wines are a bit pricey but nonetheless, delicious. Service is also good.

I had a great experience with Hudson Valley Beer Tours! I was looking to arrange a tour for two as…read morea special surprise. While most companies weren't able to accommodate such a small party, this company was happy to work with us. Mike called me in advance to talk about what kind of day we wanted to have, what we like to drink and if we had any special ideas in mind. He had a great working knowledge of: which breweries had the best views; who had what kinds of products; what sort of food was served where; who had live music or special events and so on! He seemed happy to accommodate any requests we had in designing the tour, but was equally capable of crafting a great day with no help from me. It was nice to feel like I could be as much or as little a part of those choices as I wanted and know it would still be a great day. Our tour was also with Mike - who was on time, communicative, friendly, a good driver and an overall great guide. We had a wonderful day full of fantastic beer, some tasty cider, great food and good music. I would absolutely use Hudson Valley Beer Tours again in the future!

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.

What a fun time! Captain Frank and Erin were such great hosts to our very first expedition on the…read morenew Stamford Pedal Cruise. The name of the boat is the Pier Pressure II. I have been on the Milford Pedal Cruise before and both are just a super fun way to get together with a group of 22 of your friends and have a great time on the water. Here are some things you'll need to know: The Pier Pressure II is Stamford's only pedal powered party boat operated on Stamford Harbor and goes out into the Long Island Sound. It's a 90 minute excursion that is perfect for corporate outings and team building, as well as office, bachelorette, family, friends and birthday celebrations. It fits 26 guests at 12 pedaling stations & benches, a bar table, coolers, has a bluetooth stereo and also a bathroom. Private Cruises begin at $749 and Public Cruises are sold by the ticket, starting at $55, and seat up to 22 passengers. Guests do tip the Captain & First Mate since they rely on it to pay their bills. Suggested tip for Private Cruises: $200-300 and $10-15 per person for Group Cruises. BYOB! Drinks - beer, wine, hard seltzers, ciders, canned cocktails and the like are suggested. Please avoid bringing glass on board. Only guests 21 years of age or older may bring or consume alcoholic beverages. Don't forget some water. Bring Ice - they do not provide ice :) Bing Snacks - keep in mind it can be breezy on the boat. Cups, utensils, plates, napkins, etc - we do not carry these onboard, so please bring what you need and consider bringing reusable items to help the environment and reduce trash. Depending on the time of year and weather, don't forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, rain poncho or jacket. It does get cooler on the water- so bring a hoodie :) Lastly- free parking can be found at the Harbor Point Garage at 855 Pacific Street, Stamford, CT 06902 located between Washington Blvd & Harbor Point Rd. Other parking options include street parking and the lot at 200 Washington Blvd. They highly encourage using Uber, Lyft & taxi services, as well as the Metro North Train, a 15 min walk to the meeting location. Their waiting area is located at 1 Harbor Point Rd, Stamford, CT 06902 down the steps and under the blue canopy. You'll see Pedal Cruise signs along the way. Staff will let you and your group down to the boat through a locked gate when the boat is ready for boarding. Please do not enter through the gate without a Pedal Cruise staff member since it is private property. Cheers and have the best time! We sure did!

From the owner: Sip, Cheer & Chill on the water on Stamford’s only pedal powered party boat operated on the…read moreglistening Stamford Harbor and out into the Long Island Sound for groups of up to 26 people! This relaxing 90 minute excursion is perfect for corporate outings and team building, as well as office, bachelorette, family, friends and birthday celebrations. Our custom crafted boat fits 26 guests at 12 pedaling stations & benches, a bar table, coolers, blue tooth stereo and even has a bathroom! Locations in both Milford and Stamford, CT!

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.

Yes. They were on time and toilet were clean The staff was…read morefriendly and helpful. Traffic delayed the trip so it was an hour late

On Labor Day Monday, I took the Hampton Luxury Liner from Manhattan to Montauk. I thought the bus…read morewas going to be full since it was a holiday. It was empty. Excluding me and the driver, there were about 10 passengers. I had two seats to myself. And speaking of seats, they were very comfortable. There was decent legroom (I'm 6'1"). Initially, I couldn't find the outlet. I eventually discovered that it' was hidden under the seat. And unlike the Hampton Jitney, the bus wasn't covered with a tacky looking wrapping. The bus left Manhattan at 1 PM. It was scheduled to arrive at Montauk at 4:15 PM. It arrived at 3:28. And with that said, the ride was far from perfect. The bus was as bumpy as a school bus. It was pure torture. The driver seemed like he didn't want to be bothered. He wasn't mean, just apathetic. Other than checking in people and announcing the stops in a soft voice, he said nothing. I paid $34 which is reasonable. The Luxury Liner doesn't run nearly as frequently as the Jitney or LIRR Montauk branch. Furthermore, you don't get the VIP treatment like on the Hampton Ambassador. If you're looking for a no frills experience and you don't care about comfort then the Luxury Liner is ideal.