"Northern Arrow"

The Hudson River ends in New York City. Here it dissolves into the ocean. The Hudson begins five hundred kilometers to the north. And almost exactly north. Parallel to and not far from the river is Interstate 87. If we continue along the highway further north, after about a hundred and fifty kilometers we will come to the border with Canada. This path, as it were, contains many pages from the dramatic history of the country. The whole state is intersected, not without reason it is called "Empire State". A multifaceted picture of life unfolds on a vast territory, against the backdrop of the most diverse, perfectly preserved nature.

This is a fascinating and educational epic. It concerns a separate, clearly defined, most important fragment of a huge mosaic panel of the entire national panorama.

Not far from the city, a number of historical estates and real palaces begin, they are listed in our "Park and Palace Architecture" tour. Park and Palace Architecture. And this tour additionally includes two other palace-museums: Karamur (in the Mediterranean style), and Boscobel (in the federal one). Ancient architecture is also well represented in the surrounding cities of the state capital Albany. There are many houses from the Dutch past, and even more buildings in other old styles. There is also a very unusual fantasy architecture - a 7-tower man-made castle. Modern architecture in this tour is presented by the work of the greatest American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Fine art in the Hyde collection introduces the work of famous artists: Botticelli, Rubens, Rembrandt, Picasso. The building itself exhibits Renaissance (Neo-Renaissance) architecture. Here, as in another museum, you can see paintings by American masters, especially Rockwell Kent (who, by the way, was a great friend of Russia). We admire modern sculpture in the "statuary gardens" and modern avant-garde painting in specialized museums. We visit 6 art museums in total.

The historical and ethnic features of the excursion are revealed in visiting the former religious settlements, temples and spiritual centers. This fully includes "The Two Monasteries" tour (Buddhism, Catholicism). Protestant denominations are explained by the example of two very distinctive churches: the Shakers and the French Huguenots. Both churches are left in the past, but their heritage deserves interest (excursion "Art and History").

Two forts, two ancient fortresses tell about almost a hundred years of confrontation between two great empires, the British and French, about the resistance of the Indians, and often their great friendship with the Europeans. It is where our tour takes place that the famous story, captured in the best novel by James Fenimore Cooper, "The Last of the Mohicans", took place.

The military past continues in the military present. The main and largest army educational institution - the Military Academy of West Point, reminiscent of the architecture of British university cities - is located amazingly beautifully at the bend of the Hudson. A visit here is a fascinating story both about the daily life of the cadets and about all the military glory of the United States (excursion "Military Romance"). From here we make a cruise on the Hudson and the "Fortress Island".

The Albany metropolitan area is approximately halfway along the entire route. The capital itself has been accumulating many representative government buildings for more than two centuries, but the huge futuristic square on the hill, with its neo-brutalist skyscrapers, is especially good. Beneath the Plaza is the New York State Museum, one of America's finest museums. In the neighboring town we visit the current Arsenal of large-caliber weapons (the "The Capital and The Province" ). ) tour.

The further north, the more various natural wonders. Saratoga Springs has powerful springs of mineral waters of a wide acid-base scale. Here we not only taste different waters, but also visit the military and automobile museums, and the regular "Park Spa". Of particular interest is Yada, the local Peredelkino: a special complex for creative individuals in literature and art.

One of the world's largest mines of garnets (rubies) is open not only for viewing, but also gives tourists the opportunity to wash the rock on their own in the hope of discovering valuable stones.

In the Adirondacks we climb to the top of the highest mountain (bus, lift, cable car). Absolutely stunning, incomparable panoramas. Cruises on the most beautiful mountain lakes are provided in the Adirondacks. Lake Champlain, the largest after the Great Lakes, is a ferry to Vermont. Lake George - an old paddle steamer. Lake Placid ("Serene Lake") - "Rail and Sail": from here we take a 2.5-hour journey by train, then a cruise on the lake. Here we visit the Olympic sports complex, ski jumps and a museum.

"Northern Arrow" is the most complete tour on the shortest route from New York to Canada. It is a busy business trade route in the cultural and economic exchange between the two countries. This mutual connection between the two states cannot be found anywhere else in the world.