Print Full Itinerary
Itinerary: Subject to change due to local conditions, unforeseen events, or more interesting as yet unplanned awesome experiences that become available
Transcendent Travel:
Embark on a journey where every experience is a moment to seek within yourself what is ultimately true. We’ll wander to authentic, soulful spaces that speak to your being providing a path to find consciousness through travel.
It’s a “re-treat” away from the pull of the world to more silent places that connect us all. Our experiences will include guided Forest Bathing, silent nature meditations, daily “natural” meditation, understanding conscious relationships, and immersion in history and local culture with presence as the background.
You will be traveling with a small group of like-minded people who share in your search of awakening allowing for deeper connections and conversations. Unearth and reveal your true “self”.
Overview:
Our journey takes us into sacred spaces of the Hudson Valley:
The Hudson Valley holds many hidden gems yet to be discovered so we’ll spend the next two days uncovering their allure. Many artistic souls over the centuries have brought their creative wisdom to places that hold great beauty, leaving behind feelings of sacredness. This picturesque region of New York has long been such a space where artistry flourished creating an open space in which to connect.
Discover the meditative architectural spaces of Manitoga that flawlessly orchestrate the surrounding landscape into a series of outdoor rooms of artistic character and delight that are the perfect embodiment of living in creative harmony with nature.
Our journey will further lead us to an intimate oasis that provides access to peace and mindfulness in a beautiful green, flowering, artistic space, to a winding, serene trail through stunning natural spaces, and a sacred space where things are at home being just what they are, in a place where spirit and nature can reconnect.
Put all your worries and busy lives aside and join a quiet retreat into places where art, nature, and souls collide.
Retreat Insight:
The path of awakening can be different for anyone who’s found themselves following it. What speaks loudly to one person may only be a whisper to another who has a deeper connection to something else.
Wherever you are on the path, the diverse opportunities to connect through nature, creative art, and immersive history will find its way to open the door to a deeper understanding of the world surrounding us and our true purpose.
Day One: Japanese Stroll Garden
Our journey begins in the serenity of Hammond Museum’s Japanese Stroll Garden, an extra special place for wandering with the feel of summer in the air. Our senses will be delighted as we step along the paths that provide a place to feel the peace and wisdom of nature that takes us on a voyage to a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Follow as we guide you towards the Japanese practice of using your senses to enhance your experience of the garden by listening to the crunching of pebbles beneath your feet, hearing the wind blow through the bamboo, feeling pine needles brush your skin as you pass through the trees and smelling the aroma of the surrounding flowering trees and plants.
The Way of the Garden:
As we follow the way of the garden, it will not reveal itself all at once.
Rather, paths provide space for presence and contemplation so this will be our guide to immerse into a deeper understanding of what is the garden.
Bring your inner peace inside the galleries showcasing Japanese art that reflect the intersection Eastern and Western culture, promoting global awareness and understanding and see what you discover.
Manitoga Picnic Lunch:
Our meditative mood continues on a visit to the exquisite home, studio and 75-acre woodland garden, Manitoga: Dragon Rock House & Studio.
It’s here among the tranquil grounds where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with an open, conscious discussion on experiences of the day that you feel you’d like to share.
Now let’s immerse in these amazing creative spaces first, on a guided tour of the home and studio, then throughout a reflective wander along the nature trails.
Immerse in Manitoga:
Industrial Designer, Russell Wright who introduced modernism to millions during the mid-20th century transformed the land of a once ravaged industrial site using a masterful interplay of design and nature into an extraordinary piece of architecture called Manitoga.
A wooded walk along the Quarry path leads to an ascending stone staircase through a mountain laurel grove and magnificent mossy spaces then crosses a pleasantly cascading waterfall atop a wood plank bridge, before reaching the home with its expanses of glass creating a seamless connection to the outside.
The house and studio, complete with green roofs are integrated into the ledge of an abandoned quarry in a style where his creation does not dominate the land but blends with it, allowing the enchantment of the land, woods, stones, sky, river, and animals to flow through the space.
Fox & Bear Lodge:
This evening we’ll relax in the comfort of the Fox & Bear Lodge, taking in the exquisite timeless design of this 1831 colonial mansion and its wrap around porches overlooking a lovely flowing stream with distant views of the countryside.
Among the calmness of the lodge, we’ll come together for an informal dinner party where we can partake in an open conversation about understanding conscious relationships, how to relate them to everyday life and ways to practice cultivating them.
Enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 2: Meditative Morning
Enjoy a leisurely morning among serene spaces that speak to you. Before we start our day of conscious adventure, let’s sit together for a “natural” meditation.
This will be a short, sort of unconventional meditation that is guided not by the words, but by the silent spaces between them.
Because silence is the background of everything.
Day 2: Vernon Boardwalk
Use your senses as a guide along a serpentine boardwalk that is a special small slice of the Appalachian Trail as you mindfully stroll atop of a beautiful marshy area to the delightful Pochuck Suspension Bridge spanning the sparkling Pochuck Creek.
Observe cattails, tall grasses and wildflowers while they softly sway in a gentle breeze behind the distant sounds of birdcalls and singing frogs.
A meditative poem will set the mood for our wanders allowing the space in which to take in all the natural marshland beauty.
Downtown Warwick:
Bring your state of calm to the charming town of Warwick where a wander will take you into its history and among many restaurant choices for a tasty lunch.
Pacem in Terris:
Now we take an extraordinary step into a sacred space created by Frederick Franck, Pacem in Terris – Peace on Earth.
Mere words can’t seem to describe his artistry and the feelings it evokes but is best explained as“One man’s work of art that aspires to be an oasis of quiet, of sanity, where spirit and nature may reconnect. It is dedicated to what is Human in every human being”.
Together we’ll experience Pacem in Terris in quiet contemplation and the pure presence in which it was created. Here the quote by Zen Master Hui Neng will be a revelation “The meaning of life is to SEE”.
“It is in order to really see, to see ever deeper, ever more intensely, hence to be fully aware and alive, that I draw what the Chinese call ‘The Ten Thousand Things’ around me. Drawing is the discipline by which I constantly rediscover the world. I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have never really seen, and that when I start drawing an ordinary thing, I realize how extraordinary it is, sheer miracle.” — Frederick Franck
Return Home:
As we return towards home, reflect on your experiences that may evoke quiet contemplation or conversation and take with you the inner silence you have found among the sacred spaces of the Hudson Valley that you can now bring into your daily life.
Pricing & Departures:
*Departures will be dependent on registrations
Price per person is $1,295 Twin & $1,495 Single. No reservations accepted without a deposit of $350 per person. Make checks payable to The Educated Wanderer and mail to the above address. Final payment is due May 1, 2026. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation occurs on or before May 1, 2026. There are no refunds if cancellation occurs after May 1, 2026. Travel protection/cancellation coverage is available and highly recommended (cost is approximately 10% of the total cost of the tour) but not included. One piece of luggage per person and one small carry-on is permitted. Educated Wanderer is not responsible for any delays, cancellations, injuries or circumstances beyond its control and reserves the right to change this itinerary. All trip components are subject to change in accordance with Government, State and Local guidelines and/or mandates. This tour will run rain or shine.
Upon submitting final payment you are agreeing to our new policy.
Wet Blanket Policy:
Wet blanket
– a person who makes it difficult for other people to enjoy themselves by complaining, acting negatively, creating drama, etc.
– one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm or pleasure
- Our philosophy of travel involves getting out of the ordinary to experience other cultures and places with an open minded attitude and flexibility. Since as in daily life, anything can and will happen, let’s embrace these situations with acceptance and understanding because they will either lead to an unexpected, amazing experience or positive learning experience.
- If anyone brings along excess baggage such as incessant complaining, under the breath rude comments, outward negativity or other such behaviors that infect the entire group or individuals, we have the exclusive right to remove them from the tour at their own cost with no refunds. (yes, this means you)
- If any major concerns arise during a tour, please just come talk to us and we’ll work it out!
The Educated Wanderer
PO Box 35 Henryville, PA 18332
973-513-9001
