This tour coincides with the Quadricentennial celebration in 1609 of the arrival of Henry Hudson's ship, The Halfmoon in Albany, NY. Also featured is the Schenectady Stockade Walkabout, a walking tour of original 17th and 18th century homes within New York State's oldest historic district. The tour culminates with a visit to the oldest Dutch dwelling in the Mohawk Valley. Learn who the first "Paul Revere" was!

"Henry Hudson opens settlement of New Netherland"

earn the original Dutch, French, English and Native Colonial influence in what is now the Capital Region of New York State by means of a casually paced bicycle tour. There are numerous historical, cultural and natural features that make this tour a highly informative and sensory rich experience.

Time permitting, a selection of significant historical and cultural locations will be toured such as remnants of a weigh lock station on the Erie Canal as well as remnants of the original Erie Canal, Peebles Island, Van Schaick Mansion, as well as natural features such as the Cohoes Falls, the second most powerful waterfall in North America east of the Mississippi. A lunch stop will occur on route. (Lunches not included in price.)

Arrival is on Friday afternoon Sept. 25th, 2009. After a delicious Saturday morning breakfast, the tour departs for Schenectady, NY, about 20 miles away.

Upon our arrival in Schenectady we will partake in the Stockade Walkabout. Docents in 17th or 18th century period attire will greet you at the doors of many original homes that were nestled within the palisaded walls of the Schenectady Stockade, founded in 1661 by Arendt Van Curler. The stockade was attacked in 1690 by the French and their Indian allies in the Schenectady Massacre. After the walkabout riders will settle in at a Bed and Breakfast located within the Stockade district After showering, the group will take the short walk to an elegant restaurant for a relaxing dining experience. After returning to the Bed and Breakfast a historic vignette will take place for your enjoyment. Sunday morning will be spent bicycling to Rotterdam Junction, the home of the Mabee Farm, the Mohawk Valley's oldest Dutch dwelling. On the grounds is the original Mabee family homestead, a rare authentic Dutch Barn as well as other tradesman's outbuildings. Eat lunch on the Mabee Farm grounds before bicycling or riding back to Albany, NY to depart for your home destination.

Registration deadline: August 25, 2009 for receipt of full payment.
Required number of riders: 8-10
Cost: $600.00 per person
Includes 2 nights accommodation in a bed and breakfast establishment or equivalent board, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners excluding alcoholic beverages.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS TOUR PLEASE CONTACT US AND INDICATE DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY TOUR WITH YOUR COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION.