In the natural paradise of the Adirondacks, nature takes centre stage. Noted for its sparkling lakes, majestic mountains and rushing streams, the Lake George region is the perfect place to get in tune with the outdoors, whether your preference is serene or extreme. There’s literally something for everyone.

In summer, visitors flock to the crystal blue waters for water sports, relaxation and just plain fun.  In autumn, the trees light up the countryside with hues of amber, yellow and crimson. You can enjoy the fall colours during a boat trip on the lake or on a scenic drive on meandering country roads.

The area is also well known for its history and heritage. American novelist James Fenimore Cooper made Cooper’s Cave in Glen Falls famous in his novel, The Last of the Mohicans. Fort William Henry, which served as a key location in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, is nearby.

The Hyde Collection in Glen Falls has works by Leonardo da Vinci, El Greco, Degas, Renoir and Cezanne. Many of Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings were of Lake George. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt learned in the town of North Creek that President McKinley had passed away and he that was now the President of the United States in the town of North Creek.

Deluxe accommodation: The Sagamore Resort or similar

Set amidst the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondacks and surrounded by abundant lakes, rivers and forests, Lake Placid has been the focus on the world twice, during the 1932 and the 1980 Olympics.

Here, you can explore at leisure or be as active as you may wish. Over 200 miles of hiking trails form a network for walking through Adirondack Park. Learning the heritage of the Adirondacks dates back to the 1820s when visitors began seeking out the woodsmen for their backcountry skills and local lore.

If you want to be active, you can raft the rivers, fly over the Adirondacks, ride the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, go fly fishing, bungee jumping, horseback riding, mountain climbing, backpacking, bicycling or any one of the other many active opportunities that are available.

If you’d rather explore, pick up an Olympic Sites Passport, take a ski gondola to the top of one of the mountains, check out the galleries, boutiques, glass blowers and other shops, have a massage, visit the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center at Paul Smith’s, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and meander over to Saranac Lake to check out the shops there.

Deluxe accommodation: High Peaks Resort (formerly Hilton Lake Placid Resort) or similar

Everyone has to experience a New York wine trail once in a lifetime. Today you can be off on the Cayuga Wine Trail, a collection of 27 wineries which surround the sapphire waters of Cayuga Lake.

This is the very heart of New York Wine Country where the climate is perfect for growing hardy native grapes and hybrids and the more delicate varieties that produce truly fine wines. Several Cayuga Lake wineries including the Goose Watch Winery and the Sheldrake Point Riesling scored in the recent Riverside Wine Competition.

Deulxe accommodation:  Sherwood Inn or similar

Get a leisurely start today and make sure to take one last look at Niagara Falls before departing for Corning. If you did not have the opportunity to visit Watkins Glen State Park, you can do so on the way to Corning.

Upon reaching Corning, take a drive through the intricately detailed Victorians that line the streets of the Corning historic district. These homes were built by the local lumber barons during the 1890s Victorian heyday. Newly rich industrialists used the best craftsmen to clad each house with opulent detail.

Deluxe accommodation: Radisson Corning or similar