VACATION OVERVIEW
Discover the best of the United States’ East and West Coasts! Your vacation begins in the “Big Apple”—New York City—with two overnights and guided sightseeing of the city’s most fascinating sights, including Broadway, the Empire State Building, and Wall Street. Cross the Pocono Mountains and the border to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for guided sightseeing and a Maid of the Mist boat tour for close-up views of the falls. On to Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, and Washington DC, the nation’s capital, where you’ll encounter the important historic landmarks and monuments. Next, fly cross-country to lively Los Angeles! Guided sightseeing shows off glamorous Hollywood, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and more. From here, experience the fascinating desert Southwest at Scottsdale, Sedona, and the magnificent Grand Canyon before arriving at the neon lights of Las Vegas. Spend two nights here, with free time to take in some shows or to try your luck in the many themed casinos. Return to California, stopping in the San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite National Park. Your vacation ends in captivating San Francisco, home of the legendary cable cars, Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman’s Wharf—the perfect finale to a fantastic U.S. adventure.
DAY 1: NEW YORK CITY
Welcome to the “Big Apple!” Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
DAY 2: NEW YORK CITY
New York City is one of the world’s most exciting cities, buzzing with atmosphere and packed with fascinating sights and great shops. On today’s sightseeing tour, see New York City’s major attractions including Broadway, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, bustling Chinatown, City Hall, Wall Street, and Trinity Church. This evening, choose from the many fine restaurants the city has to offer or enjoy one of the famous Broadway shows.
DAY 3: NEW YORK CITY–CORNING–NIAGARA FALLS
Depart Manhattan, heading northwest across New Jersey through the Pocono Mountains and into upstate New York, arriving in Corning at mid-day. Late this afternoon, cross the border at Rainbow Bridge and proceed to the Canadian side of the Niagara River in the province of Ontario. Spend the next two nights in beautiful Niagara Falls.
DAY 4: NIAGARA FALLS
On this morning’s sightseeing tour, behold the spectacular falls from Table Rock. Then, board the MAID OF THE MIST for amazing close-up views. Your afternoon is free, so why not hop aboard the “People Mover” (local transport) and visit attractions such as the Butterfly Conservatory, Great Gorge Adventure, Botanical Gardens, and Niagara Parks Greenhouse, or ride the aerial cable car. Tonight, join our optional fun-filled Canadian musical. This entertaining evening includes a 5-course dinner served family style.
NOTE:
The operation of the Maid of the Mist cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. Usually, favorable conditions exist from mid-May to late-October. When weather is unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.
DAY 5: NIAGARA FALLS–PHILADELPHIA
Head southeast through the Appalachian Mountains and into the Susquehanna River Valley. Then, continue to the handsome city of Philadelphia for an overnight stay.
DAY 6: PHILADELPHIA–WASHINGTON DC
The “City of Brotherly Love” is also the birthplace of American Independence and is steeped in history. Our morning orientation tour focuses on the city’s historic landmarks. Then, on to the U.S. capital and seat of government, Washington DC, for a 2-night stay. Later, join the optional outing, featuring dinner followed by a tour of the city’s most famous memorials.
DAY 7: WASHINGTON DC
The nation’s capital is a sightseeing treasure trove, and your half-day tour with a Local Guide features ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, the KOREAN & VIETNAM WAR VETERANS MEMORIALS, and other well-known sights. Stop for photos at the White House, the official residence of the President of the Unites States, and Capitol Hill. The afternoon is free. Your Tour Director will suggest independent activities for exploring this fascinating city.
DAY 8: WASHINGTON DC–LOS ANGELES
Morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles.
DAY 9: LOS ANGELES
Spend the day at leisure in Los Angeles or join one of the many activities from Disneyland® to a full day tour of Universal Studios Hollywood®.
DAY 10: LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the world’s “Capital of Glamour,” including a drive through Hollywood and famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. A stop in the desert oasis of Palm Springs with its distinctive wind farms, 5,000 swimming pools, and 90 golf courses! This afternoon, head to the mountain ringed desert resort of Scottsdale.
DAY 11: SCOTTSDALE
The morning is free for independent activities. You may choose to join the optional 4-wheel drive tour, where you will experience incredible views of backcountry Arizona in specially equipped open-air Jeeps. Afterward, venture out on a sightseeing tour that highlights downtown Phoenix, the Arizona State Capitol Building, and an included visit to the HEARD MUSEUM, where exhibit galleries feature a variety of historic, traditional, and contemporary Native American art. Next, experience Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts provide a window into the past. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Scottsdale to shop or relax. Early this evening, join our optional outing to relive the days of the Wild West.
DAY 12: SCOTTSDALE–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON–WILLIAMS
Travel to Sedona, a thriving center for New Age arts set in canyon country. On to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon. Alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Time to stroll the canyon rim. For a once-in-a lifetime experience, take our optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,000 feet into the Colorado River.
DAY 13: WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS
Leave the mountain town of Williams on historic Route 66 and cross the old Mojave gold strike country, which still bears traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. Watch for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows more than 40 feet in height and can live up to 300 years. By late afternoon, reach Las Vegas, the fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, bars, and glamorous shows. Be sure to explore some of the many themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, we highly recommend a night out to a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment.
DAY 14: LAS VEGAS
The morning and afternoon are free for you to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or to explore the many casinos, shopping plazas, and amusement parks. Your Tour Director will have more suggestions to fill your day. Consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.
DAY 15: LAS VEGAS–TULARE
A day of striking natural contrast as the journey continues across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. Overnight in Tulare, located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.
DAY 16: TULARE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA
Enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. It’s a beautiful drive from the park to Sonora, once a thriving center in the Gold Rush era.
DAY 17: SONORA–SACRAMENTO–SAN FRANCISCO
Head toward Sacramento, capital of California, with time to explore Old Sacramento. “Old Town,” as the locals call it, features a Wild West ambiance. During your visit, see the country’s largest collection of Gold Rush-era buildings, a Wells Fargo museum, and a historic Railroad Museum. From Old Town, continue west to reach San Francisco by early afternoon. Cross the splendid bay with vistas of the San Francisco skyline and its magnificent harbor. On your city tour, see the main sights, including the renowned Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Nob Hill. Tonight, you may choose to join your traveling companions for an optional evening in Chinatown. Explore this vibrant historic section of San Francisco that houses the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Included in this evening’s agenda is a lavish 4-course dinner at an authentic Chinese restaurant. End with a short walking tour of Chinatown plus a ride on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars.
DAY 18: SAN FRANCISCO
This morning, visit the famous and fascinating ALCATRAZ PRISON. Get a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years. Afterward, the day is yours to do some more exploring in the “City by the Bay.” Ride San Francisco’s historic cable cars or take a walking tour of one of the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
DAY 19: SAN FRANCISCO
A free day to explore the regularly voted “Best City in the USA.” San Francisco is a visual feast that offers something for every eye. To help you see it all are the hilltops and landmarks including 180-foot-high Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. A visit to Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park, one of the largest man-made parks in the world, is a must. Then, there is Grant Street—the city’s oldest road running the length of Chinatown—and Haight-Ashbury, which rekindles memories of “Flower Power” and the “Beat Generation.”
DAY 20: SAN FRANCISCO
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to San Francisco International Airport.
HOTELS TO BE USED: (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
New York Hampton Inn Manhattan Chelsea (ST); Niagara Falls Michael’s Inn (F); Philadelphia Holiday Inn Historic District (F); Washington DC Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria (F); Los Angeles Sportsmen’s Lodge; Scottsdale Hospitality Suites; Williams Days Inn Williams; Las Vegas Imperial Palace; Tulare Best Western Town & Country Lodge; Sonora Inns of California; San Francisco Best Western Americania.
| START DATE | RETURN DATE |  | START DATE | RETURN DATE | | 19-Aug-2010 | 07-Sep-2010 | | 16-Sep-2010 | 05-Oct-2010 | | 26-Aug-2010 | 14-Sep-2010 | | 28-Sep-2010 | 17-Oct-2010 | | 31-Aug-2010 | 19-Sep-2010 | | 30-Sep-2010 | 19-Oct-2010 | | 09-Sep-2010 | 28-Sep-2010 | | 07-Oct-2010 | 26-Oct-2010 |
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