LA to New York by Rail 2012 

We depart from London for Los Angeles, transferring on arrival to Long Beach for two nights on board the RMS Queen Mary, which has a fascinating history as a luxury ocean liner and, thanks to its role in World War II, as a U-boat dodging, high-speed troop carrier. On Day 2 we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Hollywood, with chance to see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre and to take a stroll down the famous Hollywood Boulevard. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring Los Angeles at leisure.

We join Amtrak's Coast Starlight for a daytime journey to San Francisco. We leave the urban sprawl of LA behind, travelling through Glendale to Burbank, where many of the major film studios are based. We continue through the San Fernando Valley towards the Santa Susanna Mountains, reaching the Pacific Coast at Ventura, at which point the Coast Starlight begins to hug the coastline and follows the Pacific Coast Highway. Enjoy vast stretches of pristine beaches as the train hugs the coast, north of Santa Barbara, then takes us through the wine county of San Luis Obispo. The final stage of our journey takes us through the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountain Range. We make a stop in San Jose, the first state capital of California, before reaching our destination, the vibrant city of San Francisco. Our base for two nights is the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, close to the cable car terminus, which enjoys superb views over the city.

We enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of San Francisco, by coach and on foot, visiting the elegant Golden Gate Bridge and the popular Fisherman's Wharf with its historic waterfront and home to a famous population of sea lions. Your afternoon is spent at leisure in San Francisco, giving you the opportunity to visit the infamous island of Alcatraz, most famous for its time as a prison. Located across San Francisco Bay, by ferry from Pier 33, and known also as "The Rock", from where there are no known escape survivors, the island's notable former residents include Al Capone and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz'. You could also explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown and the intriguing Golden Gate Fortune Cookie factory, or ride the trams (cable cars) up and down the hilly streets and visit the famous winding Lombard Street, which has the distinction of being 'the crookedest street in the world'?

We travel to Emeryville, located just north of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, where we board the fabulous California Zephyr. Our spectacular journey takes us through Sacramento, California's state capital, and Reno, the "biggest little city in the world". We pass countless towns that sprung up during the gold rush before darkness envelops the train and our journey continues into the night. During the night we pass the lights of Salt Lake City. Lunch and dinner are served in the Zephyr's dining car, and you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views through the large windows of the Sightseer Lounge. Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the lounge bar.

Our journey on the California Zephyr continues today as we ride into the heart of Colorado's wine region. We pass the truly breathtaking scenery of Grand Junction, with sandstone rock formations, arches, and canyons that date back over a billion years. We then travel on the route of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, past dramatic peaks and deep ravines to Denver (nicknamed the 'Mile High City' as it is at an altitude of exactly one mile above sea level). We spend two nights at the Warwick Hotel Denver, located only a short walk from the city centre. You have a free day on Day 7 to explore the city's sights. Denver boasts a mile-long promenade lined with cafés and shops and a mountain view down every street. On Day 8 we ride the world's highest cog railway at Manitou Springs. Pike's Peak Cog Railway takes us past waterfalls and through nature parks on 8.9 miles of track to the summit. Look out for yellow-bellied marmottes and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep during a panoramic walk at the summit before we make the return journey on the railroad to Manitou Springs. We re-board the California Zephyr this evening to complete the route overnight to Chicago.

We arrive in Chicago in the afternoon of Day 9 and transfer to the Affinia Hotel Chicago, our base for two nights. A city tour on arrival revisits the 'dry and lawless years' of the 1920s and '30s, taking in the site of the St Valentine's Day Massacre and Al Capone's headquarters, as well as less violent landmarks!

Your day is free to explore Chicago. The Sears Tower - Chicago's equivalent of the Empire State Building - is a must-see, and the nearby Hancock Centre offers similarly terrific views. Nobody should leave Chicago without taking a ride on the "Loop" - Chicago's iconic overhead metro. We board the Lake Shore Limited overnight sleeper service on Day 11, travelling through the night towards the East Coast and New York City.

Our journey from Chicago takes us through Indiana and Ohio, passing through Cleveland during the night and Buffalo in the morning. Crossing the state of New York, we arrive into New York City this evening and transfer to the Beacon Hotel, ideally located in the upmarket Upper West Side, close to Central Park and just a short metro ride from Times Square.

We 'wake up in the city that never sleeps' today and begin our time in the Big Apple with a guided sightseeing tour including Central Park and glamorous Fifth Avenue, before enjoying a harbour cruise around Manhattan past the Statue of Liberty. A free afternoon means you have plenty of free time to explore this exciting city, perhaps visiting bustling Grand Central Station, poignant 'Ground Zero', unsurpassed art galleries and museums or see a show on Broadway.

We transfer to the airport on Day 14, flying overnight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 15.