USA Coast to Coast at Christmas 2012 

We depart from London for New York, where our base for two nights is the Beacon Hotel, within easy reach of Central Park, Broadway and Times Square.

See the 'Big Apple' and its incredible sights, including Central Park and glamorous Fifth Avenue on our guided tour, before enjoying a harbour cruise around Manhattan past the Statue of Liberty. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring New York - be sure to absorb the city's exciting pre-Christmas atmosphere. From the magnificent Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree to the Holiday Markets at Columbus Circle, and from the window displays at Macy's to Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, at this time of year the city is transformed into an enticing winter wonderland.

After a further morning to explore New York, its Christmas Markets and its many world-famous landmarks, today we join Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited service for an overnight journey across three states, skirting the edge of the immense Lake Erie for much of the route as we make our way to Chicago. (D)

Today we arrive in Chicago. On arrival we take a tour of the 'Windy City', seeing Al Capone's headquarters and the site of the St Valentine's Day massacre, as well as less violent landmarks! Your afternoon is free to explore - perhaps climb the Willis Tower for magnificent views over the city, or visit Chicago's impressive, illuminated 'Christkindlmarkt' at Daley Plaza. We spend tonight at the Affinia Chicago Hotel. (B)

Following a leisurely morning in Chicago, later today we travel to the Midwest on the California Zephyr. The route takes us on an overnight journey through Iowa, Nebraska and into Denver, Colorado, where we spend two nights at the Warwick Hotel. Denver is beautifully illuminated for the holiday period and hosts a German Christmas Market at Skyline Park. On Day 7 we enjoy an excursion on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge line built in 1884 to connect the silver mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. (Day 5-D; Day 6-B)

Today we continue through the mighty Rockies from Denver, past the region's dramatic peaks and deep ravines to the city of Grand Junction, for an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn.

Leaving Grand Junction behind, on Christmas Eve we travel by coach to Durango. We travel through the wintry landscape of the Rockies, and via the incredible Arches National Park, with its wonderful sandstone rock formations. Later we arrive in Durango, which retains its Wild West look, for a stay at the Doubletree Hotel. (B)

After an included breakfast, we celebrate Christmas in style today as we enjoy a sleigh ride through the beautiful winter scenery. Later we return to the hotel for a festive holiday buffet and a relaxing evening. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a return journey on the famous Durango & Silverton Railroad. We pass gushing rivers, steep ravines and parts of the dense National Forest as we travel in vintage carriages hauled by a steam engine as we make our way to Cascade Canyon.

Familiar from a hundred Westerns, the rugged landscape of Utah's Monument Valley is one of America's defining images. The whole region, with its untouched hills, still has the feel of a bygone age. Our journey through the Navajo country takes us to Flagstaff for three nights at the Little America Hotel. At this time of year, the grounds are adorned with over a million lights, creating a beautifully illuminated festive atmosphere.

Enjoy a day at leisure in the fabulous setting of Flagstaff, perhaps by relaxing in the hotel and taking a stroll amidst the hotel's 500-acre private ponderosa pine forest. On Day 14 we head along the legendary Route 66 to join the Grand Canyon Railroad, and travel through the wintry scenery in vintage carriages hauled by historic locomotives, to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights. We arrive at the South Rim and main viewpoint to take in the dramatic vistas. Formed over millions of years, the Canyon is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep in places. You have the option of taking a flight (payable locally) over the Canyon - a great way to see the scale of this natural wonder!

Heading eastwards through Arizona on the fabled "Mother Road", Route 66, we reach Kingman. Here we visit the Route 66 Museum and spend a night at the Hampton Inn.

Arriving in LA we spend the afternoon in Hollywood, with free time to see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre or to take a stroll along the legendary Hollywood Boulevard. Later we transfer to Long Beach and the Hotel Maya. After time to settle in, you can begin your New Year's Eve celebrations in this magnificent city. Our hotel is set opposite the downtown area on the waterfront. Downtown Long Beach offers a wide range of entertainment venues, often along with open air street parties - giving you a perfect range of options to welcome in the New Year as midnight arrives and fireworks light up the sky.

New Year's Day is free for you to simply relax in Long Beach, and perhaps take a walk along the seafront and blow the cobwebs away, or relax and make use of the hotel's facilities. On Day 18 we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London, arriving on Day 19.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
These meals, where shown are included in the price of your holiday