USA Coast to Coast in Winter 2012/13 

We depart from London to New York, where our base for two nights is the Beacon Hotel. See the 'Big Apple' and its incredible sights on Day 2, 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 at leisure to continue discovering New York, and your options are almost endless as New York offers something for everyone. Perhaps take in a show on Broadway, discover unparalleled shopping in 57th Street's upmarket boutiques or visit the Empire State Building.

Leaving New York, today we travel by rail to Washington DC, the nation's capital, for two nights at the Phoenix Park Hotel. On arrival we take a sightseeing tour of the city, passing landmarks including the White House, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon. Day 4 is free for you to explore at your own pace. You could visit the immense Smithsonian Institution, which is the world's largest museum complex.

After a leisurely morning, we leave Washington on the Capitol Limited. Our overnight journey takes us along the historic former B&O line through the Potomac Valley, then through the Allegheny Mountains and a number of other beautiful winter landscapes as we make our way to Chicago. We arrive in 'the Windy City' in the morning of Day 6, and take a city tour. We visit the site of the St Valentine's Day Massacre and Al Capone's headquarters, as well as other less violent landmarks! Your afternoon is free to explore Chicago; the Sears Tower offers terrific views and is a must see. We stay at the Affinia Chicago Hotel. (Day 5-D; Day 6-B)

Following a free morning in Chicago, we take the California Zephyr across Iowa and Nebraska and into Colorado. The train has a Sightseer Lounge where you can admire the passing scenery. On Day 8 our journey continues through the snow-covered Rockies as we climb a mile above sea level into the mountains, passing towering peaks on our way to Grand Junction. We stay tonight at the Hampton Inn. (Day 7-D; Day 8-B)

Today a coach takes us further through the Rockies, passing rugged, remote snow-capped scenery as we travel to Durango. The town retains its Wild West look, with many restored buildings and a vintage narrow-gauge railway. We stay for two nights at the Doubletree Hotel. (B)

Today we enjoy a round trip on the famous Durango & Silverton Railroad, which is a National Historic Landmark. We pass a wintry landscape of gushing rivers, steep ravines and parts of the dense National Forest as we travel in a vintage steam train on the journey between Durango and 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 miles of untouched hills, still has the imagery and feel of a bygone age. Our journey through the Navajo country takes us to Flagstaff for three nights at the Little America Hotel. On Day 12 enjoy a free day relaxing in the fabulous setting in Flagstaff, perhaps by relaxing in the hotel or by going for an invigorating stroll in the hotel's 500 acre private ponderosa pine forest.

We head along the legendary Route 66 today to join the Grand Canyon Railroad, and travel through the wintry scenery in the historic train to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights. The canyon, created by the Colorado River over a period of 6 million years, is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep in places. We arrive at the South Rim and main viewpoint to take in the dramatic vistas - often dusted with a layer of snow at this time of year - before making our return journey.

Today is spent at leisure; perhaps join the optional excursion to the Verde Canyon Railroad. Later we leave Flagstaff on the Southwest Chief for the overnight journey to LA.

Arriving in Los Angeles we spend the morning 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 RMS Queen Mary, our base for two nights. The ship has a fascinating history, both as a luxury ocean liner and as a U-boat dodging, high-speed troop carrier in the Second World War. Day 16 is free for you to relax or explore Long Beach. Perhaps visit one of LA's film studios for a guided tour. (Day 15-B)

This morning we travel on board the iconic Coast Starlight for a journey along the stunning Pacific coast shoreline. Enjoy spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling windows of vast stretch of beaches as the train hugs the rugged coast north of Santa Barbara. On arrival in San Francisco we transfer to the Radisson Fisherman's Wharf Hotel, our base for two nights.

Today we take a sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including the inspiring Golden Gate Bridge and the popular Fisherman's Wharf area. This afternoon is free for you to continue exploring - perhaps head to the infamous island of Alcatraz, once a federal prison housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone. Otherwise, discover the vibrant streets of Chinatown and the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, or ride the trams (cable cars) up and down the hilly streets, a great way to see the city. Alternatively, perhaps visit the famous winding Lombard Street, which has the distinction of being "the most crooked street in the world".

After a leisurely morning in San Francisco, today we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight, arriving in London on Day 20.