America Coast to Coast

We fly to New York City, one of the USA's most lively cities. We spend two nights here, enjoying the perfect introduction to the vibrant culture of the United States.

We're introduced to the 'Big Apple' on a sightseeing cruise around iconic Manhattan Harbour, spotting world-famous landmarks from our unique vantage point on the water. We see Ellis Island and the torch-wielding icon, the Statue of Liberty herself. Back on dry land, we take an insightful guided city tour of New York, seeing world-renowned sights including Central Park, the open, leafy space set amongst the city's glittering skyscrapers. After, enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. From fascinating art galleries to the dazzling lights of Times Square, there's plenty to occupy yourself with here.

Boarding a train south, we travel to the nation's capital and political powerhouse, Washington D.C. We spend two nights here, immersing ourselves in the country's rich and fascinating political history. This afternoon, we head out on a guided tour that takes in many of the city's famous landmarks. We see the White House, the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. We also visit Capitol Hill - the seat of the U.S. government, and Georgetown, a historic cobblestoned neighbourhood.

Enjoy a full day free to explore Washington D.C. at your own pace. There are iconic sights around every street corner here, from the poignant Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Junior delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech, to the distinctive Capitol Building. There are also some wonderful museums and galleries to discover, including the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

Late this afternoon we leave the capital on Amtrak's Capitol Limited service. The service runs daily between Washington D.C. and the exciting city of Chicago, following the historic B&O line through the Potomac Valley. Our overnight journey takes in the vast and beautiful scenery of the United States, as we pass historic Harpers Ferry and the Allegheny Mountains on the way to Pittsburgh. We cross into Ohio and head north to Cleveland across Indiana as the train continues through the night.

We arrive in Chicago after breakfast. Known as the 'Windy City', Chicago is the capital of the state of Illinois and is set on the sea-like shores of the vast Lake Michigan. We take a city tour here that revisits the 'dry and lawless years' of the 1920s and 30s. We take in the site of the St Valentine's Day Massacre as well as Al Capone's headquarters and some of the city's famous landmarks and architecture, including Willis Tower and Millenium Park.

You're free to explore Chicago in your own time today. The city boasts a stunning skyline along with many highly rated museums, restaurants and cafés. You could climb the 110-storey Willis Tower, which, upon its completion in 1974, was the world's tallest building. On a clear day, from the observation deck, it's possible to enjoy views over four states - Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. If you fancy a bite to eat, traditional deep-dish pizza is a must-try in the city. Visit Lou Malnati's for a taste of what many claim to be Chicago's best pie.

Enjoy a free morning in Chicago. Perhaps head to a diner for a traditional American breakfast of pancakes topped with bacon and maple syrup. In the afternoon, we board the California Zephyr for an overnight journey to Grand Junction, a trip that takes us across the cornfields and plains of Iowa and Nebraska. The Zephyr boasts a great Sightseer Lounge where you can relax and enjoy the views speeding past the window before heading to your roomette for a night on the rails.

After a night spent winding past dramatic peaks and deep ravines, we arrive in Grand Junction, in the heart of Colorado's wine region. We spend the night here, and the rest of the day is free for you to relax or get acquainted with the town. You could stroll along downtown Main Street, where the atmosphere is distinctly 'small-town America', with pleasant cafés and restaurants and characterful gift shops to explore.

We make our way to Silverton for a journey on the Durango & Silverton Railroad. This is a wonderfully nostalgic rail journey that seemingly takes us back in time to the bygone 'Wild West' era famous from Hollywood movies. Despite being over 130 years old, the line has been in continuous operation since its inception. Its imposing black coal-fired locomotive pulls the distinctive yellow carriages through the remote tree-lined mountain backdrop of Colorado. We travel through breathtaking canyons, past emerald-green rivers, and across the remote wilderness of the National Forest, finally arriving in Durango, where we spend the night.

We leave Durango after breakfast, making our way by coach to Flagstaff. Familiar from a hundred westerns, the rugged landscape of Utah's Monument Valley is one of America's defining images, and we discover it today as we pass through on our way. The red-sand desert region sits on the border of Arizona and Utah and is known for its iconic, towering sandstone structures. In Flagstaff, we check into our hotel for the next two nights.

We head out along the legendary Route 66 to the town of Williams, where we join the Grand Canyon Railway. Travelling in carriages hauled by historic locomotives, we wind through the landscapes on our way to one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights, the Grand Canyon. The canyon, created by the Colorado River over a period of 6 million years, is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. We arrive at the South Rim and the main viewpoint of the Canyon, where the views across the natural wonder are breathtaking.

Travelling further along iconic Route 66 today, we make our way to Las Vegas, where we spend the night. The city is synonymous with indulgence, glitz and glamour and famed for its neon lights, famous casinos and lively shows. With free time in 'Sin City', head to the iconic Las Vegas Strip where you'll find incredible live shows performed every night, decadent buffets and world-class restaurants, as well as imaginatively themed hotels that mean you can easily visit the likes of Paris, Venice and Egypt all in the same day.

We continue across the desert to Los Angeles, another of the USA's most iconic destinations. As the home of America's movie industry, the city is home to many of the world's most rich and famous, a fact reflected in its sophisticated modern homes, chic restaurants and exclusive boutiques. Our guided tour introduces us to some of the most well-known spots, including Hollywood Boulevard, where golden stars set into the pavement honour Hollywood's famous names on the renowned Walk of Fame. We check into our hotel where you could enjoy a relaxed evening or head out into LA to explore further.

Leaving the bright lights of Los Angeles behind, we head along the coast to bohemian San Francisco on board the Amtrak Coast Starlight service. On arrival, we check into our hotel for the next two nights. San Francisco is one of America's most-loved destinations, and a place filled with charms and laid-back culture. The city's a visual treat too, with streets lined with colourful Victorian buildings that lead down towards the attractive harbour area, making it a delight to explore.

We begin the day with a transfer to Pier 39, a popular shopping district filled with arcades and restaurants. Here, we meet our tour guide who introduces us to the impressive sights of the city. We see the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, an area famous for its sea lions, on our sightseeing tour. Later, we board a ship for a memorable sunset cruise, taking in the sights of the city as darkness begins to fall - the perfect way to bid farewell to San Francisco.

Bidding farewell to the USA, we transfer to the airport today for the overnight flight home.

You arrive back in the UK today and your holiday comes to an end.