America Coast to Coast

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

Today we're introduced to the 'Big Apple' on a sightseeing cruise around iconic Manhattan Harbour, spotting landmarks from our unique vantage point on the water including Ellis Island and the torch-wielding icon, the Statue of Liberty herself. Back on land, we take a guided city tour of New York City, seeing world-famous sights including Central Park, the open, leafy space set amongst the city's glittering skyscrapers.

Boarding a train south today, 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 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.

On Day 4, you're free to explore the city at your own pace.

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.

After a free morning on Day 8, we board the California Zephyr for an overnight journey to Grand Junction, that takes us across the cornfields and plains of Iowa and Nebraska. The Zephyr has a Sightseer Lounge where you can relax and enjoy the views speeding past the window.

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 get acquainted with the town. Explore downtown Main Street, where the atmosphere is distinctly 'small-town America', with pleasant cafés and restaurants, and characterful gift shops.

On Day 10, 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. 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.

After breakfast, we depart Durango. 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 en-route to Flagstaff.

On Day 12, we head along the legendary Route 66 to the town of Williams, where we join the Grand Canyon Railway. We travel in carriages hauled by historic locomotives 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 along iconic Route 66 today, we make our way to Las Vegas, a city synonymous with indulgence, glitz and glamour and famed for its neon lights, famous casinos and lively shows. With an afternoon free in 'Sin City', it's the perfect time to enjoy a spot of shopping at one of the great shops on The Strip, or perhaps sit down to a delicious meal at one of the many world-class celebrity restaurants. We spend tonight in the city.

On Day 14, we continue across the desert to Los Angeles, another of the USA's most famous destinations. As the home of America's movie industry, the city is home to many of the worlds most rich and famous, something reflected in its sophisticated modern homes, chic restaurants, and exclusive boutiques. Our guided tour this afternoon introduces us to some of the most well-known spots in the city, including Hollywood Boulevard, where golden stars set into the pavement honour Hollywood's most famous names on the iconic Walk of Fame. We check into our hotel where you could enjoy a relaxed evening, or if you'd prefer, you could head out into LA to explore further.

Leaving the bright lights of Los Angeles, we head to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight service, checking into our hotel for two nights upon arrival. San Francisco is a city rich in culture, where streets are lined with colourful Victorian buildings that lead down towards the attractive harbour.

On Day 16, 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.

We transfer to the airport today, for our flight back to London Heathrow.

You arrive back in London this morning.