New York, Washington D.C., Boston & Philadelphia

Your time in the USA begins in the country’s capital, Washington D.C. Upon arrival at the airport this afternoon, meet your friendly tour manager and drive into neighbouring Alexandria, a quaint city on the banks of the Potomac River, for the first of three overnight stays.

This morning, head into the heart of Washington D.C., the United States’ political epicentre, where you’ll be inundated with memorable ways to spend your time.  

Join an expert local guide for an optional sightseeing tour of DC’s most extraordinary landmarks. You’ll witness the world’s most powerful square mile, stopping at Capitol Hill, a hub of glorious neoclassical architecture and the home of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, the vast Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.  

Pass the imposing Capitol Building, the heart of the US Congress, and make your way to the distinctive Washington Monument, as D.C.’s fascinating history is brought to life by your guide. You’ll then continue to the pillared Lincoln Memorial before rounding out your tour at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, The White House. This neoclassical wonder, though wrecked by British forces during the War of 1812, has stood guard over the American capital for over 200 years. 

You can also venture out on your own, if you’d prefer, and take in the American capital’s historic and diverse cultural sites at your own leisure. If you’re visiting earlier in the year, make sure to spend some time along the National Mall, which is famously lined with cherry blossoms throughout the spring.  

While on the Mall, consider paying your respects to a handful of its poignant memorials commemorating the veterans and statesmen that safe-guarded Western interests both at home and abroad. You can also enjoy a self-guided visit to a handful of the Smithsonian Institute’s 19 centres, from the National Museum of Natural History to the National Air and Space Museum. If you book in advance, you can even explore the interiors of the domed Capitol Building, the seat of the American Congress.  

Later, reboard your coach for the journey back across the Potomac River to your Alexandria hotel for the rest of the day at leisure and your next overnight stay. If you're feeling up to exploring further, why not venture out into Alexandria’s charming tree-lined old town? 

Today, enjoy a fascinating visit to Charlottesville, the historic home of founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Steeped in colonial history, Charlottesville’s magnolia-lined streets are amongst the oldest in the country and you’ll witness the city’s original 18th-century dwellings, which still retain the character of early American society. Spend a short time wandering the city’s streets, ahead of a spectacular excursion into the great American wilderness.  

You’ll then trace a scenic route through the fabled Blue Ridge Mountains, one of Virginia’s most recognisable natural landscapes. Continue along the famed Skyline Drive, one of the United States’ most panoramic roads, as it winds through the Shenandoah National Park, where you’ll be amongst the region’s thriving ecosystems and natural wonders. A haven for wild deer, songbirds and bears, Shenandoah’s evergreen stretches boast some of Appalachia’s finest vistas, promising truly unforgettable sights and photo opportunities.

Watch the landscapes change colours as the sun goes down over Appalachia before returning to Alexandria. 

Cross state borders through Maryland and into Pennsylvania today for your next stay in historic Philadelphia. Known affectionately as the birthplace of American Independence, it was in this riverside city that the first American Continental Congress was formed. Check into your centrally located hotel, set within walking distance of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and spend the rest of the day as you see fit. If you’re peckish, make sure to try Philadelphia’s famous comfort sandwich, the ‘Philly Cheesesteak’.  

You can also experience this delightful city with an optional sightseeing tour, starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You’ll have time to admire this historic gallery’s pillared facades and iconic 'Rocky’ steps, which featured in the 1976 Sylvester Stallone film, with a brief photo stop. Next, step aboard a sightseeing bus for a drive along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. You’ll take in the iconic JFK Plaza, nicknamed ‘Love Park’ for its iconic sculpture, Philadelphia’s ornate city hall and the imposing Macy’s superstore. A final stop at bustling Reading Terminal, a farmers’ market which has been a staple of the city for over 100 years, follows.  

Next, uncover America’s colonial past with visits to Independence Hall, where the groundbreaking Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell, which became a symbol of the American Revolution in 1776. If you have some free time, walk around the collection of original quaker houses and pay homage to the grave of Benjamin Franklin at the nearby Christ Church Burial Ground.  

If you’d prefer a more relaxed afternoon, you can also explore the city at leisure. Wander over to Philadelphia’s bustling Center City, with its boutiques, galleries and restaurants along the riverside. 

Later, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.  

Enjoy a leisurely morning today with a few free hours to make the most of your time in Philadelphia. Perhaps stroll through the expansive Fairmount Park or admire the city’s artistic wonders at the Barnes Foundation and Museum of Art. You can also walk to the Eastern State Penitentiary, once the world’s most famous prison complex which housed the likes of Al Capone and ‘Slick Willie’ Sutton.  

For a more relaxed morning, watch the world go by from one of the eateries lining Philadelphia’s Delaware riverfront. This afternoon, make the short journey north into New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York, where you’ll check into your next hotel.

Descend on one of the world’s most exciting destinations today as you head east across the Hudson River into New York City, the ‘Gateway to America’, presided over by the iconic Statue of Liberty. Here, you’ll spend a full day in Manhattan, the heart of the ‘Big Apple’, which once welcomed over 12 million migrants to the US’ shores. This vibrant city has since become a global hub for commerce, science and the arts and you can take in its finest landmarks in the company of an expert local guide on an optional sightseeing tour.  

Marvel at the imposing Art Deco Empire State Building, once the world’s tallest structure, before heading to the city’s most iconic areas. With valuable insights from your guide, enjoy time in leafy Central Park and head up the Rockefeller Center, where you'll take in 360-degree views of the city below from the Top of the Rock observation deck. Make a final call at glittering Fifth Avenue, the world’s most expensive shopping area, for some shopping and downtime. 

Alternatively, you’ll be free to experience the city at your own pace, exploring as much or as little as you’d like. Make your way around New York’s most famous areas, from neon-lit Times Square to the lively borough of Brooklyn, or perhaps enjoy some retail therapy at Macy’s historic flagship store. From artistic Soho to the Hudson waterfront, which presides over the city’s harbour, New York’s diverse neighbourhoods promise endless attractions. 

Culture buffs will feel at home with the city’s Guggenheim Museum and various galleries while those in favour of an escape from the bustle of the city can wander around idyllic Central Park. With plenty of attractions on offer within, this expansive greenspace is the perfect place to lose yourself for a couple of hours. Seek out lakeside Belvedere Palace and ornate Bethesda Terrace, as well as the American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

Rise early this morning for a picturesque journey into New England to New Haven, Connecticut. Here, you can experience a fascinating tour of Yale University, one of the United States’ most iconic institutions.  

You’ll explore the university with a current undergraduate offering valuable insights on the history, culture and lesser-known facts of this 300-year-old college. Wander Yale's famous grounds and learn how it came to rival Harvard’s place as one of the United States’ premier academic institutions before continuing to Hull, Massachusetts, for the first of a two-night stay. 

Today join a full-day optional tour starting with a visit to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, where costumed actors and fascinating reconstructions depict the ins and outs of a day’s life in 1627. Next, continue to Plymouth, the first pilgrim settlement in the New World, and pay homage to the Mayflower II, a replica of the early settlers’ ship.  

After time in Plymouth, continue onto Cape Cod. Stopping in the seaside town of Hyannis, you’ll have time here to find lunch and wander along the seafront before concluding your excursion at the town’s Veteran Park. Set on Hyannis’ serene coastline, this park is home to memorials dedicated to President John F. Kennedy and the servicemen who fell in the Korean War. 

A captivating trip to elegant Boston, America’s most European centre, marks the final day of your holiday. Here, you’ll have the chance to uncover the city’s original terraced houses in the Back Bay and breath-taking landmarks independently or under guidance. 

Embark on an optional sightseeing tour, led by an expert guide, across which you’ll discover Boston’s revolutionary past. You’ll visit the city's major historic sites, from the gold-domed State House and Beacon Hill to the places that sparked the fight for independence in 1776. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, departures in 2026 can look forward to a number of special celebrations throughout the year across the country – particularly so in this city!  

This afternoon, you’ll be free to explore, perhaps taking in historic Faneuil Hall, which hosted numerous protests and demonstrations throughout the American Revolution. You can also enjoy the colours of nearby Quincy Market, with its bustling bars and speciality stalls, or witness Boston from above with a visit to Prudential Tower’s View observatory. Alternatively, stroll around the harbour where you’ll be able to visit the city’s world-class aquarium, pay a visit to the replica Tea Party ships, Eleanor and Beaver, or explore the delightful streets of Midtown. 

After a memorable final day, transfer to Boston airport for your overnight return flight home. 

Land back in the UK bringing your East Coast escape to a close.