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Hollywood, San Diego, Vegas & the Grand Canyon
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Hollywood, San Diego, Vegas & the Grand Canyon
Explore three of America’s most famous cities plus a few more less known, cross vast deserts and discover the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon that is perhaps nature’s greatest wonder. This tour really does show you the best of the south-west!
This hugely popular itinerary includes the glittering make-believe world of Los Angeles, home to the star-studded streets of Hollywood, San Diego on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and then and takes you right to the edge of one of the world's most majestic natural sights - the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Spend two fun-filled nights in the Nevada Desert's oasis of colour and opulence, Las Vegas, and perhaps take to the skies by helicopter above the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas' dazzling skyline. It promises to be a fascinating tour, and a great introduction to the USA.
Top Highlights
Visit red-rock Sedona and spend a night in beautiful Scottsdale
See the Grand Canyon, and stay to watch the sun rise
Explore chic Santa Monica, and visit its beautiful sandy beach
Visit Hollywood, the movie capital of the world
Itinerary
Fly to California's largest city, meet your tour manager and make the short transfer to your hotel in Southern LA, by coach. Rest and relax after the journey, and enjoy the first of two evenings in the City of Angels.
Today you'll have the opportunity to discover Santa Monica's ocean-front boardwalk, the pier and Ferris wheel, and enjoy the exceptional shopping on Third Street Promenade. Take a seat in a beachfront café to watch LA life as it jogs, cycles or skates its health-obsessed way down towards Venice Beach.
From here, we'll head to Hollywood, the heart of the modern movie industry, to look for your favourite star's star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame.
Leaving Buena Park this morning, head for the millionaires’ playground of Palm Springs, once home of the late Bob Hope and still a haunt of a host of Hollywood stars.
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on one of our optional tours. This is the world’s largest rotating tram car, travelling over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below
Later, head for San Diego and a two night stay.
Spend the day as you please in the laid-back Pacific city of San Diego, the epitome of Southern California living. There'll be a short introductory tour which includes the restored Downtown area, the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot, and the Gaslamp District's wonderful collection of arts and crafts stores, specialist boutiques and places to eat.
The road-trip continues today as we cross the desert towards the resort of Scottsdale, nestled beneath the scenic McDowell Mountains. Spend the night in Old Town Scottsdale.
Depart Scottsdale after breakfast and spend time today in scenic Sedona, a lovely small town with an array of boutiques and cafes, set amongst true, classic red rock scenery.
You'll have a few hours free to explore as you see fit, perhaps browsing the town's eclectic blend of art galleries and New Age stores. If you'd prefer a more active few hours, you can also admire the area's striking landscapes from one of the nearby walking trails.
After a few hours in Sedona, continue on to Flagstaff, a charming small town set on infamous Route 66, for your next hotel.
Journey north today, heading for spectacular Grand Canyon. Whatever the time of day, the sight is breath-taking and, without doubt, one of nature’s most unforgettable sights. Later, perhaps take an optional helicopter flight over the chasm to marvel at the almost incomprehensible vastness of it all.
Spend another night in Flagstaff.
Leaving Flagstaff, continue through the awe-inspiring desert landscape, to Las Vegas, your base for the next two nights. Waste no time in familiarising yourself with your glittering, neon-lit surroundings – every bit as surreal as the Canyon’s glories.
And, tonight, enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment from the stars of the nostalgic The Rat Pack is Back show.
Discover glittering, glorious Las Vegas! Nothing prepares you for the glitz, glamour and sheer scale of this monument to man’s capacity for fun that seems to rise out of the desert floor, its towering hotels and gargantuan casinos reaching skywards, its streets – including the famous Strip – lined with colourful entertainment centres, stores, themed bars, and show lounges that have played host to generations of the entertainment industry's most famous names.
Alternatively, spend your day relaxing, checking out the city's shopping malls or even heading for one of the many golf courses. Come sundown, try your luck – or watch others trying theirs – in a sparkling, state-of-the-art casino where you'll find no end to the ways you can try your hand against Lady Luck. Wander up and down the Strip to see this unique place in all its colourful glory.
This evening, don’t miss an incredible opportunity to see Vegas by night on our optional Vegas Nights helicopter flight over the Strip.
Meet your experienced pilot, who will give you a short briefing as you board your luxury Airbus helicopter, and take off on an unforgettable Vegas experience. After take-off, you'll enjoy unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip from a different perspective - the skies. Soar high above the world-famous neon landscapes including Bellagio, Allegiant Stadium, Caesars Palace, High Roller, Wynn Las Vegas, The STRAT, Circa, historic downtown and more. You'll be in flight for around 10-12 minutes, giving you ample time to take in each iconic part of the city skyline from the comfort of your leather theatre-style seated helicopter.
Bid farewell to Vegas, heading back to LA and the airport to check in for your overnight flight home.
Arrive back in the UK, this morning, at the end of an exciting West Coast USA adventure.
Further Highlights
Spend two nights in each - Los Angeles, San Diego, Flagstaff close to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas - plus a night in Scottsdale
A full-day in sun-kissed San Diego and a visit to the desert playground, Palm Springs
Explore extraordinary Las Vegas with some unforgettable optional excursions
What The Price Includes
- Nine nights' room-only accommodation in a series of good quality hotels in Buena Park (2 nights), San Diego (2), Scottsdale (1), Flagstaff (2) and Las Vegas (2), plus one night on the aircraft
- Return flights to Los Angeles
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
- Visits to Hollywood, Santa Monica, Palm Springs, San Diego, Scottsdale, Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas
Dates & Prices
Accommodation
Further information
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is about $5 per person per day, and for a Tour Manager is about $7 per person per day.
It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.
All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.
It is common in Las Vegas that tea and coffee-making facilities will not be available in hotel bedrooms. There are always plenty of outlets though the get drinks.
Las Vegas swimming pools all have a lifeguard present. This means they operate strict opening and closing times outside of which the pool cannot be used. Pools also close for the winter - dates for closing and opening vary depending on the weather conditions at the time.
Local laws stipulate that there must be at least one person aged 21 or over occupying each room booked. Casino floors cannot be entered by under 21s unless they are accompanied by an adult aged over 21.
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lbs. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.
Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.