Grand Southern


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Detailed Trip Description

Enjoy 24 Days Grand Southern tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Los Angeles

 
Los Angeles (Anaheim) to Las Vegas.
Sightseeing

On to Sin City! Get ready, set, and GO! You are in for the ride of your life on this Grand Southern tour. Prepare for a sensory experience like no other as we drive the famous Vegas "Strip." You won't believe your eyes at this electric wonderland!

Los Angeles Sightseeing picture
Optional
Nightlife

After the light show at Fremont Street, party on at an optional Las Vegas cabaret show. ( Dinner )


Day 2 - Los Angeles

 
Gambling

Vegas, Baby! Only in Las Vegas can you visit most of the world's largest hotels and casinos in one day, gamble while you swim, catapult 327 meters (1,081 feet) up in the air from the top of the Stratosphere Hotel, feel like you are in Venice, Egypt, New York, Ancient Rome, and Paris all at the same time, and party like a rock star 24 hours a day!

Relaxation

Get out there and do it all - or just lie by the pool and relax.

Nightlife

Tonight, party on at one of Las Vegas's premier hot spots! ( Breakfast )


Day 3 - Grand Canyon

 
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
National Parks

A World Wonder. You can check one of the World's Seven Natural Wonders off your list today as we enter Arizona and head to Grand Canyon - a natural treasure. Our modern cabins are located inside the National Park, just a short walk to the canyon's rim. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 4 - Grand Canyon

 
Grand Canyon National Park.
National Parks

A World Wonder. At over 1.6km (1 mile) deep and averaging 16km (10 miles) wide, it is easy to understand why the Grand Canyon is considered one of the world's seven natural wonders. We have the entire day to hike and explore the national park.

Optional
Adventure

Maybe take a sensational helicopter flight over the canyon (optional).

Sightseeing

Don't miss the spectacular sunset at the Grand Canyon. ( Breakfast )


Day 5 - Cortez

 
Grand Canyon to Cortez via Monument Valley.
Sightseeing

The Wild West. You'll swear you walked onto the set of a Western movie today as we go for an off road trip of Monument Valley on Navajo Indian Reservation land. Magnificent mesas, buttes, and plateaus are carved out of the landscape of America's spectacular Southwest.

Hotel

Our hotel tonight is in Cortez, located in the beautiful state of Colorado. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 6 - Albuquerque

 
Cortez to Albuquerque.
Adventure

Rocky Mountain High. Passing through the spectacular Rocky Mountain Range, you'll feel like exploring the great outdoors in Durango by rafting down the Animas River (seasonal) or bouncing through the backcountry by jeep (optionals).

Hotel

Get your kicks in Albuquerque, New Mexico along the old Route 66, our home for tonight. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 7 - Amarillo

 
Albuquerque to Amarillo.
Optional
Ballooning

Everything's Bigger in Texas! Rub the sleep from your eyes as you float over Albuquerque in a hot air balloon (optional).

Bus

Santa Fe is our next stop where Native American culture abounds in this historic art town.

Sightseeing

After crossing over into the friendly state of Texas, we'll stop at a most unusual outdoor sculpture garden and a tribute to the great American automobile - the Cadillac Ranch.

Food and Dining

Tonight's accommodation and dinner in Amarillo are both true examples of real Texan culture! ( Dinner )


Day 8 - Dallas

 
Amarillo to Dallas.
Sightseeing

You'll be pleasantly surprised by what your road crew has to show you in Dallas - cutting edge architecture, sophisticated shopping, cool nightlife, and marvelous museums.

Food and Dining

For a taste of another side of Dallas, dust off your cowboy boots and whoop it up tonight at the popular Mesquite Rodeo (seasonal/optional). ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 9 - Dallas

 
Dallas at Leisure.
Sporting Events

Visit the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Stadium, "where God watches His favorite team play football" (when available).

Museums

Afterwards, you'll have the chance to understand the life, death, and times of John F. Kennedy, America's 35th President, at the Sixth Floor Museum. ( Breakfast )


Day 10 - Memphis

 
Dallas to Memphis.
Sightseeing

Home of the Blues, a President, and a King. Heading into the Deep South, we stop in Little Rock, the city Bill Clinton called home while Governor of the state of Arkansas.

River or Barge Cruise

Cruising over the meandering Mississippi River, we enter Tennessee and the soulful city of Memphis.

Nightlife

Let's check out the action on Beale Street tonight. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 11 - Memphis

 
Memphis at Leisure.
Sightseeing

"We're going to Graceland, Graceland..." Throw on your blue suede shoes as we head to the private home of "The King" - Elvis Presley. Check out the wild "Jungle Room", Elvis' gold records and stage costumes, and the grounds including Elvis' grave.

Museums

This afternoon there is free time to visit the Civil Rights Museum, as well as Sun Studios where musicians like U2, Elvis, and Johnny Cash have performed.


Day 12 - New Orleans

 
Memphis to New Orleans.
River or Barge Cruise

Let the Good Times Roll! Upon arriving in New Orleans, one of America's wildest cities, we'll dance to the Jazzy beat of Dixieland while eating Southern Cajun delights on a riverboat cruise on the Mighty Mississippi tonight (optional).

Shopping

Afterwards look out Bourbon Street here we come!


Day 13 - New Orleans

 
New Orleans at Leisure.
Sightseeing

"Joie de vivre" oozes out of every pore of this tantalizing city. Your senses will be on overload as you sip café au lait and try beignets at Café du Monde, meander along the sexy streets of the French Quarter, and awe at the immense mansions in the Garden District.

River or Barge Cruise

Tonight, we'll dance to the jazzy beat of Dixieland while eating Cajun delights on a riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi this evening. (optional) ( Breakfast )


Day 14 - Pensacola

 
New Orleans to Pensacola.
Beach

Life's a Beach. After a day of fun in New Orleans, you'll need a day to rest on the beautiful, white, sandy beaches of Florida's Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico. Rent a jet ski, try the locally famous "Bushwacker", or get into a game of volleyball on the beach. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 15 - Orlando

 
Pensacola to Orlando.
Bus

Mickey and friends, here we come! As we drive across the state of Florida, you'll have time to plan your two full days in Orlando - the mecca of theme parks and entertainment. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 16-17 - Orlando

 
Orlando at Leisure.
Amusement Parks

There are plenty of parks to choose from - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and the Walt Disney World complex including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Centre, Animal Kingdom, and the Disney - MGM Studios.

Nightlife

For nightlife, why not try Disney's Pleasure Island or Universal's City Walk. (Breakfast)


Day 18 - St. Augustine

 
Orlando to St. Augustine incl. Kennedy Space Centre.
Sightseeing

Blast Off! You will have most of the day to explore Kennedy Space Center. Your tour includes the Saturn V rocket, the history of the Apollo moon landing flights and views of the Space Shuttle Launch pads.

Nightlife

Once thought to house "The Fountain of Youth", we'll make our way to St. Augustine for the night. ( Dinner )


Day 19 - Savannah

 
St. Augustine to Savannah.
Sightseeing

Hi Y'all. These two towns are hidden Southern gems. You'll have time to wander the inviting streets of America's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida before heading onto Savannah, Georgia.

Sightseeing

Your road crew will introduce you to this charming town and show you the historic city squares where the movie "Forrest Gump" was filmed.

Nightlife

The nightlife along the riverfront is way too tempting! ( Breakfast )


Day 20 - Savannah

 
Savannah to Raleigh.
Sightseeing

Southern Hospitality at its best. Practice your best Southern drawl as you cross the Carolinas today. The people are just so friendly in Raleigh, North Carolina, your home tonight. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 21 - Washington DC

 
Raleigh to Washington D.C.
Sightseeing

We leave Raleigh today and continue our journey north. We'll stop in historic Richmond but arriving in Washington D.C. where it all happens! We start off on a thoughtful note as we visit the Kennedy gravesites and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Sightseeing

Your jaw will drop at how beautiful this city is lit up at night during this evening's orientation tour that includes views of the White House and visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Capitol Building, and the Lincoln, Jefferson and FDR Memorials. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 22-23 - Washington DC

 
Washington DC at Leisure.
Sightseeing

Phew, so much to do in two days - you can see the White House, Capital Building, Washington Monument, and Library of Congress.

Museums

There is also plenty of time to visit the Smithsonian museums - the Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History. ( Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 24 - New York

 
Washington D.C. to New York.
Sightseeing

Take a Bite of the Big Apple. What an incredible ending! Four fabulous East Coast states, two tantalizing cities, one U.S. military academy, and a coach load of new friends all add up to a lifetime of fantastic memories. Before arriving at one of most electrifying cities in the world, New York, we'll pop in on Annapolis, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both lovely and historic.

Your epic journey across America will end late this afternoon. *Please Note:* Do not book flights before 9:00pm. (Breakfast)


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