• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 8 Full Breakfasts, 1 Hotel Dinner plus 3 Highlight Dinners in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Monterey

9 Days ~ California

Tour Pace - Easily manageable distances between overnight stops allows for feature-packed touring days. The tour starts and ends with two-night stays in San Francisco and Los Angeles, enabling in-depth sightseeing in two of the world’s most exciting cities.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO. Welcome to California! Take a complimentary transfer from San Francisco International Airport to your hotel, where you will meet your Tour Director this afternoon. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Omni San Francisco.

DAY 2 – SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTSEEING. Spend the morning taking in the bustling activity on Union Square, the famous cable cars, the stately Victorian homes of Pacific Heights and the beautiful Golden Gate Park. After a free afternoon, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a walking tour through Chinatown, including stops at various shops and landmarks, followed by an authentic Chinese banquet at a local restaurant. (B,HD)

DAY 3 – SAN FRANCISCO – NAPA & SONOMA. This morning enter California’s lush premier wine country. Discover the delightful town of Sonoma with its historic plaza and streets lined with quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. Enjoy a private guided tour and barrel tasting at a local winery. Later, head for the township of Napa and step aboard the beautifully restored Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy fine dining and wine tasting while travelling through the Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape. Hotel: The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa. (B,HD)

DAY 4 – SONOMA VALLEY – YOSEMITE. Travel through California’s Gold Country and into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. Explore the floor of the valley with its spectacular waterfalls, the imposing rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome, and abundant wildlife. Spend the night inside Yosemite National Park, close to the highest waterfall in North America. Hotel: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. (B)

DAY 5 – YOSEMITE – MONTEREY. Early risers can enjoy the peace and quiet of Yosemite Valley, or take a short walk to the magnificent Yosemite Falls. Then drive down the Sierras and through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, the breadbasket of California. Purchase local fresh fruits at a historic fruit stand en route to the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Browse the art galleries and quaint shops on Ocean Avenue, then take a relaxing drive across the Monterey Peninsula and along the scenic 17-Mile-Drive. Pass the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and multi-million dollar mansions before arriving at charming Monterey. We end the day with a lecture and private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with superb views of Monterey Bay and time to view some of the outstanding exhibits. Hotel: Monterey Marriott. (B,HD)

DAY 6 – MONTEREY – SANTA BARBARA. Head south this morning and stop in San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Continue south through the vineyards of the Central Coast to the elegant resort of Santa Barbara. Enjoy an orientation tour of this seaside paradise before checking into your beachfront hotel. Hotel: Hotel Mar Monte. (B,D)

DAY 7 – SANTA BARBARA – LOS ANGELES. Visit the beautiful Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California Missions along California’s El Camino Real. Then, journey along the spectacular Santa Monica Bay, passing through glamourous Malibu on your way to Santa Monica. Take time to stroll along the popular Third Street Promenade. Visit the JP Getty Center with its world-class collection of Western art, set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Drive along Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Hills to your elegant hotel with one of Los Angeles’ most enviable locations. Hotel: Sofitel LA (B)

DAY 8 – L.A. & HOLLYWOOD SIGHTSEEING. Cruise through Beverly Hills and Bel Air aboard special minibuses, past movie stars’ mansions, while enjoying entertaining stories from your guide about celebrities past and present. In Hollywood, spot the Hollywood Sign, view Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Experience the glitz and glam of Hollywood on a private tour of the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards ceremony. The afternoon is free. Perhaps join our optional Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour? (B)

DAY 9 – DEPART LOS ANGELES.As your California vacation comes to an end, a complimentary transfer to Los Angeles International Airport is provided. Unless of course, you want to extend to see Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas? This itinerary forms part of our Great Western American Adventure. (B)

Hotels - Enjoy luxury, comfort, character and superb locations in San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Spend the night in the heart of California’s Wine Country and stay inside Yosemite National Park, with spectacular views of peaks and waterfalls.

Fellow Passengers - A comprehensive tour for those with a limited amount of time. Whether you are a nature lover, city slicker or food and wine enthusiast, this tour has something for everyone. Cultivate new friendships while hiking, shopping, wine tasting and exploring America’s most fabled state.

Highlights - Enjoy California’s treasures, from its stunning shoreline and natural beauty, to its vibrant cities. Experience the glamour of Hollywood, visit a world-renowned museum and aquarium, delight in award-winning wines and superb cuisine... A complete feast for the senses!

• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 6 Full Breakfasts, 2 Hotel Dinners plus 1 Highlight Dinner in the Grand Canyon

7 Days ~ Arizona ~ Utah ~ Nevada

Tour Pace - The amazing and diverse scenery of America’s canyonlands is concentrated in a relatively small area surrounding the Colorado River. Travelling just short distances each day, the tour allows plenty of time for exploring the incredible landscapes.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE PHOENIX – SCOTTSDALE. Take a complimentary transfer to your hotel in the nearby resort town of Scottsdale. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Renaissance Scottsdale Resort.

DAY 2 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON. Head north to the spectacular scenery and towering red rocks of the quaint bohemian colony of Sedona. Browse the stores, galleries and restaurants, or join a fun optional 4WD excursion through the superb landscape. Enjoy one of Arizona’s finest drives through Oak Creek Canyon, before travelling on to Grand Canyon National Park. A stroll with your Tour Director along the rim provides spectacular views as the sun sets on the canyon walls. Spend the night inside the park, enjoying peace and quiet after the crowds have departed. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the Thunderbird Room, featuring magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges. (B,HD)

DAY 3 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL. The choice is yours in the morning: wake up early and see the sun rise over the canyon, take a leisurely walk and watch for wildlife, board the park shuttle to explore the various lookout points or take a short hike down into the canyon. Optional flightseeing tours over the Grand Canyon by helicopter or plane are available from your Tour Director. After bidding farewell to this natural wonder, head to the Historic Cameron Trading Post, featuring southwest Native American arts and crafts. The journey carries on through the Painted Desert, a colourful fantasyland of mesas, buttes and badlands, and through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at the lakefront resort. The scenery is breathtaking with towering rock walls rising out of the water. Take a leisurely cruise on spectacular Lake Powell and explore scenic Antelope Canyon, with its dramatic steep, red sandstone walls. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (guaranteed Lake View Rooms.) (B,D)

DAY 4 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE.The entire day is yours to do as you please. Relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities. Perhaps take an optional float trip down the Colorado river, a scenic flight over the lake to Rainbow Bridge, or join our complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour of this spectacular area. The choice is yours; your Tour Director will be happy to assist you in planning your day. (B)

DAY 5 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah, home to an ever-changing diversity of naturally carved amphitheatres, balanced rocks, gravity-defying bridges and rock spires of pink, red and orange hues. Enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the great amphitheatre of odd-shaped monoliths known as “hoodoos.” Time at leisure on your own before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for overnight. Hotel: Bryce Canyon Lodge or Zion Park Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 6 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS. Travel through more amazing scenery to the lush cliff-and-canyon landscape of Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time to explore at your own pace. Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife, or hike through the narrow pink-coloured gorges and dramatic canyons. A complete change of scenery awaits you in the afternoon when you arrive in Las Vegas, a collection of bright lights and neon signs, huge themed hotels of unbelievable design and the omnipresent slot machine. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a Sheraton Hotel. (B)

DAY 7 – DEPART LAS VEGAS. Your Enchanting Canyonlands adventure ends with a complimentary transfer to Las Vegas International Airport. Or, if you feel you would like to experience more of this amazing landscape, this itinerary forms part of the Great Western American Adventure (see pg 34-35) and America’s Magnificent National Parks. (B)

Hotels - The accommodation on this tour has been carefully selected to reflect the area’s unique highlights, from the beautiful resort in Scottsdale and charming lodge at Bryce Canyon to the lake view rooms at Lake Powell Resort and extravagant hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Fellow Passengers - Featuring some of America’s most iconic sights, this is a photographer’s dream. The tour is ideal for lovers of nature, geology and breathtaking landscapes. Visits to Sedona and Monument Valley will fascinate those interested in Western and Native American history.

Highlights - Variety brings the West to life. Tour Monument Valley with a local guide, cruise the extraordinary landscape of Lake Powell, take a sunset walk along the rim of the Grand Canyon, learn about Native American culture and experience the bright lights of Las Vegas.

• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 9 Full Breakfasts, 3 Dinners plus 1 Highlight Dinner in Jackson.

10 Days ~ Utah ~ Wyoming ~ Montana ~ South Dakota ~ Colorado

Tour Pace - Enjoy two-night stays in the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park and Custer State Park, as well as exciting sightseeing excursions around the local areas. Comfortable touring link all the highlights of this exciting and comprehensive tour of the Wild West.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE SALT LAKE CITY. Welcome to Salt Lake City, capital and the most populous city of the state of Utah! Take your complimentary transfer to the hotel where you will meet your Tour Director this afternoon. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Salt Lake City Marriott City Center.

DAY 2 – SALT LAKE CITY – JACKSON. Join an orientation tour of Salt Lake City and visit famous Temple Square, one of Utah's most visited attractions. Skirting the shores of the Great Salt Lake, head north into Wyoming, cross the historic Oregon Trail and climb into the towering Teton Mountains. Arrive in the quaint western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local specialty restaurant. Hotel: Wagon Wheel Village (Wyoming Suites). (B,HD)

DAY 3 – JACKSON – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. Explore Grand Teton National Park, stopping at Jenny Lake for the awesome views. Then enter Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Yellowstone is known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant fauna. Hotel: National Park Lodges. (B,D)

DAY 4 – YELLOWSTONE EXCURSION. Walk among the geysers in Yellowstone National Park and watch them erupt. See colourful bubbling mudpots and witness Old Faithful, shooting water over 120ft in the air. Witness free-roaming herds of buffalo, wild deer, elk and bear in their natural habitat. Then experience the roar of the Lower Yellowstone Falls as they thunder down the steep canyon walls. (B)

DAY 5 – YELLOWSTONE – BILLINGS. Depart Yellowstone and travel through the Shoshone Canyon and the Absaroka Rocky Mountains. Stop in the historic Wild West town of Cody, and explore the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, built in honour of one of America’s great western legends. Head onward to the old cattle town of Billings, Montana. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Billings. (B)

DAY 6 – BILLINGS – CUSTER STATE PARK. Relive Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn National Monument and learn all about Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and the history of the Indian Wars. Keep a lookout for pronghorn antelope while continuing across the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Visit Deadwood, the home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane who made this town famous during the gold rush of the 1870s. Join a narrated tour of this once lawless town. Next continue onto Custer State Park, famous for its beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife. Look out for buffalo, black bears, deer and elk, or stroll through the pristine Ponderosa pine forest. After dinner, relax on the porch and take in the serenity of this amazing place. Hotel: State Game Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 7 – BLACK HILLS EXCURSION. Start the day at Crazy Horse Memorial, dedicated to all Native Americans, and the world’s largest sculpture. Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the great heads of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt dominate the Black Hills. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

DAY 8 – CUSTER STATE PARK – CHEYENNE. Travel across the national grasslands and high plains into Wyoming. Stop at Fort Laramie, a former frontier outpost of the American Cavalry. Continue to the Wild West town of Cheyenne, one of the great railroad junctions in America. Enjoy an orientation tour before reaching the hotel in the historic downtown area. Hotel: The Plains Hotel. (B)

DAY 9 – CHEYENNE – DENVER. Travel south and climb high into the Rocky Mountain National Park, across the Continental Divide and over Trail Ridge Road to follow the beginnings of the great Colorado River (weather permitting). Arrive at the mile-high city of Denver and view the city highlights on an orientation tour. In the evening, get together for a final dinner to celebrate a fantastic tour. Hotel: Adam’s Mark. (B,D)

DAY 10 – DEPART DENVER. Your tour ends with a complimentary transfer to Denver International Airport. For the ultimate Western experience, this itinerary also forms part of America’s Magnificent National Parks. (B)

Hotels - The accommodation on this tour is as memorable as the sights. From the historic landmark The Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, to a cozy lodge located right inside Yellowstone National Park and the State Game Lodge, a favourite of two presidents in Custer State Park.

Fellow Passengers - Lovers of the great outdoors will immediately fall for Yellowstone and Custer State Park. While the colossal monuments and abundant wildlife are a photographer’s dream, the tour also appeals to anyone with an interest in Native American history and the Wild West.

Highlights - Names like Buffalo Bill, General Custer, Crazy Horse and Calamity Jane all come to life on this tour. You will also find yourself face-to-face with other great American icons, including the Mount Rushmore presidents and Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

• Airport arrival and departure transfers on first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director – maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury motorcoach with air-conditioning, restroom facilities and more legroom
• First-class hotels and best available lodges with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 9 Full Breakfasts, 1 Hotel Dinner, 1 Farewell Dinner and 3 Highlight Dinners in Moab, Mesa Verde and Monument Valley.

Wonders of the american west

10 Days ~ Colorado ~ Utah ~ Arizona ~ Nevada

Tour Pace - This program provides an ideal pace, combining short jaunts and single overnight stays with longer, comfortable journeys and two-night stops. Altitude and level of activity are suitable for the reasonably fit traveller.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE DENVER. Welcome to Denver! Take your complimentary transfer to the hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Adam’s Mark.

DAY 2 – DENVER – MOAB. Stop at the resort of Vail and wander the pedestrian-only streets of this quaint alpine village. Continue west through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, enter the state of Utah and take in the spectacular red rock scenery of Castle Valley. Settle in at your ranch-style lodge, superbly located under lofty red rock cliffs on the banks of the Colorado River. Tonight enjoy a Cowboy BBQ with all the fixin’s. Hotel: Red Cliffs Lodge. (B,HD)

DAY 3 – MOAB EXCURSION. Explore Canyonlands National Park, famous for its expansive views over a colourful landscape of canyons, mesas and buttes. The rest of the day is free to pursue your own interests. Perhaps join an optional 4WD excursion through Moab’s backcountry or an exciting jetboat ride on the mighty Colorado River. (B)

DAY 4 – MOAB – MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK. Start the day with a visit to Arches National Park, the greatest concentration of natural arches in world. Head south and re-enter Colorado. In Dolores, join a private guided tour of the Anasazi Heritage Center and learn about the history and culture of the Puebloans. End the day at Mesa Verde National Park, where your inside-the-park lodge offers sweeping vistas reaching into three states. Tonight, enjoy a gourmet dinner inspired by Native American flavors. Hotel: Far View Lodge. (B,HD)

DAY 5 – MESA VERDE – MONUMENT VALLEY. Join a local guide for an in-depth visit of this fascinating area. Descend into a canyon for a guided visit to the impressive Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Continue to the spectacular Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Marvel at the panoramic views of the valley from your room’s balcony. This evening, enjoy a Navajo Cookout amidst the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape, with traditional Navajo storytelling and music. Hotel: Goulding’s Lodge. (B,HD)

DAY 6 – MONUMENT VALLEY – LAKE POWELL. Board all-terrain vehicles for a guided tour of the valley floor, used as a backdrop for many western films. Visit some of the legendary sites where these movies were made, as well as restricted areas with rock windows and arches of unique shapes and sizes. Be prepared for a dramatic change of scenery as you head to Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the United States. Board a ferry at Hall’s Crossing and cross the lake to Bullfrog Marina and your lodge, where the views from your room overlooking Bullfrog Bay will take your breath away. Hotel: Defiance House Lodge. (B)

DAY 7 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK. Magnificent scenery awaits you at Capitol Reef National Park, best known for its Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long warp in the earth’s crust. Then journey along one of the most beautiful roads in the world, Scenic Byway 12, winding through stunning Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park and travel the length of this great natural amphitheatre. Learn how wind, erosion, and iron oxidation created the extraordinary formations called “hoodoos.” Experience Bryce Canyon at sunset, when the light is at its best for picture-taking. Hotel: Bryce Canyon Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 8 – BRYCE CANYON – GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK. Enjoy a last look at Bryce Canyon’s orange and red rock formations glowing in the early morning light before heading for Zion National Park,one of the most scenic canyons in the United States. Here, join a guided tour by private shuttle and view the park’s best sites. Later, head south into Arizona to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. This evening, watch the colors change by the minute as the sun sets on the canyon. Hotel: Grand Canyon Lodge. (B)

DAY 9 – GRAND CANYON. If you thought last night’s sunset was great, don’t miss sunrise for a completely different experience! After a leisurely breakfast, journey along the winding Cape Royal Scenic Drive to Point Imperial and Cape Royal for dazzling panoramas over the Grand Canyon. This afternoon is free; perhaps take a self-guided nature walk along one of the many trails, or simply relax at the lodge. This evening, join us for a farewell dinner in the lodge’s magnificent dining room with superb views over the canyon. (B,D)

DAY 10 – GRAND CANYON – DEPART LAS VEGAS. Your tour ends with a complimentary transfer to Las Vegas International Airport and the Insight hotel on the famous Strip for passengers extending their stay in Las Vegas. Please do not schedule flights before 5:30 p.m. (B)

Hotels - Experience wonderful accommodation, from a ranch-style lodge along the Colorado River, to right-inside-the-park historic lodges. Marvel at some of the most amazing views available in the West, right from your room!f

Fellow Passengers - This tour is perfect for those seeking relief from increasingly fast-paced urban life. It provides a spiritual experience through learning, awe and contemplation of incredible scenic wonders, wilderness, and ancient civilizations.

Highlights - Take in almost every single highlight of the great Colorado Plateau, the area stretching between Denver and Las Vegas. Discover some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, including the most fascinating deserts, plateaus and canyons.

• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 14 Full Breakfasts, 3 Hotel Dinners plus 4 Highlight Dinners in San Francisco, Napa Valley, Monterey & the Grand Canyon.

15 Days ~ California ~ Arizona ~ Utah ~ Nevada

Tour Pace - Combining the Best of California (page 26) and Enchanting Canyonlands (page 28), this tour is well balanced between the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the natural wonders of Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE SAN FRANCISCO. Welcome to California! Take a complimentary transfer from San Francisco International Airport to your hotel, where you will meet your Tour Director this afternoon. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Omni San Francisco.

DAY 2 – SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTSEEING. Spend the morning taking in the bustling activity on Union Square, the famous cable cars, the stately Victorian homes of Pacific Heights and the beautiful Golden Gate Park. After a free afternoon, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a walking tour through Chinatown, followed by a Chinese banquet at a local restaurant. (B,HD)

DAY 3 – SAN FRANCISCO – NAPA & SONOMA. Enter California’s lush premier wine country to visit Sonoma with its historic plaza and quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. Enjoy a private guided tour and barrel tasting at a local winery. Later, head for the town of Napa to board the beautifully restored Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy fine dining and wine tasting while travelling through the Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape. Hotel: The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa. (B,HD)

DAY 4 – SONOMA VALLEY – YOSEMITE. Travel through California’s Gold Country to spend the night inside Yosemite National Park, close to the highest waterfall in North America. View the rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome and abundant wildlife. Hotel: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. (B)

DAY 5 – YOSEMITE – MONTEREY. Early risers can enjoy the peace and quiet of Yosemite Valley, or take a short walk to the Yosemite Falls. Drive through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, stopping at a historic fruit stand en-route to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Browse the art galleries and shops on Ocean Avenue, then travel along the scenic 17-Mile-Drive. Pass the Pebble Beach Golf Course and multi-million dollar mansions before arriving at Monterey. End the day with a lecture and private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with time to view the exhibits. Hotel: Monterey Marriott. (B,HD)

DAY 6 – MONTEREY – SANTA BARBARA. Head south to San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Continue through the vineyards of the Central Coast to the elegant resort of Santa Barbara. Enjoy an orientation tour of this seaside paradise before checking into your beachfront hotel. Hotel: Hotel Mar Monte. (B,D)

DAY 7 – SANTA BARBARA – LOS ANGELES. Visit the Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California Missions along California’s El Camino Real. Then, journey along spectacular Santa Monica Bay, passing through glamorous Malibu on your way to Santa Monica. Take time to stroll along Third Street Promenade. Visit the JP Getty Center with its collection of Western art, set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Drive along Sunset Boulevard, through Bel Air and chic Beverly Hills to your elegant hotel, enjoying one of the most enviable locations in Los Angeles. Hotel: Sofitel LA. (B)

DAY 8 – HOLLYWOOD SIGHTSEEING. Board special minibuses to cruise past movie stars’ mansions, while enjoying stories from your guide about celebrities past and present. In Hollywood, see the Hollywood Sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now enjoy a private tour of the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards ceremony. The afternoon is free. Perhaps join our optional Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour? (B)

DAY 9 – LOS ANGELES – SCOTTSDALE. Travel across the Mojave Desert to Scottsdale. Enjoy the resort’s facilities or visit Old Town Scottsdale. Hotel: Renaissance Scottsdale Resort. (B)

DAY 10 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON. Head north to the towering red rocks of Sedona. Browse the stores, galleries and restaurants, or join an optional 4WD excursion through the superb landscape. Enjoy one of Arizona’s finest drives through Oak Creek Canyon, before spending a peaceful night inside Grand Canyon National Park. A stroll with your Tour Director provides spectacular views as the sun sets on the canyon walls. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the Thunderbird Room, featuring magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges. (B,HD)

DAY 11 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL. This morning maybe take a short hike to watch the sun rise over the canyon or board the park shuttle to the various lookout points. Optional flightseeing tours by helicopter or plane are available from your Tour Director. Later, head to the Historic Cameron Trading Post, featuring Native American arts and crafts. Continue through the mesas and buttes of the Painted Desert and the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at Glen Canyon Dam before arriving at the lakefront resort. Take a leisurely cruise on spectacular Lake Powell and explore Antelope Canyon, with its steep, red sandstone walls. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (guaranteed Lake View Rooms.) (B,D)

DAY 12 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE. The entire day is yours to relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities. Perhaps take an optional float trip down the Colorado river, a scenic flight over the lake, or join our complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour. The choice is yours. (B)

DAY 13 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the great amphitheatre of odd-shaped monoliths known as “hoodoos.” Time at leisure on your own before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for overnight. Hotel: Bryce Canyon Lodge or Zion Park Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 14 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS. Travel through more amazing scenery to the lush cliff-and-canyon landscape of Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time at leisure. A complete change of scenery awaits you on arrival in Las Vegas where the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a Sheraton Hotel. (B)

DAY 15 – DEPART LAS VEGAS. Your adventure ends with a complimentary transfer to Las Vegas International Airport. (B)

Hotels - From the luxurious Omni in the heart of downtown San Francisco and the enviable location of the Sofitel Los Angeles to the quaint National Register-listed Bryce Canyon Lodge, an assortment of elegant hotels has been selected for this tour.f

Fellow Passengers - The diverse personality of the American West has something for everyone. Combine the vibrancy of San Francisco, LA and Las Vegas with the natural beauty of the spectacular mountains, desert and coast.

Highlights - From the heights of Hearst Castle to the depths of the Grand Canyon, and from a Chinatown Restaurant to dinner aboard a wine train, this is a tour of contrasts. Experience the glamour of LA and rugged wilderness of some of the world’s greatest national parks.

• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director - maximum group size of 40 people
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and restroom facilities
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Quality Dining

• 15 Full Breakfasts, 5 Hotel Dinners plus 2 Highlight Dinners in the Grand Canyon National Park and Jackson

16 Days ~ Arizona ~ Utah ~ Nevada ~ Wyoming ~ Montana ~ South Dakota ~ Colorado

Tour Pace - This tour combines Enchanting Canyonlands (page 28) with American Parks Trail (page 30), to form a complete experience of North America’s most popular parks including the Grand Canyon & Yellowstone National Parks.

DAY 1 – ARRIVE PHOENIX – SCOTTSDALE. Use your complimentary transfer to make your way to the tour hotel in the nearby resort town of Scottsdale. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. Hotel: Renaissance Scottsdale Resort.

DAY 2 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON. Head north to the bohemian colony of Sedona, in the heart of Red Rock Country, and on through Oak Creek Canyon to one of the natural wonders of the world – Grand Canyon National Park. Don’t forget your camera as you embark on a stroll with your Tour Director along the rim to watch the sun set over the canyon walls. Tonight, enjoy dinner while taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges. (B,HD)

DAY 3 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL. After a morning at the Grand Canyon, move on to the Historic Cameron Trading Post. Travel through the Painted Desert and Navajo Indian Reservation to Glen Canyon Dam. Tonight, after settling into the lakefront resort, enjoy a leisurely cruise on stunning Lake Powell. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (guaranteed Lake View Rooms.) (B,D)

DAY 4 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE. The entire day is yours to relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities. Perhaps take an optional float trip down the Colorado river, a scenic flight over the lake, or join our complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour. The choice is yours. (B)

DAY 5 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION. Visit the balanced rocks, gravity-defying bridges and rock spires of Bryce Canyon National Park. Enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the “hoodoos.” Time at leisure before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for overnight. Hotel: Bryce Canyon Lodge or Zion Park Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 6 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS. Travel through more amazing scenery to Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time at leisure. A complete change of scenery awaits you on arrival in glittering Las Vegas. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a Sheraton Hotel. (B)

DAY 7 – LAS VEGAS – SALT LAKE CITY. Travel on to Salt Lake City, host city of the 2002 Winter Olympics and home of the Mormon religion. Hotel: Marriott Salt Lake City Center. (B)

DAY 8 – SALT LAKE CITY – JACKSON. After visiting Temple Square on your orientation tour of Salt Lake City, head north into Wyoming. Cross the historic Oregon Trail and climb over the Teton Mountains to the western town of Jackson. Dinner tonight is at a local specialty restaurant. Hotel: Wagon Wheel Village (Wyoming Suites). (B,HD)

DAY 9 – JACKSON – YELLOWSTONE. Explore Grand Teton National Park, stopping to admire the incredible views at Jenny Lake, before moving on to Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant fauna. Hotel: National Park Lodges. (B,D)

DAY 10 – YELLOWSTONE EXCURSION. Explore Yellowstone National Park: walk among the erupting geysers, see colourful bubbling mudpots and witness Old Faithful shooting over 120ft into the air. See free-roaming herds of buffalo, deer, elk and bear in their natural habitat, and don’t miss the thundering Lower Yellowstone Falls. (B)

DAY 11 – YELLOWSTONE – BILLINGS. Travel down the Shoshone Canyon through the Absaroka Rocky Mountains to the old Wild West town of Cody to visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, built in honour of one of America’s great Western legends. Stay overnight in the old cattle town of Billings, Montana. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Billings. (B)

DAY 12 – BILLINGS – CUSTER STATE PARK. See Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn Monument, before driving into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Visit Deadwood, the home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane who made this town famous during the gold rush of the 1870s. Join a narrated tour of this once lawless town. Next continue onto Custer State Park, famed for its abundant wildlife. Look out for buffalo, black bears, deer and elk. Hotel: State Game Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 13 – BLACK HILLS EXCURSION. Start the day at Crazy Horse Memorial, a gigantic sculpture dedicated to all Native Americans. Come face-to-face with the American presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

DAY 14 – CUSTER STATE PARK – CHEYENNE. Travel across the high plains into Wyoming. Stop at historic Fort Laramie, site of one of the great frontier outposts, before continuing to Cheyenne for a city tour. Hotel: The Plains Hotel. (B)

DAY 15 – CHEYENNE – DENVER. Enter Rocky Mountain National Park and pass over Trail Ridge Road to the source of the Colorado River (weather permitting). Take an orientation tour of the mile-high city of Denver, before a Farewell Dinner at the hotel. Hotel: Adam’s Mark. (B,D)

DAY 16 – DENVER – DEPARTURE. Your vacation comes to an end today. A complimentary transfer to Denver International Airport is provided. (B)

Hotels - A diversity of accommodation suits this varied trip. Enjoy modern luxury in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Denver; rustic charm in Bryce Canyon, Jackson and Custer State Park; and a slice of history in Cheyenne.

Fellow Passengers - This tour appeals to those wishing to learn more about the pioneer spirit of the American West. The extensive coverage of national parks also makes it an ideal holiday for nature lovers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Highlights - This is the ultimate Western experience: watch Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone; admire the magnitude of the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore; get an insight into Native American life; and relive the history of the Wild West.