Grand Southern (LA to NY)

• Overview
• Itinerary & Map
• Highlights & Optional Excursions
• Dates & Rates

Southern delicacies include chicken and ribs, biscuits and gravy, and more curiously, Elvis' favorite Graceland snack, a peanut butter and banana concoction. But here's food for thought: Our equally eclectic travel menu of mouth-watering southern destinations, nicely sandwiched between prime left- and right-coast stop-overs. Get a taste of Texas, full servings of Memphis and New Orleans, and a naughty nibble of Las Vegas, before a final bite in the Big Apple, New York City.

Print Itinerary Itinerary & Map

1. Day Los Angeles (Anaheim) to Las Vegas

   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! After the light show at Fremont Street, party on at an optional Las Vegas show. Hotel

2. Day Las Vegas

   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! Get out there and do it all - or just lie by the pool and relax. Tonight, party on at one of Las Vegas's premier hot spots! Hotel (B)

3. Day Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

   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. Cabin (D)

4. Day Grand Canyon National Park

   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. Maybe take a sensational helicopter flight over the canyon (optional). Don't miss the spectacular sunset at the Grand Canyon. Cabin (B)

5. Day Grand Canyon to Cortez via Monument Valley

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

6. Day Cortez to Albuquerque

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

7. Day Albuquerque to Amarillo

   Everything's Bigger in Texas! Rub the sleep from your eyes as you float over Albuquerque in a hot air balloon (optional). Santa Fe is our next stop where Native American culture abounds in this historic art town. 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. Tonight's accommodation and dinner in Amarillo are both true examples of real Texan culture! Hotel (D)

8. Day Amarillo to Dallas

   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. 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). Hotel (B,D)

9. Day Dallas at leisure

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

10. Day Dallas to Memphis

    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. Cruising over the meandering Mississippi River, we enter Tennessee and the soulful city of Memphis. Let's check out the action on Beale Street tonight. Hotel (B,D)

11. Day Memphis at leisure

    "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. 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. Hotel (B)

12. Day Memphis to New Orleans

    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). Afterwards look out Bourbon Street here we come! Hotel

13. Day New Orleans at leisure

    "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.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) Hotel (B)

14. Day New Orleans to Pensacola

    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. Hotel (B,D)

15. Day Pensacola to Orlando

    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. Hotel (B,D)

16. Day Orlando at leisure

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

17. Day Orlando to Miami via the Everglades

    Today we leave Orlando and venture south, with a drive through the country's largest subtropical wilderness- the Everglades. Then, it's on to Miami, known as the "Magic City." Hotel (D)

18. Day Miami at Leisure

    A free day to experience the exciting and global city of Miami. Relax by the beach, gaze at the breathtaking skyline or perhaps take up an afternoon of shopping. Hotel (B)

19. Day Miami to Cocoa Beach

    We depart for Cocoa Beach today with a drive north along Florida's "Space Coast." Hotel (B)

20. Day Cocoa Beach to St. Augustine via Kennedy Space Center

    We spend the day exploring Kennedy Space Center. Tonight, we're in St. Augustine, once thought to house "The Fountain of Youth." Hotel (B,D)

21. Day St. Augustine to Savannah

    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. Your road crew will introduce you to this charming town and show you the historic city squares where the movie "Forrest Gump" was filmed. The nightlife along the riverfront is way too tempting! Hotel (B)

22. Day Savannah to Raleigh

    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. Hotel (B,D)

23. Day Raleigh to Washington D.C.

    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. 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. Hotel (B,D)

24. Day Washington DC at Leisure

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

25. Day Washington D.C. to New York

    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. (B)