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Daily Itinerary Grand Southern (LA to NY)
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Today, we travel from the deserts of Southern California to the wonderland of Las Vegas. Prepare for a sensory experience like no other this evening as we drive the famous Vegas “Strip.” After seeing the one of a kind light show at Freemont Street, find out why they call Vegas Sin City and hit up some flashy hot spots.
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It’s all glitz & glamour as you hang out on the ‘Strip’, relax by the pool, or hit up Sin City’s flashiest party hot spots.
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Get your kicks on historic Route 66 as you journey to the breath-taking Grand Canyon.
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Hike, walk, or maybe take an optional helicopter flight for an up close experience with this phenomenal natural wonder.
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Monument Valley’s quintessentially ‘Wild West’ landscape offers you unrivaled photo ops of dramatic desert backdrops, magnificent mesas, buttes and plateaus. We’ll go for an off road trip of Monument Valley on Navajo Indian Reservation land and check out the landscape of America’s spectacular Southwest. Our hotel tonight is in Cortez, located in the beautiful state of Colorado.
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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 (both optional/seasonal). Get your kicks in Albuquerque, New Mexico along the old Route 66, our home for tonight.
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This morning, 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 Cadillac Ranch, a most unusual outdoor sculpture garden and tribute to the great American automobile. Tonight’s accommodation and dinner in Amarillo are both true examples of real Texan culture!
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We’re off to Dallas, where you’ll discover why everything is bigger and better in Texas! From cutting edge architecture, sophisticated shopping, cool nightlife and marvelous museums, find out why they call this city ‘Big D.’ This evening, dust off your cowboy boots, we’re headed to the popular Mesquite Rodeo (seasonal/optional)!
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Today, we visit Texas Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys American football team and “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.
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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, home of the blues, rock-n-roll and soul music. Tonight rock the night on Beale Street.
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Throw on your blue suede shoes as we head to the private home of Elvis Presley. While there, 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 recorded.
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Get set to let the good times roll and get to know “The Big Easy” on a sightseeing tour through swingin’ New Orleans. This afternoon, speed through mysterious swampy waters in New Orleans’ bayous on an airboat tour where you might get personal with an alligator or two (optional, airboats are offered on Day 12 April through August, Day 13 the rest of the year). Tonight, more good times await if you join us on Bourbon Street.
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“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.
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Head through Sweet Home Alabama to Florida’s state capital, with it’s small-town feel & historic plantations & buildings.
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As we drive across the state of Florida, we’ll make a pit stop in Tallahassee, the capital, before arriving in the entertainment hub or Orlando. Get ready to plan your two full days of fun and excitement in Orlando.
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Choose from Orlando’s abundance of theme parks. From Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to Sea World, there’s so much to explore. Be sure to include the Walt Disney World complex including the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Centre, Animal Kingdom, and the Disney – MGM Studios. For nightlife, why not try Universal’s City Walk?
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Venture south for an expedition through the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades, one of the country’s most unusual national parks. Then it’s on to the fast & the fun in Miami.
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Get into the up-tempo groove of this flashy global city – chill out on one of many beaches, max out your credit card shopping, or star spot in South Beach’s hottest clubs.
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Today we depart for Cocoa Beach, the surfing capital of the East Coast, where we’ll join in on its kick back, easy beach-style. This evening enjoy a bit of nightlife.
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We head north along Florida’s “Space Coast” on our way to Kennedy Space Center where we’ll spend the day exploring America’s aeronautical history. Then it’s off to St. Augustine, the country’s oldest city once thought to house “The Fountain of Youth.”
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You’ll have time to mill around the cobblestone streets St. Augustine before heading onto Savannah, Georgia, a charming Southern town full of historic city squares, picturesque gardens and steeped in fascinating history. See the locations where the movie “Forrest Gump” was filmed. The nightlife along the riverfront is way too tempting!
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Practice your best Southern drawl and get ready for a little Southern hospitality as you cross the Carolinas today. On our way, we stop in charming Charleston for lunch before reaching the college town of Raleigh, where we’ll have a bit of fun tonight.
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We leave Raleigh today and continue our journey north. We’ll stop in historic Richmond before 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. See the city all dressed up in light 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.
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You’ll find plenty to do for 2 free days in this distinguished city. See the White House, Capital Building, Washington Monument and Library of Congress. There is also time to visit the Smithsonian museums – the Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History.
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Today experience four fabulous East Coast states and one U.S. military academy before arriving at one of most electrifying cities in the world, New York. We’ll pop in on Annapolis, Maryland with a visit to the military academy. We’ll also break in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a look at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Your epic journey across America will end late this afternoon.
Please Note: Do not book flights before 9:00pm.
What's Included
- 23 nights in twin-share hotel accommodation
- Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) – as per itinerary
- Experienced, professional Tour Manager & Driver
- Modern air-conditioned coach
- Visit 22 States: California ; Nevada ; Arizona ; Utah ; Colorado ; New Mexico ; Texas ; Arkansas ; Tennessee ; Mississippi ; Louisiana ; Alabama ; Florida ; Georgia ; South Carolina ; North Carolina ; Virginia ; Maryland ; Delaware ; Pennsylvania ; New Jersey ; New York
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*Based on twin share.
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Group Photo, Arizona 
