Cities, Deserts and Canyons

Tour Information

Designed for the truly discerning customer, this tour provides exceptional level of comforts and 1st class hotels throughout the entire journey. When on board the motorcoach customers will enjoy generous seat recline, individual arm rests and window shades. This premium seating arrangements, coupled with closed circuit TV and air conditioning, guarantees a greater level of relaxation during your travelling days.

Day 1

Sat. Los Angeles
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer by hotel bus to the hotel to meet your Tour Escort.
Hotel: Marriott Los Angeles Airport

Day 2

Sun. Los Angeles – Palm Springs
In the morning, explore the highlights of the Los Angeles area with a drive through elegant Beverly Hills and a visit to Hollywood, viewing famous Mann’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See Olvera Street in downtown, where the pueblo settlement of Los Angeles was founded. Then travel across the desert to the fashionable resort city of Palm Springs. Numerous shops, boutiques, galleries, theaters, souvenir shops, and restaurants line famed Palm Canyon Drive in the downtown village, all in the shadow of the impressive San Jacinto peak. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception to get to know your fellow travelers.
Hotel: Wyndham or Hilton Palm Springs
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 3

Palm Springs – Scottsdale
Leave Palm Springs and drive through the Sonoran Desert, the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas, and home to thousands of species of plants and animals. See occasional Joshua trees along the road and note how, with water, the desert can be transformed to fertile farmlands. Then continue on to Scottsdale, with its signature desert architecture, collection of shops, boutiques, and museums. You will be amazed by the desert vegetation in this area; the saguaro cactus is just one of many unique plants.
Hotel: Renaissance Scottsdale
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 4

Tue. Scottsdale – Sedona – Grand Canyon
After leaving Scottsdale we travel north towards the higher Colorado Plateau. Along the way we stop at ancient Anazazi Indian ruins at Montezuma’s Castle. The red rock formations around Sedona offer stunning views. A lunch stop in the artist colony of Sedona is ideal for souvenirs. The scenery is stunning as the motorcoach winds through Oak Creek Canyon, spiraling up and around giant red rock monoliths with breathtaking vistas around every curve. Continue on to the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon. The one-mile-deep canyon exhibits nature in monumental proportions with odd rock formations filling the depths of the canyon. At sunrise and sunset, the Grand Canyon puts on a show with a kaleidoscope of colors as the sun illuminates most of the rocks in several shades of red, yellow, and orange, causing them to cast purple and deep red shadows.
Hotel: The Grand Hotel
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 5

Wed. Grand Canyon – Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park
Leave the Grand Canyon behind and travel towards the spectacular Lake Powell, formed by the damming of the Colorado River. The water completely filled a canyon creating a recreational paradise. Travel through Kanab, the “Hollywood of Canyon Country,” and then visit Bryce Canyon National Park for a look down into a giant bowl-shaped canyon filled with thousands of red rock spires called “hoodoos.” Trails lead visitors through groves of hoodoos and to numerous scenic overlooks, permitting visitors to look out over many miles of these needle-like formations.
Hotel: Best Western Ruby’s Inn
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 6

Thu. Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
In the morning leave Bryce and travel to Zion National Park, with its giant mountains and rock towers lining a narrow valley. Ride through tunnels and switchbacks and enjoy such landmarks as Checkerboard Mesa. Then, continue through the mountains of Utah and Arizona, and the desert of Nevada to the glittering oasis of Las Vegas. Enjoy an evening of casino gaming and excitement.
Hotel: The Westin Casuarina
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 7

Fri. Las Vegas
Today enjoy all the pleasures that Las Vegas has to offer. No longer a city exclusively for gambling, Las Vegas has many other activities to offer, such as nightly shows and world-class shopping. Make sure to bring your appetite, as Las Vegas boasts some of the country’s top restaurants.

Day 8

Sat. Las Vegas – Death Valley
Having enjoyed the sights and sounds of glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Situated in between some high and distant mountain ranges, this is by far the hottest spot on your journey! We will visit Scotty’s Castle, a fascinating historic desert home and living museum.
Hotel: Furnace Creek Ranch
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 9

Sun. Death Valley – Yosemite National Park
We will leave Death Valley on our way to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Notice the drastic scenery change as we enter high mountain terrain via the Tioga Pass**. Enjoy the granite rock formations and the fragrant forests of this spectacular valley.
Hotel: Tenaya Lodge
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 10

Mon.Yosemite National Park – Sonoma
After leaving Yosemite National Park we travel into California’s wine country, the Napa Valley. Here the climate is ideal for wine grapes, and many early European pioneers brought vines with them and began cultivation. Their success becomes clear as you drive past many wineries, and as you sample varieties of Californian wines this evening at your hotel.
Hotel: Doubletree Sonoma
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 11

Tue. Sonoma – Bodega Bay – San Francisco
From Napa Valley we travel via Russian River, Sebastopol, and Healdsburg to one of the most exciting cities in California. Surrounded by water, the city of San Francisco has a stunning setting. Enjoy the many sights of the City by the Bay and a city tour upon arrival.
Hotel: Stanford Court Hotel
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 12

Wed. San Francisco
You are free to enjoy this fascinating city today. Walk through the narrow crab markets of Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy sidewalk dining and many fine attractions. Charming neighborhoods greet you at every turn with their elegant architecture. See Chinatown, the Japan Center, and the Embarcadero. Looming in the middle of the bay is the ominous island of Alcatraz, housing the infamous prison.
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 13

Thu. San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel – 17 Mile Drive – Cambria
Depart San Francisco for the scenic Monterey Peninsula. Visit Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf and its many restaurants, shops, and galleries. See the charming artists’ village of Carmel, home of actor/director (and former Carmel mayor) Clint Eastwood. Enjoy browsing through the charming shops and upscale galleries of this famous artists’ colony. Enjoy a drive along the famed 17 mile drive for a glimpse of stunning homes and Pebble Beach. Continue south along route 1 through Big Sur where you will witness some of the world’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
Hotel: Cambria Pines Lodge
Meals: American Breakfast

Day 14

Fri. Cambria – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles
Today, we head south via Santa Barbara to famous Malibu, home of the stars. Visit lively Santa Monica Pier, as well as the shops, restaurants, and whimsical street performers at famed 3rd Street Promenade. This evening join your fellow tour members at a farewell dinner.
Hotel: Marriott Los Angeles Airport
Meals: American Breakfast + Dinner

Day 15

Sat. Los Angeles
Tour ends upon arrival check out from your hotel. Transfers are available to Los Angeles Airport for your departure flight

What's Included

• Transatlantic flights on scheduled airlines
• 14 nights accommodation in 1st class hotels as described above or similar standard
• Transportation in purpose built deluxe Motorcoach equipment with increased seat pitch throughout the tour
• Service of a professional Tour Director from day 1 to 15
• Porterage: one bag per person
• Daily American Breakfast
• Farewell Dinner
• Welcome Cocktail Reception
• Zion National Park
• Visit Las Vegas
• Visit Death Valley
• Tour Scotty’s Castle
• Yosemite
• Napa Valley / Sonoma
• San Francisco Tour
• Los Angeles City Tour
• Visit Santa Monica
• Visit Malibu
• Visit Carmel/Monterey
• 17 Mile Drive
• Route 1 and Big Sur
• Sedona Red Rocks