Great Western American Adventure - Summer 2021

Great Western American Adventure - Summer 2021

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Great Western American Adventure - Summer 2021

15 Days Starting in San Francisco and ending in Las Vegas (NV)

Visiting: San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion, Las Vegas

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

AGWLA16

Recommended For:

50 plus

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Insight Vacations with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

From glorious cities to wine country, dramatic canyons and coastal towns, this 15 day trip allows you to see the highlights of America's West in a concise but enriching manner. Along the way you'll discover the bohemian charms of San Francisco and the wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park, all while staying in a number of lodges within the National Parks. Don't forget to bring your camera to star studded Hollywood. What better place to spot an icon than in the movie capital?

Highlights

  • San Francisco: Enjoy a delightful Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers and Travel Director.

  • Santa Barbara: Savour a delicious dining experience at one of sunny Santa Barbara's local restaurants.

  • Los Angeles: Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Highlight Dinner with wine at Nick and Stef's Steakhouse, named ‘Best Steakhouse in the Country’ by the Food Network.

  • Monterey: Have your choice of three local restaurants during your Dine-Around evening in Monterey.

  • Dining Summary: 14 Breakfasts (B) and 7 Dinners with wine (DW).

  • Scottsdale: Mingle over a delightful dinner with wine at the resort's renowned Zuzu Restaurant.

  • Grand Canyon: Enjoy dinner with an incredible view at the Thunderbird Room, overlooking the South Rim.

  • Zion National Park: Join your Travel Director and new friends for an evening of festivities during your Celebration Dinner and reminisce about the highlights of your journey.

  • Salinas: Otherwise known as the "The Salad Bowl of the World", Salinas offers the chance to enjoy a farmer's agricultural tour of an heirloom artichoke farm.

  • Yosemite National Parks: Visit Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and experience its beauty on a ranger-led valley floor tour.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: San Francisco, The City By The Bay.
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, San Francisco.
Meals Included: Dinner with Wine

California here we come. A mix of modern glamour and bohemian charms, you’ve arrived in the Golden Gate City, a location famous for its rolling hills, colourful houses and eclectic architecture. You’ll be picked up at San Francisco International Airport and whisked straight to your hotel. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner with wine.(Dinner with Wine)

Day 2: Exploring San Francisco.
Location: San Francisco
Meals Included: Breakfast

Get ready for a fun-filled day exploring the city. Hop aboard an iconic cable car for a ride along the picturesque streets. Visit the Cable Car Museum in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Afterwards, take in the city with a few photo stops. Visit the bucolic Golden Gate Park, before walking across the emblematic Golden Gate Bridge and travelling on to the city of Sausalito. A scenic ferry ride will bring you back to San Francisco, where the rest of your day is at leisure. Your Travel Director is on hand to make suggestions for making the most of your evening.(Breakfast)

Day 3: San Francisco To Yosemite National Park.
Location: San Francisco, Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you’ll witness the mountainous scenery of Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelling through California's Gold Country, you'll drive through the imposing Sierra Nevada mountains. Explore spectacular waterfalls and striking rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome on a ranger-led valley floor tour. Rest up on your free evening at your lodge, located inside the park and close to Yosemite Falls, North America's highest waterfall. On a clear evening you’ll be able to take in the sparkling night sky over the park.(Breakfast)

Day 4: Yosemite To Monterey.
Location: Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Salinas
Accommodation: InterContinental The Clement Monterey.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Yosemite behind as you take in the Sierras before you are swept through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, also known as the “food basket of the world”. Stop at the Merced Fruit Barn which features its diverse produce. In Salinas, the heart of "The Salad Bowl of the World", enjoy a farmer's agricultural tour of a local farm, known for heirloom artichokes. Once in Monterey you'll head to your hotel situated on the waterfront street Cannery Row.(Breakfast)

Day 5: Monterey, The Cradle Of History.
Location: Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Today you'll journey to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a quaint seaside community where you’ll have ample free time. There you will have the opportunity to browse a range of art galleries, local shops and the chance to stock up on souvenirs. Enjoy a relaxing drive across the Monterey Peninsula and along 17-Mile Drive, where you can take in the stunning ocean views, Pebble Beach Golf Links and multi-million dollar mansions. A Dine-Around Evening awaits upon your return to Monterey.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 6: The American Riviera.
Location: Santa Barbara, Paso Robles
Accommodation: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Experience a guided tour and wine tasting at a Paso Robles winery, en route to Santa Barbara. Walk along a portion of palm tree lined State Street, the heartbeat of Santa Barbara and stop at the Spanish-Colonial style County Courthouse. Check in to your idyllic beachfront hotel, ideal for making the most of your stay along the grand ‘American Riviera'. You'll be presented with white buildings, terracotta rooves, beautiful weather and an array of bars and restaurants. In the evening, dinner with wine awaits at the local Opal Restaurant & Bar, a Santa Barbara favorite for 20 years serving eclectic California cuisine.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 7: Santa Monica And The City Of Angels.
Location: Santa Monica, Santa Barbara
Accommodation: InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Meals Included: Breakfast

No trip to Santa Barbara would be complete without a visit to the iconic Mission Santa Barbara. Here you’ll learn about the chain of 21 missions along California's El Camino Real and explore its blooming grounds. A Local Expert will take you on a walking tour of Venice Beach, Muscle Beach, and the canals. Arrive at your modern L.A. hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 8: The Glitz And Glam Of L.A.
Location: Los Angeles
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Explore Los Angeles with your Travel Director. Experience a bit of nostalgia in Downtown as you ride aboard the lovingly restored Angel's Flight Railway. Next, you will be treated to an exclusive and private guided visit of the Los Angeles Theatre, a grandiose historic movie palace that is closed to the public. Visit Hollywood and Highland, where observation decks allow for the best views of the Hollywood sign. See the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre as you walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Drive along the famous Sunset Strip to Beverly Hills before walking along Rodeo Drive. Select a visit to either the Petersen Automotive Museum or the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for a Your Choice experience. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at Nick and Stef's Steakhouse.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 9: Across The Mojave To Scottsdale.
Location: Scottsdale
Accommodation: Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Experience the rugged charms of the Mojave Desert wilderness as you make your way to Scottsdale. Look out for the Joshua trees and wildlife found in the National Park, you might just spot a jackrabbit or coyote. Once in Scottsdale you can relax in the hotel after a long day and replenish for your upcoming adventures. Mingle over a delightful dinner with wine at the resort's renowned Zuzu Restaurant.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 10: Sedona And The Grand Canyon.
Location: Sedona, Grand Canyon
Accommodation: National Park Lodges, Grand Canyon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Journey north to the bohemian colony of Sedona. Attractive to healers, this spiritual town’s vortexes are rumoured to offer alternative medicines and practices. If retail therapy is more your thing, explore Sedona’s shops and galleries, or simply take in its natural rugged beauty, which makes it a hotspot for hikers, swimmers and eager campers. Journey on to Grand Canyon National Park, where you have the opportunity to take an optional, once-in-a-lifetime, flightseeing tour by helicopter or plane. Join Local Expert Canyon Tim for an informative and exclusive talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon before ending your day with a tranquil night inside the park and an appetizing Highlight Dinner with wine in the inviting Thunderbird Room of your lodge. Located on the South Rim, this beautiful venue offers a private balcony, so you can feast on hearty food while taking in the stunning views.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 11: Monument Valley And Lake Powell.
Location: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell
Accommodation: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas (Lake View or Marina View Rooms).
Meals Included: Breakfast

Head through striking crimson landscapes to the historic Cameron Trading Post where you will find Native American arts and crafts. Journey on through the barren beauty of the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will board all-terrain vehicles(8) to explore the valley with your Navajo guide. Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your lakefront resort.(Breakfast)

Day 12: Leisurely Lake Powell.
Location: Lake Powell
Meals Included: Breakfast

Your morning is at leisure. Simply relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities or enjoy some extra time to catch up with your fellow travellers. Later today, a serene cruise through the narrow sandstone turns of Antelope Canyon awaits. End the day with a breathtaking sunset from your lake view or marina view room.(Breakfast)

Day 13: Bryce Canyon And Zion National Parks.
Location: Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion
Accommodation: Zion National Park Lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Head to the sandstone cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. Here you will be met by pine trees and red rock pillars. You’ll take a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the great amphitheatres of the odd-shaped monoliths, known as hoodoos, before travelling through more amazing scenery to the lush cliff-and-canyon landscape of Zion National Park. A day of sightseeing deserves some evening festivities. Join your Travel Director and new friends for a Celebration Dinner and wine to discuss your take on the ethereal characters of Utah’s famous canyon.(Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 14: Zion To Las Vegas.
Location: Las Vegas
Accommodation: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas (Julius Tower Deluxe Room).
Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart the tranquil ambiance of Zion National Park Lodge and board a private Zion Canyon Shuttle. Live commentary will take you through the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some downtime to explore on your own. Depart the natural beauty of the park to arrive in the bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas. With an array of shopping malls, live shows and dining opportunities, this dazzling destination is sure to entertain. And for those looking to hit the casinos, make sure you come with your poker face ready.(Breakfast)

Day 15: Depart Las Vegas.
Location: Las Vegas
Meals Included: Breakfast

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport.(Breakfast)

What's Included

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.

  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Check out our Q&As

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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