Hollywood, Vegas & the Grand Canyon

The holiday of a lifetime

Explore two of America's most famous cities and discover the awe-inspiring chasm that is perhaps nature’s greatest wonder. This hugely popular itinerary begins in the glittering make-believe world of Los Angeles, home to the star-studded streets of Hollywood, and takes you right to the edge of one of the world's most majestic natural sights - the breathtaking Grand Canyon. See the sun rise above the Canyon, spend four fun-filled nights in the Nevada Desert's oasis of colour and opulence, Las Vegas, and perhaps take to the skies above the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas' dazzling skyline. It promises to be a fascinating tour, and a great introduction to the USA.

Highlights

Spend three nights close to Los Angeles
Visit Hollywood, the movie capital of the world
See the Grand Canyon, and stay to watch the sun rise
A full-day tour of sun-kissed San Diego
Explore chic Santa Monica, and visit its beautiful sandy beach
Four nights to enjoy extraordinary Las Vegas and some unforgettable optional excursions

Inclusions

Eight nights' room-only accommodation in a series of good quality hotels in Buena Park (3 nights), Grand Canyon (1) and Las Vegas (4), plus one night on the aircraft
Return flights to Los Angeles
Visits to San Diego, Santa Monica, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hollywood
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly to California's largest city, meet your tour manager and make the short transfer to your hotel in Southern LA, by coach. Rest and relax after the journey, and enjoy the first of three evenings in the City of Angels.

Day 2

Today you'll have the opportunity to discover Santa Monica's ocean-front boardwalk, the pier and Ferris wheel, and enjoy the exceptional shopping on Third Street Promenade. Take a seat in a beachfront café to watch LA life as it jogs, cycles or skates its health-obsessed way down towards Venice Beach. From here, we'll head to Hollywood, the heart of the modern movie industry, to look for your favourite star's star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame.

Day 3

Join today’s excursion to the laid-back Pacific city of San Diego, the epitome of Southern California living. Here, the highlights of your guided tour will include the restored Downtown area, the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot, and the Gaslamp District's wonderful collection of arts and crafts stores, specialist boutiques and places to eat. You'll return to LA to spend an evening enjoying the warmth and excitement of the city.

Day 4

Journey east into the Nevada Desert, heading for the spectacular Grand Canyon, close to which you'll spend the night.

Day 5

Wake early, this morning, to witness the breathtaking sight as the sun rises over the Grand Canyon – one of nature’s most unforgettable sights. Later, perhaps take an optional helicopter flight over the chasm to marvel at the almost incomprehensible vastness of it all. You’ll then continue through the awe-inspiring desert landscape, to Las Vegas, your base for the next four nights. Waste no time in familiarising yourself with your glittering, neon-lit surroundings – every bit as surreal as the Canyon’s glories.

Days 6 to 8

Spend three days discovering glittering, glorious Las Vegas and some of the extraordinary places that lie on its Nevada Desert doorstep. Nothing prepares you for the glitz, glamour and sheer scale of this monument to man’s capacity for fun that seems to rise out of the desert floor, its towering hotels and gargantuan casinos reaching skywards, its streets – including the famous Strip – lined with colourful entertainment centres, stores, themed bars, and show lounges that have played host to generations of the entertainment industry's most famous names. Spend your days relaxing, checking out the city's shopping malls or even heading for one of the resort’s many golf courses. Come sundown, try your luck – or watch others trying theirs – in a sparkling, state-of-the-art casino where you'll find no end to the ways you can try your hand against Lady Luck. Wander up and down the Strip to see this unique place in all its colourful glory. See the amazing displays of the Bellagio Hotel’s iconic dancing fountains, enjoy the special-effects-laden spectacle of a swashbuckling pirate adventure at Treasure Island, or take to the skies on an optional night-time helicopter ride over the Strip.

Day 9

Bid farewell to Vegas, heading back to LA and the airport to check in for your overnight flight home.

Day 10

Arrive back in the UK, this morning, at the end of an exciting West Coast USA adventure.

Further Information

Passports and visas

When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Programme.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

On your flight

All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.

Casino hotels in Las Vegas and Laughlin

Local laws stipulate that that there must be at least one person aged 21 or over occupying each room booked. Casino floors cannot be entered by under 21s unless they are accompanied by an adult aged over 21. Casino hotels usually still permit smoking on the casino floor and in some public areas. It is not usual for tea and coffee making facilities to be provided in hotel rooms in Las Vegas and Laughlin.

Helicopter flights

Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lb. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday, though regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout, including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops. In Las Vegas smoking is still usually permitted on casino floors and in some public areas.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver or Tour Manager is about $5 per person per day. It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Hotel rooms

Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.