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Wave goodbye to routine and buckle up for the next 52 days of freedom. Head to the airport, speed through security and settle into the lounge before your seven-hour flight to Boston. You’ll arrive in the early evening with ample time to transfer to your hotel, freshen up and tuck into your first taste of the USA. On the menu tonight, perhaps a bowl of classic Boston clam chowder?
Spend the next two days exploring Boston, the city where redbrick streets meet revolutionary history. Begin with a two-and-a-half mile walk along the Freedom Trail, winding from Boston Common to Charlestown past 16 historically significant sites. Along the way, pause for a pint in one of the city’s historic taverns, just as the patriots once did.
Balance history with sport and catch a game at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912.
On day two, step into the past at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Be part of the event that changed the course of American history as you explore 3D holograms, talking portraits and the Robinson Tea Chest.
When evening rolls around, feast on local favourites – lobster rolls, clam chowder, Boston baked beans (the jury’s out on whether it beats the British equivalent) and cream pie.
All aboard the Amtrak for a four-hour rail journey into New York City. After arriving, check into your stylish hotel and soak up your first taste of the Big Apple. Wander iconic neighbourhoods, grab something delicious from a street vendor and take in the buzz of a city that never seems to slow down.
On your first full day, head skywards to One World Observatory, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. A 60-second lift ride whisks you 1,254ft above street level, where sweeping 360-degree views reveal Manhattan’s grid, legendary bridges and distant boroughs. Back at ground level, balance sightseeing with shopping in the city’s world-famous stores.
Make time for the Museum of Modern Art, home to works by Warhol, Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet and Dali. With Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre and the Statue of Liberty also within easy reach, your to-do list will be as revered as the city itself.
Return to the rails for a scenic three-hour journey to Washington DC, passing the Hudson River Valley and Baltimore before arriving in the US capital. After settling into your hotel, step out to explore Georgetown district (Washington’s oldest neighbourhood), the National Air and Space Museum or the city’s sprawling National Zoo. Complete the day with dinner at one of your Concierge’s top recommendations before hitting the hay.
The next day, it’s time to discover why Washington is a life-sized history museum on a tour of its best attraction – the Capitol. Located on Capitol Hill, the impressive, white-domed building houses the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. During this visit, you'll discover several sections: the Crypt, a circular room filled with forty Neoclassical Doric columns; the Rotunda, a large domed hall located in the centre of the Capitol; and finally, the main exhibition space, known as the National Statuary Hall.
Rise bright and early for your two-hour flight to Knoxville, where you’ll collect your hire car and drive 45 minutes to Pigeon Forge. For the next three nights, stay in safari-style tents at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains (all the romance of camping with none of the discomfort).
The Smokies take centre stage over the next day. With over 800 miles of trails, your Concierge can help find the perfect hike, whether you’re after panoramic viewpoints or shaded forest walks. Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, but you might even spot black bears and elk. Refuel afterwards with pulled pork, fried chicken and Southern comfort food.
Visiting Pigeon Forge without spending a day at Dollywood would be criminal. Dedicated to and owned by the one and only Dolly Parton, this 150-acre theme park is home to more than 50 thrilling rides, live entertainment shows and museums. So, don your finest cowboy boots and get ready to ride some rollercoasters.
Hit the road for the three-hour drive to Nashville, winding west from Pigeon Forge. As you approach the city, plug into our specially curated country playlist – this is where musical legends are made, after all. After checking into your trendy hotel, ease straight into the city’s nightlife on the Honky Tonk Highway, where live music spills from every doorway and Tennessee whiskey flows freely.
Your stay is anchored by an evening at the Grand Ole Opry, the most famous stage in country music. What began as a radio show has become a cultural institution, hosting icons from Dolly Parton to Hank Williams. Get ready for a night of hip-swaying, catchy songs and total immersion in Nashville culture.
Wave goodbye to Tennessee as you cross the country to Arizona. After the four-hour flight to Phoenix, collect your hire car and set off on an easy 30-minute drive to Scottsdale, where you’ll check into a mountain-framed hotel for the next two nights.
Located at the foot of the double-summit Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale pairs dramatic desert scenery with an easygoing artsy vibe. Spend time wandering the Desert Botanical Garden, where trails weave between more than 21,000 species of cactus, succulents and desert flora. For a flavour of the Old West, Rawhide Western Town offers a playful step back into the1880s, complete with saloons and storefront facades. Art lovers can dip into Scottsdale’s many galleries, while sporting enthusiasts can putt their way around one of the gorgeous golf courses.
Drive north into Arizona’s Red Rock country, where the landscapes slowly shift from cacti-studded deserts to Sedona’s dramatic sandstone formations. Once checked in, spend the afternoon hiking or cycling among the crimson cliffs, returning for dinner to enjoy one of Sedona’s famously fiery sunsets.
The following day is free for you to discover Sedona. Slide Rock State Park is a highlight, where clear streams cascade over smooth rock to form natural swimming holes – arrive early to grab a parking space and bring plenty of water and suncream.
As night falls, turn your gaze skyward during a guided stargazing experience with an astronomer. Using professional telescopes, uncover constellations, planets and distant galaxies, with Sedona’s dark skies providing front-row views of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and the Galaxy of Andromeda.
Set off on a scenic three-hour drive to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, where you’ll stay in a cosy lodge with enviable views over the national park. After checking in, enjoy dinner inspired by Southwestern flavours before falling asleep beneath the star-studded sky.
The next day, take to the skies on a memorable helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. This 45-minute flight will see you soaring over the Painted Desert and the Colorado River, as well as huge canyons, gorges and precipices. Panoramic windows and elevated seating ensure uninterrupted views, revealing just how humbling this natural wonder truly is. Back on solid ground, take time to explore viewpoints along the rim (photographs never quite do it justice).
Cue the playlist and cry out ‘Viva Las Vegas’ as you hit the road for Sin City. Leave mountains and forests behind as you journey four-and-a-half hours to reach the barren Nevada desert, where Las Vegas’ bright lights seem to rise from nowhere. Check into a hotel on the iconic Strip, and prepare for an evening of extravaganzas as you explore the hotel’s casino.
Las Vegas wears its hedonistic reputation proudly, and the next couple of days are yours to experience it. Catch a cutting-edge show inside the futuristic Sphere, walk along the knee-wobbling heights of the Hoover Dam, snap a photo beneath the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign or wander the canals of The Venetian (gondolas included).
One evening is reserved for a true highlight: tickets to a Cirque du Soleil performance. Marvel at the jaw-dropping blend of aerial acrobatics and contemporary dance before enjoying a lavish dinner to match.
Today, you’re back behind the wheel for a three-hour drive into Utah’s canyon country, bound for Springdale. Tucked against the western edge of Zion National Park, this small town sits beneath towering cliffs streaked with red, white and blush-pink rock. So, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the town and its awe-inspiring views.
Day two is dedicated to Zion National Park itself, one of the USA’s most celebrated landscapes and the country’s third most visited national park. Explore the rocky red expanse and its network of canyons through rock climbing, hiking, canyoneering or simply taking a scenic drive. Alternatively, remain closer to town and browse Springdale’s art galleries, many inspired by the surrounding geology, or cool off with a two-mile tubing float along the Virgin River.
Today, head north of Utah on a five-hour drive to Salt Lake City, the state’s capital. With just one night here, an early start pays dividends. Depending on your interests, you could detour to the shimmering Great Salt Lake or venture further west to the vast, otherworldly Bonneville Salt Flats.
Alternatively, take things at a slower pace and explore the city itself, strolling through Temple Square or enjoying dinner with views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. Spend tonight recharging your batteries before another road trip tomorrow
Today, drive five hours to Jackson Hole, a year-round mountain town framed by snow-capped peaks. Your lodge for the next three nights sits in the heart of this spectacular landscape. Spend the evenings listening to country music spilling from bars or eating plates piled with regional specialties like trout, elk and bison.
Your first full day is devoted to exploring Grand Teton National Park on a guided wildlife safari. Spanning 310,000 acres, this dramatic wilderness is home to elk, bison, antelope, mule deer, wolves, black and grizzly bears, bald eagles and trumpeter swans, with jagged peaks and alpine lakes providing the backdrop.
The next day, swap hiking boots for life jackets on an exhilarating white-water rafting trip along Snake River. Tackle Class III rapids – including Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna – with an expert guide at the helm. Those feeling brave can even plunge into the brisk waters before heading back to the warmth of your cosy lodge.
Today you drive two-and-a-half hours to Yellowstone National Park, America’s oldest and, arguably, the most impressive. Spanning three states, this volcanic wonderland is famed for steaming hot springs, gushing geysers and dramatic mountains.
You’ll be staying in the park’s first-ever hotel, placing you at the heart of the action. After checking in, head straight out to explore otherworldly terrain where bubbly mud pools and rainbow-coloured mineral springs punctuate sweeping valleys.
It’s just a short 25-minute drive to Gardiner today, a small Montana town straddling the Yellowstone River and serving as the park’s northern gateway. Settle into your log-style lodge and enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the town’s Western-style main street and riverside setting.
Early the next morning, head to Lamar Valley with an expert guide – one of the best places in the park for wildlife spotting. Wolves, bears, bison, antelopes and birds of prey roam freely here, and you’ll learn about Yellowstone’s famed wolf reintroduction programme. Afterwards, return to your lodge and enjoy your final night in mountainous Montana.
Swap mountains for sea air in San Francisco. Your day begins with a scenic hour-and-a-half drive to Bozeman, where you’ll drop off your hire car and board a two-and-a-half-hour flight to sunny California. On arrival, transfer to your downtown hotel, freshen up and head out for dinner. From neighbourhood bistros to fine dining, San Francisco’s food scene is famously good.
The following day, step into one of the city’s most notorious landmarks: Alcatraz. This former maximum-security island prison housed some of America’s most infamous criminals and later became the setting for Clint Eastwood’s iconic Escape from Alcatraz. Those who ever dared to escape either drowned, died of cold or were eaten by sharks (thankfully, you can just get the ferry there and back).
Spend your final day exploring the city’s hilly streets before enjoying a sunset catamaran cruise across the San Francisco Bay. Glide past the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, glass of Californian wine in hand, as you toast to your final evening in the City by the Bay.
It’s time to reclaim the driver’s seat as you collect your hire car and begin the two-hour drive to Monterey, nestled on California’s rugged coast. After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring the historic waterfront, wandering Cannery Row or dipping into the tide pools that fringe the shoreline. Dinner calls for a local classic – clam chowder served in a bread bowl is practically a rite of passage here.
The following day is devoted to the wild waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, America’s largest and most abundant marine reserve and often dubbed the ‘Serengeti of the Sea’. Board a whale-watching boat and head offshore to spot migrating giants as they surface, spray and dive nearby. Along the way, look out for playful sea otters, seals and swooping seabirds before returning to land salt-sprayed, wide-eyed and suitably impressed.
Your California road trip continues south along one of the USA’s most scenic coastal routes. Over the course of a four-hour drive, wind past the celebrated 17-Mile Drive and cross the iconic Bixby Bridge, clinging to cliffs above the roaring Pacific. Continue along the road to Morro Bay before heading inland through rolling vineyards and eventually arriving at Santa Barbara's palm-lined beaches, where your beachfront hotel awaits.
Often dubbed the ‘American Riviera’, Santa Barbara blends golden beaches, Spanish colonial heritage and a thriving food and wine scene. Wander the historic Old Mission, hike the Cold Spring Trail for panoramic views, or simply claim a stretch of sand and let the waves do the rest. Surfers head to Rincon Beach, wine lovers venture inland to the Santa Ynez Valley, and sunset seekers enjoy the evening sky’s show. In short, it’s a world-class destination that doesn’t disappoint.
Swap sunny Santa Barbara for glitzy Los Angeles as you cruise an hour-and-a-half down the coast. The city can be difficult to decode, but to those in the know, LA is best interpreted as a collection of charcterful small towns. Start with a beachside lunch in Santa Monica, browse the boutiques of Beverly Hills, take in world-class art at the Getty Center or stroll along the star-studded Hollywood Walk of Fame.
No visit is complete without stepping behind the camera, of course. A tour of Universal Studios blends working film sets with blockbuster rides, bringing to life classics such as Back to the Future, The War of the World, Jaws, Terminator, King Kong and Jurassic Park, to name just a few.
Next on the must-do list: explore one of the busiest working studios in Los Angeles – Warner Bros. Wander iconic sets including Central Perk from Friends, Harry Potter, DC superhero worlds and familiar backdrops from decades of television and cinema. You may even see famous faces at work...
Wave goodbye to mainland USA as you fly six hours from Los Angeles to the Big Island of Hawaii, landing in Kona early evening. Collect your hire car and begin the short drive to your resort on the majestic Kohala Coast. Spend your first evening unwinding at one of the restaurants or bars before dreaming of the next three days of Kohala paradise.
Your stay on the Kohala Coast offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and cultural exploration. Start with a visit to Hapuna Beach for sunbathing and swimming, or snorkel the clear waters of Kauna’oa Bay, home to colourful coral reefs and tropical fish. Discover Hawaii’s rich heritage at the Pu'ukohola Heiau temple, explore the paniolo (cowboy) culture in Waimea, or hike through the dramatic Pololu Valley. As night falls, stargaze atop Mauna Kea or unwind with a traditional Hawaiian spa treatment.
Today you’ll island-hop to Maui with a short flight to Kahului, then drive to the sun-soaked shores of Kaanapali, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Another plush beach resort is waiting to say aloha, so settle onto a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand and enjoy the last of the afternoon heat.
Kick off your first full day with a sunrise stroll along the Kaanapali Beachwalk, followed by breakfast overlooking the ocean. Spend the day snorkelling at Black Rock, where colourful marine life thrives, or unwind by the pool with a spa treatment.
On the second day, set sail on a catamaran to spot dolphins before exploring Whalers Village for a spot of shopping. Later, take a scenic drive along the Honoapi’ilani Highway for breathtaking coastline views.
Make your way to the airport, drop off your hire car and board the half-hour flight to Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital on the island of Oahu. After landing, head to your home for the next two nights, a beach hotel perched on the shores of Waikiki Beach. Spend your first day however you please: exploring the city, relaxing on the sand or getting stuck into a good book.
The following day, take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter flight over Oahu. From above, admire lush rainforests, dramatic valleys, coral reefs and turquoise waters, with highlights including Diamond Head volcano, Hanauma Bay, Waimanalo Beach, Chinaman's Hat and coral formations in Kaneohe Bay.
Your final full day is one to savour. Hike Diamond Head early for panoramic city views, swim in the saltwater Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon, or immerse yourself in history at Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the USA. End your sabbatical in true island style with a beachfront dinner and a sunset toast (or two) to an unforgettable journey.
Today marks the start of your journey home. Fly back to Los Angeles, where you’ll transfer onto an overnight flight bound for the UK. It’s a long journey, but a fitting chance to reflect on everything you’ve experienced along the way.
The following day, arrive home after your whopping 53-day adventure. With thousands of miles covered, countless landscapes explored and memories spanning mountains, deserts, cities and islands, this is a journey that will stay with you long after unpacking your bags.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
