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Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival transfer independently to the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, meet your fellow travelling companions at the welcome meeting and dinner this evening.

Today you will hike the spectacular trail from Exit Glacier to the Harding Icefield in the magical Kenai Peninsula for views of deep crevasses and huge ice ridges on the glacier. From 900m up, you'll get staggeringly beautiful scenic views and wonderful wildlife and bird watching opportunities amidst dramatic fjords and glaciers. This has been rated as one of the finest hikes in Alaska. If you prefer, there is also a more accessible trail to reach a different viewpoint of the glacier. Later, explore Seward and the impressive Alaska SeaLife Center, which houses a remarkable public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue centre.

Today you set off on a full day wildlife viewing cruise around Resurrection Bay and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Your guide will give a detailed commentary on the wildlife you see including sea lions, otters, Dall's Porpoise and an endless variety of seabirds including puffins and eagles. Orcas and Humpback whales are often spotted. Enjoy a fresh salmon and prime rib lunch before continuing on to visit two active tidewater glaciers, Holgate and Aialik, where you'll be close enough to hear them creaking and cracking and see large ice rocks plummet into the water below.

From Seward, you make your way towards the city of Homer where you spend the afternoon exploring Kachemak Bay, by kayak. With snow-capped mountains and forest as your backdrop, sea kayaking is a great way to discover the peacefulness of this wilderness area, it is commonplace to spot sea otters and porpoise as well as Bald Eagles circling overhead.  

There'll be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before you transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook, meet your fellow travelling companions at the welcome dinner this evening.

In Alaska, dog sledding is both a very popular sport and an important mode of transportation to remote places where roads still don't go. This morning you will drive from Anchorage to Big Lake, where you'll meet the mighty dogs that respond to the cry of 'Mush!' by racing off into the wild and pulling heavy sleds over the snow – Alaskan Huskies – on a visit to a facility where Alaskan huskies in training to run next year’s world-famous Iditarod Race learn how to be sled dogs, sure to be a highlight of your family's Alaska tour. Next you will continue to Talkeetna for a jet boat ride with a naturalist guide to look for bald eagles, beavers, moose and even bears that live along the river, and a nature walk in the Alaskan bush to see an authentic, turn-of-the-century trapper's cabin. If the weather is good, you'll have an incredible view of Alaska's famous Mount Denali – the Athabascan Indians called the mountain Denali, meaning 'the Great One' – en route to your wilderness lodge for a two-night stay. Once there, you and your family can compete in a high-tech treasure-hunting game – known as geocaching – where you'll use a GPS system to find hidden treasures!

Nature is everywhere on a morning hike at Talkeetna Lake, with loons and kingfishers above you, and a forest brimming with wildflowers and wildlife surrounding you. As you walk, your local guide shares stories about how the first native people survived in this beautiful but wild land, life in Talkeetna today and the amazing encounters with wildlife.  After lunch at your lodge, travel to Trapper Creek to visit the private homestead of Joanne Porterfield, nestled in the Alaska wilderness. Her family's gardens and farm have flourished here in the shadow of Mount Denali for more than four decades. Later, back at your lodge in Talkeetna, enjoy an interpretive experience with storytelling, s'mores and more around an old-fashioned campfire.

Depart your lodge in Talkeetna and soar over the Denali foothills in a small plane (weather permitting) for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of towering Mt. Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. After your flight, you'll travel to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural center and museum where you'll come away with a greater understanding of Alaska's Indigenous people. Following a dance performance, a tour and lunch, continue on to the wildlife-rich Kenai Peninsula and a two-night wilderness lodge stay in Cooper Landing, nestled within Chugach National Forest.

Today, you can choose how you and your family will experience the wonders of the Kenai Peninsula, as your Alaska tour continues at your lodge in this wilderness wonderland between Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska. You can choose to go kayaking, take a scenic river-rafting trip, or embark on a hike into the wilderness with a local guide. You might also want to take advantage of optional opportunities for fishing and horse riding that may be available at an additional cost.

Get a close-up glimpse of Alaskan wildlife on a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on Turnagain Arm, meeting moose, bison, elk and other orphaned or injured animals being rehabilitated by this non-profit organization. Then head to the Crow Creek Mine in Alaska's historic gold rush country, where you'll meet a "prospector," pan for gold and dig into a barbecue lunch. Then it's on to your resort in Girdwood. Your evening includes an entertaining mountaineering demonstration.

Hop aboard an Alaska Railroad self-propelled rail car for a trip along Turnagain Arm to Whittier, where you'll board a boat that takes you and your family on a glacier adventure cruise on Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound. With an expert wildlife guide aboard, you'll sail past thundering waterfalls and tidewater glaciers. Listen out for the sounds of glaciers groaning and cracking and keep an eye out for eagles, otters and harbor seals along the way. En route back to your hotel, you’ll travel through the Whittier Tunnel, the second longest highway tunnel in North America. Tonight, travel back to your hotel in Girdwood for your farewell dinner.

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before you transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Phoenix, Arizona. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale at Troon North. Scottsdale is the ideal place to start to relax and acclimatise before the start of your Tauck vacation. 

This morning you set out to the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, renowned for its stunning array of red sandstone formations which glow orange at dawn and sunset. Enjoy a guided walk taking you back in time in this intriguing town shaped by early settlers, cowboys, artists and Hollywood celebrities, a favourite with artisans. Later, your journey continues through Oak Creek Canyon en route to Grand Canyon National Park. Arrive at your lodge on the South Rim of the amazing Grand Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurants on the canyon's rim at El Tovar, the Arizona Room or Bright Angel Café.

Take advantage of your lodge's ideal location on the South Rim by waking early enough to watch the spectacular sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Learn about the geology and wildlife of the region from a local geology expert and no exploring the canyon rim and Canyon Village at your leisure, witnessing the rugged landscape's vast grandeur and changing colours as the sun climbs in the sky. Travel through the Navajo Reservation en route to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, for a two-night stay. Tonight, take a private Lake Powell dinner cruise aboard the sleek double-decked yacht 'Canyon Princess'.

See the remote corners of the 186-mile-long Lake Powell – created from the Colorado River by the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s – from a variety of perspectives. First take an early morning flight to see the unusual red-rock formations reflecting in the lake and see Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural arch. Later, take a private boat cruise and guided tour past some of the incredible sandstone slot canyons in the Navajo Nation, among the most beautiful in the Southwest.

This morning’s float trip on the Colorado River takes you through Glen Canyon. Your experienced river adventure guide imparts a wealth of knowledge about the canyon as you glide past colourful walls of Navajo sandstone. Utah’s iconic landscapes have served as ideal locations for movie and TV westerns over the years, which you can view on an afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon hosts a wondrous land of pines, pinnacles and oddly sculpted formations known as hoodoos, resembling the towers of fairy-tale castles . Magnificent spires, tinted with shades of pink, orange and red, put on a captivating show as the light changes throughout the day. Keep an eye open for the park’s abundant wildlife, including elk, coyotes, marmots, and prairie dogs, as you explore the park from your sought-after accommodations at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon. Listed on the National Historic Register, The Lodge is nestled in a forest of towering ponderosa pines in the heart of the park.

Wake up early this morning and be rewarded with an awe-inspiring Bryce Canyon sunrise, as the light of dawn slowly spreads across the hoodoos and other unique geological features of the park. Take time to explore the park’s renowned hiking trails to observe a great variety of bird species, beautiful wildflowers and diverse wildlife. After lunch, travel across southwestern Utah to Zion National Park, where colourful sandstone canyons and 3,000-foot-high palisades tower above the lush greenery of the canyon floor. The park’s shuttle system and network of hiking trails afford access to its key geologic features. The thriving vegetation includes cottonwood trees and dry desert plants and wildlife ranges from mule deer to hundreds of bird species.

Today is a day of contrasts. Zion is noted for narrow canyons and colourful mesa scenery. Wind deep into the canyon and diverse geological features, from dramatic peaks and cliffs, odd geologic formations, desert oases featuring abundant pools to waterfalls and mighty canyons splashed with vivid colours. Depart Zion for a memorable journey across the vast, colourful vistas of the northeastern Mojave Desert. Although a contrast from the rest of the tour, Las Vegas is the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’. See the casinos and drive the length of the Las Vegas ‘Strip’. This evening you are invited to a farewell reception and dinner. 

Following check-out you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in Las Vegas! 

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Boston. Upon arrival, transfer independently to your Hotel and spend an evening at leisure before you meet your Appalachian Mountain Guides tomorrow morning.

This morning, leave Boston for the start of your backcountry walking adventure in the beautiful White Mountains National Forest in the East. You'll meet your Appalachian Mountain Guides and your fellow tour companions for a welcome meeting, where your guides will brief you on the adventure ahead. After lunch you will enjoy an easy four and a half mile hike which is a great way to get to know your group and stretch your legs before heading into the stunning White Mountains National Forest. Your accommodations throughout the week are the White Mountain huts located in the stunning natural beauty of the national forest.

Start the day early with a drive to the Gale River Trailhead and hike up to the Garfield Ridge. Your destination is Galehead Hut, which is the most remote of the White Mountain huts and boasts stunning views from the porch. After arriving at the hut, climb the summit of Mount Galehead before dinner. Later, have your camera at the ready for a picture perfect sunset over this surreal landscape.

Today you'll reach South Twin, a wonderful section of the trail, and ascend the 350 metres to a beautiful vantage point. En route to the next hut you'll scale the trail over Mount Guyot and Mount Zealand. Along the way you'll pass lakes on the trail where you can take a dip to cool off. In the evening you can enjoy talks conducted by the hut hosts who are specialists in the flora and fauna of the area.

Choose to hike one of the oldest maintained trails in the USA, the Crawford Path, or summit some of the 'Southern Presidential Peaks' on the Webster Cliff Trail, part of the official Appalachian Trail. The Crawford Path is a hike along the Webster Cliff Trail and allows you the opportunity to summit Mount Webster and Mount Jackson.

Today you'll hike to the wonderfully named Lakes of the Clouds Hut. This is the highest hut on the tour and you'll be treated to some incredible views of the Presidential Range. The Webster Cliff Trail goes from the hut up to summit of Mount Clinton. Just beyond the summit, you pick up the Crawford Path to go over Mount Eisenhower, Mount Franklin, and Mount Monroe. In the afternoon you'll hike up to Mount Washington, famed for it's incredible views.

Hike along the backbone of the Presidential Range where you'll be in for a real treat. With the opportunity to summit a selection of peaks, make sure you also take the short and easy hike to Star Lake, which offers beautiful reflecting views of Mount Madison.

This morning you'll have the chance to summit Mount Madison or take a less strenuous route back down. When returning from Mount Madison down the Air Line, you'll enjoy excellent views of King Ravine. In the late afternoon, make your way back towards Boston where your tour with Grand American Adventures ends at 17:00.

There'll be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before you transfer independently back to the airport for your flight home.

Depart the UK on your chosen flight to Louisville. A transfer is included from Louisville International Airport to The Brown Hotel, a landmark in the heart of downtown Louisville near the theatre district. Since 1923, this gracious hotel has entertained celebrities and dignitaries with its opulence, charm, and impeccable Southern hospitality, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. A welcome reception and dinner is held at the hotel this evening.

You'll begin the day with a visit to Churchill Downs, the legendary thoroughbred racetrack that has hosted The Kentucky Derby since 1875. Your visit includes a Tauck Exclusive tour of the backstretch with a professional jockey who’ll share insider views of the track’s history and daily operation while the horses take their morning exercise. On the racetrack grounds, you’ll also visit The Kentucky Derby Museum for insights into the race’s celebrated history, and what goes into the breeding and training of a thoroughbred champion. A short drive to Bardstown takes you to another iconic landmark, Federal Hill, a Georgian-style plantation house built in 1795 by Judge John Rowan that once entertained dignitaries like Andrew Jackson and Marquis de Lafayette, but is better known as the inspiration for Stephen Foster’s 'My Old Kentucky Home'. You'll tour the impeccably preserved mansion and formal gardens. After lunch at a historic tavern, you head to Frankfort for a guided tour of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, famous for its fine Kentucky bourbon, which it has produced continuously since 1775. During Prohibition, the distillery was permitted to output whiskey 'for medicinal purposes'. You arrive late afternoon in Lexington where the evening is free.

This morning you'll drive to Pleasant Hill, site of what was once the largest, most successful Shaker community in America. Founded in England in the 18th century, the sect known as Shakers had a profound effect on 19th century America, as documented in Ken Burns’s film, Hands to Work, Hearts to God. Known locally as 'Shakertown', the village, which flourished here from 1805 to 1910, comprises 34 original buildings, wonderfully restored as a living museum with costumed interpreters, where you’ll gain insights into the hearts and minds of the Shakers, and marvel at their engineering achievements; besides their fame for furniture making, the Shakers invented the circular saw, the clothespin, the wheel-driven washing machine, and numerous other labor-saving devices. Following lunch at the village, delve deeper into equine culture at The Kentucky Horse Park, a working horse farm and theme park showcasing breeds from around the world; you’ll also visit the International Museum of the Horse. Next you return to your hotel for a special, private 'Bluegrass & Bourbon' evening, including a banquet dinner, a live band, and bourbon tasting.

Once you've stood at the Cumberland Gap you’ll never forget it. You’re standing at the first frontier, the first gateway to the west. Off the beaten pathway, it was a break in the Appalachian Mountains that provided a gateway to the west for migrating buffalo herds, American Indian tribes, and restless pioneers – including Daniel Boone, who blazed a trail known as the Wilderness Road here in 1775. And today you will join that long list of travellers when you pass through the gap yourself. Explore its rich history and cultural currents at a private presentation at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitors’ centre. The park also features unique geologic sandstone formations, magnificent underground caverns, and restored log cabins from an early 20th century pioneer settlement. Next it is on to Asheville, North Carolina, where your accommodation is both historic and gracious, exemplifying the best of Southern hospitality. Asheville has emerged as one of America’s top culinary destinations – a 'foodie haven' with many new twists on traditional southern cuisine.

Back in 1895 George Vanderbilt II, grandson of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, decided to build himself 'a little mountain escape' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The result was the Biltmore Estate, a fabulous 250-room French château for which he employed architect Richard Morris Hunt for the castle design and Frederick Law Olmsted (the designer of Central Park) to lay out the woodlands and formal gardens. You’ll have an opportunity to learn more about this magnificent estate on tours of both the estate grounds and through the mansion itself. See Antler Hill Village, a town built to house the employees who worked on the estate and tended its crops and livestock. After lunch on the estate, return to Asheville where the remainder of the day is free to spend as you please.

Today you’ll experience one of the most beautiful, and one of the oldest, places on Earth – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the US. Historically, it is known as a place of refuge; the fascinating story of its creation includes the heroic efforts of Horace Kephart, George Masa and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Ecologically, it is one of the world’s best examples of a deciduous hardwood forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, it is dedicated as an international biosphere reserve. Scenically, the grandeur and beauty of the Southern Appalachians is at its very core – from mist-shrouded mountains with their wide range of elevations to fresh streams and miles of forests; it is the very definition of the word 'vista'. In Cherokee, North Carolina, you'll explore 19th century wilderness settlement life with period interpreters at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors’ centre. You’ll also visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for a guided tour and exclusive private viewing of its archival collection of artefacts. A catered private lunch at the museum includes samples of traditional Cherokee flavours and is accompanied by a Cherokee flute musician. You arrive into Knoxville late afternoon.

You'll travel today to what has emerged as the music capital of America, the infamous Nashville, Tennessee. First up is a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, where you’ll truly get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry during lunch with a Nashville songwriter. Enjoy time on your own to explore the museum, then head to the Ryman Auditorium for a private front-of-house and backstage tour. The venerable hall is best known as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, from 1943 to 1974, having hosted the biggest country stars of its day. Your downtown hotel is a palatial Beaux-Arts landmark built in 1910.

Today you will visit The Hermitage, the plantation home of Andrew Jackson, military hero, populist, and 7th President of the United States. Dayton Duncan notes that you can understand Andrew Jackson by his own words – “I was born for a storm. And a calm does not suit me.” Jackson lived here until his death in 1845 and his brick mansion is considered the most accurately preserved presidential home in the US, with restored décor and original furnishings. Drive along Music Row to your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore Nashville as you please before an early farewell reception and dinner.

A transfer is included from the hotel to Nashville International Airport, where you check in for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Los Angeles. Upon arrival, transfer to the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. This evening, join your travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner. 

Southern Californians have a legendary passion for cars and today you’ll begin exploring the dynamic city of Los Angeles with a tour of the historic automobiles, Hollywood cars, hot rods, and other extraordinary vehicles at the Petersen Automotive Museum. After lunch, explore downtown Los Angeles for a walking tour with visits to a historic Broadway theatre and the Bradbury Building, a 19th-century landmark with a magical Victorian courtyard featuring open cage elevators. Visit Grand Central Market, an iconic showcase for the diverse cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles. Take a ride on Angel’s Flight Railway and see some of the city’s most striking modern architecture, The Broad museum and Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Enjoy a tour through Beverly Hills, along Sunset Boulevard, and to the TCL Chinese Theatre movie palace on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you’ll see the handprints of many celebrities. Then you’re off to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum for a guided tour and lunch. The museum and grounds are spectacular, with sweeping views of the Simi Valley, the surrounding mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. View an Air Force One aircraft that flew seven presidents, a recreated Oval Office, an exhibit on the Berlin Wall featuring parts of the wall itself, and more. Drive north to Santa Barbara, on the “American Riviera,” where you’ll dine at your hotel.

Go on a guided tour of 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara, home to an active Franciscan parish for more than 200 years. Get a feel for the quiet beach community of Santa Barbara, long a celebrity hideaway, and visit the 1929 Courthouse, surrounded by lush gardens. Inside you’ll find murals depicting scenes of the city’s past, painted by a self-taught artist, whose illustrations appeared in the novels of Joseph Conrad and Jack London. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is California’s oldest, and a guided tour reveals the diversity of the state’s native flora and vegetation. This evening you’ll have free time to enjoy your ocean-view resort or explore downtown Santa Barbara.

Get ready for scenic delights as you pass through rolling hills on this morning’s road trip along coastal Highway 101. Entering the Central California wine region, you’ll find microclimates where morning fog and ocean breezes encourage varieties such as pinot noir and chardonnay, and others where low-lying mountains are ideal for full-bodied reds – as you’ll learn on a vineyard tour and tasting.  Discover picturesque Solvang, a town with a distinctive Danish heritage, and enjoy lunch, a tour, and a tasting at Presqu’ile, a small family-owned winery. The evening is spent at The Cliffs Resort, a fabulous hotel overlooking the Pacific in Pismo Beach.

Drive along stunning Pacific Coast Highway 1 to San Simeon and Hearst Castle, a national and California Historical Landmark designed by revered California architect Julia Morgan. This elaborate estate created for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst takes you back to the opulent era of the early 20th century; the castle was the inspiration for Xanadu, the over-the-top mansion in Orson Welles’ film Citizen Kane. After your guided tour, it’s nature’s opulence that will impress you as you continue along the Pacific Coast, hundreds of feet above crashing surf and remote, rocky beaches, to the Big Sur Coast. Your destination today is the coastal city of Monterey, where you’ll dine at your hotel on Monterey Bay.

Today’s tour of the Monterey Peninsula takes in the beauty of Pacific Grove, famed 17-Mile Drive, and Pebble Beach, before you arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which has been named one of the “most romantic cities of the world". Enjoy free time to explore the town’s galleries and find an appealing spot for lunch, before heading off to the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium to discover the delights of marine life, from cuttlefish to whales.

Agriculture takes center stage as you leave the coast and drive through the fertile farms, orchards, and vineyards of California’s Central Valley en route to Yosemite National Park. Abundant sunshine, superb soil, and year-round growing conditions make this region an important crop-basket for American households. Broccoli, chard, asparagus, pistachios, pomegranates, and many other varieties of produce grow here. After lunch in Merced, your route continues from the valley to the oak-lined roadways and Victorian towns of Gold Country. In 1848, news of this precious metal spread like wildfire, leading to explosive population growth. From men seeking their fortune in mining to the merchants, bankers, and women followed. At the Mariposa Museum & History Center, you’ll learn about the lives of the miners and others who shaped this area. Arrive at Yosemite National Park in the late afternoon, where you'll spend the next two nights at the historic Majestic Yosemite Hotel.

Despite Yosemite Valley being only seven miles long and less than a mile wide, it hosts an array of national treasures within its sheer, high walls. World-famous cliffs like El Capitan and Half Dome, plunging waterfalls like Bridalveil Falls, wild meadows and the meandering Merced River, birds to delight any birdwatcher and much more. Get acquainted with the valley on a morning walk guided by a naturalist, then spend the rest of the day exploring Yosemite National Park as you please.

On your way from Yosemite to San Francisco, visit Jamestown for lunch at the historic National Hotel built during the height of the Gold Rush. Arrive in San Francisco late this afternoon, with time to rest, relax, or explore the area surrounding Union Square. Your hotel is in a vibrant retail and cultural area in the heart of the city and at your doorstep you’ll discover a favourite city square where you will be entertained by musicians, artists, or performers.  Sample a range of cuisines inspired by fresh ingredients at one of the recommend restaurants in this city.

 A sightseeing tour takes you up and down San Francisco’s hills with views of San Francisco Bay as you see Chinatown and the Marina District, rows of Victorian gingerbread houses, and Coit Tower. Go for a walk along the Golden Gate Bridge and feel the breezes of the bay on a private catamaran cruise. Head to the salty atmosphere of Fisherman’s Wharf for free time for lunch and checking out its historic ships, sea lions, seafood stalls, and sourdough bread bakeries. This evening enjoy farewell festivities at a Chateau Montelena winemaker reception with tastings followed by a wine-paired chef’s dinner.

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Boston. Upon arrival at Logan International Airport you will be transferred to your hotel for this evening. A welcome reception and dinner tonight allows you to become acquainted with your new travelling companions.

Step back in time as you explore Plimoth Plantation, a re-created 17th century village filled with costumed actors who bring the locations history to life. You'll see Plymouth Rock, marking the Pilgrims' 1620 landing site, and enjoy some free time for lunch in Falmouth. In the afternoon you take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, one of New England’s hottest vacation destinations. Here you spend the next two nights in the former whaling town of Edgartown.

Your day starts admiring the stately homes in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven whilst being surrounded by the islands salt marshes, long beaches and picturesque harbours and the towns of West Tisbury and Aquinnah. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to discover more of the island. Bird watch at the bluffs, watch the lobstermen pull up their traps offshore, hang out at the fishing pier, or seek out what interests you most in this idyllic New England holiday spot  or perhaps relax on the beach! 

You’ll take a scenic 15 minute flight to the island of Nantucket this morning over the home of unspoiled beaches, lone lighthouses, sea captains’ houses and art galleries. Admire the colonial architecture, winding cobbled streets, and historic taverns in the quaint harbourside town before taking the ferry back to mainland. You’ll spend the next two nights in the quaint seaside village of Chatham, overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Tonight dinner is a traditional lobster and clam feast!

Journey up along the outer Atlantic side of the Cape to visit Cape Cod National Seashore, with its giant sand dunes towering above crested seas. Arrive in Provincetown on the tip of the Cape, world-renowned as a thriving arts colony and a major summer resort.  "P-Town" is set near the summering grounds for a number of whale species. Take a guided whale-watching cruise to see these amazing aquatic mammals roll, flip their tails, and blow through their blowholes. Have dinner back at your resort in Chatham this evening.

Head along the coast to historic Newport, Rhode Island, with a stop en route for lunch in the town of Sandwich. Newport is renowned as a long-time haven for yachting enthusiasts, former home of the America's Cup, and one of the great playgrounds of the rich in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Drive past some of the ostentatious mansions that served as summer "cottages" for affluent socialites during the Gilded Age, and explore the celebrated Ten-Mile Drive; your home for the next two nights of your New England holiday is set right on Newport Harbor.

You may choose this morning to take a stroll with your Tour Director along the Cliff Walk, set between the sea and the mansions. Your morning also includes a guided tour through The Breakers, a 70 room Italian Renaissance mansion inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. With so many boats on the shores, it's no wonder that today's highlight is a cruise through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. This evening enjoy a cocktail reception and farewell dinner overlooking Cliff Walk and The Atlantic. 

After breakfast it's just a short drive back to Boston. Your journey ends at Boston Airport, where you board your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay with a few additional nights in the wonderful city of Boston before returning home. 

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Jackson. This evening you'll enjoy a welcome reception and dinner with your fellow travelling companions.

Enjoy spectacular views of Grand Teton National Park this morning, before embarking on a gentle float trip on the Snake River, looking out for beavers, eagles, elks and other animals that live in the park. Following lunch, the rest of the day is yours to explore historic Jackson or relax at the hotel.

This morning you’ll have the unique opportunity to join a park insider for an exclusive peek into the story of Grand Teton National Park. Later you’ll travel from the Tetons to America’s first national park; Yellowstone. Your hotel for the next two nights is just steps away from the famous Old Faithful Geysers. This evening you’ll enjoy dinner at the lodge, and have the option of joining a Ranger program. 

Start the day in remarkable Yellowstone National Park with an expert from The Institute of the Yellowstone Association, hearing information about the park’s abundant wildlife and unique geology. After a picnic lunch you’ll see some of the 10,000 hot springs within the park and watch the mighty Old Faithful geyser shoot its plume of steam high into the air.

You’ll leave Yellowstone this morning and continue your Wyoming adventure to the historic town of Cody, gaining a glimpse into the history and culture of the heyday of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical Centre. It’s a true cowboy experience tonight with a western-style dinner and rodeo with bucking broncos, steer wrestlers, calf ropers and barrel riders.

Journeying through Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains you’ll pass deep canyons, vast grasslands and blankets of wildflowers en route to the TA Guest Ranch, where an authentic ranch experience awaits. You’ll enjoy a cookhouse lunch, go horseback riding and watch a roping demonstration. Later you’ll continue to your overnight stay at another working Wyoming ranch, the Ranch at Ucross, where you’ll enjoy an old fashioned campfire.

You’ll depart the Ranch at Ucross this morning and head for the Black Hills of South Dakota. Arriving at Mount Rushmore you’ll see the towering stone portraits of four American presidents carved into the stone. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelling companions.

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before your transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the evening, located in Anchorage and meet your travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

Learn about the lifestyles, traditions, and crafts of Alaska's indigenous tribes on a visit to the Anchorage Museum where hundreds of artefacts and two multimedia installations share the enduring cultures and histories of people from across the circumpolar North. Then take a scenic flight to Talkeetna, near the base of Denali (North America's highest peak, formerly known as Mount McKinley), followed by a drive to your wilderness lodge in Trapper Creek for a two-night stay.

Begin the day with a visit to the private homestead of Joanne Porterfield, nestled in the Alaska wilderness. Her family's gardens and farm have flourished here in the shadow of Mount McKinley for more than four decades. Set off on a wilderness jet boat adventure this afternoon. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure.

Drive today to Denali National Park, one of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers and arrive at your lodge near the entrance to the park, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, in time for lunch. This afternoon, visit Husky Homestead to meet former Iditarod champion musher Jeff King and his family and their indomitable Husky sled dogs who live and train there. Enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurants at your lodge tonight.

Rise early for a “Tundra Wilderness Tour” that takes you deep into the wilds of Denali National Park, a six-million-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, through forest and alpine tundra and over high mountain passes. Along the way you may see moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears and the awe-inspiring Denali itself, North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, and enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Traverse the Alaskan wilderness today from Denali along the Alaska Range to your lodge situated on the Copper River in the small town of Copper Center, a gateway to the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, known as "North America's Mountain Kingdom." Dinner this evening features a regional favourite, Alaskan salmon.

On a private tour you'll discover Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which is home to more glaciers and mountains above 16,000 feet than any spot in North America, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today you’ll also view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which transports crude oil from wells at Prudhoe Bay in the north to the port city of Valdez. Back at the lodge there is time to walk one of the hiking trails or perhaps go whitewater rafting before dinner.

This morning it's a drive through the Chugach Mountains where the plants and wildlife are amazing, followed by a stop at Worthing Glacier, before arriving at Valdez. Sea conditions permitting, you'll cross Prince William Sound by private boat to Whittier. Keep watch for whales, seals and soaring eagles as you enjoy the mountain views. Next you board your Princess ship in Whittier to start the 7 night cruise portion of your itinerary.

It's a day of scenic cruising as you journey toward Alaska's Hubbard Glacier, arriving mid-afternoon. Known as the Galloping Glacier this is North America's largest tidewater glacier. Soaring 40 storeys high, its blue color is created by the denseness of the ice, which absorbs all colors of the spectrum except blue. Tonight, join the ship's captain for a welcome reception.

Your inspirational journey continues as you cruise the waters of Glacier Bay, west of Juneau. Your ship cruises along shorelines and islands completely covered by ice some 200 years ago. By the time naturalist John Muir visited the area in 1879, the ice had retreated some 30 miles to form the bay you'll be exploring. Rugged mountains, spruce and hemlock forests, deep fjords, emerald waters and crisp fresh air are the day's companions, possibly along with sea otters, porpoises, seals and bald eagles. Early evening, enjoy the company of your fellow Tauck cruisers at a private cocktail party followed by dinner.

On arrival in historic Skagway, the gateway to the Klondlike region, you'll disembark for a tour of the town and a ferry ride to Haines on the Lynn Canal, the deepest and longest fjord in North America. Here you'll begin a quiet rafting trip through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to world's largest congregation of bald eagles. Next you'll travel back in time on the exciting White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway, which was built in 1898 during the gold rush. This vintage rail excursion heads up steep grades, around cliff-hanging turns, and over high bridges.

Arrive in Alaska's capital city of Juneau, set on a narrow strip of land between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, for sightseeing that includes a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier. Gather insights on the traditions of the indigenous Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest during a private cultural presentation before enjoying your afternoon at leisure. Spend most of the afternoon aboard a private whale-watching cruise off Juneau. Reboard your Princess ship late this afternoon, and sail on to Ketchikan.

Today you'll dock in Ketchikan, the ancestral home of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes, for an inside look at the role that Tlingit heritage plays in the local culture. See some of the city’s numerous totem poles, and watch local totem carvers at work at Saxman Native Village; catch a performance of traditional Tlingit and Haida dances. You'll also have time to explore this colourful town on your own. Perhaps with a walk along its historic boardwalk lined with eclectic houses and shops or take in the waterfront promenade.

Enjoy spectacular views of the fabled Inside Passage from your stateroom, or a variety of decks and lounges, on a full day of cruising amongst the densely forested islands and coastal communities of this renowned waterway. This evening, join your fellow travelling companions for a farewell cocktail party before a delicious dinner.

Your cruise itinerary ends in Vancouver, where you disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your holiday with a stay in Canada.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Boston. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, The Langham, Boston. Relax and enjoy the remainder of your day familiarising yourself with this wonderful walking city. This evening join your travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

There’s so much to see this morning as you embark on an orientation tour of Boston, visiting Boston Common and Beacon Hill, with its elegant townhouses and narrow cobblestone streets, North End and the USS Constitution Museum. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Walk the Freedom Trail, shop at famous Quincy Market or join a ‘Duck Tour’ to see the city from both land and water.

The Berkshires of western Massachusetts glow with autumn colours on a fall foliage tour that shows you why this area has long been a retreat for artists and writers. You'll begin today's discoveries in Lenox at The Mount, the hilltop Georgian mansion of Edith Wharton, which the celebrated author of The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence called her 'first real home.' The house and gardens were built to her own meticulous designs in 1902, and reflect the taste and personality of the author. Next you continue on to Williamstown for a docent-led tour of the internationally renowned Clark Art Institute, an institutions which combines a public art museum with research and academic programs. You'll arrive late afternoon at your historic resort in Manchester, Vermont, for a two-night stay.

The classic New England town of Manchester, Vermont is tucked between the Green Mountains and the Taconic Range, and is home to Equinox Mountain, the Taconics’ tallest peak. After a morning at leisure, followed by lunch, you'll set off on a self-guided visit to Hildene. This is the former summer estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, US President Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son, who himself served as US Secretary of War and minister to Great Britain. The 1905 Georgian Revival-style mansion, today on the National Register of Historic Places, is furnished largely with Lincoln family furniture and artefacts. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration and locally sourced farm-to-table dinner at the Manchester Country Club.

Today you depart Manchester and stop at the iconic Vermont Country Store before heading out across Vermont's classic New England landscapes. After lunch, arrive in Shelburne for a visit to the Shelburne Museum of Art and Americana. Spread over 45 acres, this unique museum holds a vast collection of prints, paintings, folk art and quilts reflecting 19th-century American life, in historic buildings which include barns, a meeting house, a jail, a lighthouse, and a railroad station. The village is set around the Ticonderoga, a 220-ft. steamboat that once ferried passengers and livestock on Lake Champlain. Today’s final destination is Stowe, an iconic Vermont ski resort town tucked away in the Green Mountains, for an overnight at a resort in the foothills of Mount Mansfield.

Head out from the Green Mountains of Vermont via the state capital, Montpelier, and the elegant gold-domed State House. Just outside the city, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks offers you a taste of pure maple syrup and an education in how it’s made, from the tapping of trees to the distillation of sap and the subtle shades and grades that result from an art they’ve perfected over eight generations in the family business. Continue on out of Vermont and into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, arriving in Bretton Woods for a two-night stay at the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, one of New England's last grand resort hotels. Since its opening in 1902, this palatial hotel has been a magnet for presidents, robber barons and celebrities. Babe Ruth and Thomas Edison loved to golf here.

The harshest winter weather on the planet can be found at the summit of Mount Washington, where a wind speed of 231 mph was once recorded in 1932, and the stone houses are anchored to the ground with chains. But at this time of year, you’ll meet only temperate temperatures and magnificent views, as well as the scientists at the meteorological observatory who will brief you on their work in this unique environment. It’s a day for indulging in the colourful quintessence of a fall foliage tour as you wind down New England back roads to return to your luxury resort at Bretton Woods, where you'll enjoy a presentation on the local ecology and wildlife and enjoy dinner.

This morning it is on to Portland, Maine where a local lobsterman takes you out into the harbour aboard his working boat for an authentic, hands-on experience in the lobstering trade. Back on land, enjoy time on your own along the waterfront, rich with restored 19th-century architecture and cobblestone streets, and settle in at your hotel before dinner, which is at a Bailey Island lobster house overlooking Casco Bay.

Today you make your way up to historic Bar Harbor, home to your luxury cliffside inn featuring lush gardens and panoramic waterfront views. This afternoon, you'll cruise the harbor aboard a traditional wooden schooner, experiencing the picturesque coves, islands, lighthouses, and seaside cottages with the romance of a windjammer under sail. Spend the rest of the day and evening as you please in Bar Harbor.

Luminist painters like Thomas Cole and Fitz Hugh Lane were among the first to document the awesome beauty of Bar Harbor, attracting Gilded Age high society who created an exclusive summer resort community to rival Newport. Discover exquisite examples of Victorian architecture that adorn the area en route to exploring the natural wonders of nearby Acadia National Park, colour-drenched in autumn, the highlight of any fall foliage tour. Today is filled with coves, pristine forests, beaches, plunging cliffs and rocky islands. You'll also enjoy the stunning view from the summit of Cadillac Mountain and a horse-drawn carriage ride along historic roadways within the park.

Your journeying southward this morning from Bar Harbor along the beautiful, rugged Maine coast. Following lunch and some free time in Camden, you'll arrive in Cape Neddick, near the quaint coastal town of Ogunquit – whose name translates as 'Beautiful place by the sea.' Classically New England, the region boasts tranquil coves and beaches and was once a fishing and shipbuilding center. Settle in at The Cliff House, a legendary seaside resort hotel that opened in 1872. This evening you join your new found friends for a farewell reception and dinner.

After breakfast, it’s just a short journey to Boston Airport, where you check in for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Boston. Upon arrival, transfer to The Westin Copley Place. Relax and enjoy the remainder of your day before joining your travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

Start of your first full day in Boston with a walking tour of Fenway Park stadium where past glories come alive and you'll see famous land marks such as the Triangle, Pesky’s Pole, the former location of Duffy’s Cliff, and the legendary Green Monster of left field. Next, an orientation tour of the city follows the historic Freedom Trail from the Back Bay’s Copley Square to Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ memorial to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw in Boston Common, the State House, the Old North Church, the Old State House and the South Meeting House. Enjoy lunch at the Union Oyster House with a 'foodie' walking and tasting tour at Boston Public Market. 

Depart the city of Boston for the nearby flashpoint of the American Revolution, the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord. First, travel to the Lexington Battle Green, where the 'shot heard ‘round the world' that signaled the beginning of hostilities was fired and also, where Concord’s Old North Bridge and iconic Minuteman statue, cast from the bronze of Civil War cannons, in Minute Man National Historic Park. Head west across the center of Massachusetts, stopping for lunch en route to the city of Pittsfield in the Berkshires, for a late afternoon arrival at your boutique hotel created from a pair of 19th-century commercial buildings on the National Historic Register.

Begin today's discoveries in Stockbridge at the Norman Rockwell Museum, dedicated to the beloved illustrator whose hundreds of covers for the Saturday Evening Post depicting scenes from small-town America, including here in Stockbridge, where he spent the last 25 years of his life illuminating the lives of ordinary people with humour and pathos. You'll have the opportunity to view many original works by Rockwell, and visit his preserved studio. Next, head to Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield for a private 'Lunch, Grace & Song' tour of this former Shaker settlement. Today it’s a living-history museum featuring 20 authentic Shaker buildings, costumed interpreters, rich collections of Shaker furniture and artefacts, a working farm with extensive gardens and heritage-breed livestock and more. Continue on to Manchester, Vermont, for an overnight at a historic New England mountain resort, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa.

Depart your Vermont resort and drive into the New Hampshire countryside for an exclusive insider look at Ken Burns’s private film studio in Walpole and some free time in town. Embracing ideas of sustainable land use and forest conservation from a book called Man and Nature, Frederick Billings created a model farm whose cows and produce gained national attention. Meet the Jersey cows at Billings Farm and Museum back in Vermont and get a firsthand look at its farming and forestry methods, which changed ideas about farming in turn-of-the-century New England. Have lunch in town and indulge in stunning panoramas of New Hampshire's White Mountains, arriving for two-night stay at a true New England classic, the spectacular Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, a National Historic Landmark.

Your day in the beautiful White Mountains starts with a New Hampshire Maple Experience, an interactive virtual tour revealing the art of creating authentic New Hampshire maple syrup, including the sap-boiling process in the sugarhouse, a maple museum and, of course, a tasting of maple syrup, other maple sugar products, and homemade sour pickles. Back at the Omni Mount Washington, enjoy lunch and a free afternoon. If you wish, you may join us for a scenic drive through the White Mountains region or a hotel history tour of your famous Bretton Woods resort, where you’ll have dinner at your leisure tonight.

A wildlife talk at your White Mountains resort this morning offers an appreciation of the ecology of the glorious landscapes that you’ll journey through today as you wind your way to Maine. You'll arrive midday at Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, named by the Abenaki tribe, because the word means 'beautiful place by the sea'.  The area is known for its stunning walking trails which you'll have an opportunity to explore with a walk along the famed Marginal Way trail that hugs the coast. Arrive for an overnight stay at your celebrated oceanfront resort, Cliff House, perched on the craggy cliffs of Cape Neddick. Cap your tour of New England with a farewell reception and classic lobster bake dinner at your resort tonight.

There may be time for some last minute sightseeing before you transfer back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Montreal. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel which is set in the heart of Old Montreal, just a short walk from world-class museums and shopping, vibrant nightlife and centuries-old historic sites. This evening, meet your Tauck Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

Gleaming skyscrapers and timeless 17th century cobblestone lanes greet you on this morning’s city tour of romantic, beguiling Montreal.  Enjoy views of McGill University’s downtown and Mont Royal, the iconic summit and landscaped park visible from all parts of the city. Stroll through Old Montreal with your guide through narrow streets that date back to the city’s founding in 1642. Explore the galleries, cafés, shops and museums before lunch. Depart Montreal for a drive through Québécois farmland to the U.S. border and on through mountain views, foothill farms and orchards. A short stop at Ausable Chasm reveals nature’s power in the roar of waterfalls set deep within towering cliffs in the Grand Canyon of the East.

The day begins with a private boat cruise on Lake Placid in the Adirondack wilderness. Then visit the Lake Placid Olympic Center to watch the thrilling ski-jumping demonstration, and drink in the area’s beauty over lunch. Afterwards, visit the nearby John Brown Farm, the historic home and burial site of the abolitionist who led the ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859, prior to the start of the Civil War. Return to your hotel for some free time. Enjoy a leisurely walk along Mirror Lake, take in the views from an Adirondack chair and explore the alpine village of Lake Placid. Have dinner at the hotel tonight.

This morning take a drive through the Adirondacks' rugged mountains and vast forests, home to lakeside villages and quaint towns. Arrive at Blue Mountain Lake and visit the renowned Adirondack Museum which hosts modern galleries and historic buildings. Learn about the Adirondacks' residents and their life's work, from logging to mining and railroad building and their traditional hobbies, from hiking, to rock climbing, skiing and snowshoeing. After lunch, stunning scenery continues on a drive to your accommodation, a gorgeous resort lodge in Bolton Landing on the shores of a private island at Lake George.

From Lake George, head south through rolling countryside, home to small farms, wineries and villages, with a stop in the resort town of Saratoga Springs. Continue on to Olana State Historic Site in Greenport, the former riverside home of noted 19th century landscape painter, Frederic Edwin Church, for a private visit including lunch in the Wagon House. Preserved much as it was during Church's lifetime, the estate displays many exotic objects collected by the Churches on their world travels, as well as some 40 paintings by the artist and his contemporaries. Your final destination is Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian 'castle' set on forested cliffs above Lake Mohonk, once frequented by presidents, celebrities and industrialists.

Fantastically wealthy retreats of statesmen and robber barons preside on the cliffs along the river like castles on the Rhine, and today you'll visit several of them. Explore the Roosevelt National Historic Site at Hyde Park, the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his summer White House. A guided visit to Springwood, the family mansion, offers a window into an American way of life modeled on an English country estate. Afterwards, a stop in historic Rhinebeck along the Hudson leaves time for lunch on your own and a chance to wander through a town designated as a National Landmark District filled with arts and culture. Return to Mohonk Mountain House late afternoon and have dinner at the hotel.

This morning features an upscale 19th-century view of Hudson Valley life on a visit to critically acclaimed Boscobel Mansion. A tour of the house brings with it a trove of Federal antiques, spectacular Hudson views and the story of its rescue. Next up, get an inside view of the US Military Academy at West Point on a guided tour that tells the story of its historic role in the Revolution, the contemporary experience of its cadets, and of those who have left their mark here, including George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur and Dwight Eisenhower. Your accommodations tonight are in the historic town of Tarrytown, where writer Washington Irving did much to enlarge the myths, legends and Dutch history you'll find in this region.

This morning you'll visit John D. Rockefeller's six-story stone mansion, Kykuit, set on 3,000 acres and looking out over the Hudson River and the New York skyline in the distance. Stroll through terraced gardens, where fountains, pavilions and sculptures include the work of Alexander Calder and Henry Moore, and art galleries featuring 20th-century art. After lunch depart for your final destination. Your hotel, Le Parker Meridien, is just steps away from New York City’s Central Park. Explore on your own tonight in the heart of the "Big Apple."

Feel the energy of Manhattan on this morning’s New York City tour, accompanied by a local expert who maps out landmark sights and the stories behind them. Head to Lower Manhattan to view St. Paul’s Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial, honoring those who were lost and expressing hope for the future. Meet an NYPD detective who interprets the poignant events of September 11th and the subsequent recovery efforts. See Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, and the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. Next up is an unobstructed view of the city’s sensational man-made peaks and valleys, from 70 floors up. Visit to the Top of the Rock atop a Rockefeller Center skyscraper and learn about its construction, which put thousands of people to work just after the 1929 stock market crash. Tonight, join your fellow travelling companions for a farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

There’s time for some last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping before your transfer to your New York airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Philadelphia. Upon arrival, a transfer to your hotel, the Sofitel Philadelphia, is included. This evening meet up with your fellow Tauck travellers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner. 

Steeped in history, Philadelphia combines the old with the new. Enjoy a day exploring the many attractions. Begin the morning with an early-opening private tour of the Museum of the American Revolution, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district. Tour Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and view the Liberty Bell, before spending the rest of the day as you please.

Travel through rolling Pennsylvania farmland to Lancaster County for a guided tour that reveals the cultural traditions of the Amish. Continue on to Gettysburg National Military Park for a visit to the amazing interpretive center and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War which features 12 exhibit galleries. Following dinner, a storyteller recounts the harrowing experience of civilians trapped in the town of Gettysburg during the ferocious fighting.

A morning drive with a Gettysburg expert takes you through some of the battlefields, viewing pivotal sites and hearing their stories. Travel on to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where you’ll visit to the site of John Brown’s failed 1859 raid on the town’s federal arsenal. You'll travel through some of these towns as you continue on this afternoon to Charlottesville, Virginia for a two-night stay.

Today you travel to Charlottesville for a visit to the third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson’s beloved Monticello, hilltop house. After lunch featuring colonial fare and servers in 18th-century period attire, visit the University of Virginia’s landmark Rotunda and Grounds. You’ll end the afternoon with a private presentation on “Slavery, the Plantation and the Civil War” by Dr. Leni Sorensen. 

Begin the day with a private guided tour of the historic Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson and French architect Charles-Louis Clérisseau, and modeled after an ancient Roman temple in southern France. Following lunch at a local bistro, enjoy a walking tour of Richmond's historic center led by guides from the city's celebrated 120-year-old history museum, The Valentine. Today’s final destination is Colonial Williamsburg, where you’ll spend the next two nights. 

Colonial Williamsburg is yours to explore as you please. Discover the recreated cobblestone streets which bring a bygone era back to life. Encounter local residents, from artisans and tradespeople to militiamen and ordinary citizens. Visit authentically restored buildings such as the Governor’s Palace, Raleigh Tavern and Bruton Parish Church. You’ll enjoy activities and demonstrations throughout the day.

This morning visit magnificent Mount Vernon, the estate of America’s first president, George Washington. Overlooking the Potomac River, explore the state-of-the-art interactive museum, the 18th century mansion and landscaped grounds. You’ll have a late afternoon arrival in Washington, DC, and dine at a local restaurant.

Today you’ll start with a sightseeing tour of iconic Washington sights, including the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Mall, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. On a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, you’ll have an opportunity to see the poignant memorials to those who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Then it’s on to Newseum, a captivating museum featuring interactive exhibits about the world of media.

This morning it’s an early admission to the Rotunda of the National Archives for a private viewing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The afternoon is free for you to take in more attractions, or perhaps go shopping. This evening, a memorable week concludes with a farewell reception and dinner.

Time for some last minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to San Francisco. Upon arrival, transfer to the JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square. This evening you’ll enjoy a welcome reception and dinner with you fellow travelling companions. 

This morning, enjoy a private catamaran cruise of San Francisco’s Bay area, taking you under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz Island. Back on land, enjoy a guided visit to the Sourdough Bread Museum, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon you'll embark on a sightseeing tour, taking you to some of the city’s most famous attractions including Nob Hill, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and Lombard Street. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to explore this iconic cit. Perhaps enjoy some shopping, take a trip over to Alcatraz Island or stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf.

You’ll leave San Francisco behind this morning as you travel towards the Sierra Nevada. En route you’ll visit the Altamont Wind Farm, one of the earliest wind farms in the United States. Continuing on to Jamestown, you’ll enjoy lunch in a historic 1859 hotel. Tonight’s accommodation is a mountain resort just outside Yosemite National Park. Have dinner at leisure before embarking on an interpretive hike into the Sierra National Forest, using flashlights to light your trail. 

Your day in Yosemite National Park begins with a privately guided visit to Glacier Point. Towering 3,200 feet above the valley floor, this impressive scenic overlook offers commanding panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite's high country and the stunning High Sierra. After lunch at the lodge you could put your rock-wall climbing to the test or try your hand at archery. This evening have a go at panning for gold, just like the old prospectors. Later enjoy a BBQ dinner while being entertained by the Sugar Pine Singers. Board The Logger for a narrow-gauge rail excursion powered by a vintage Shay steam locomotive through Sierra National Forest and gather around the campfire for a sing-along during a stopover in the canyon.

You'll learn about Yosemite National Park's history, geology, plant and animal life, and must-see attractions from park rangers during a two-hour open-air tram tour along the Yosemite Valley floor. See waterfalls such as Bridalveil, Horsetail and Ribbon Falls with their spectacular rock formations, nearly vertical granite cliffs, quiet pools and open meadows. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park.

En route from Yosemite to the coast of the blue Pacific, stop in historic Mariposa, reminiscent of the Gold Rush era. Visit the Mariposa Museum & History Center, whose exhibits tell the stories of indigenous Miwuk Indians, Chinese immigrants who came to California seeking a better way of life and the oldest county courthouse west of the Rockies. Continue your California travel through the San Joaquin Valley where you'll see vineyards, nuts, citrus fruits and vegetables basking in the sun. After lunch, traverse the Coast Mountains to California's Pacific coast, winding your way along the Monterey Peninsula via the 17-Mile Drive to the renowned Pebble Beach golf course. Your family will spend the next two nights in seaside Monterey at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, ideally situated in historic Cannery Row next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Monterey Bay.

Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, your hotel is ideally located to explore the pretty town of Monterey. This morning you can choose between a bicycle tour along the coast, a kayak adventure or a self-guided walking tour. During a visit to the Monterey Aquarium you will learn all about marine life, with over 200 galleries and exhibits including giant octupuses, jellyfish, large green sea turtles, barracuda, sharks and coral reefs, as well as natural displays that showcase playful otters and endearing black-footed penguins. Tonight, enjoy a private farewell dinner with your fellow travelling companions. 

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before your transfer back to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Traverse City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, a beautiful resort set on 900 acres. Join your tour director and travelling companions for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.

Today, journey along the west coast, passing through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You'll enjoy great views of the protected 35 mile-long shoreline which has an amazing palette, ranging from pale champagne to burnt sienna, and dunes which spike up to 400ft! This afternoon, board the 114-foot schooner Manitou for a private tall ship cruise on the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay. The season's fruits from the vine are samped in a private wine tasting tour at Black Star Farms. This evening, enjoy a private winery dinner.

Visit the Music House Museum this morning, home to antique musical instruments and music-making machines, before continuing your scenic journey to the Straits of Mackinac, where visits to Petoskey and the historic Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse will be enjoyed. In the afternoon, you take the ferry to Mackinac Island, which is only accessible by water or air. On arrival, a horse-drawn carriage awaits and transports you back in time to the Victorian era of the late 1800s. Your two night stay is at the most celebrated hotel in America.

First inhabited by the Europeans more than three centuries ago, Mackinac Island measures just two miles by three miles and remains an unspoilt treasure. Motorised vehicles are not allowed, so all visitors and residents travel by foot, bicycle and carriage. In this spirit, your private tour of the island is by horse-drawn carriage. Visit Fort Mackinac which has stood watch over the Straits of Mackinac for over 200 years and enjoy a presentation by a local resident historian who shares unique anecdotes about you famous landmark hotel, then the remainder of the day is free for exploration.

This morning you visit Midland for a tour of the architect Alden B. Dow's home. The home is a National Historic landmark. You'll spend tonight on the east bank of Saginaw River, in the heart of historic downtown Bay City.

Today, visit the little village of Frankenmuth, founded by German pioneers in the 1840s and stop for lunch and some free time to wander around. Continue on to Dearborn, a city instrumental in America's automobile culture, where a guided visit to The Henry Ford Museum is a fascinating experience. Historic trains, automobiles, airplanes and more help illustrate the American experience of 150 years of progress and innovation. You'll also visit Dymaxion House, created by R. Buckminster Fuller and the homes and workplaces of ground-breaking innovators such as Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Harvey Firestone. During dinner at your hotel tonight, enjoy a private Motown musical performance by a live band.

Your final full day includes a private guided visit this morning to the impressive Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn. Then head to Detroit to see the Renaissance Center, Comerica Park Journey, the Fox Theatre and more. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon back in Dearborn, take an included spin in a Model T before your farewell reception and dinner with your new-found friends.

There's time this morning for a spot of shopping before returning to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel Chaco, an ultra-modern hotel inspired by the ancient local Chacoan culture and nestled between Albuquerque's historic Old Town and the vibrant Sawmill district, against a backdrop of New Mexico’s mesas and the Sandia Mountains. Tonight you join your fellow Tauck companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

After lunch,Today your fascinating New Mexico itinerary explores the state's myriad cultural influences, from Pueblo tribes to innovations of the Atomic and Nuclear ages. A guided sightseeing tour of Albuquerque includes historic Nob Hill, the University of New Mexico, downtown districts and Old Town Albuquerque.  Visit the National Museum of Nuclear Science, a private welcome and introductory talk by a museum docent provides insights on New Mexico’s unique role in the history of the Nuclear Age. After lunch, take a closer look at the history and accomplishments of the Pueblo people, from pre-Columbian to modern day, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Dine at your resort tonight.

Depart Albuquerque this morning and stop at Jemez State Monument to see the ruins of its 17th-century mission church before peeking into the lives of the ancient Anasazi Pueblo culture at Bandelier National Monument, one of North America’s oldest human settlements. Lunch is held in a 100-year-old adobe home, enhancing today’s journey to the Taos region, which has long attracted a thriving and talented community of artists and craftsmen with the scenic beauty of its contrasting forests and deserts. Visit Santuario de Chimayo and the iconic 18th century San Francisco de Asís Mission Church en route to your Taos resort, where you'll spend the next two nights and enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight.

Start your day with a private lecture sharing insights on Pueblo life, culture and arts. A guided excursion to continually inhabited multi-storied Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases a unique way of life that has remained unchanged for almost ten centuries. A storyteller enriches your journey with regional tales and legends as you cross Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The remainder of the day is yours to explore or relax.

Today’s gentle float trip on the Rio Grande, accompanied by a native guide, ends with a traditional Pueblo Indian cooking demonstration and lunch at the side of the river. Watch local artisans weaving baskets and crafting drums, before continuing your journey alongside the mighty Rio Grande waterway to Santa Fe. En route there is a memorable guided visit to Ghost Ranch, immortalized in the work of artist Georgia O’Keeffe; where you'll explore the area's stunning landscapes, and view trees and mountains as O'Keeffe saw and painted them. Arrive at your luxury hotel and spa in historic Santa Fe in time for dinner at your leisure.

As the crossroads of the historic Southwest, Santa Fe's unique culture and ambiance are a blend of Spanish, Native American and Old West influences. Experience this diverse cultural mix on a guided walking tour of Santa Fe's centuries-old center, including America's oldest public building, the Palace of the Governors; your hotel is just steps from the city's historic plaza, terminus of the storied Santa Fe Trail. Discover the tasty secrets of southwestern cuisine at a private presentation by a local chef, followed by lunch highlighting the city's diverse heritage at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Next its a private guided tour of the New Mexico History Museum, for a guided look at the legacy of the Spanish Colonial era. 

Enjoy an exclusive private morning visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe – revealing the sensuous landscapes and other works by this renowned 20th-century artist, who so loved this part of the Southwest that she made it her home later in life. The collection contains over 1,100 paintings, sculptures and drawings by O'Keeffe herself, and nearly 1,800 works by her contemporaries, including many photos chronicling her life and career. Later you'll visit the home and studio of an acclaimed local artist, for an in-depth understanding of the art styles of New Mexico. This evening a farewell reception and dinner brings your journey to a close.

There may be time for some last minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing before you transfer back to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen flight to New Orleans. Upon arrival, take the complimentary transfer to your hotel, which is located in the heart of the French Quarter. This evening, meet your fellow travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

As your hotel boasts a wonderful location, today you set out on foot for a walking tour from picturesque Jackson Square to bustling Bourbon Street. En route, discover the cool sounds of jazz as you meander through Canal Street, the waterfront and the Warehouse District. Discover the French Quarter from venerable Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo and Bourbon Street on a guided walking tour. Savour local culinary delights including beignets and etouffees, whilst enjoying a private demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Later, you’ll be introduced to the magical world of Mardi Gras, with an insider's view of how this festivity is planned and created. This evening, enjoy a private jazz experience at the legendary Preservation Hall. 

Begin the day with a flightseeing tour of New Orleans for views of the French Quarter, Mississippi River, canals, and wetlands, with commentary by your pilot. Sitting below sea level, New Orleans has experienced the destructive force of mother nature, which you'll learn more about at a private lecture by Nellie Watson, an expert on the interplay of humans, architecture and the environment. In the city that many consider the birthplace of jazz and the hometown of prominent jazz greats from Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet to Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr., you'll check out the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint in the French Quarter, where the focus is on jazz as an art form. For dinner tonight, get a true taste of New Orleans' famous cuisine at a restaurant of your choosing.

Leaving New Orleans, you'll head out into the countryside for an alligator bayou tour in an excursion boat with a local guide, then begin your discovery of Louisiana's "River Road" plantations with a visit to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens along the "big bend" of the Mississippi River. Enjoy a private Houmans House tour,  have lunch at the plantation and stroll at your leisure through some of its 38 acres of exquisite gardens. Continue on to Nottoway Plantation & Resort, home to the largest existing antebellum mansion in the South, where's you'll spend the next two nights. Your stay begins in style in the Mansion House with a guided tour and a private mint julep reception, followed by an elegant private dinner accompanied by a string quartet in the White Parlor.

Travel to Baton Rouge today and step back in time at the LSU Rural Life Museum, a living-history museum re-creating the lifestyles and folkways of rural Louisianans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Continue on to downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital city, and learn about the life and legacy of Huey P. Long, Louisiana's controversial populist Governor of the 1930s, in a guided visit to the Old State Capitol. After lunch at a local restaurant, head back to Nottoway Plantation for an afternoon and evening spent as you please.

Return to New Orleans this morning for another two-night stay in the Crescent City, which begins with a guided visit and time on your own at the National World War II Museum. Your visit begins with a viewing of the award-winning “4-D” multi-media experience Beyond All Boundaries, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks and featuring the voice talents Brad Pitt, Viola Davis, and more. Enjoy brunch accompanied by an entertaining USO-style musical show at the museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen, featuring cuisine by The American Sector restaurant. Take time to explore the museum’s many state-of-the-art exhibits at your own pace. Late this afternoon, check into your stylish accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, on Canal Street in the French Quarter, then spend an evening as you please in this unique American city.

Visit more iconic destinations as you continue to tour New Orleans today. Begin with sightseeing in the Garden District, then hop aboard an authentic New Orleans streetcar for a private tour along Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue, accompanied by a New Orleans resident. Return late morning to your hotel, and spend the rest of the day exploring more of New Orleans at your leisure. Tonight, experience the best of the Cresent City as you head to celebrated Arnaud's Restaurant to enjoy a private farewell jazz reception, followed by dinner at this French Quarter institution.

There’s time for some last minute souvenir shopping before taking your transfer back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Seattle. Upon arrival transfer to the Roosevelt Seattle, meet your fellow travelling companions at the welcome meeting and dinner this evening.

Olympic National Park is one of the most unique and diverse parks in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today you'll visit the Hoh Rain Forest, an old-growth forest located in the stretch of the Pacific Northwest rainforest. The forest constantly renews itself from fallen trees, moss drips from tall branches and deer seek refuge amongst the dense camouflage. Tonight you’ll stay in the cabins by beautiful Lake Crescent, which provide the ideal location to relax and watch the sun set.

This morning you make your way to Port Angeles to board the ferry for Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.  Victoria is well-known as an ideal place to spot Orca Whales and you will be setting of on an Orca viewing Zodiac RIB tour designed to search for these magnificent mammals on an exhilarating ride in the open air.

Make your way around the coastal road before heading inland and up to Cathedral Cove in MacMillan Provincial Park. Here you will find the rare and endangered remnants of an ancient Douglas fir ecosystem. The oldest trees date back roughly 800 years and can grow as tall as 75 metres with a diameter of around nine metres. Later, continue inland until you reach Pacific Rim National Park where you walk the Schooner Cove Trail. The trail meanders through lush rainforests and over streams before arriving at the coast. Tonight you will arrive in Tofino for a two-night stay at the WAY Point Resort Yurts. The Yurts are set up along the beach, just steps from the ocean and provide a unique platform tenting experience.

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before you transfer independently back to the airport for your flight home.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Phoenix. Upon arrival transfer to the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. You'll enjoy a welcome reception and dinner this evening, with your new fellow travelling companions.

Visit the picturesque town of Sedona, surrounded by towering red-rock formations with names like Coffeepot, Cathedral and Thunder Mountain. The scenery is awe-inspiring. Next it is on to Grand Canyon National Park, the matriarch of national parks! Spend the night near the canyon’s rim from where you will be able to enjoy nature’s masterpiece after the day’s crowds depart. This is sure to be a highlight of your family's adventure. Dine at a choice of park restaurants this evening.

If you choose to do so, watching the Grand Canyons glorious sunrise is worth the early start to your day. Enjoy some time exploring the area, whilst keeping an eye out for mule deer, squirrels and other wildlife roaming the cactus-studded landscape. Next it's a guided driving tour of the Canyon's East Rim and stops at several scenic points including Desert View Lookout. The next destination is a unique, man-made lake in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - Lake Powell. Have fun at the evenings private pizza party taking place at your lakefront resort, followed by a campfire and s'mores!

Take to the skies and discover Mother Nature's handiwork on a flightseeing excursion over the world's largest natural bridge; Rainbow Bridge spans 275 feet across Rainbow Creek in an almost perfect parabolic arch. This afternoon, take a private lake cruise and guided tour to view Antelope Canyon, one of the colourful slot canyons in the Navajo Nation. They are revered for their special beauty and change color as the sun moves overhead. You also have the option (at an additional cost) to go on a 4-hour flightseeing excursion to Monument Valley in the morning.

This morning is an adventure - floating along the Colorado River and through Glen Canyon aboard a pontoon raft. Next its a change of pace and scenery with a taste of western entertainment during lunch in Kanab, Utah, a favourite location for famous cowboy movies. You'll be staying in Bryce Canyon National Park tonight, naturally painted in shades of pink and orange.

Wake up to nature’s palette of brilliant colours in the canyon and get a closer look at the whimsical hoodoos and intricately carved pillars of rock just a short walk from your lodge. Weather permitting, you can saddle up for an exciting trail ride on a horse or a mule, accompanied by a cowboy who highlights hidden sights in this geologic fantasyland. Depart for Zion National Park this afternoon. On arrival enjoy a private tram tour of the parks highlights.

The morning is at leisure to explore as you wish. Read the rocks in Zion's cliff-and-canyon landscapes, take a hike through narrow pink-coloured gorges and dramatic canyons or discover creamy-pink Navajo Sandstone cliffs that reach up to 2,200 feet in height! Travel to Las Vegas for an overnight stay and a farewell dinner amidst the city's blazing neon lights..

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Breakfast included

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Grand Junction, Colorado. Upon arrival, independently transfer to DoubleTree by Hilton at Grand Junction.

Transfer from Grand Junction to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah, your base for the next three nights. This evening, learn about the days ahead through filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan join Tauck and join your traveling companions for a welcome reception and cowboy cookout dinner. 

An early start this morning to witness the sun rise in the Windows section of Arches National Park; the first light of day on Turret Arch and Double Arch creates picture-postcard photography. Arches National Park holds the world's largest concentration of natural sandstone arches with over 2,000 throughout the park. View Delicate Arch, the amazing Balanced Rock, and a variety of sensational geological formations during guided sightseeing before returning to the lodge for lunch. Get set for adventure this afternoon when you depart on a scenic float trip along on the Colorado River. There is an optional Sunset Scouts walk, before spending your evening in the lodge, where you dine at your leisure and are steeped in the authenticity of an architectural style that defines the West.
 

Enjoy a morning trip to Castle Rock with spectacular views of Book Cliffs and Arches National Park – from the top of a mesa, enjoy views that extend out to Arches National Park, Colorado, and the La Salle Mountains. A lecture by a local Navajo connects you to the sacredness of the desert, to the ancient spiritual life that transcends today’s world. Depart for the little town of Moab, then on to Canyonlands National Park, whose countless canyons, mesas and buttes shadow the Colorado River and the Green River. These rivers divide the park into four districts – today you’ll explore the northern section, Island in the Sky, where among other formations you’ll see a famed pothole arch, Mesa Arch, overlooking Buck Canyon. There is no better way to experience Canyonlands than at sunset – and the setting sun, during a picnic dinner at Dead Horse Point overlooking the U-turn in the Colorado River, is nothing short of inspirational.

Enjoy some free time this morning – go on an optional Dawn Patrol or visit the Film Museum at the lodge. For the past 70 years, many of the most famous western movies were filmed in and around Moab – learn about the filming locations and the stars who brought them to life. Gain insight from Dayton Duncan as to the best way to access the major sights in the national parks; some are available at a turnout, while others are inaccessible and require back-country hiking or an aerial overview – and that is exactly how you’ll tour Capitol Reef National Park today. Cross the Waterpocket Fold, which is sort of a “warp” in the Earth’s crust that runs nearly 100 miles, and see Strike Valley, the spectacular sandstone Capitol Domes that give the park its name, colourful cliffs and soaring spires. Arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park, home to some of Earth’s more whimsical geologic formations; spend some time at the Visitor Centre and enjoy some free time before dinner – there is an optional Sunset Scouts this evening.

Another independent Dawn Patrol is available this morning – a hike along the rim of Bryce Canyon to catch the shocking array of colours illuminated by the first rays of light on the hoodoos below. More of a series of horseshoe “amphitheatres” than a canyon, morning walks reveal millions of pinnacles positively glowing. This afternoon, depart for Zion National Park; en route you’ll learn about the park’s complicated creation via a film  by Ken Burns, who shares his favourite memories of the park. Upon arrival, Ryan Paul, Curator of Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (formerly Iron Mission State Park), entertains with a lecture on “singaways” and the contribution of the Union Pacific Railroad to the story of the national parks. There is an independent Sunset Scouts opportunity tonight to the historic Virgin River bridge located at the mouth of the canyon.

Zion’s most striking images are unique sandstone cliffs that range from towering monoliths to narrow canyons, changing in colour from light cream to pink to red. Tour the park, with walks to Weeping Rock and the Court of the Patriarchs, then have some free time to explore as you please. Late afternoon, internationally acclaimed environmental historian and author Alfred Runte gives a talk on the history of the railroad in the national parks. This evening, you may choose to do an independent Sunset Scouts’ visit to the Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River that earned the designation “wild and scenic".

Leave Zion, and en route to Grand Canyon National Park get a guided tour of fascinating Pipe Spring National Monument to learn about Paiute Indian and Mormon pioneer history. Drive to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, a place more intimate and less crowded than the South Rim, with fewer than 10% of the park’s total annual visitors. Following lunch, explore the North Rim, including the vistas from Point Imperial. Dinner tonight is at the Grand Canyon Lodge - North Rim.

Spend today exploring the Grand Canyon at your leisure. Optional activities include mule rides and additional ranger talks about history and geology.

Today you fly from Kanab over the western regions of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas for your return home. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a farewell dinner with your travel companions.

There may be time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before returning to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Savannah. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel The Desoto located in Savannah's historic center, just a few blocks from the bustling waterfront.

Surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, magnificent homes, and architectural gems, your hotel in the historic heart of Georgia's First City offers a mix of warm Southern charm and modern style. Begin your day of exploring with a visit to the Massie Heritage Center. Originally founded as the Massie School in the mid-1800s, the historic institution is now an interactive museum preserving Savannah’s rich cultural heritage. Next, engage in a hands-on culinary demonstration focusing on dishes representing the unique cuisine of the coastal Low Country region, followed by lunch. Spend the afternoon sightseeing aboard a touring trolley with a local guide, admire the city's elegant architecture and geometric city design, featuring 24 park squares highlighted by live oaks draped with Spanish moss. One of the first planned cities in America, Savannah's National Historic Landmark District is the largest in the nation and features more than 1,000 architecturally significant buildings.

Today you'll embark on a guided excursion through the Low Country region along the Georgia coast. Begin with an opportunity to experience firsthand the unique Gullah / Geechee culture that developed in the wetlands approaching the outlying Sea Islands of Georgia at the Pin Point Heritage Museum. The museum's exhibits and multimedia presentations interpret the oyster fishing traditions and folkways of the residents of Pin Point which for nearly a century survived as an isolated, self-sustaining Gullah / Geechee enclave. Continue past old Spanish fortifications to Wormsloe State Historic Site, Georgia's oldest plantation and its original "tabby" house, now complemented by a museum, theatre and Colonial Life area. Return to Savannah for a free afternoon, followed by a celebration of the city’s Madeira wine traditions at the Davenport House Museum, featuring a tour and a tasting in the historic home's private gardens. Later enjoy an after-hours admission to the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force for a private tour of its exhibits and a private dinner in the museum's reception hall.

Bid Savannah farewell and head off to a key site of the Civil War, Fort Pulaski National Monument, an impressive brick fortress captured by Union forces in 1862. It was here that military history was forever changed during a Civil War battle that saw the introduction of "rifled cannons." Continue on to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, boasting one of the most pristine marine estuaries on the east coast, where you'll find miles of barrier beaches outside of your oceanfront resort that are ideal for walking and beachcombing. Dine this evening at the resort.

Take time for an early morning walk on Hilton Head's pristine beaches at your leisure before setting off for historic Beaufort, where you’re joined by a local Gullah resident and guide for an in-depth look at the unique culture and heritage of the Gullah people on the nearby islands. In Beaufort, "Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands," you'll view the timeless architecture of a National Historic Landmark District. Continue on to Charleston, the  historic first capital of South Carolina. A private boat cruise of Charleston Harbor this afternoon imparts a wealth of information about the city's centuries of maritime history. Your home for the next three nights is an elegant 150-year-old hotel, The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel, at the center of Charleston's historic district.

This morning, a local guide takes you on a tour of Charleston to see centuries-old cobblestone streets and well-preserved homes representing a range of architectural styles. From the Revolutionary War period to Antebellum mansions, classic Georgia, Federal, Adamesque, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian. Visit the famed military school known as The Citadel, and the Battery. The rest of the day is free to do as you please, Charleston is a great city to explore by foot, or you might decide to see it by horsedrawn carriage. Alternatively, visit the Gibbes Museum of Art, or Fort Sumter National Monument, where the first shot of the Civil War was fired in 1861. There are also many restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy the easy living this city is so well known for.

Visit some of the finest historic plantations and gardens in America today. A morning trip takes you first to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for a tour of the magnificent Romantic-style garden. Some sections of the gardens are more than 325 years old, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in America. Then it's on to one of the grandest of the notable Ashley River Plantations, Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark that is home to America's oldest landscaped gardens. Tour its mansion built in 1755, the stables and the formal gardens. Return to Charleston mid-afternoon, then join your travel companions this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at your historic hotel.

Spend your final morning in Charleston, perhaps shopping for souvenirs before heading to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen flight to Jackson, Wyoming. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Jackson Lake Lodge, which is fabulously located within Grand Teton National Park.

Spend your first full day exploring the quaint town of Jackson, which is filled with boutique shops and casual eateries, or head out into the national park. This evening, meet your fellow travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

Watch out for the spectacular wildlife, ranging from moose and elk to beavers and bald eagles, during an exhilarating ten-mile rafting trip along Snake River. This afternoon and evening are yours to explore Grand Teton National Park at leisure or make the short trip into the historic town of Jackson.

This morning, you’ll be enriched with the story of Grand Teton National Park and the immense efforts in place to preserve the environment. Next, it’s on to Yellowstone National Park where you will learn about the phenomenon of the world's first National Park, globally known for its unique geothermal activity. There’s an opportunity to witness Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone’s number one attraction, shooting 184 feet in the air, before enjoying dinner at leisure at Old Faithful Inn.

Yellowstone National Park has so much to see you need a second day. Witness some of Yellowstone’s abundant geysers, bright coloured hot springs, bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and other geothermal wonders, before following the Firehole River into the deep canyons to Fountain Paint Pot. Your accommodation for this evening is an historic 19th century hotel which is located on the shores of Lake Yellowstone.

Leaving the National Parks behind, today it is out into the open planes of western Wyoming and the 1890s town of Cody, named for its founder William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody. You’ll experience the authentic “Wild West” at Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which includes the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, the Plains Indian Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum. Tonight, enjoy a western themed evening at the Cody Rodeo or the Cowboy Music Revue (depending on the season).

You will witness spectacular Bighorn Mountain scenery of rugged canyons, sparkling waterfalls and colourful vegetation en route to Buffalo, where a fabulous cookhouse lunch, horseback ride, roping demonstrations and a horse whispering session at the TA Ranch await your arrival. Then it’s on to a second Wyoming ranch where you will enjoy dinner and spend the evening at leisure.

Today is a journey into the Black Hills of South Dakota, a spectacular location, where you’ll have lunch at the Crazy Horse Memorial, a grand rock sculpture that will stand as the largest stone carving in the world once completed. Next it is on to famous Mount Rushmore, a majestic mountain where the faces of former presidents are carved into the granite. This evening, enjoy a farewell reception and dinner in Rapid City.

There’s time for some last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping before your transfer to Rapid City Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen flight to Jackson, Wyoming. Upon arrival, transfer to the Wort Hotel and join your fellow travel companions for a welcome reception and dinner at your historic hotel in downtown Jackson, rich in Wild West lore.

Embark on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip on the Snake River this morning, learning more about the sights you’ll see with your naturalist guide. Then, after lunch on your own in Jackson, channel your inner cowboy for an afternoon at Snake River Ranch, a working cattle ranch run by the same family since the 1920s. Saddle up for a ride with seasoned ranch hands through the pastures of this 3,000 plus acre ranch, learning about, and experiencing, a day in the life of a real American cowboy. Alternatively, travel like a pioneer on a horse-drawn wagon. Tonight enjoy some traditional cowboy entertainment at the ranch before retuning to The Wort Hotel for the rest of the evening.

After breakfast, drive from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park for a naturally inspiring stay in the heart of a thermal wonderland, entering through the South Entrance and continuing to Grant Village and along the western shore of Yellowstone Lake. Walking and hiking are must do activities in Yellowstone. Following lunch at the historic Lake Hotel, you can stretch your legs with a short hike to take in the otherworldly sights and smells of the geothermal wonders of the Norris Geyser Basin, at sites such as Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron. Continue exploring through the beautiful Hayden Valley, and arrive late afternoon at the newly renovated Canyon Lodge and Cabins for a two-night inside-the-park stay. Have dinner at your leisure at the hotel this evening.

Depart your lodge in the Canyon region this morning and head north through the ruggedly beautiful Dunraven Pass, taking in vistas of Mount Washburn, Tower Falls and other sites along the Yellowstone River. Next, you'll embark on a wildlife safari in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley and the Northern Range, promising a peek into the world of local residents such as bears and wolves. A naturalist guide serves as your safari tracker as you hunt for signs of elk, grizzlies and gray wolves. After a midday stop in the isolated village of Cooke City, continue your drive through the Yellowstone wilderness, learning about the habits and habitats of the park’s population of wildlife. Visit wildlife photographer Dan Hartman at his log cabin this afternoon to learn about his work, then head back through Dunraven Pass to Canyon Lodge for dinner at your hotel.

The best way to appreciate the grandeur and diversity of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is on foot. Your hike along its trails this morning will reveal the immensity of the canyon and the river below as you stop at various viewpoints, taking you to the brink of the Upper Falls. Learn about conservation, ecology and wildlife along the way to enrich your explorations. Journey next to Uncle Tom’s Viewpoint, where you'll walk to Artist Point. Then head west and north through Yellowstone from the Canyon region, stopping for photos, wildlife sightings and a picnic lunch along the way. Later, arrive at Mammoth Hot Springs, where you'll walk on boardwalks along its steaming thermal features and travertine terraces. Continue on to famous Old Faithful Geyser and the Upper Geyser Basin, arriving at Old Faithful Snow Lodge for a two-night stay.

Today begins with a morning walk with a naturalist guide among the marvels of the Lower Geyser Basin to take in the sights, smells and sounds of this amazing area. From then on, the rest of your day is free to explore the nation's first national park as you wish. You may want to make it a point to watch Old Faithful erupt, or listen to a presentation by a park ranger. After a talk by a historian early this evening, have dinner tonight next door to your lodge at the Old Faithful Inn, a true historic landmark built of lodgepole pine in 1904.

Depart Yellowstone today for a journey south to Grand Teton National Park, a showcase of picture-perfect snow-covered mountains. The youngest mountain range in the Rockies, the Tetons tower above Jackson Hole with craggy peaks, rugged canyons, glacial lakes. Undulating valleys, carpeted by sagebrush, cottonwood and aspens make way for rivers and ponds that provide homes for beaver, coyotes, moose, swans, eagles and more. Flat floors invite bison and pronghorn to the lower regions. Explore Jenny Lake, the “Three Sisters” and Mount Moran. Your late afternoon arrival at Jackson Lake Lodge allows you to take in vistas of the Tetons at dusk, from the 60-foot picture windows in the upper lobby. The views you'll enjoy during dinner at the Lodge are pretty spectacular.

The entire morning is yours to enjoy as you wish in Grand Teton National Park. There are lots of optional activities including hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding and more to engage in. Alternatively, you may want to simply relax by the pool. This afternoon, a leisurely, guided bicycle ride across the new Teton Mountain Trail increases your appreciation of the history and scenic splendor of Grand Teton National Park. Watch out for bison, pronghorn and other wildlife as you marvel at the grandeur around you. Join your fellow travel companions this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

There’s time for some last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping before your transfer to Jackson Hole Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to San Francisco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel The Westin St Francis, the elegant Grand Dame of Union Square, ideally located amidst the city's attractions. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

This morning you cross the city for a visit to the Presidio, a former Army base and now a National Historic Landmark rich with history; the base was home to the “Buffalo Soldiers,” the African-American cavalry troops who earned their fighting reputation in the Indian Wars, and were among the U.S. troops who served as the earliest caretakers of the national parks. From here, a short drive over the Golden Gate Bridge brings you under the green canopy of Muir Woods, a coastal redwood forest preserved as a national monument. These towering ancient trees, some 20 stories high, are among the last remnants of a fog-shrouded primeval forest that once blanketed the northern coast. Following lunch in picturesque town of Sausalito, you hop aboard a ferry for the return trip to San Francisco. After docking at the historic Ferry Building terminal with its famous clocktower and arcade of shops and cafés, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the sights.

Before there was a National Park Service, the job of policing and protecting the national parks belonged to the U.S. Army. At Sequoia and Yosemite, the parks’ guardians were the Buffalo Soldiers, who rode out every spring from the Presidio, crossing 300 miles on horseback to the Sierra Nevada. Your route follows the Buffalo Soldiers’ path across the agricultural Central Valley. A stop for lunch is made in Fresno before making the 7,000-foot climb to Sequoia National Park. In the afternoon, an expert from the Sequoia Field Institute describes how John Muir found and documented the “Giant Forest” in 1875, offering a perfect introduction to the park. This evening at your lodge, a naturalist guides you through the spectacular constellations that fill the night skies.

Today begins with a privately guided walk among ancient Giant Sequoias soaring to the height of skyscrapers. Walking through the Giant Forest Grove you'll see the General Sherman Tree, estimated to be over 2,500 years old (and still growing) before strolling beautifully restored Round Meadow. Enjoy a private barbeque lunch before taking a tour of Sequoia National Park accompanied by a guide who will tell you stories of Muir, Charles Young and other park pioneers. Climb the steps to the top of Moro Rock for stunning views of the park and Great Western Divide. The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish.

Today you leave Wuksachi Lodge and journey to Fresno and the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Your Yosemite tour begins with a film by Ken Burns describing Muir’s passion for the Yosemite Valley, and his activism to preserve it for future generations. Lunch is at the Wawona Hotel, an inn that was once a stagecoach stop, where you’ll meet a National Park Service ranger for a private lecture on the unique history and legacy of Yosemite National Park. Next, visit Glacier Point for a stirring view of the Valley, overlooking Half Dome and a panorama of glacier-formed peaks. It was on this spot in 1903 that John Muir stood with Teddy Roosevelt during a private tour of the area and persuaded the President that Yosemite should be under federal protection as a National Park. This evening, settle into your room at The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, a historic masterpiece of stone, timber and soaring stained glass windows in the heart of Yosemite, and dine at leisure.

'Yosemite is the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter' wrote Muir, who regarded such settings of awesome natural beauty as sacred places with restorative powers, 'where the galling harness of civilization drops off and wounds heal, ere we are aware'. Today you discover the park's power on a guided Yosemite tour in a special open-air vehicle. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the park at your own pace, with optional activities including biking, a hike over the footbridge at Vernal Falls, and a visit to the Yosemite Indian Cultural Museum and Village.

This morning you depart Yosemite for the return to San Francisco, first visiting the Mariposa Museum and then driving across the populous Central Valley with a stop for lunch. Filmed narratives by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan weave together the past seven days of history and nature, with insights you won’t get anywhere else. One of the stories you'll hear relates to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a glacial valley that Muir fought unsuccessfully to save. In the 1920s, the federal government allowed its river to be dammed, turning the valley into a reservoir for the city of San Francisco - a campaign continues today to restore the valley to its original state. This afternoon you arrive at The Fairmont San Francisco, a Beaux Arts-style, premier hotel on Nob Hill, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. In the evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.

Spend your final morning in San Francisco, perhaps shopping for souvenirs before taking your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.