13 Days • 12 Nights
USA Highlights: East Coast to West Coast
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- New York's skyline, Central Park and Times Square
- Washington DC's monuments and museums
- The awe-inspiring Grand Canyon
- The neon spectacle of Las Vegas
- San Francisco's cable cars and Golden Gate
- Coast-to-coast variety in one journey
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 13-day journey.
Welcome to the USA. You are met at the airport and transferred to your Manhattan hotel. The evening is free to soak up the electric energy of Times Square before a welcome dinner.
A guided tour of the city's icons, from the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial to the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and Central Park, with free time to explore your favourite neighbourhoods.
A free day to make the city your own, a Broadway show, the world-class museums, the High Line, Brooklyn, or the shops of SoHo and Fifth Avenue.
You travel south to the capital by rail or road. The afternoon begins your exploration of the National Mall, with its monuments and memorials glowing at dusk.
A guided tour of the capital, the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian museums, an unrivalled and mostly free window into American history and culture.
You fly west to Las Vegas, trading monuments for neon. Settle into your hotel on the Strip and spend the evening marvelling at its dazzling casinos, fountains and shows.
A full-day excursion to the mighty Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, standing on the rim as the vast, layered chasm falls away for over a mile below you. An unforgettable day.
A free day in Las Vegas to enjoy its shows, pools and dining, or take an optional trip to the red rocks of the surrounding desert, Hoover Dam, or Death Valley.
You fly to San Francisco, the coast's most beguiling city. Settle in and take a first stroll along Fisherman's Wharf as the fog rolls in over the bay.
A guided tour of the city's hills and highlights, the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Chinatown, Lombard Street and the views from Twin Peaks, with time to ride a cable car yourself.
A free day to explore, a ferry to Alcatraz, the sea lions at Pier 39, the boutiques of Union Square, or a trip across the bridge to the redwoods of Muir Woods.
A final full day to enjoy the city or take an optional excursion to the Napa and Sonoma wine country for tastings among the vineyards, ending with a farewell dinner.
Depending on your flight, enjoy a last morning in the city before transferring to the airport for your onward departure.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 12 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Grand Canyon excursion
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Ground transport, rail or car hire as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- New York and Washington city tours, a Grand Canyon day trip and a San Francisco city tour, plus domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: Visa Waiver Program travellers (including UK, EU, Australian and many others) need an approved ESTA authorisation before flying; other nationalities need a US B-2 visitor visa. A passport valid for the duration of your stay is required, and we advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & cards: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted virtually everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. Prices are usually shown before sales tax, which is added at the register
- Tipping: Tipping is an essential part of US culture and service staff rely on it; budget around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, and tips for guides, drivers, bartenders and hotel staff, which are not included unless stated
- Distances & getting around: The USA is vast, so itineraries combine domestic flights, rail and self-drive; if driving, remember Americans drive on the right, and we arrange car hire, transfers or flights as needed
- Best time to visit: Timing depends on the region; summer suits the northern parks and coasts, autumn brings spectacular colour to the East, spring and autumn are ideal for the deserts and cities, and winter suits the south and skiing
- Health & insurance: No vaccinations are required, but US healthcare is very expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Bring any prescription medicines in their original packaging
- Age & ID rules: The legal drinking age is 21 and photo ID is required to buy alcohol or enter bars regardless of age; some car-hire firms add fees for drivers under 25
- Power & connectivity: Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter; wifi is widespread, and a US eSIM or roaming plan keeps you connected on the road
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the domestic flights included?
Yes — the internal flights between Washington, Las Vegas and San Francisco are included and arranged for you, along with the New York to Washington rail journey, so your coast-to-coast route is seamless.
Is this trip a lot of moving around?
It covers a lot of ground, but it is well paced with two to three nights in each place, so you settle in and explore rather than rush. We handle all the logistics so you simply enjoy the journey.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included on most nights, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner. America's dining is a highlight in itself, so most lunches and dinners are left free so you can explore, with recommendations from us.
How do we get around such a large country?
We combine the most efficient options for your route, domestic flights for long hops, scenic rail where it shines, and self-drive or private transfers for touring. Everything is arranged and built into your itinerary.
Do I need an ESTA or visa?
Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying; other nationalities need a US visitor visa. We confirm exactly what you need for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to travel?
It depends on the regions in your itinerary, summer for the northern parks, autumn for East Coast colour, spring and autumn for the deserts and cities, and winter for the south. We will advise the best timing for your chosen route.
Is tipping really expected?
Yes — tipping is a genuine part of US culture and service staff rely on it. Budget around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and tips for guides and drivers; we brief you fully so there are no surprises.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the cities, parks and regions, change the pace, mix self-drive with flights and rail, and tailor hotels to your interests and budget. Every itinerary is a starting point.
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