America's Golden West & Las Vegas

Fly to Los Angeles, and transfer to your hotel for the next two nights in Buena Park.

Heading north today for a visit palm-fringed Santa Monica with its famous pier which marks the end of Route 66. It's a trendy city with plenty of art-deco heritage and a wealth of trendy boutiques to explore. We'll then continue to Hollywood where we'll enjoy a brief tour of the star-studded streets. Be sure to see Mann's Chinese Theatre and chart the history of the city's film industry along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Don't forget to take a picture of the infamous Hollywood sign!

Discover the laid-back, sun-kissed, Southern California city of San Diego on today's full-day excursion. Highlights include the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot and the Gaslamp District. Across the Bay Bridge, Coronado Island is home to the Hotel del Coronado, where Edward VIII first met Mrs Simpson and Marilyn Monroe filmed 'Some Like it Hot'.

Continue on to the millionaires’ playground of Palm Springs for the night, once home of the late Bob Hope and still a haunt of a host of Hollywood stars.

Cross the desert and travel to Williams, once a Route 66 staging post and now a small western town handy for the Grand Canyon. You'll then spend the first of two nights here.

One of the tour's most unforgettable days awaits today, as you travel into the desert to the edge of the Grand Canyon, perhaps nature’s most startling wonder.

We'll stop on the South Rim to take in the astonishing views across this immense chasm, formed over millennia by the Colorado River that still flows along the Canyon floor a mile below. Take an optional helicopter flight for yet more stupendous views, before returning to Williams for a second night.

Today's journey takes you to Las Vegas, for a three-night stay in the World's Capital of Entertainment. Spend your first evening soaking up the electrifying atmosphere of this extraordinary, man-made, 24-hour entertainment oasis.

See the spectacular hotels, glittering casinos and sparkling show lounges – home to some of the biggest names in show business.

A free day to explore all that's big and bold in Las Vegas! Enjoy a walk - with a drink or two on the way - through some of the mega-resorts on the famous Strip or maybe try your luck in one of the many casinos. Later, perhaps relax by the pool, arrange to be pampered in a spa, or simply shop till you drop.

This evening, don’t miss an incredible opportunity to see Vegas by night on our optional Vegas Nights helicopter flight over the Strip.

Meet your experienced pilot, who will give you a short briefing as you board your luxury Airbus helicopter, and take off on an unforgettable Vegas experience. After take-off, you'll enjoy unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip from a different perspective - the skies. Soar high above the world-famous neon landscapes including Bellagio, Allegiant Stadium, Caesars Palace, High Roller, Wynn Las Vegas, The STRAT, Circa, historic downtown and more. You'll be in flight for around 10-12 minutes, giving you ample time to take in each iconic part of the city skyline from the comfort of your leather theatre-style seated helicopter.

Today you're totally free to explore. There’s simply so much to see and do in this amazing place! Enjoy more of the gaming rooms, vast shopping malls, diverse entertainments and endless dining opportunities of the famously of the Strip and Downtown.

Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment from the stars of the nostalgic The Rat Pack is Back show.

Leaving Las Vegas head across the vast, dry wilderness of the Mojave Desert, entering the California Central valley for an overnight stay in Visalia.

Today head north to Yosemite, 12,000 square miles of wilderness. There are some big, well noted sights to take in, including the rearing head of the granite Half Dome, imposing El Capitan and the majestic Yosemite Falls.

Spend some free time on the Valley Floor before heading on to Merced for an overnight stay.

Head for the Californian coast, today, visiting exquisite Carmel-by-the-Sea and the fishing town of Monterey, both linked by stunning 17-Mile Drive on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.

Continue to delightful San Francisco, the city by the Bay, for a two night stay.

Take this morning's optional guided tour of the city's major landmarks, and see Union Square and stylish Nob Hill, before crossing the famously photogenic Golden Gate Bridge to beautiful Bayside artists' town of Sausalito. Take the Bay Ferry back to the city, and enjoy wonderful views of the infamous prison island, Alcatraz, en route. This evening, why not head for colourful Chinatown, or to the bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf shops, bars and restaurants?

You'll be free to spend this morning as you see fit, perhaps with some self-guided exploration around Golden Gate Park or the 'Hippy Heartland' of Haight Ashbury. Alternatively, you can opt to ride the 'little cable car' from bustling Union Square, just three blocks from your hotel.

At lunchtime, continue to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Arrive back in the UK, this morning, at the end of a wonderful Californian holiday.