Discover America’s most iconic sights, cities, and natural wonders on this epic journey from laid-back San Francisco to dynamic New York

Your Grand Tour of America begins at London Heathrow, where we meet our Tour Manager and group before boarding a daytime flight to the city of San Francisco.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we are transferred to the hotel on the iconic Fisherman's Wharf, our base for the next two nights. With its harbourside charms and laid-back culture, San Francisco is one of America's best-loved cities and we are perfectly placed between the centre and the relaxed waterside.

Tonight is free to dine independently and you could order the catch of the day at one of the family-owned seafood restaurants which have been serving locals and tourists for decades.

We're introduced to San Francisco on a guided tour this morning. Among other landmarks, we see the Golden Gate Bridge, built in the 1930s. Our tour ends at Fisherman's Wharf before our cruise to the island of Alcatraz. Here, we take a self-guided tour of this public museum, once an 'escape-proof' maximum-security prison housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz'.

Back on land, the rest of the day is yours to explore. You could wander around the city's Maritime Museum, the 'Little Italy' area around historic Washington Square, and Chinatown.

You could also ride on a heritage streetcar or cable car, from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square, Downtown - a historic hub since the San Francisco Gold Rush. Telegraph Hill, a few blocks from our hotel, is recognisable by the slender Coit Tower, which crowns the park and has panoramic views of the city and Golden Gate Bridge.

Making an early start this morning we transfer by coach to Oakland station. Here we board an Amtrak train for a scenic journey inland to Merced, a city in Merced County. Continuing by coach, we reach El Portal, at the entrance to Yosemite National Park and meet our guide for a tour of its wonderful sights.

One of America's most stunning areas of natural beauty, Yosemite is known for its distinctive rocks, tumbling waterfalls and ancient redwood trees. Our guide shows us the National Park's main highlights: Half Dome, a well-known rock formation with a distinctive shape, the 3,000-foot El Capitan - a huge rock face popular with climbers - and the spectacular Bridalveil Falls.

We return to Merced, where we check in to our hotel in the heart of the town for the night. Tonight you are free to dine independently. Our hotel offers an in-house restaurant which is highly rated, and there is a good choice of places to eat a short distance away.

Setting out early this morning, we board the Amtrak service to Bakersfield, an area of orchards and agricultural fields in California's Big Valley. From Bakersfield we continue by coach, passing the Sierra Nevada mountains, then travelling across the atmospheric Mojave Desert to Las Vegas.

On arrival, we check into our four-star hotel, the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, for two nights - ideally situated on the glittering Las Vegas Strip. With outdoor pools and an incredible choice of restaurants, Planet Hollywood is everything you might expect from a Las Vegas hotel, and more. It is also directly connected to the 'Miracle Mile' of upmarket shops, restaurants and live theatres on the Strip.

You are free to explore the incredible world of Las Vegas at your own pace today, and there's plenty to discover. The Las Vegas Monorail system is a quick and easy way to explore the four-mile Strip of resorts and sights, with top-class shows, excellent restaurants, and a dazzling selection of entertainment.

Among the Strip's most famous sights are the Fountains of Bellagio, the Pyramid at the Luxor - recognisable by its piercing beam of light and its Skypod observation tower - the replica Eiffel Tower at the Paris casino hotel, and the Campanile at the Venetian Resort, a glamorous tribute to the architecture of Venice with Baroque-inspired murals and colonnades of solid Botticino marble.

Today, we leave the fantasy landscape of Las Vegas stopping at the Hoover Dam viewing point along the way. Harnessing the power of the mighty Colorado River in Black Canyon, the dam is an impressive example of American hydropower and engineering.

Entering Arizona, we take the legendary Route 66, stopping for lunch enroute then following this famous road until Flagstaff. We spend two nights at the Little America Hotel, set in a mountainous area amid 500 acres of Ponderosa Pine forest. After checking in, there is time to look around and to dine independently this evening. The town has some music venues, coffee shops and restaurants offering diverse dishes.

Our day starts with a drive along the legendary Route 66 to Williams.From here we board the Grand Canyon Railway for a trip to one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders in carriages hauled by historic locomotives.

On arrival at the South Rim, we have free time over lunch to bask in the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon. Created millions of years ago by the power of the Colorado River, this awe-inspiring canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. There are restaurants for lunch, and a gift shop overlooking the canyon. You could stroll along a section of the paved South Rim Trail to enjoy the views. There are look-out points along the way, such as Mojave Point.

The Grand Canyon is a spiritual place for the local Native Americans, the Hopi people, who consider it a gateway to the afterlife. You can learn more about their history in the adobe building that showcases Hopi arts and crafts. We return to Flagstaff by coach in late afternoon with a free evening to explore the town and find dinner, or unwind at our hotel.

We set off early by coach this morning, travelling through desolate Navajo country to Utah's Monument Valley. We stop for a short break in a town called Cameron before continuing through the stunning yet familiar desert landscape of Monument Valley, the backdrop of so many American Western movies.

The entire region has the feeling of a bygone era, where cowboys still spend months herding cattle across miles of untouched hills and Native Americans perform age-old rituals. After around two hours of travelling, we stop for lunch at the Monument Valley Visitor Centre.

We continue to Gooseneck State Park, recognisable by its long, narrow river which forms a bowl. We stop at a scenic point here before driving to to the Colorado mountain town of Durango, arriving late afternoon. After checking in to our hotel for the night we have a free evening ahead.

After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short walk to board the Durango and Silverton Railroad* for a journey through breathtaking canyons, past emerald-green rivers and dense forests. The line connects Durango with the mining town of Silverton and incredibly, has been in continuous use since its inception more than 130 years ago.

We have free time over lunch in the 'Old West' town of Silverton, surrounded by the impressive San Juan Mountains, part of the Rocky Mountains. Our journey continues by coach from Silverton to Grand Junction, a city nestled in Colorado's fruit growing area, where we arrive this afternoon to spend the night.

Staying in a downtown hotel, you are free to try one of the many restaurants on Main Street for dinner. Grand Junction is known for its locally-grown produce and regional wines.

*Please note: During the early part of the season the Durango & Silverton Railroad operates a winter timetable. During this period we enjoy a journey from Durango to Cascade Canyon by rail.

After breakfast, we transfer to Grand Junction Railway Station to set out on one of America's most famous rail journeys aboard Amtrak's legendary California Zephyr. This historic train was first launched in 1949 and ran along three railroads - the Burlington, the Rio Grande and the Western Pacific - until 1970. Today's California Zephyr service follows the same spectacular route.

With a whole day and overnight on the train, you could spend some time in the Observation Car as we travel through dramatic scenery from Colorado to Chicago. We settle in for the night as our picturesque journey takes us into the superb landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, through the heart of Colorado's wine region as we head towards Chicago.

Our train rumbles towards Chicago this morning. A few hours before arriving in the city, we cross the landmark steel bridge which spans the mighty Mississippi River, marking our arrival into Illinois. We arrive in Chicago's historic Union Station this afternoon, where we are transferred by coach to our hotel in the heart of the city.

Once we have checked in you are free for the rest of the day to start exploring this great city. Our hotel is in River North nearby the Magnificent Mile, which stretches along the Chicago River and features an outstanding range of city attractions, glittering high rises, shops and restaurants.

Today, we enjoy a cruise along the Chicago River. As we sail, we view some of the city's most historic skyscrapers including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower and the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, which held the title of the world's tallest building until 1998. Our cruise boat offers an interesting perspective as we glide through a canyon of glass and steel on a fully narrated tour, hearing about the city's history and tales of the people who helped shape Chicago's skyline.

With an afternoon and evening at leisure after the cruise, you could visit the Willis Tower's Skydeck to view Chicago from above. Or maybe take the train up to Wrigley Field for a tour of the baseball stadium, enjoy a riverside walk, or indulge in a spot of shopping on the Magnificent Mile or on upmarket East Oak Street.

We are free to explore Chicago further today, and there are many incredible city sights to discover. The city is designed in a grid system so is easy to navigate, on foot if you are feeling energetic, or you could join one of the city's Hop On-Hop Off bus tours.

Alternatively, you could visit one of the museums and galleries around the Magnificent Mile area. The Newberry is one of Chicago's best-loved historic and cultural institutions, situated near Washington Square Park and free to visit. Meanwhile, the Art Institute of Chicago has an outstanding collection of contemporary work from world-renowned artists.

Chicago is also known for its popular green spaces, such as Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, and Lake View Park on the waterfront of Lake Michigan. This evening we board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited service for an overnight rail journey from Chicago to Buffalo, close to Niagara Falls.

Our train rolls into the US city of Buffalo today and we are transferred by coach to our hotel, on the American side of the spectacular Niagara Falls. After checking in, we wander down to the Niagara Falls State Park nearby, to see this awe-inspiring natural wonder.

It is possible to book a cruise boat for an exhilarating trip to the base of the powerful falls, feeling the thunderous roar and fine mist on your face. Or you could stroll along the walkway to a scenic viewpoint and soak up the natural beauty of the location. The Top of the Falls restaurant has a view of the Horseshoe Falls, one of the most dramatic sections of the Falls, and is open for you to have lunch and dinner independently.

We transfer to Buffalo by coach where we board the train to New York. The route sees us head east from Buffalo to New York State's capital, Albany. From here we follow the course of the Hudson River straight into New York City. Arriving in Penn Station, we are taken to our hotel in the heart of the City, Times Square. With its revolving dining room offering spectacular views of the famous Manhattan skyline, it's easy to understand why this four-star hotel is our customers' favourite North American hotel.

The evening is free, to either unwind or head out into the 'city that never sleeps'. Times Square is the beating heart of New York's entertainment district. A glittering display of billboards cast their sparkle across the square while an array of famous theatres line Broadway. In such a global city, your dining options are virtually unlimited.

Today we set out on a guided tour of the 'Big Apple', discovering some of New York's most familiar sights. We take a harbour cruise around the iconic Manhattan Harbour. We pass America's emblematic Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, the point of entry for more than 12 million immigrants searching for the American Dream.

Returning to land, we transfer to Grand Central Station, a fantastic place to look around, where there's free time before an afternoon tour of Manhattan's renowned sights. We visit Central Park, the Rockefeller Centre, the Theatre District, the World Trade Centre site, and other neighbourhoods of New York City.

The rest of your day is at leisure. In Midtown Manhattan nearby, you'll find New York's impressive Museum of Modern Art and the shops of 5th Avenue. To mark the final night of our Grand Tour of America, you could catch a show on Broadway, a dance performance at the New York City Ballet, or maybe see some live jazz at the Lincoln Centre.

Our last morning in this exciting city is free to spend as you wish, maybe revisiting special places or discovering new ones. This afternoon - to borrow a line from the great American song duo, Simon and Garfunkel - we are homeward bound. Bidding farewell to New York and the US, we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to London Heathrow.

After touching down in London Heathrow this morning, it's time to say goodbye, before making our way home. Memories of these last three weeks, from America's epic scenery - Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and the Niagara Falls - to the unique energy and character of its great cities, are sure to remain with you.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

The USA's national rail operator, Amtrak, runs approximately 300 trains per day throughout the United States, connecting more than 500 destinations on 21,000 miles of track.

Some of these trains are commuter services that connect nearby cities, while others are long-distance trains that connect states near and far. In fact, Amtrak offers 15 thoughtfully planned overnight journeys.

Journeys to each unique region depart throughout the year and, because Amtrak traverses remote stretches and places where roads do not travel, there is no better or more relaxing way to see the hidden details of North America.

Amtrak offers several travel classes from which to choose. Coach Class is the included service for our Grand Tour of America tour, all other tours have Roomettes as standard.

Coach Class is the standard level of service. Passengers travel in wide, reclining seats with plenty of legroom. There are trays, reading lights and electric outlets at each seat, with toilets at the end of each carriage. There are no included meals in Coach, but food can be purchased in the onboard Café.

Roomettes are private rooms with two comfortable seats that transform into upper and lower bunks at night. A large picture window in the room ensures great views of the passing scenery can be enjoyed, while each carriage has shared toilet and shower facilities. Meals are included in the Dining Car for passengers who have upgraded to this level of service.

Ensuite Bedrooms are spacious private rooms with in-room sink, toilet and shower. Twice the size of a Roomette, these contain a large picture window, a sofa and a separate chair during the day. At night, the sofa transforms into upper and lower bunks. Meals are included in the Dining Car for passengers who have upgraded to this level of service.

The number of meals is dependent on the length of the journey. Full dining service is only available on select long-distance trains, including but not limited to, the California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and Empire Builder.

Emeryville to the Great Central Valley
Once dubbed the "most talked about train in America", our journey on the California Zephyr begins in Emeryville, just after the western terminus in San Francisco. On leaving Emeryville, we cross the shallow tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay. Across the strait is the California Maritime Academy, and on the Solono County side is the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard - the first such facility on the West Coast. We pass through Martinez, and at Suisun Bay, we can see on the right a 70-ship fleet of decommissioned warships, kept afloat since World War II in case of another war. Travelling through Suisun Marsh, the Montezuma Hills are visible from the northern banks of the river. These are known for their wind energy resource potential; there is a windfarm here which boasts turbines up to 415 feet tall. Our next stop is in Davis, which has a 1913 adobe-style railway station listed as an historic landmark. After this we reach the Great Central Valley - the large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of the state. Outside the windows we can see the Yolo Basin, which produces one billion pounds of rice annually.

Sacramento into Utah
We then reach the capital of California, Sacramento, where we can see the remnants of the Southern Pacific's locomotive shops on approach. We later pass through Auburn, known for being part of the gold rush. On the left we can see a firehouse, which was built in 1888 and housed the first voluntary department west of Boston. We call at Colfax, and then our train begins to cross the Sierra Nevada Range. We see Cape Horn on the right, some 1,500ft above the American River, before we journey over the Long Ravine Bridge, which provides one of the first clear views of the Sierras in the distance to the right. Before too long we cross Interstate 80. There are two cascade lakes actually above the train here, and their runoff flows beneath the tracks under two bridges. The California Zephyr stops in Reno in the evening, and as night falls, the train continues on into Utah and through Salt Lake City. We also pass alongside some of the region's imposing mountains, such as the 11,000ft Mount Timpanagos on the left as we travel through Geneva.

To Colorado
In the morning, we cross over the Utah/Colorado State Line as our train continues eastwards. Here the scenery becomes truly spectacular as we journey over the 12.5-mile gorge at Glenwood Canyon, followed closely by the short Gore Canyon. This particular gorge is 1,000ft above the river, meaning that it can only be crossed by rail. Shortly after this, the California Zephyr travels through Granby and into the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park. We make our way through the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel, a feat of engineering that cuts our journey by 176 miles, before we reach Denver. Known as the Mile-High City because of its elevation above sea level, Denver is the final calling point for some of our journeys, and the boarding station for others.    

From Denver to Chicago
Leaving Denver behind in the evening, the first main point is the Colorado/Nebraska State Line. Here the clocks go forward one hour. We pass through Lincoln, Nebraska's state capital, after night falls. After this, our train passes alongside a part of the Platte River, which is over 300 miles long. After a stop in Omaha in the morning, we pass Offutt Air Force Base on the right. This was where two B-29 Superfortress bombers were built which were then used to drop atomic bombs on Japan, and shortly after this our train crosses the Nebraska/Iowa State Line. At the same time, we cross the Missouri River. Our next stop is at Creston, so called because it is the highest point on the railway between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. We then make the descent to the Iowa/Illinois State Line, shortly before the enormous Mississippi River appears beneath us. Our train calls at Galesburg and Naperville before arriving at Chicago, Illinois' largest city, and the industrial core of the Midwest.

The San Joaquin plies the route between Oakland in the San Francisco Bay area and Bakersfield in Southern California. It takes its passengers on a journey through California's premier agricultural region, the Central Valley, making a stop in Sacramento, the state capital, on the way. On our Las Vegas & the Golden West Holiday we travel the whole of this route in two stages. We begin with the three-hour journey from Oakland to Merced, where we alight for Yosemite National Park, and continue the following day to Bakersfield - a further three hours.

Our 959-mile journey on Lake Shore Limited begins in Chicago, as we prepare to cross five states on our overnight journey to New York.

Please note that some of our tours operate this route in reverse, or feature a journey along just part of the route. See the tour itinerary for details.

The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad weaves a tale of human ingenuity and natural beauty as it travels on its 45-mile route between Durango and Silverton in Colorado. Aboard fully restored steam trains that are original to the line and open-air gondolas that offer uninhibited views of the surrounding scenery, passengers relive the region's mining past and marvel at panoramic vistas of the Animas River and its gorge.  

Opened in 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway carried passengers and supplies over the sixty-five mile journey from the Arizona town of Williams to Grand Canyon Village at the canyon's South Rim.

A convenient means of visiting one of the USA's greatest natural phenomena, the Grand Canyon Railway remained popular with tourists until the irresistible rise of America's car industry. As the popularity of road travel boomed, the railway's passengers declined and the line became freight-only in 1968 before closing altogether in 1974. Realising that such an iconic line could not be lost, entrepreneurs Max and Thelma Biegert bought the Grand Canyon Railway in 1989, just as its rusting assets were being salvaged for scrap. Its track and rolling stock lovingly restored to its original glory, the railway re-opened in 1990.

Today, although the magnificent steam locomotives that once hauled carriages to and from the Grand Canyon only appear very rarely, the two-hours and fifteen-minute trip to and from Williams remains an unforgettable and nostalgic journey through one of the USA's most spectacular landscapes.

The 3-Star Little America Hotel in Flagstaff stands in 500 acres of ponderosa pine forests at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks and offers a perfect base from which to explore the natural wonders of northern Arizona. The hotel benefits from a full-service restaurant and a lounge bar, along with leisure facilities, including a fully quipped gym, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub. The comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, mini fridge, safe, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and ironing facilities.

Situated on historic Main Street in downtown Grand Junction, this 3-Star hotel enjoys a prime location within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, museum and theatres. Facilities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness centre. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, coffee-making facilities and hairdryer.

This large, modern 4-Star casino hotel sits at the heart of Las Vegas' glittering Strip, near the Bellagio. There are two outdoor pools and hot tubs that overlook the boulevard, as well as a spa and fitness centre. With an incredible array of restaurants and bars directly connected to the hotel, you could dine at Gordon Ramsay's American-style restaurant or taste Japanese cuisine. Evening entertainment is provided by world-class entertainers. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk, safe and hairdryer.

Conveniently placed on Merced's Main Street, the 4-Star El Capitan Hotel is a comfortable and convenient base close to the natural splendours of Yosemite National Park. On-site, there are dining options and a gym, and the hotel is also within walking distance of the great shopping and dining options in Merced. Air-conditioned guest rooms are stylishly furnished and well equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, mini fridge and tea & coffee-making facilities.

Located in the buzzing epicentre of New York's Times Square, the 4-Star hotel is ideally located to experience all the magic of the 'Big Apple'. Situated just steps away from legendary sights and attractions, including Broadway's theatres, Radio City Music Hall, Madame Tussauds and the Rockefeller Center, this popular hotel boasts several restaurants and bars, including the city's only revolving restaurant and lounge. There's also a Broadway lounge and terrace, offering spectacular views across the iconic thoroughfare itself, a traditional American kitchen and bar and an on-site coffee house. Luxurious guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, plush bedding, stylish marble bathrooms, flatscreen TV and tea & coffee-making facilities.

The awe-inspiring cascades of the Niagara River's three waterfalls are a justly world-famous sight. And when you stay at Hyatt Place Niagara Falls, they're right in your backyard. Follow the sound of roaring water and you'll reach the observation tower. 

The 4-Star Hyatt Centric is perfectly situated, close to Pier 39 and the waterfront attractions of the wharf. Facilities at this modern hotel include a heated outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant and lounge.

The air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with a Bluetooth media hub and iPod docking station, a mini refrigerator, a tea & coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television and ironing facilities. Ensuite bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer.

This 3-Star hotel puts travellers in a prime position to enjoy everything this region offers, including the shops and restaurants of downtown Durango and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which is just 10 minutes away. Guests have access to a heated indoor pool, a fully equipped fitness centre and can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning with lovely mountain views. Guest rooms are fully equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, mini fridge and complimentary toiletries.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites has a fantastic location in the heart of downtown Chicago. Set in the heart of the city centre, the hotel is five minutes' walk from restaurants and the luxury shops of Michigan Avenue and the banks of the Chicago River. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with a tea & coffee maker, a refrigerator, a flatscreen TV with HBO film channels, free Wi-Fi, a hairdryer and ironing facilities.

Upgrade to a bedroom with a private shower and WC on your overnight rail journey, available from £595pp. Please call for further details.

Upgrade your flight to Premium Economy from £375 per person each way

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.