Hollywood, Vegas, Palm Springs & The Grand Canyon

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to California's largest city, Los Angeles, where you’ll be welcomed by your tour manager and driven to your hotel in Buena Park.  

Day 2

Your American adventure kicks off with a day discovering palm-fringed Santa Monica and its famous pier that marks the end of Route 66. This fashionable coastal city, west of downtown Los Angeles, looks out over the Pacific Ocean and is home to striking Art Deco architecture and an assortment of boutique shops and art galleries.   Start by taking a walk along the pier, a historic landmark that is over 100 years old and features an amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, an aquarium, and various restaurants. Stretching out on either side of the pier is Santa Monica State Beach, a sandy stretch, lined with a boardwalk that is often referred to as ‘The Strand’.   Take a seat in a beachfront café to watch as the local residents jog, cycle, and skate past before heading to the Third Street Promenade, a car-free outdoor mall with colourful street art, street performers, and restaurants.  From here, the tour will drive to nearby Hollywood, the iconic hub of the entertainment industry. Watched over by the Hollywood sign on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, this neighbourhood is where you can find several renowned landmarks.    Chart the history of the city’s film industry along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, see the TCL Chinese Theatre, with its handprints and footprints of the big names, and visit the Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment complex. You can also view the Hollywood Bowl, a celebrated amphitheatre, the Capitol Records Building, and the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many stars are buried. Lastly, pass along the Sunset Strip in Sunset Boulevard with its legendary rock clubs and celebrity haunts.  

Day 3

Leaving the ‘City of Angels’ behind this morning, you’ll travel through the Mojave Desert, a sprawling expanse of basins and sand dunes.   In the heart of this desert, the electrifying entertainment capital of the world is situated, Las Vegas. Check into your hotel here, located just a short way from Las Vegas Boulevard ‘The Strip’, an illuminated track of notable casinos, opulent clubs, and impressive hotels.   This evening will be free to soak up the atmosphere and explore the first-class restaurants and resort attractions, and perhaps opt for a helicopter flight over the city. From a bird’s eye view, you can watch as the city comes alive below with flashing neon lights and dazzling structures, including the Bellagio Fountains, the distinctive Luxor Pyramid, and the replica of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Las Vegas.  

Day 4

Today, Las Vegas is yours for discovering, and making your way to ‘The Strip’ is the perfect place to start. You can wander past the themed hotels and elaborate architecture, enjoy shopping at the Forum Shops or Miracle Mile, and see some of the top attractions, like the Neon Museum or the Mob Museum, or even experience a gondola ride at The Venetian. Those eager to try their luck can visit one of the many famed, iconic casinos, including the Bellagio, MGM Grand and Caesars Palace.   You can also schedule some poolside relaxation back at the hotel and take advantage of its array of entertainment and dining options, too. As night falls, there is an opportunity to see the award-winning tribute show, ‘The Rat Pack is Back’. Celebrating the legendary Rat Pack, this tribute band highlights the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, and this production covers classic songs with a live band in a nostalgic setting. 

Day 5

Once you’ve checked out of the hotel, you’ll drive past Hoover Dam, which is situated on the border between Nevada and Arizona. Originally constructed during the Great Depression in 1931, this immense concrete arch-gravity dam was designed to control flooding and provide a reliable water supply.   The coach will then continue onto old Route 66, the famous mother road, and call at Seligman, an old staging town in Arizona. Previously serving as a popular rest stop for refuelling travellers in the mid-20th century, Seligman has a charming, well-preserved downtown area with classic diners, vintage buildings, like a general store and gas station, and Route-66 signage and souvenirs   Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Flagstaff, nestled in the shadows of the San Francisco Peaks, and check into your hotel. This town is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and an ideal location for stargazing.    

Day 6

This will be another day for the wish-list, as you’ll journey to the breath-taking Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. You’ll enter the Grand Canyon National Park and stand on the edge of this immense chasm, which has been shaped by the Colorado River for millions of years. Observe the multi-coloured layers of rocks, visit some of the vantage points along the South Rim and learn about the diverse range of wildlife that inhabits the area.    If you’d like to view this spectacle from above, a once-in-a-lifetime optional helicopter ride is available. Soaring over the top of the canyon allows you to marvel at the almost incomprehensible vastness of it all.  

Day 7

You’ll travel back through desert scenery today and journey towards Coachella Valley in Southern California to Palm Springs. This city is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, and known for its hot springs, resort hotels, and golf courses. Palm Springs also boasts one of the largest concentrations of mid-century modern architecture in the world.   A resort just a short walk from the downtown area is where you’ll be based for the next three nights.  

Day 8

A day of leisure awaits, and you can choose to relax at the resort, perhaps taking advantage of the swimming pool and spa facilities. Alternatively, you can venture to the quirky downtown area and wander along Palm Canyon Drive, fringed with art galleries, speciality shops, and vintage boutiques. In the surrounding neighbourhoods, lavish celebrity residences include the former homes of Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra as well as the house where Elvis Presley spent his honeymoon, which can be viewed from the outside.   To explore further, an optional ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you from the desert floor to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto Canyon. This tramway operates one of the world’s largest rotating tram cars, which slowly turns as you travel, ensuring views of the Chino Canyon and valley below. The journey is approximately 10 minutes, and once you reach the mountain station, you can admire the beautiful views from observation decks, and visit the natural history museum, gift shop, and two restaurants. 

Day 9

Embrace a final day of leisure, ticking off any other sights or unwinding at the resort. An optional full day visit to San Diego is also available. With its Pacific Coast location, this laid-back city offers unspoilt beaches, lush parks, and a collection of art galleries and museums.   A highlight of this excursion includes the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot, a train station and architectural landmark in the city, reflecting the Spanish and Mexican heritage of Southern California. The Gaslamp District, a notable downtown area, is another must-see, boasting restored Victorian-era structures, boutique stores, and stylish cocktail bars. 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'. 

Day 10

After checking out of your hotel in Palm Springs, you’ll board the coach for the return journey to Los Angeles and the overnight flight home.  

Day 11

Land in the UK after an incredibly memorable trip.   Back to top

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and visas

When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Programme.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 20kg.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

On your flight

All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.

Hotels in Las Vegas

It's common in Las Vegas that tea/coffee-making facilities will not be available in hotel bedrooms. There are always plenty of outlets, though, to get drinks. Las Vegas swimming pools all have a lifeguard present. This means they operate strict opening and closing times outside of which the pool cannot be used. Pools also close for the winter - dates for closing and opening vary depending on the weather conditions at the time.Local laws stipulate that there must be at least one person aged 21 or over occupying each room booked. Casino floors cannot be entered by under 21s unless they're accompanied by an adult aged over 21.

Helicopter flights

Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lb. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday, though regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout, including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops. In Las Vegas smoking is still usually permitted on casino floors and in some public areas.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is $5 per person per day for the driver and $7 per person per day for the tour manager.  It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Hotel rooms

Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.

Terms and conditions

Black Friday save up to 15% offer discount applies to long and short haul tours. 15% applies to all departure dates of specific tours only. This Black Friday offer applies to new bookings only booked between the 12th November and 9th December 2024, and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. All other tours (including Andre Rieu tours) not in the 15% discount are 10% off. This offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing, and excludes other location tours, and Festive tours. This offer does not apply to child prices/child pricing. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to your final holiday price (excluding holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316. Back to top