Wings Over The West Escorted Tour

Your West Coast American tour begins in the ‘city of lights’ - Las Vegas. Once you have arrived into McCarran International Airport, make your own way to the hotel for your first night.

In the heart of Nevada’s Mojave Desert, soak up the buzz of this resort city, with its numerous casinos, restaurants, bars, theme parks and the highest observation wheel on the planet. Walk the famous four-mile Strip, passing by the neon lights and some magnificent hotels, complete with impressive water features and architecture.

In the evening, head to a show for a live music or circus performance and sample cuisine from all over the world at one of the city’s many restaurants. Before you retire for the night, splash out on a gamble or two at one of the flashy casinos.

You’ll stay overnight in Las Vegas, in the hub of this glitzy city.

Your first full day in West America begins aboard a private aircraft to Merced, the entrance to Yosemite National Park. This is a wonderful way to get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular landscape down below.

From here, you’ll take to the road and follow Highway 140, along the Merced River Canyon to the park’s entrance. On arrival, take a tour of Yosemite’s awe-inspiring scenery, from the Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View and Bridalveil Falls. Covering almost eight miles, the park boasts natural wonders including glacial valleys and activities, such as hiking, biking and horse riding trails. Keep an eye out for the wildlife while you’re roaming. Black bears, cougars, deer and bobcats are just some of the different species of animals that are native to the region.

Enjoy some photo opportunities by the enormous sequoia trees and the towering granite cliffs, before heading into Yosemite Village, which is great for shopping and dining. It’s easy to see why this area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy a good night’s rest in Yosemite, before continuing your voyage the next day.

Say a fond farewell to Yosemite and embrace another scenic drive to the great city of San Francisco.

On the way, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in some award-winning wine tasting at the legendary Napa Valley, which is known for its hillside vineyards. You can take the Napa Valley Wine Train, touring through the valley, and some exquisite world-class food.

You’ll continue on to the antiquated town of Sonoma, where you can browse the galleries and colonial plaza, as well as indulge in some more wine tasting.

Finally, finish in the hilly city of San Francisco, which is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Dine at one of the many highly regarded restaurants in the Bay and spend the first of two nights in your lovely hotel.

Wake up to a delicious breakfast spread, before embarking on a detailed tour of San Francisco’s highlights and history. 

On this tour, you’ll see the main attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. Next, you’ll board a boat cruise and enjoy viewing this distinctive city from the water. Sail around Alcatraz Island, also known as ‘The Rock’ and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

After your boat tour, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city. Take a cable car up the impossibly steep hill for a totally different view of San Francisco and a chance to explore the different neighbourhoods. Get off at Ghirardelli Square for some great food; Lombard Street, known for its crookedness (the street, not the people); the Financial District’s Transamerica Pyramid, a 12-metre tall skyscraper; and Nob Hill, for jazz and cool drinking spots with a view.

Head back to your hotel for your last night in San Francisco.

Today you’ll hit the road and head south along the picturesque 17 Mile Drive, along the Pacific Ocean coastline. You’ll pass by Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, famous for its golf resorts, on your way to your next destination, Monterey.

Located on the ocean’s edge, Monterey offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities, including the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. This is Cannery Row’s notable district and was the setting for novelist John Steinbeck’s book.

Your tour carries on south, along the Pacific Coast Highway, on cliff roads with fantastic views, before reaching the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This town is popular for its beaches, charming houses and seaside feel. You’ll also have the chance to explore the rockiness of Big Sur, a mountainous region between the central coast of California and Carmel. 

As you go further south down the highway, you’ll enjoy enviable views of Hearts Castle and Morro Bay, known for the volcanic mound, Morro Rock. San Luis Obispo is also close by, situated between Big Sur and Santa Barbara.

Tonight, you’ll stay on California’s central coast.

Once you’ve tucked into and had your fill of breakfast, your journey continues on to Solvang, a historic Danish village, boasting pretty windmills, great wines, and museums telling the history of the area.

From here, you’ll head south to Santa Barbara, sometimes called ‘The American Riviera’, due to its Mediterranean architecture and Spanish history. Indulge in some shopping on State Street, and soak in the setting of the Santa Ynez Mountains in the background.

Your drive continues onto Los Angeles, where you’ll enjoy an evening to yourself, before spending the night here.

A full day of sightseeing awaits you with an action-packed tour of Los Angeles. Get to grips with the real southern California with stop offs at Marina del Rey, Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, and one of the state’s most ancient entertainment piers.

Trace the footsteps of celebrities past and present with a stroll along the Walk of Fame, and stop by the CL Chinese Theatre and Sunset Strip. LA is the home of film and television and draws tourists every year, thanks to its iconic Hollywood sign, tours of famous film studios and many celebrities who reside in the city.

Pick from many international cuisines when it comes to dining and rest up at your Los Angeles hotel for your final night here.

This morning sees another short flight back to Las Vegas, where you’ll enjoy the first of two days continuing to explore this desert oasis city.

Today is your final full day in Las Vegas and you’ll have the opportunity to sightsee some more.

Why not stop by the film favourite Caesar’s Palace for a look inside one of the older casinos in the area? Or take in a show at the Park Theater, which frequently shows from some of the biggest names in the music industry. For some culture, stop by the Downtown Las Vegas murals and gaze at the huge, colourful street art paintings. For some relaxation, make an appointment at the Sahra Spa & Hammam, before trying your luck at one of the gambling tables.

After you’ve enjoyed a Las Vegas style breakfast feast, you’ll take to the skies once again for a flight over the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, in the state of Arizona, The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Down below you’ll have some amazing photo opportunities of the Colorado River, as it winds its way through the cliffs. 

Once you’ve reached the Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll drive on to a vantage point over the canyon, where you can sit and absorb the millions of years of history in the staggering layered rock formations. From here, board the Grand Canyon Railway’s vintage train to Williams and enjoy some relaxed sightseeing en route.

Spend tonight in William, the gateway to the Grand Canyon.

A new adventure begins today with a drive along Historic Route 66, passing Williams and Flagstaff.

Pass by Sunset Crater National Monument, a cinder cone volcano crater with intriguing rock formations and cooled lava from recent activity. Take a short walking trail to view the red colouring from the iron-rich cinders and observe the crater rim.

From here, you’ll continue on to Antelope Canyon, where you’ll discover one of the most magnificent natural geological sites on the planet. Wave-like in structure and with a marbled, swirling formation, this slot canyon is famous for its tall walls, coloured rock, and intriguing light effects from openings in the rock. Antelope Canyon is a sacred site for the Navajo culture.

Your tour moves onwards to Page, a city that overlooks one of the most beautiful lakes in the West of America, Lake Powell. At the heart of the Grand Circle, discover outdoor splendour with more fascinating rock formations, prehistoric Indian ruins and monuments.

Stay in Page, Lake Powell overnight.

Today, your tour carries onto the famous Monument Valley, which is renowned for its imposing sandstone rocks. This red sand desert is home to dramatic rock constructions, and you’ll discover the real west out here and see why Western movies are so popular.

Situated on the border between Arizona and Utah, the iconic buttes are dotted around the valley, providing an impressive backdrop to one of the many walking trails in the area.

Tonight, you’ll return to Page, Lake Powell.

After you’ve refuelled with a good breakfast, you’ll carry on your way to Bryce Canyon National Park.

An otherworldly place altogether, Bryce Canyon’s red and pink-coloured cliffs inspire great photographs and long lasting memories. The peculiar shapes of these spire rock shapes, eroded by the elements, are called ‘hoodoos’ and provide an astounding setting. Take a trek to Sunrise Point for a dream-like panoramic view. 

From here, your tour journeys on to Zion National Park - the oldest national park in the USA - in the southwest of Utah. Distinctive due to its contrast between verdant forests and breath-taking canyons, it’s a worthwhile visit. Follow the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, ending up at beautiful waterfalls and a hanging garden. 

Stay overnight in Zion.

On the penultimate day of your Wings over the West tour, you’ll head on back to Las Vegas and the neon lights.

Today is your final chance to see the desert skies, the glorious entertainment options, play some blackjack and spot some of the best-known filming spots from your favourite films.

Tonight is also your last chance to buy tickets to a dazzling show and eat out, Las Vegas-style.

You’ll stay overnight in Las Vegas.

Today, you’ll be transferred to Las Vegas International Airport, ready for your flight home.