America's Golden West with Hawaii add-on

You will stay in hotels such as the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs, the Best Western Carriage Inn in Los Angeles, the La Cuesta Inn in San Luis Obispo or Best Western in Arroyo Grande and the Comfort Inn by the Bay in San Francisco. All bedrooms have TV, telephone and private facilities. Hotels usually have a restaurant and some offer extra facilities such as a swimming pool and fitness centre. The Stratosphere Hotel features its own cabaret, restaurants, bars, shops and its ‘Top of the World’ restaurant, 800ft above the famous Strip.

For your Hawaii add-on, you will stay at the Ohana East Hotel or similar, situated within easy walking distance of the beach at Waikiki. All rooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV and personal safe. There is a restaurant, cocktail lounge, coffee shop, swimming pool and excellent shops.

Day 1: UK/Las Vegas

Depart on your scheduled flight to Las Vegas. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Day 2: Las Vegas

Free in Las Vegas. We include a short sightseeing tour of this exciting city. Join an optional Las Vegas by Night tour this evening.

Day 3: Las Vegas

Optional tours by air over the Grand Canyon with breathtaking views, with a chance to experience the Skywalk, a horse-shoe shaped viewing platform which extends 70 feet out across the Canyon. Evening free in Las Vegas. Try your luck in one of the casinos or take in a show.

Day 4: Palm Springs

Drive to Palm Springs en route visiting Barstow Retail Outlets. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 5: Palm Springs

Free to soak up the sunshine in the opulent surroundings of your centrally located hotel, set against the backdrop of the desert mountains. Palm Springs offers the finest hotels, restaurants and shops in a sundrenched setting amidst mountains, desert canyons and palm trees. You can also take the Aerial Tramway up to Mount San Jacinto or visit the fascinating Living Desert.

Day 6: Los Angeles

Before arriving in Los Angeles, we include a visit to the beautiful and vibrant seaport of Long Beach. Perhaps visit the former Cunard White Star liner Queen Mary, now permanently berthed here and transformed into a hotel, restaurant and museum. There’s even a shopping mall on board – the Queen’s Market Place. Or, why not visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, a world renowned research facility and tourist attraction, where you’ll find 11,000 ocean animals in a spectacular aquarium. Continue to Los Angeles for a two night stay.

Day 7: Los Angeles

LA is one of America’s most exciting cities and to help you get to know its many attractions we include a morning city tour, featuring the Hollywood Bowl, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with its famous hand and footprints, Sunset Strip and the Farmers’ Market. Optional afternoon visit to Universal Studios, where movies are brought to life. You can enjoy thrilling rides and attractions in this exciting theme park in LA.

Day 8: San Luis Obispo/Arroyo Grande

Today is the first day of your spectacular two-day drive up the magnificent Pacific Coastline. You travel through Malibu and Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo or Arroyo Grande for an overnight stay.

Day 9: San Francisco

Continue northwards along the historic El Camino Real to Carmel and Monterey and along the 17-mile drive, famous for its spectacular seascapes. Continue to San Francisco for a two-night stay.

Day 10: San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and home to the Golden Gate Bridge, street cable cars and Fisherman’s Wharf. We include a morning sightseeing tour, which will give you an excellent perspective of this quite unique city. You will cross the fabulous Golden Gate Bridge and also visit Twin Peaks (the view is breathtaking), Golden Gate Park, the Civic Centre, Chinatown and finally Fisherman’s Wharf. Optional excursions include a harbour cruise which passes underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and also sails close to Alcatraz Island with its infamous prison. Shopping in San Francisco is excellent and the famous cable cars are an exciting and inexpensive way of exploring the city. There is also the opportunity to take a helicopter flight under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Day 11: San Francisco/Honolulu

You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for a flight to Honolulu, situated on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Transfer on arrival to your hotel for a six-night stay.

Days 12 - 16: Oahu

You are free to relax and enjoy the beautiful Island of Oahu.

Oahu has much to offer, including its spectacular, rugged and unspoilt Pacific coastline, the cool green Koolau Mountains, Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Centre and, naturally, the best water sports facilities in the world.

There will also be a selection of optional excursions available. These may include:

Royal Circle island tour

A wonderful excursion of what is widely referred to as the Royal Circle. This is the perfect way to explore the beautiful scenery and highlights of Oahu. You will be taken to Diamond Head Crater where we will pause to admire the view before we move on to Hanauma Bay. Discover the North Shore surfing beaches and exotic looking pineapple and sugarcane fields. Your excursion also includes an escorted visit through the tropical gardens, the Macadamia Nut Hut where you will be able to sample locally grown macadamias. We also plan to visit a magnificent fish pond. We will make a stop for lunch (not included).

Polynesian Cultural Center

Choice of two packages – standard or Ali’l Luau.
Visit this fascinating cultural centre and choose from two options to tailor the day to your preferences.

Explore the island villages at your own pace, enjoy the IMAX theatre where you can learn about the “Ha Breath of Life” show and join a virtual canoe and tram tour. There are plenty of places to dine in the centre from restaurants to snack bars.

Alternatively choose to experience a traditional meal by joining the Ali’l Luau tour. You will witness the uncovering of the traditional ‘imu’ underground oven where the kalua pua’a (roast pig) will have been cooking for most of the day. You will be served a sumptuous feast and enjoy preferential seating for the “Ha Breath of Life” show.

Paradise Cove Luau

A truly cultural evening which begins with a traditional Mai Tai greeting and live Hawaiian music - certain to get you in the mood for some traditional Hawaiian fun.

Stroll through the traditional village admire the locals’ arts and crafts skills. You may even get the chance to have a go at some Hawaiian games.

At the “hukilau on the beach” you will observe net fishing techniques of old Hawaii, witness the pageantry of the Royal Court Procession and ‘imu’ underground cooking. The highlight of your evening will be a feast of Hawaiian dishes, local favorites and continental cuisine.

Navatek sunset buffet dinner cruise

Enjoy the beautiful sunset while dining at sea on the sleek and modern vessel, Navatek I. You will experience a memorable, fun and informal evening aboard this high-tech vessel which uses a special kind of technology ensuring guests enjoy the smoothest cruise in the islands.

Your route takes you along Waikiki Beach and beyond Diamond Head to the hidden shores of the Kahala Coastline - home to Hawaii’s rich and famous. You will dine in the oceanthemed Blue Hawaii Room with an accompaniment of Hawaiian and contemporary music. After dinner the dining room gives way to a party atmosphere where you can enjoy music and dancing late into the evening.

Volcano tour and lava walk – full-day tour

Explore more of Hawaii on this full-day tour. You will discover the fascinating history of Hawaii’s volcano, explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and take a ‘lava walk’ where you will learn of the breathtaking changes that the volcano has imposed on the area. We will drive though magnificent scenery and see dormant volcanoes, lava beds, steam vents and craters. Your knowledgeable guide will tell you of the legends of Pele and the ancient Hawaiian goddess of the volcano. We will make a stop for lunch and dinner (not included).

Days 17 - 18: San Francisco/UK

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK via San Francisco.