Route 66

You will stay in hotels such as the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, the Comfort Inn Westport in St. Louis, the Best Western Rail Haven in Springfield, the Best Western Saddleback Inn in Oklahoma City, the Holiday Inn in Amarillo, the Hyatt Place in Albuquerque, the Radisson Hotel in Flagstaff, the Holiday Inn Express in Kingman, and the Best Western Carriage Inn in Los Angeles. All rooms feature private facilities, TV and telephone. Most hotels have a bar and restaurant. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Day 1: UK/Chicago

Depart on your scheduled flight to Chicago. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 2: Chicago

Once the rail centre of the nation, and notorious for gangsters such as Al Capone, Chicago is a powerful city. A half-day city sightseeing tour is included today.

Day 3: Route 66

Morning departure at the start of Route 66. The roads have, of course, been modernised, but the spirit of the route remains. A stop will be made in the state capital of Illinois, Springfield. Continue into the state of Missouri and the city of St. Louis for a two-night stay.

Day 4: St Louis

St. Louis is the largest city in Missouri and is located on the mighty River Mississippi. A city tour is included. In the afternoon we will visit the historical city of St. Charles.

Day 5: Springfield

Morning departure for another Springfield, officially recognised as the birthplace of Route 66. A city tour is included before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay. Evening optional excursion to Branson, live music show capital of the world.

Day 6: Oklahoma

Continue along the most historical section of Route 66. Drive through cowboy country and cross the border into Oklahoma. A stop will be made at Tulsa, before continuing to Oklahoma City for a two-night stay.

Day 7: Oklahoma

The lure of wide open space and free land brought the first settlers to Oklahoma City in 1889. Today it is a modern vibrant city.

On an included tour you will visit the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Heritage Centre, the State Capitol and Crystal Bridge. Enjoy the afternoon to explore at leisure.

Day 8: Palo Duro Canyon

Morning departure for the drive west into the state of Texas. A stop will be made en route at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Continue to the Texas Panhandle and Amarillo, home to the world’s largest cattle market, for an overnight stay.

Day 9: Albuquerque

This morning cross the border into New Mexico and drive to historic Albuquerque for a two-night stay.

Day 10: Santa Fe

Full-day optional excursion to Santa Fe. You will see the famous plaza where the old Santa Fe Trail ended, the ancient Palace of the Governors and the old San Miguel Mission.

Day 11: Flagstaff

Drive to Gallup and cross the border into Arizona. Visit Petrified Forest National Park with free time for lunch. Next stop is Meteor Crater, 4,000ft wide and created 50,000 years ago. Continue to Flagstaff for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Kingman

From Flagstaff we leave Route 66 temporarily to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River took seven million years to cut this 14 mile-wide gorge. After plenty of time at the Canyon, you will continue to Kingman for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Los Angeles

Continue your journey along the historic trail of Route 66 to Los Angeles via Barstow. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 14: Los Angeles

A morning sightseeing tour of Los Angeles is included. We then drive through luxurious Beverly Hills to the main Los Angeles downtown area.

Day 15: Los Angeles

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 16: UK

Arrival in the UK.