Welcome to the "Big Apple!" Enjoy your time at leisure to relax and explore the city on your own.

New York City is one of the world's most exciting cities, buzzing with atmosphere and packed with fascinating sights and great shops. On today's sightseeing tour, see New York City's major attractions, including Broadway, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, bustling Chinatown, City Hall, Wall Street and Trinity Church. This evening, choose from the many fine restaurants the city has to offer or maybe enjoy a famous Broadway show.

Depart Manhattan and head through the Pocono Mountains and into upstate New York, arriving in Corning at midday. Late this afternoon, cross the border at Rainbow Bridge and proceed to the Canadian side of the Niagara River in the province of Ontario. You are scheduled to spend the next two nights in Niagara Falls.

Start your day with a sightseeing tour and behold the spectacular falls from Table Rock. Then, board the MAID OF THE MIST for amazing close-ups. The afternoon is free for you to choose your activities which can include travelling by the "People Mover" (local transport) to visit attractions such as the Butterfly Conservatory, Great Gorge Adventure, Botanical Gardens and Niagara Parks Greenhouse or you can opt to ride the aerial cable car.

Start your day by heading southeast through the Appalachian Mountains and into the Susquehanna River Valley. From here, proceed to the handsome city of Philadelphia for an overnight stay.

This morning visit the birthplace of American Independence where the "City of Brotherly Love" is steeped in history. Enjoy the morning orientation where the tour focuses on the historic landmarks then. From here, proceed to the U.S. capital and seat of government Washington DC for a 2-night stay. You can opt to join the outing, featuring dinner followed by a tour of the city's most famous memorials.

Enjoy your half-day tour with a Local Guide that features the Korean, Vietnam and National WWII Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and other well-known sights. Capture memories with photos at the White House and Capitol Hill. The afternoon is free for you to choose your activities. You can ask your tour director for suggestions.

This morning is at leisure for you to do any last minute shopping before you are dropped to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles.

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the world's "Capital of Glamour," including a drive through Hollywood and famous TCL Chinese Theatre. The rest of your day is at leisure for you to explore this amazing city. You can opt to visit Hollywood again and the Hollywood History Museum, located in the old Max Factor Building. You can also take a stroll down Olvera Street, the heart of the original Spanish Mission or visit the Getty Centre to view its wonderful art collection. You can choose from a host of suggestions for dining and shopping.

This morning make your way to the desert oasis of Palm Springs with its distinctive wind farms, 5,000 swimming pools and 90 golf courses! Palm Springs has been irresistible ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holing up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine. You have the rest of your day free to relax by the pool, browse the many shops and galleries or visit the Palm Springs Desert Museum

Start your day with a sightseeing tour which highlights downtown Phoenix and the Arizona State Capitol Building. Next, experience Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts provide a window into the past.

Today, travel to Sedona a thriving centre for New Age arts set in Canyon Country and proceed to the weather-sculptured rock formations of Oak Creek Canyon. Travel alongside the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK. You can take a stroll along the canyon rim-or for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional helicopter flight seeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,000 ft into the Colorado River. You are scheduled to spend the night in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the Main Street and the gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Cross the old Mojave gold-strike country which still bears traces of century-old ghost towns set in natural desert beauty. Watch for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to more than 40 feet in height and can live up to 300 years. By late afternoon reach Las Vegas, the fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, bars, and glamorous shows. Be sure to explore some of the many themed casino resorts along the colorful "Strip." This evening you can opt to watch a dazzling stage show featuring top Vegas entertainment, which we highly recommend.

The morning and afternoon is free for you to swim and sunbathe at the hotel pool or explore the varied casinos and shopping plazas. You acn ask your Tour Director for more suggestions. You can also consider a river float trip through the Black Canyon.

Start your day of striking natural contrasts as your journey continues across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California and ascending into the snowcapped Sierra Nevadas. You are scheduled to spend the night in Mammoth, a popular alpine resort area surrounded by beauty and majesty and within easy reach of Yosemite National Park.

Today visit the YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls and lush forests. Enjoy the beautiful drive from the park to Sonora which was once a thriving centre in the Gold Rush era.

Today, head toward Sacramento the capital of California where you will have time to explore Old Sacramento. "Old Town," as the locals call it, features a Wild West ambiance. During your visit, see the country's largest collection of Gold Rush-era buildings, a Wells Fargo museum and a historic railroad museum. From Old Town, proceed west to reach San Francisco by early afternoon. Cross the splendid bay with vistas of the San Francisco skyline and its magnificent harbour. On your city tour, see the main sights including the renowned Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Nob Hill. Tonight you can choose to join your travelling companions for an optional evening in Chinatown. Explore this vibrant historic section of San Francisco that houses the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Enjoy a lavish 4-course dinner at an authentic Chinese restaurant. End on your day on a high note with a short walking tour of Chinatown, plus a ride on one of San Francisco's famous cable cars.

This morning, visit the famous and fascinating ALCATRAZ PRISON. Get a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years. You can then opt to do some more exploring in the "City by the Bay." Ride San Francisco's historic cable cars or take a walking tour of one of the city's diverse neighbourhoods.

This brings your journey to an end with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to San Francisco International Airport are included. You can opt to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the "City by the Bay" further with a variety of exciting optional activities.