Delve into the rich culture and history of Turkiye on an intoxicating journey across this incredible land.
A chance to explore breathtaking sights in three fascinating South American countries.
Discover Los Angeles landmarks including Hollywood, the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills.
Explore San Diego before travelling through the desert landscapes, historic towns and red-rock scenery of Arizona.
See the Grand Canyon, travel along part of Route 66 and view the mighty Hoover Dam.
Experience the bright lights of Las Vegas, the natural splendour of Yosemite and the famous sights of San Francisco.
Travelsphere’s escorted USA tours bring together carefully planned itineraries, selected experiences and the support of an expert Holiday Director.
California is the Golden State – an apt moniker indeed. Historically, the name evokes the 1840s Gold Rush, when prospectors swept in to seek their fortunes and the region boomed. But it also conjures up the sun-kissed skin of its beach-loving residents, the glint of an Oscar, the honeyed hue of its Chardonnays, and San Francisco’s iconic bridge.
Yet the appeal of the American West extends far beyond California’s coast. Travel inland and the scenery shifts from sophisticated cities and fertile valleys to cactus-filled deserts, towering red rocks and vast canyons. A journey through California, Arizona and Nevada reveals just how varied this captivating region can be.
Discover the best places to see in Northern California.
Los Angeles is the natural place to begin. On a tour of the city, you can discover the glamour of Hollywood, see the handprints and footprints outside the famous Chinese Theatre and pass celebrated neighbourhoods including the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills.
There is also time to explore independently or experience more of California’s film and beach culture. An optional Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at familiar film and television sets, while an optional drive along Route 66 leads to Santa Monica and its lively Pacific-facing pier.
Further south, San Diego has a very different atmosphere. Its Spanish influences, waterfront setting and relaxed pace make an appealing contrast to Los Angeles. After an included morning tour, you can discover more at leisure, perhaps exploring the historic Gaslamp Quarter or Balboa Park. An optional cruise around San Diego Bay provides another perspective on this attractive coastal city.
The open road is part of the romance of the American West. Leaving California behind, the route into Arizona passes through dramatic desert scenery filled with distinctive saguaro cacti.
The former Wild West town of Prescott sits more than 1,500 metres above sea level, surrounded by evergreen forests and lakes. Its best-known address is Whiskey Row, named for the saloons that once lined the street. Today, its historic buildings are occupied by a lively mixture of restaurants, bars, galleries and boutiques.
Later in the journey, you can travel along part of Route 66 towards Las Vegas. Officially designated in 1926, this legendary road once connected Chicago with Los Angeles and became an enduring symbol of freedom, adventure and the great American road trip.
Sedona is renowned for the extraordinary red-rock landscape surrounding the town, but it also has a thriving creative community. Time at leisure offers an opportunity to browse its galleries and public art installations. For a closer look at the scenery, an optional Jeep excursion heads out among the striking rock formations while a local guide shares stories about the area.
The journey continues to Flagstaff, the world’s first International Dark Sky City. Here, a visit to Lowell Observatory reveals the region’s connection with astronomical discovery. It was at Lowell that Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. As darkness falls, you can look skywards from the observatory’s open-air observing deck and use its telescopes to explore the night sky.
Few sights can prepare you for your first view of the Grand Canyon. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon extends for 278 river miles, reaches as much as 18 miles across and averages around a mile in depth.
At the South Rim, there is free time to admire the immense landscape and explore Grand Canyon Village. Its historic buildings tell the story of the early development of tourism here, including the arrival of the railway in 1901. For an even more memorable perspective, an optional helicopter flight provides an aerial view of the canyon and the Colorado River far below.
Discover the best National Parks to visit in the USA.
The journey west towards Las Vegas follows part of Route 66 and passes Hoover Dam, one of the great American engineering achievements of the 20th century. On arrival in Las Vegas, the city’s famous Strip presents an extraordinary collection of themed hotels, casinos, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
A free day allows you to experience the city at your own pace. You could explore the elaborate hotels, watch the Bellagio fountains or enjoy one of the city’s many shows. An optional Las Vegas by night tour showcases the neon displays and larger-than-life sights after dark.
Leaving Las Vegas, the route crosses the rugged Mojave Desert before entering California’s fertile Central Valley, where orchards, vineyards and farmland create another dramatic change of scenery.
Discover the top things to do and see in Las Vegas.
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. Glaciers helped shape its immense granite cliffs, valleys and waterfalls, creating a landscape that has inspired generations of artists, photographers and conservationists.
Free time in the park allows you to make your own discoveries. You might take a short walk to see Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America at 2,425 feet, or follow a path beside the river while looking out for wildlife. Waterfall levels vary throughout the year, with the strongest flows typically produced by spring snowmelt, but Yosemite’s dramatic mountain scenery makes an impression in every season.
San Francisco is instantly recognisable, from its steep streets and cable cars to its bustling waterfront. A tour of the city begins by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge before continuing to viewpoints and landmarks including Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park and Chinatown.
The afternoon is free for further exploration. At Fisherman’s Wharf, you can watch the sea lions gathered at PIER 39, browse the waterfront attractions or sample some of the city’s famous clam chowder. An optional cruise on San Francisco Bay offers views of the skyline and bridges before circling Alcatraz Island.
The day concludes with a three-course dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf, providing a fitting finale to a journey filled with vibrant cities, historic highways and some of the most memorable landscapes in the American West.
Discover the best time to visit the USA.
Travelsphere’s 14-day Best of the West escorted holiday travels from Los Angeles to San Francisco, taking in San Diego, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Las Vegas and Yosemite National Park.
The holiday includes return flights, accommodation, selected meals, transportation and a range of included sightseeing experiences. A Travelsphere Holiday Director and specialist local guides help everything run smoothly, while free time and optional excursions provide opportunities to personalise your journey.
Take in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and marvel at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.
Enjoy travelling around the West of America - from the cities of LA, San Diego and Las Vegas to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park. At the end of your tour, spend time in the beautiful city of San Francisco and discover more of the sights at your own pace.
