Route 66 USA

Depart Dublin for your flight to the USA. On arrival in Chicago you will be met by our local representative before transferring to your hotel.

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Chicago, known as the 'Windy City'. You will discover the extravagant shopping district generally known as the Magnificent Mile, before crossing over the Chicago River to the downtown core, which is known as the Loop. The Loop is the historical centre of Chicago and here you will find the Sears Tower, Grant Park, Millennium Park and Navy Pier.

Following lunch at your leisure, you will continue your tour with a visit of Lincoln Park, the River North neighbourhood, the go-to district for those who appreciate fine art and design, before ending the day with a visit of Uptown, the city's concert venue district.

After breakfast, begin your journey on the world-famous Route 66. At McLean, stop at the Dixie Truckers Home, a truck stop built in 1928, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Drive on towards the city of Springfield, founded by trappers and traders in 1818 and capital of the state of Illinois since 1837. Enjoy a guided excursion to the Abraham Lincoln House and Museum in Springfield. Approximate distances: Chicago to Mc Lean 243km (2hr 30min) and McLean to Springfield 83km (1 hour)

Enjoy some free time for lunch before continuing on the journey along Route 66 to Saint Louis. Approximate distance: Springfield to St. Louis 155km (1hr 30 min).

Spend the evening in one of the blues clubs that thrive in the centre of St. Louis (any entrance fees payable locally).

Depart on a morning guided excursion of St. Louis. Just south of the Missouri-Mississippi river junction, St. Louis has long been a major river port, railroad hub, and industrial centre. Take the tram to the centre of Gateway Arch. The 192m high stainless steel arch, commemorating westward expansion, is part of the Jefferson National Memorial and symbol of the city.

Relax with lunch at your leisure before leaving St. Louis to travel south through the Ozarks towards the lively American musical mecca of Branson. Approximate distance from St. Louis to Branson is 404km (4 hours).

Following breakfast continue along Route 66 through eastern Oklahoma along the scenic Will Rogers Highway. Approximate distance: Branson to Claremore 313km (3 hours).

Enjoy an afternoon visit to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore where you will learn about the 'Wild West' American performer's life, wisdom and humour before continuing onwards to Oklahoma City. Approximate distance: Claremore to Oklahoma City 216km (2 hours).

After breakfast, begin your day visiting the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Home to more than 28,000 Western & American Indian art works it is America's premier institution of Western history, art and culture. The museum also contains Prosperity Junction, a turn-of-the-century western town reproduction.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Stockyards City, home to a number of shops specializing in all things Western.

Depart Oklahoma City for the town of Clinton and the ultimate Route 66 experience at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Here you will encounter the iconic ideas, images and myths of 'The Mother Road'. Approximate distance: Oklahoma City to Clinton 137km (1hr 30 min).

This afternoon continue onwards crossing the Texas Panhandle before returning to Old Route 66 for a scenic drive before arriving in Amarillo, known as the 'yellow rose of Texas'. Approximate distance: Clinton to Amarillo 283km (3 hours).

After breakfast your day begins with a visit to the Cadillac Ranch consisting of ten Cadillac cars which are buried nose down in the ground. Approximate distance: Amarillo to Tucumcari 182km (2 hours).

Enjoy some free time for lunch at Tucumcari where a large number of restaurants built in the 1930s to the 1950s are still in business. Later that afternoon travel onwards to Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city that sits in the high desert. Approximate distance: Tucumcari to Albuquerque 280km (3 hours).

Enjoy a trip on the Sandia Peak Tramway, an aerial tramway which stretches from the northeast edge of Albuquerque to the crest line of the Sandia Mountains. Experience amazing views of the 28,000 square kilometres of New Mexico's countryside as you are transported above deep canyons on this unforgettable ride. (Please be aware that weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains and that certain conditions may cause the Tramway to close without notice.)

Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure for sightseeing and shopping of your choice in Albuquerque.

Depart Albuquerque early morning and drive towards the town of Flagstaff, a city surrounded by mountains, desert and ponderosa pine forests. Approximate distance: Albuquerque to Flagstaff is 523km (5 hours).

After lunch at your leisure travel onwards to the Grand Canyon. This superb geological phenomenon will most certainly be one of the highlights of your trip as you embark on a walk along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. A result of millions of years of wind and water erosion, and an endless expanse of shapes, colours and impenetrable shadow, the Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring wonders in the world. Approximate distance: Flagstaff to Grand Canyon 127km (1hr 30 min).

Enjoy sunset over the Canyon with free time for dinner at your leisure at Grand Canyon Village before returning to your hotel in Flagstaff. Approximate distance: Grand Canyon to Flagstaff 127km (1hr 30 min).

Continue along the famed Route 66 to Las Vegas, the gaming capital of the world, glittering like a mirage in the desert. Approximate distance: Flagstaff to Las Vegas is 401km (4 hours).

Indulge in an afternoon and evening at leisure in the iconic Las Vegas. Famed for its buzzing energy, 24-hour casinos and endless entertainment options, you will have ample time to explore the 4 mile long Strip and all it has to offer.

Depart in the morning to Lake Mead, a 220km long lake that stretches from Grand Canyon National Park to Bullhead City. Enjoy a guided tour of the power plant at Hoover Dam, one of the largest dams in the United States which is situated on the famous Colorado River. Return to Las Vegas.

Indulge in another afternoon and evening at leisure in Las Vegas. Why not relax by the pool, enjoy some shopping or try your luck at one of the many casinos?

Depart Las Vegas for Los Angeles in the morning. You will travel over several superb stretches of the Southwest to arrive in Calico, a typical Far West town named for the surrounding multi-coloured mountains. Enjoy a visit of this typical silver-mining town that boomed after the discovery of silver in the foothills in 1881. The town was restored by the Knott family in the 1950s, and opened to the public as a ghost town. With a welcome by cowboys and sheriffs in old-style outfits, you will feel like you are going back to the Far West of the 1880s. Approximate distance: Las Vegas to Calico 240km (2 hr 30 min).

Continue your journey towards Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California city famed as the centre of the nation's film and television industry. Approximate distance: Calico to Los Angeles is 203km (2 hr 30 min).

Enjoy an evening at leisure to dine in your hotel or surrounding restaurants. Your guide will be happy to make recommendations. 

Start the day with a guided tour of Los Angeles, during which your guide will point out the countless film locations in the city. Starting in downtown, you will see the business district and the Mexican quarter before making a stop at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, followed by a visit to Griffith Park Observatory, where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Los Angeles. Finish the morning in Hollywood with a walk down Hollywood Boulevard where you will find the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre, complete with the handprints of famous stars in the cement.

After lunch at your leisure you will continue to Santa Monica. Indulge in some time at leisure to enjoy the Pacific Ocean, walk along the boardwalk, and do some shopping. You will have free time in Santa Monica for dinner at leisure before returning to  your hotel.

Transfer to Los Angeles International Airport for your overnight flight home.

Arrive home following your unforgettable trip along the iconic Route 66.