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Itinerary
for Across Southern U.S.A Tour |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, CB = Continental Breakfast |
07.04.11
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Depart Brisbane at 7.30am on VA920,
arriving in Sydney at 9.00am.
Depart Melbourne at 7.45am on VA817, arriving in Sydney at 9.10am.
All passengers depart Sydney at 11.15am on VA1, arriving in Los Angeles
at 8.00am (you cross the international date line)
You will be transferred to your hotel in central Los Angeles.
Time at leisure to relax or for independent exploring. Your tour
director is on hand this evening to answer any questions. |
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| 08.04.11 |
Los Angeles
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the 'World Capital of
Glamour', including a drive through Hollywood and a visit to Grauman's
Chinese Theater and the famous Kodak Theatre, where you
experience the glamour of the home of the Academy Awards. The
afternoon is at leisure. |
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| 09.04.11 |
Los Angeles - Sun
Juan Capistrano-San Diego
Depart the 'City of Angels' and head down the coast of California.
First stop today is at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded more
than two centuries ago. On your guided tour, learn about the
significance of the swallows that return every year. Then, on to San
Diego. Following an orientation tour of the city, visit the famed San
Diego Zoo. |
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10.04.11
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San Diego - Yuma -
Tucson
Today we head east across the Sonoran Desert, stopping to visit the
Yuma Territorial Prison. More than 3,000 desperadoes were imprisoned in
rock and adored cells here during the prison's 33-year existence
between 1876 and 1909. |
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11.04.11
(B) |
Tucson
This morning we visit the Arizona - Sonoran Desert Museum, exhibiting
over 200 animals and 300 types of plants that are indigenous to the
Sonoran Desert. Then, a visit to Arizona's most famous mission - San
Xavier Del Bac, the 'White Dove of the Desert' |
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12.04.11
(B) |
Tucson - Tombstone
- Las Cruces
Step back in time today as we visit legendary Tombstone, the most
authentic Westerm town left in the United States. Walk the same dusty
streets that saw the famous gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881, enjoy
entertainment in a local saloon. Witness a re-enactment of the famous
gunfight this afternoon. Next, on to Las Cruces. |
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13.04.11
(B) |
Las Cruces - White
Sands National Monument - Carlsbad Caverns - Carlsbad
Drive through the Chihuahuan Desert to one of the world's great natural
wonders: White Sands National Monument, 270 square miles of white
gypsum dunes with a unique ecology. We arrive late this afternoon at
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, unsurpassed in the size of its
chambers
and the beauty of its limestone formations. |
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14.04.11
(B) |
Carlsbad - Fort
Stockton - LBJ Ranch - Fredericksburg
Today we drive through the Lone Star State with a stop in Fort
Stockton, then a visit to Ozona to view the Davy Crockett Monument,
America's celebrated frontier hero, pioneer, and politician. Visit the
Lydon B. Johnson National Historic Park and hear the story of the 36th
President, from his ancestors to his final resting place on his beloved
LBJ Ranch. |
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15.04.11
(CB) |
Fredericksburg -
San Antonio
This morning we make our way to the most visited city in Texas - San
Antonio, home to the Alamo and the historic River Walk. Upon arrival,
an orientation tour captures the true spirit of Texas. |
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16.04.11
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San Antonio - The
Alamo - Houston - Galveston
No trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to The Alamo, Texas'
most famous landmark. It was here that a small band of Texans held out
for 13 days against the Mexican army. Although the Alamo fell, the
phrase 'Remember the Alamo!' has come to symbolise courage and
sacrifice for the cause of liberty. On to Houston, America's
fourth-largest city, for an orientation tour, then we head to Galveston
Island for a 2-night stay. |
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17.04.11
(CB) |
Galveston
A full day at leisure to explore the 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches or
to visit some of the other island's attractions. |
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18.04.11
(CB) |
Galveston - Nasa
Space Center - Lafayette
Before leaving Texas, enjoy an out-of -this-world experience at NASA,
home of the U.S space program. See astronauts train for missions, touch
a real moon rock, or land a shuttle. Take a look behind the scenes on a
guided Tram Tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center, where you'll visit
Historic Mission Control Center, Hanger X, and the space Vehicle Mockup
Facility. Then, into Louisiana and the heart of Cajun Country. |
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19.04.11
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Lafayette - New
Orleans
This morning, board your boat for a cruise through the winding, swampy
waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin. Afterward, enjoy a visit to
Vermilionville on the banks of the bayou. This Cajun/Creole heritage
and Folklife Park recreates life in the Acadiana area between 1765 and
1890. Next, visit Avery Island. Surrounded by swamps and marshes,
Avery Island is a mysteriously beutiful place inhabited by exotic plant
and animal species from aroung the world. It's also the home of
world-famous Tabasco Sauce. Tour the Visitor Centre and learn how
peppers are grown, harvested, and turnes into sauce. Make our way
across Bayou Country into New Orleans, the capital of Dixieland and the
'City Care Forgot'. |
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| 20.04.11 |
New Orleans
A full morning dedicated tothe sights and sounds of New Orleans,
featuring a tour that includes French Quater landmarks: St Louis
Cathedral, Jackson Square, and a visit to a unique above-ground
cemetery. The rest of the day is at leisure. |
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| 21.04.11 |
New Orleans
A free day with a
wide selection of activities to choose from. For shoppers, Canal Street
and the French Quater offer an extensive variety of specialty shops and
boutiques. |
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| 22.04.11 |
New Orleans -
Bilowi - Bellingrath Gardens - Mobile
Today we take the coastal highway into Biloxi. Upon arrival, enjoy an
orientation tour that included the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Hurricane
Katrina Memorial, and Hurricane Katrin Tree Sculptures. We also visit
Beauvoir, the splendid last home of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate
Civil War president. Later, enjoy a Shrimping Trip and learn about the
spectacular world of sea life. Continue along the coastal highway
into Alabama and visit the famous Bellingrath Gardens and Home on
Mobile Bay. Walter Bellingrath, a pioneer in the Coca-Cola bottling
industry, converted 900 acres of subtropical jungle into a magnificent
estate. Stroll through the manicured gardens that include azaleas,
camellias, dogwood, and, in the late autumn, poinsettias. |
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| 23.04.11 |
Mobile - Pensacola
- Tallahassee
Today we cross Florida's panhandle and enjoy a scenic drive that never
strays far from the blur waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its
string of white sandy beaches. In Pensacola, get a taste of the real
South at Seville Square, one of Pensacola's thhree historic districts.
Explore Sandestin, an area that boasts a 20-mile jaunt past scenic
lakes, pine forests, and old Florida towns. Visit the Grayton Beach
State Recreation Area and Seaside, a resort village that features
picturesque pastel cottages. Next up: Tallahassee for a guided tour of
the Capitol building that stands in the shade of giant live oaks. The
Old Capitol proudly stands restored to its 1902 appearance with
candy-striped awnings, a stained-glass dome, and historic displays. |
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24.04.11
(B) |
Tallahassee -
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is a remarkable island retreat where you can explore
miles of barrier island beaches and dune lines edging unbothered
woodlands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Club Historic District, a cluster
of the 19th-century mansions. This 'club' was formed by some of
America's most prominent families, who at one time controlled one-sixth
of the world's wealth. Our Trolley ride takes us on an unforgettable
journey back in time as a guide tells stories of the rich history of
the 'gilded era' and we experience the unspoiltnatural beauty of
this remarkable place. Visit the picturesque church where some of the
world's wealthiest people attended and one of the lovingly restored
'winter cottages' that made up what was, at that time, the most
exclusive club in the world. |
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25.04.11
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Jekyll Island -
Savannah
We make our way to romantic Savannah today, America's first planned
city and a place filled with numerous historic landmarks. Tonight your
Tour Director will have plenty of activities to choose from and will
recommend favourite restaurants and shopping areas. |
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26.04.11
(CB) |
Savannah
Today, a local Guide reveals Savannah's history as the nucleus of
Colonial settlement in Georgia and as the destination of General
Sherman's infamous 1864 'March to the Sea' The remainder of the day and
evening are at leisure. Shop on cobblestoned River Street or stroll
among the many squares surrounded by elegant homes and majestic
gardens. Don't miss Forsyth Park with its lovely fountain and flowers. |
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27.04.11
(CB) |
Savannah - Atlanta
We head inland today to the capital of Atlanta. Our afternoon tour
focuses on the downtown area and the elegant residential neighbourhoods
that take pride in tradition. Highlights include the Georgia State
Capitol, Peachtree Plaza, Olympic Village and Stadium, CNN
headquarters, and a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr., National
Historic Site, which contains his birth home and burial site. |
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28.04.11
(CB) |
Free morning in
Atlanta. Transfer to Atlanta airport, departing at 5.30pm on DL177
arriving in Los Angeles at 7.25pm. Transfer to a hotel in the L.A
airport area. |
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| 29.04.11 |
Free day in L.A
late 6.00pm check-out from your hotel. Transfer to L.A airport.
Sydney and Melbourne passengers depart L.A at 10.10pm on V2, arriving
in Sydney at 6.05am on 01.05.11(you recross the international date
line).
Brisbane passengers depart L.A at 11.55pm on VA8, arriving in Brisbane
at 7.00am on 01.05.11. |
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| 01.05.11 |
Melbourne
passengers depart Sydney at 8.15am on VA818, arriving in Melbourne at
9.45am. |