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Itinerary
for U.S.A. Route 66 Tour |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L = Lunch |
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| 20.09.11 |
Melbourne passengers depart
Melbourne at 10.45am on Air New Zealand flight NZ 124, arriving in
Auckland at 4.10pm.
Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 11.30am on Air New Zealand
flight NZ 704, arriving in Auckland at 4.35pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Brisbane at 12.25pm on Air New Zealand
flight NZ 136, arriving in Auckland at 5.25pm.
All passengers will be met at the airport and transferred to the
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City for an overnight stay.
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21.09.11
(B/L)
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Auckland
Today there will be a late morning (11am) departure from your
hotel,
for a city highlights tour of Auckland, the Queen City. See Queen
Street, the 'Golden Mile' business and retail area, New Zealand's
largest university, then cross the 8 lane harbour bridge before
ascending Mt Eden. The views of the city, offshore islands and ocean
are spectacular. View the picturesque Domain and Botanic Gardens,
Panrell Village with its colonial style, exclusive Paratai Drive
returning along Tamaki Waterfront Drive.
Visit the Skytower, which is the tallest building in the southern
hemisphere at 328 metres and enjoy lunch in the Observatory Restaurant
where you will enjoy amazing views. After lunch you will be transferred
to Auckland International Airport for your next flight.
Depart Auckland at 7.15pm on NZ 6, arriving in Los Angeles at 12.30pm
the same day (you cross the international date line).
Upon arrival you are transferred to the Hilton airport hotel
for an
overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure. |
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22.09.11
(B)
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Los Angeles - Chicago
Transfer back to Los Angeles Airport, departing at 11.40am on
American Airlines flight AA 806, arriving in Chicago at 5.45pm.
You will be transferred
to your Chicago hotel.
Welcome to the start of famous route 66! Enjoy time at leisure to relax
or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this
evening to answer any questions. |
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23.09.11
(B) |
Chicago
Known as the 'Windy City' Chicago is home to America's
tallest building, legends such as Al Capone and his notorious gang,
and, of course, countless jazz and blues clubs. Experience this
exciting city on a morning sightseeing tour. This afternoon is at
leisure. Ride the elevator to the top of the Sears Tower, explore The
Magnificent Mile with 460 stores in eight city blocks, or stroll along
Navy Pier. |
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24.09.11
(B) |
Chicago-Springfield
Today
we will be part of the International Route 66
Festival. The streets come alive with the rumble of engines from hot
cars, cool trucks and vintage motorcycles.
Travel across the fertile Illinois farmlands, where the
road is dotted with truck stops, diners, and quirky icons. Upon arrival
in Springfield, visit Bill Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, a
favourite stop for travellers. His memorabilia spans the lifetime of
this famous road. Springfield is also the former home of President
Abraham Lincoln. Visit his home and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Museum. |
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25.09.11
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Springfield-St Louis
This morning we cross the mighty Mississippi River and
continue to St Louis, 'Gateway to the West'. Your city tour of St Louis
includes the towering Gateway Arch. Ride to the top of the 630 foot
tall Arch for a panoramic view of the city and river. The remainder of
the day is at leisure. |
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26.09.11
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St
Louis-Branson
Today we travel through the Missouri country roads past
Meramec Caverns, hideout of notorious bank robber Jesse James. Then, on
to Branson, one of America's biggest music centers. Join us this
evening for our optional evening to Dick Clark's American Bandstand,
where you'll "shake, rattle & roll" with music stars from the
'50's, '60's and'70s. |
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27.09.11
(B)
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Branson-Oklahoma
City
This morning, leave the Ozarks and travel through America's "Bible
Belt" and into cowboy country. After a quick drive through Kansas,
enter Oklahoma, once known as Indian Territory. Stopover in Claremore
to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Born on a sprawling frontier
ranch in Oklahoma, Will Rogers was an Indian, a cowboy, a movie and
Broadway star, a writer, a speaker, a comedian and a world figure.View
his collection of saddles, photos, and manuscripts that reflect on his
incredible life. Later today, arrive in Oklahoma City. |
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28.09.11
(B)
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Oklahoma
City-Amarillo.
A city tour this morning includes the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and
Western Heritage Museum, a national memorial to the American cowboy.
See exhibits that include Native Americans, the American Cowboy and
Rodeo, and more. A 'must see' is Prosperity Junction, a re-created
Western town. From here, travel to Clinton, Oklahoma, where you'll
visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, home to vintage cars, neon signs, a
'50's diner, and drive-in theatre. Continue through the rolling hill
country into Texas and on to Amarillo, the state's oil capital. |
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29.09.11
(B)
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Amarillo-Tucumcari-Santa
Rosa-Albuquerque.
On the way out of Amarillo, see the Cadillac Ranch, a quirky art
sculpture consisting of a collection of 10 Cadillacs. Before crossing
into New Mexico, reach Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. Next stop
in Tucumcari to hear the ancient Indian fable of how the city received
its name, shop for souvenirs at Tepee Curios, and see the neon signs of
the Blue Swallow Motel that has been serving travellers of Route 66
since 1939. Continue along old Route 66 west to Santa Rosa. Look for
the
signs of the good ol' days; Comet Drive-In, Silver Moon, Sun and Sand,
and the still-grinning faces of Fat Man billboards, outside of town.
Visit the Route 66 Auto Museum to see memorabilia and cars of the era.
Upon arrival in Albuquerque, an included guided walking tour features
Albuquerque's Old Town, site of the city's original settlement. Next
visit Central Avenue, where many of the original Route 66 buildings and
businesses still stand. |
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30.09.11
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Albuquerque
Hone your
bargaining skills with the local craftsmen who
line the square to sell their lovely silver and turquoise jewelery.
Visit the renowned Albuquerque Museum of Art and History that features
southwestern art and 400 years of Albuquerque history. After spending
the rest of the day exploring more of this atmospheric city, seize the
chance to ride the world's longest aerial tramway up nearby Sandia Peak
Mountain and witness spine-tingling views of the desert floor, forest
and canyons below. |
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01.10.11
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Albuquerque-Gallup-Holbrook-Winslow-Flagstaff
Today
you'll experience the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Stand in awe as you experience the unforgettable Mass Ascension, where
hundreds of hot air balloons take off, turning the sky into a rainbow
of colours. You have the opportunity to walk amongst the balloons as
they ascend.
This morning, visit Acoma Sky City, home of the Pueblo
Indians, situated on 357 foot high sandstone rock. It is considered to
be the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States.
Learn about this city and its inhabitants, and peruse Acoma pottery and
jewelery. Then, cross the Continental Divide and continue to Gallup,
which claims a longtime Hollywood connection. From Redskin, filmed in
1929, to the more recent adventures of Superman, the area has provided
unequaled movie scenery. Tonight is in Flagstaff, nestled at the based
of the San Francisco Mountains. Perhaps visit the Museum Club, a great
place to scoot your boots and soak up some honky-tonk history. |
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02.10.11
(B)
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Flagstaff-Grand
Canyon
Deviate from Route 66 to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the
World, the Grand Canyon. Wander along the canyon rim and experience
breathtaking views. Perhaps join the optional helicopter "flightseeing"
tour. Tonight you stay inside Grand Canyon National Park. |
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03.10.11
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Grand
Canyon-Williams-Seligman-Las Vegas
Return to Route 66 and pass through historic Williams, which is listed
in the National Register for Historic Places. Make sure to appreciate
the neon signs of the intact circa 1940s "Motel Row'. Later today,
visit Seligman, home to the rebirth of Route 66. Detour once again from
Route 66 to visit the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas. |
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04.10.11
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Las
Vegas
Enjoy a day at leisure. Relax by the pool or explore the world-renowned
Las Vegas Strip. Ride the world's highest roller coaster, float through
a Venice canal, or see man-eating sharks up close - it's all possible
in Las Vegas. Don't miss downtown Las Vegas, where you'll find the
Fremont Street Experience, five city blocks enclosed in a glass atrium
and filled with dazzling lights, sounds and action. A variety of
optional excursions are available, including a float trip through
dramatic Black Canyon on the Colorado River. In the evening, join an
optional night out at a dazzling show featuring top Vegas entertainment. |
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05.10.11
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Las
Vegas-Los Angeles
Today, depart the man-made phenomenon of Las Vegas and cross the Mojave
Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains en route to Los Angeles. Time
to stop in Barstow to visit the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, which
displays a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to
Route 66 and the Mojave Desert communities. Continue on to Los Angeles,
the "Capital of Glamour". |
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06.10.11
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Los
Angeles
Savor the exciting "City of Angels" on our morning tour of glamorous
Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, and more legendary sights.
Next, head for Santa Monica Pier, the official endpoint of Route 66, to
stroll the boardwalk, dip your toes into the Pacific, and reflect on
your journey along "America's Main Street". The rest of the day is
yours to perhaps enjoy Disneyland or Universal Studios, shop for
souvenirs, or relax by the pool. |
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07.10.11
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Los
Angeles
A free day in Los Angeles. In the evening, transfer
to Los Angeles International Airport.
Depart
Los Angeles at 9.30pm on NZ 1, arriving in Auckland at 6.30am two days
later - 9 October - you recross the international date line. |
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09.10.11
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Sydney passengers depart
Auckland at 9.00am on NZ 103, arriving in
Sydney at 10.30am.
Melbourne passengers depart Auckland at 8.00am on NZ 123, arriving in
Melbourne at 10.00am.
Brisbane passengers depart Auckland at 9.30am on NZ 135, arriving in
Brisbane at 10.10am. |
