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Itinerary
for "Trans America Tour" - June 2011 |
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Note:
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Meals are included in the itinerary as;
B = Breakfast, CB = Continental Breakfast, D = Dinner |
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07.06.11
(D) |
Depart Brisbane at 7.00am on VA 919,
arriving in Sydney at 9.00am.
Both Sydney and Brisbane passengers depart Sydney at 10.45am on VA 1,
arriving in Los Angeles at 8.00am the same day (you cross the
international date line).
Melbourne passengers depart Melbourne at 11.15am on VA 11, arriving in
Los Angeles at 8.45am.
All passengers will transfer to Holiday Inn Los Angleles Airport for an
overnight stay.
The included dinner will be at your hotel.
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08.06.11
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Transfer back to Los Angeles Airport,
departing at11.30am on DL 2562, arriving in New York's J.F.Kennedy
Airport at 8.00pm. Upon arriving in New York you will be transferred to
your hotel. |
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09.06.11
(CB)
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New York
Manhattan Sightseeing. On today's sightseeing tour you
will see New York City's major attractions, including Broadway, the
Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, City Hall, Wall Street, and
Trinity Church. Your afternoon is free. |
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10.06.11
(CB) |
New York City - Philadelphia-Washington DC
Area
Today we head south through New Jersey to Philadelphia,
the birthplace of the United States. During your free time in
Philadelphia you may like to visit Independence Hall, where the
Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. Then
onto Washington DC. |
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11.06.11
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Washington
DC Area
Cross the Potomac River to
see the graves of American heroes, including those of John F. Kennedy
and his brother Robert, in beautiful Arlington National Cemetery. Next,
your guided sightseeing tour of the capital continues with photo stops
at Capitol Hill and the White House, and visits to the Lincoln,
Vietnam, and National WW II Memorials. As the remainder of the day is
free, why not visit the Smithsonian museums?
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12.06.11
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Washington DC - Niagara Falls
Today is a scenic day as you head north through Pennsylvania Dutch
Country, home of the Amish and Mennonite religious sects. Then
along the Susquehanna River to Williamsport, the birthplace of Little
League baseball and site of the league's annual "World Series". Later,
we cross the Rainbow Bridge to Canada and arrive at Niagara Falls,
Ontario, for your overnight stay. |
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13.06.11
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Niagara Falls - Detroit
This morning we board the 'Maid of the Mist' for an amazing close-up
view from the base of the falls. Then we travel the Niagara
Parkway, admiring the sweeping landscapes of this scenic
countryside. Head southwest and cross the farmlands and vineyards
of Ontario.
Note: The operation of the Maid of the Mist cruise is subject to
favourable weather and/or river conditions. Usually favourable
conditions exist from May to the end of October. If unfavourable
conditions exist, a walking tour of the scenic tunnels will be
substituted. |
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14.06.11
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Detroit - Chicago
Begin the day with a visit to the HENRY FORD MUSEUM. Don't miss
the 'Automobile in American Life' exhibit. Reach Chicago,
America's third-largest city, in the late afternoon. |
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15.06.11
(B) |
Chicago
See all the major landmarks on your morning city tour of the 'Windy
City'. The afternoon is free. |
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16.06.11
(B) |
Chicago - Wisconsin Dells-Minneapolis
Enter Wisconsin with a leisurely break in pretty Wisconsin Dells - a
popular spot for photographers. Enjoy an
included boat trip in a unique amphibious vessel.
Next, Minnesota - the land of
10,000 lakes. Drive through St Paul, Minneapolis' twin city,
before reaching your overnight hotel. |
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17.06.11
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Minneapolis
Begin the day with a short city sightseeing tour of the bustling
downtown area as well as the many beautiful parks and gardens and
residential neighbourhoods. Then, head out to the fabulous MALL OF
AMERICA, the largest shopping mall in the United States, featuring more
than 400 speciality stores as well as several large retailers.
Tonight, an optional dinner cruise aboard a paddle wheeler on the
Mississippi River is available. |
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18.06.11
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Minneapolis - Pierre
Into the rich farmlands of South Dakota and homeland of the great Sioux
Indian Nation. A stop in Mitchell to see the CORN PALACE, a remarkable
Moorish-style building where interior and exterior are covered with
designs of corn outlined with grasses and grain. Then a scenic drive
through the Crow Creek Indian Reservation and along the mighty Missouri
River. Overnight in Pierre, the state's capital. |
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19.06.11
(CB) |
Pierre - Badlands National Park - Keystone
First a drive through Fort Pierre National Grassland to see the prairie
as it once was when only buffalo and the Sioux Indians occupied the
land. Next is BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, where 37 million years of wind
and water erosion have carved out a remarkably colourful sight. Then
head deep into the Black Hills and behold the granite faces of MOUNT
RUSHMORE, a giant monument to four American presidents - Washington,
Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. |
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20.06.11
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Keystone - Cody
Head through the rich, mountainous country to Buffalo, where open-range
cattle kings made war on the sheep ranchers of the 1880's. Drive
past Sheridan, the scene of many fierce battles between the U.S.
Cavalry and the Sioux, Cheyenne, and the Crow Indians. Then, climb over
the Bighorn Mountains en route to the overnight stop in Buffalo Bill's
frontier town of Cody.
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21.06.11
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Cody - Yellowstone National Park
Through the Shoshone National Forest to splendid YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL
PARK. Follow the Grand Loop Road to Artist Point with
magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon and the stupendous Lower
Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara. Next are the geyser basins
with bubbling mud paint pots and finally the reliable "blow" of Old
Faithful, Yellowstone's great geyser. The next two nights we overnight
in West Yellowstone, the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
Located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of
wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk. |
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22.06.11
(B)
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Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, the United States first
National Park, is a dramatic contrast of alpine
lakes, lush forests, and deep canyons and the day is free to
explore more of this magnificent national park. |
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23.06.11
(B) |
Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park -
Jackson - Salt Lake City
Head south into the magnificent GRAND TETONS with saw toothed, 13,500
foot high ridges crested with snow most of the year. Through
'Western'
Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swing-door saloons, and arrive
in
Salt Lake City in the late afternoon. Magnificently set on the edge of
a salt desert and near mountains covered in forests and abundant with
lakes, this is the centre of the Mormon religion. A brief orientation
drive before reaching your hotel. |
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24.06.11
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Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon - Cedar City
Through the sagebrush landscape of southern Utah to BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK with its breathtaking sandstone and
limestone cliffs and ever-changing colours. Head west through the
Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument to Cedar City
for your overnight. |
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25.06.11
(CB) |
Cedar City - Zion National Park - Grand
Canyon
First stop is ZION NATIONAL PARK, a landscape that was carved out by
rushing streams over a period of a million years. Through Kaibab
National Forest to the less visited north rim of the GRAND CANYON,
where you'll marvel at the stunning views of the flame-coloured walls
plunging 4,800 feet into the Colorado River. The rest of the
evening is free. |
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26.06.11
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Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
Head to the unique phenomenon of Las Vegas, where today's fortune
hunters try their luck at the 24 hour gambling tables of "The Strip".
The afternoon is at leisure so you can explore the casinos. |
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27.06.11
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Las Vegas
A free morning and afternoon to enjoy the sights of Las Vegas.
Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the best shows to
see this evening. |
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28.06.11
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Las Vegas - Los Angeles
Into California today with a stop at CALICO GHOST TOWN to relive the
wild, tough days when miners struck it rich. Through the Mojave Desert
and over the San Gabriel Mountains to Los Angeles. |
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29.06.11
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Los Angeles
Start the day with a sightseeing tour of the world's "Capital of
Glamour". You'll drive to Hollywood, see the footprints of the stars at
Grauman's Chinese Theatre, famous Hollywood Bowl, and the Kodak
Theatre.
Then on to elegant Beverly Hills followed by a drive down Sunset
Strip. Suggestion for this afternoon an optional excursion to Universal
Studios. |
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30.06.11
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Los Angeles - Sydney
Free day in Los Angeles. Transfer to L.A. Airport. Melbourne passengers
depart Los Angeles at 8.50pm on VA12, arriving in Melbourne at 5.15am
on 02.07.11
(You cross the International Date Line).
Sydney passengers depart Los Angeles at 10.20pm VA2, arriving in Sydney
at 6.15am 02.07.11.
Brisbane passengers depart Los Angeles at 11.55pm on VA8, arriving in
Brisbane at 6.45am 02.07.11. |